Chambana Sun

Champaign City Council met October 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Council Members Present:Tom Bruno Clarissa Fourman

William Kyles Vanna Pianfetti

Greg Stock Alicia Beck

Angie Brix Mayor Feinen

Council Members Absent: Matthew Gladney

Staff Present: Dorothy Ann David, City Manager

Jennifer Bannon, Assistant City Attorney

Bruce A. Knight, Planning and Development Director

Terry J. Blakeman, Senior Planner for Economic Development

Others Present: Don Elmore, Treasurer, Champaign Center Partnership and Executive Director, Small Business Development Center Genevieve Kirk, Executive Director, Champaign Center Partnership

Kathie Cravens, International Trade Specialist, Export Specialist,

Small Business Development Center

Time Started: 7:00 p.m.

Minute Approval: None

Topics Discussed:

FY18 Champaign Center Partnership Work Plan [SS 2017-040]:

City Manager David briefly noted the City has partnerships with economic development organizations in the community; and annual updates are provided to discuss successes from the past year, and things on the horizon.

Planner Blakeman introduced the representative of the Champaign Center Partnership (CCP).

Partnership Presentation: Director Kirk and Treasurer Elmore’s presentation included the following topics:

• Map of the Partnership Area

• Members by District and Type

• Member Service Areas

• Membership Survey

• FY18 Work Plan:

➢ Review and Promote CCP Membership Benefits

➢ Evaluate and Redevelop Web Site

➢ Improve Public Communications and Increase Frequency

➢ Develop and Promote Regular Membership Schedule

➢ Increase Sponsorship and Out-Of-District Support

➢ Organize and Mobilize Volunteer Support

• Discounted Co-Op Advertising

• FY18 Budget Planner Blakeman noted funding information will be addressed during the City’s upcoming budget process.

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

Action Recommended: The Administration requested Council support of the work plan and direct staff to work with Champaign Center Partnership on its implementation.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions included the following topics: City staff involvement with CCP and how that works; frequency of meetings between City and Partnership staff; goals of the Partnership fitting with Council goals; banner agreement and CCP role; current funding amount, amount being asked for, and where additional funding will be provided from; funding not part of the poll direction, but for continued support of the Partnership; and funding remaining based on the current five year agreement.

(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 discussion included the following topics: future direction of the organization including a work plan with goals, need for a more proactive approach by the City to manage meeting goals and objectives, and thanks for the plan; targeting fund expenditures; thanks for the plan and efforts of the organization; importance of communication; organizations importance with helping meet Council goals in relation to business diversification; consider special service areas, as a different funding structure, as other community partnerships have done; map work plan and goals with the objective of becoming self-sustaining, (such as with revamping the web site and metrics to obtain information); importance of increased communication with businesses and connecting with other resources, increased collaboration, and concern with the administrative piece of the banner program; appreciate information regarding CCP involvement with businesses, concerned with increased fund request and not having an expanded plan, see CCP as part of the Special Events programming being discussed for pursuing economic development for businesses, need for criteria to measure funding; figuring out what CCP is and whom they should be responsive to; and not limiting the organization to events.

Poll: No poll was taken as the information provided was for informational purposes, and funding is not being addressed. City Manager David noted a contract relationship is still in effect with CCP.

Small Business Development Center Update [SS 2017-041]:

Director Knight briefly noted the City relies on partnerships, in relation to economic development, to get work completed. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been part of the community for some time, and most recently became housed with the Economic Development Corporation (EDC); which has allowed assistance to small businesses to become an integral part to the overall economic development efforts in the City. He briefly addressed EDC funding through memberships and local governments (state and federal) and other funding sources. He noted with increased Council interest with small business development, the partnership with SBDC has grown.

Development Center Presentation: Director Elmore and Specialist Cravings’ presentation included the following topics:

• Small Business Development Center (SBDC)– Who They Are

• What the SBDC Does

• Funding

• How SBDC and International Trade (ITC) and Export Assistance are Doing (State Director and Client Feedback

• The Numbers (Programming, Clients, Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Client Businesses)

• International Trade Center

• Highlights

• Programs and Partnerships

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

Action Recommended: The Administration requested Council direct staff to continue working with the SBDC to support small business development in Champaign while addressing Council input and looking for new opportunities to partner.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions included the capacity to facilitate in making the City the number one spot for small business development.

(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’ general comments included the following topics: excitement regarding small business development; need for number breakdown and adding to the bottom line of African American businesses; how clients go through the program, and client success; services provided by SBDC; international trade presents great opportunities; and importance of informing people of SBDC services for continued growth and expansion.

Specialist Cravens noted the visit to the Midwest Inland Port is an annual evert that occurs in mid-June. It is open and free for anyone to attend.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative One directing staff to continue to work with the SBDC and ITC to support business startup and growth in the City of Champaign. The result of the poll was 8 ayes and 0 nays.

Audience Participation:

Jamie LaPoda, 901 S. Second St., expressed concern regarding garbage hauler noise and frequency of pickup, and requested Council address the issue of hours of operation for haulers.

Council and City Manager Comments:

CM Fourman expressed the need to address, in a public forum, the Bradley Avenue pedestrian deaths, and improving pedestrian safety including at the railroad crossing. Mayor Feinen noted routing of a request for Study Session would ensure the matter is addressed by Council in public. CM Kyles agreed to support of discussion of the issue in a Study Session.

CM Beck expressed the need to address what can be done regarding pedestrian safety on Bradley Avenue; and the need to address garbage hauler concerns.

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

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

http://documents.ci.champaign.il.us/v/0BxXlsxmGBHseNWhSWEVobGNlQ2s