Chambana Sun

Champaign City Council met October 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Council Members Present: Clarissa Fourman Matthew Gladney

William Kyles Vanna Pianfetti

Greg Stock Alicia Beck

Angie Brix Tom Bruno

Mayor Feinen

Council Members Absent: None

Staff Present: Dorothy Ann David, City Manager

Fred Stavins, City Attorney

Dennis Schmidt, Public Works Director

Bruce Knight, Planning and Development Director

Terry J. Blakeman, Senior Planner

Others Present: None

Time Started: 7:01 p.m.

Minutes: September 5, 2017 Post-Council Study Session

September 12, 2017 Regular Study Session

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to approve the minutes. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.

Topics Discussed:

Municipal Electric Aggregation [SS 2017-043]

City Manager David noted the City has had a Municipal Electric Aggregation program since 2012, and the current contract is scheduled to expire next year. Staff will discuss the proposed process used to consider renewal.

Staff Presentation: Director Schmidt’s presentation included the following topics:

• Municipal Electric Aggregation (MEA) Purpose

• Components of an Ameren Electricity Invoice

• Electricity Supply Choices

• City MEA Program – Background

• City MEA Benefits

• Electricity Rate Comparison: City MEA vs. Ameren

• 2018 MEA Renewal Selection Criteria

• 2018 MEA Renewal Next Steps

(Note: Information on how to obtain staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.)

Action Recommended: The Administration recommends that Council direct staff to incorporate Council’s input and finalize the selection criteria that would be used in 2018 to choose an electricity supplier and rate to continue (renew) the City’s MEA program. The finalized selection criteria will be included in a Resolution for Council approval.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions concerned several topics including participation levels, and time period of negotiated rate.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.)

Public Input: None

Council General Discussion: Mayor Feinen thanked staff for continuing to include a renewable option.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1, directing staff to incorporate Council’s input and finalize the selection criteria that would be used in 2018 to choose a vendor and an electricity rate to continue the City’s MEA program. The finalized selection criteria will be included in a Resolution for Council approval. The result of the poll was 9 ayes and 0 nays.

Economic Development Programs [SS 2017-044]

City Manager David noted the City has a number of programs and initiatives, that have evolved over the years, that are focused on economic development and building a strong economy within the City. Staff will provide an overview of the programs and initiatives, and discuss whether Council is willing to support initiating a planning process to update the Economic Development Strategic Plan.

Staff Presentation: Director Knight and Planner Blakeman’s presentation included the following topics:

• Department Structure

• Department Baseline Services

• Current Approach to Economic Development

• Champaign Economy

• Benefits of Economic Development

• Citywide Programs

- Infill Redevelopment Program

- Stand Alone Agreements

- Industrial/High Tech Programs

- Small Business Incentive Program

• TIF Programs - Redevelopment Incentive Program

▪ City Involvement in Private Projects

▪ Before and After Photos: 34 Main Street

▪ Before and After Photos: 114 W. Church St.

- Storefront Improvement Program

▪ Before and After Photos: 202 & 204 N. Neil St

• Enterprise Zone Programs

- Enterprise Zone

• Limitations to the Current Approach

• Moving Forward

(Note: Information on how to obtain staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.)

Action Recommended: The Administration recommends that Council direct staff to initiate a process to update the Economic Development Strategic Plan and related programs.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions concerned several topics including determination of project funding; why the City did not bid for the second Amazon headquarters; local benefits of a Chicago area Amazon headquarters; the approach taken regarding the additional economic development activities listed in the Report to Council; and agreement terms regarding sales, and food and beverage taxes.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.)

Public Input: None

Council General Discussion: Council Members’ comments included the common misunderstanding regarding economic development incentives; support for economic development incentives; thanks for the presentation; one of the benefits for the City from economic development incentives should include jobs; thanks for acknowledging the necessity of including minorities; would like to see the economic development plan echo the upcoming City Council Goals; willing to think strategically regarding the use of staff’s time; appreciate all of the information and the included hyperlinks to previous reports; the current approach focuses on buildings, and the focus needs to be more on workforce development and minority inclusion; looking forward to seeing how the Small Business Development Corporation continues to grow in the future; would like to see technological expansion and partnerships; enjoyed seeing the economic development programs, and the projects associated with them; staff is able to create programs that have a vast impact in the community; thanks for wanting to put in the work to update the strategic plan; and excited to see a strategic plan.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1, directing staff to develop a specific process to update the Economic Development Strategic Plan and City incentive program guidelines for Council consideration at a future Study Session. The result of the poll was 8 ayes and 1 nays (CM Fourman voted no).

Audience Participation: None

Council/Manager Comments: None

Adjournment: CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adjourn. A voice vote was taken on the motion to adjourn; all voted yes.

The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

http://documents.ci.champaign.il.us/v/1UVvrnh9zafXAcpiNo3kNWp34W2N4J9Vj