Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Committee of the Whole met Oct. 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

The City Council Committee of the Whole of the City of Urbana, Illinois met on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building, 400 S. Vine St, Urbana.

ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT

Maryalice Wu, City Council Member Ward 1

Eric Jakobsson, City Council Member Ward 2

Aaron Ammons, City Council Member Ward 3, Chair

Bill Brown, City Council Member Ward 4

Dennis Roberts, City Council Member Ward 5

Dean Hazen, City Council Member Ward 6

Jared Miller, City Council Member Ward 7 (arrived at 8:35 pm)

Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor

Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT

None

STAFF PRESENT

Rich Surles; William Gray; Craig Shonkwiler; Brian Nightlinger; John Schneider; James Simon; Elizabeth Hannon; Steve Doggett; Brian Hoff

OTHERS PRESENT

Elderess Melinda Carr, Bishop King James Underwood; Robb Krumm; Carol McKusick; Members of the Media

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Chair Aaron Ammons called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:04 pm following a public hearing.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

City Council Member (CM) Roberts made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 9, 2017 City Council Committee of the Whole meeting. Motion seconded by City

CM Miller and carried by voice vote with no corrections.

3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

None.

4. PUBLIC INPUT

Rob Krumm gave a brief presentation on the upcoming C-U Folk and Roots Festival sponsored by the City of Urbana. He provided a program and wrist bands for the festival Nov 2-4. He indicated that 80 events would take place in downtown Urbana. This is the 9th festival and includes storytelling, and family activities in addition to the music. He mentioned the Urbana Free Library as a good partner with a number of Saturday events plus kids events at C4A. He thanked the sponsorship from 80 businesses, organizations, and individuals. CM Roberts mentioned the beautiful blue design of the t shirts and Mr. Krumm described the non-profit aspect of the event and group. 

Bishop King James Underwood did not wish to speak, but asked that his position be entered into the record regarding the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues. 

Elderess Melinda Carr did not wish to speak but asked that her position be entered into the record regarding her continued concerns about the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues, equity, and historic impact. 

Aaron Ammons read a personal statement speaking to the weekend workshop on conviction expungements that just occurred. He stated that prior to being appointed to City Council, he spent a decade as a community organizer starting several groups. Several years ago there was a weekend workshop at Salem Baptist Church that highlighted 2nd chances and talked about second chances, felony convictions, and possible expungements. There are more expungements for different offenses possible now. He described how the ban the box organization has given many with a past felony conviction a fair shot at employment. At the 2nd annual expungement event, 300 people started the process and last year there were 500. He described stories of several individuals with with 25-30 years being held down by their record. Several success stories were shared. CM Ammons expressed his personal gratitude to city staff including Chief Morgan, Tony Weck, Amy Anderson, and Karen Snyder. He thanked Mayor Marlin and UPD staff who helped 97 people by getting the fingerprint cost waived. He thanked everyone for understanding and courtesy mentioning the volunteer work of Preston James, Monique James, Martel Miller and Kyle Patterson. Mayor Marlin added Circuit Clerk Blakeman helped organize the event. CM Ammons added that Michelle Jett (from Representative C. Ammon’s office) and Michelle Gonzales (Sen. S. Bennett’s office) helped out as well.

 5. Presentations 

None. 

6. Staff Report

a. Trunk or Treat Event presentation by Firefighters Brian Hoff and Steve Doggett. They passed out a flier and stated that this is the 3rd year with 2000 having attended last year. This is a car show and they are encouraging antiques, tractors, bicycles, or any decorated vehicle. The event is Sunday 11-1:30 at Blains Farm and Fleet. Guest Judges including Mayor Marlin will select and present the winners. The money collected goes to a charity fund that is used to help folks suffering a recent tragedy and is will bridge the gap while insurance is being worked out. 

b. Public Works Director Bill Gray announced that N. Lincoln Ave will be open late this month. The ribbon cutting and opening will be Monday Nov. 6 at 11am at the intersection of Olympian and Lincoln. 

7. Ordinance 2017-10-063: An Ordinance Approving a First Amendment to an Annexation Agreement (1901 S. High Cross Road / Riggs Land Holdings, LLC and Charles L. Wendling – Case No. 2017-A-04)

Planner II Marcus Ricci presented the staff memo. The property is three tracts on the south of High Cross Road. The original agreement was done in March 2015, and contained language to manage noise and light trespass, and limited outside events to two. Riggs LLC has purchased the property. 

Mr. Ricci indicated that this ordinance would remove the special events provision in the agreement and hold them to the current public events ordinance. In addition, it would remove the current exterior provisions, put current city regulations into effect, and would allow them to operate the brewery and events without current restrictions. When asked what has changed relative to the neighbors, Mr. Ricci stated loud bands no longer occur, with no neighbor complaints in the last three years. Staff feels current restrictions are no longer necessary. Neighbors within 300 feet beyond the larger agricultural parcel have been notified as well as those within 1000 feet. The current annexation agreement expires in three years. When asked about landscaping, Mr. Ricci showed photos recently taken, showing mature trees to the west and south. Bill Brown asked about stadium lights which are now gone as are the ball fields with only parking lot lights existing. CM Miller made a motion to send Ordinance 2017-10-063 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by CM Wu and carried by voice. 

8. Ordinance No. 2017-10-064: An Ordinance Repealing Urbana City Code Chapter 17 and Amending Chapter 15 Regarding Garage Sales 

Clerk Smyth presented the staff memo, noting that over a year ago, on advice of city attorneys, the Clerk’s Office was no longer enforcing the city’s solicitation ordinance of Chapter 17. The recommendation is to delete Chapter 17 and move a provision regulating garage sales to Chapter 15. Further, Chapter 15 contains provisions regarding trespassing and signage that would allow the police department to enforce no soliciting/no trespassing situations. 

Committee members expressed support for six to nine garage sales allowed per year and discussing the rationale for limiting the number so as to prevent the generation of businesses, and limit problems with parking and blocked traffic. 

CM Brown said no solicitor registration at all was troubling to him. Responding to his concern, Mr. Simon suggested placing signs on the property stating no soliciting and give notice so that police can enforce. The signage need only make it clear that there is no solicitation allowed on property with no specific legal wording. CM Jakobsson said a resident could simply tell someone to go away, and Mr. Simon agreed with him. 

When asked about a distinction between canvassing and sales, Mr. Simon said both are based on content and there is no distinction. If there were some kind of permit required, fee or no fee, it would have to be the same for everyone. A required permit to canvass or sell and might give the City the right to pursue a solicitor when a scam is involved. CM Brown and Jakobsson stated they would not be in favor of a permit for everyone under this. CM Miller made a motion to send Ordinance 2017-10-064 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by CM Jakobsson and carried by voice. 

9. Resolution No. 2017-10-071R: Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code (MCORE Project 1: Green Street Improvement Wright Street to Busey Avenue - PEIII)

Assistant City Engineer Craig Shonkwiler presented the staff memo. He stated that this appropriates $1.2 million state motor fuel tax for the road project phase 1 for Green St from Wright St to Busey (MCORE 1). Staff recommends approval. CM Wu made a motion to send Resolution 2017-10-071R to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by CM Roberts and carried by voice 

10. Ordinance No. 2017-10-065: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section 3-43 (Increasing the number of Class BB liquor licenses for Lumen Inc. 300 S. Broadway Ave., Unit #142, Urbana, IL 61801) 

CM Miller recused himself and did not participate in the discussion. Mayor Marlin noted that this is a correction, changing the license from R1 to BB for Lumen. CM Roberts made a motion to send Ordinance 2017-10-065 to council with a recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by CM Jakobsson and carried by voice. 

11. Additional Public Input

Chair Ammons read a statement from Carol McKusick asking if the city council had recently done a presentation of its public right to speak rule. He then asked her to the public input table where she asked for clarification on the public input cards. She also asked for additional information to be made available to the public concerning public input. Clerk Smyth agreed to look at the form and make appropriate changes as well as looking at ways of providing more guidance to the public. Chair Ammons added to his early public remarks noting that over 100 attorneys volunteered their services for the Expungements Event attending a 3 hour training session. He again thanked the Circuit Clerk, Land of Lincoln Legal Services, Cabrini Green Legal Services, and noted that several other County Circuit Clerks had attended to learn more. He thanked Stone Creek for hosting and the County Clerk for registering people to vote. 

12. Adjournment

With no further business before the committee, Chair Ammons declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.

Charles A. Smyth Recording Secretary

Charles A. Smyth City Clerk

This meeting was taped. 

This meeting was broadcast on cable television 

The information and video for this meeting are available at: http://www.urbanaillinois.us/node/6691

 *CM = City Council Member

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/10-23-2017_minutes.pdf