Chambana Sun

Urbana City Council met Oct. 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, October 2, 2017 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building.

ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT

Maryalice Wu, Alderwoman Ward 1

Eric Jakobsson, Alderman Ward 2

Aaron Ammons, Alderman Ward 3

Bill Brown, Alderman Ward 4

Dean Hazen, Alderman Ward 6

Jared Miller, Alderman Ward 7

Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE

None

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT

Dennis Roberts, Alderman Ward 5

Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk

STAFF PRESENT

Phillip Edwards; William Gray; Elizabeth Hannan; Wendy Hundley; Sylvia Morgan; Brian Nightlinger; Lorrie Pearson; Todd Rent; John Schneider; James Simon; Todd Rent

OTHERS PRESENT

Allen Axelrod; Christina Cail-Lewandowski; John Dwyer; David Krings; David Monk; Jon\ Reichard; Robert Slavin; Terry Townsend; Bishop King James Underwood; Bill Walter; *MLK Elementary School Students. Members of the Media

A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

There being a quorum, Mayor Marlin called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:12 p.m. following the Township Board meeting.

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Alderman Ammons made a motion to approve minutes from September 19, 2017. Alderwoman Wu seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

C. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

1. Mayor Marlin read a proclamation proclaiming October 4, 2017 as “International Walk N Roll to School Day”. Mayor Marlin presented the proclamation to Principal of Martin Luther King Elementary School Christina Cail-Lewandowski and students.

2. Mayor Marlin read a proclamation proclaiming the week of October 2-6, 2017 as “Tutor Appreciation Week”. Mayor Marlin presented the proclamation to representatives from the University of Illinois National Tutoring Association program.

D. PUBLIC INPUT

1. City Administrator Search Overview – Slavin Management Consultants

Human Resources Manager Todd Rent introduced Robert Slavin and David Krings from Slavin Management Consultants (SMC) as the selected firm to conduct the recruitment for the City Administrator position.

Slavin Management Consultants (SMC) president Robert Slavin gave a brief history of the company and their accomplishment in recruiting high-qualified minority candidates for municipalities. He gave the steps in the vetting process when executing a search for highly qualify candidates.

SMC Midwest Regional Manager David Krings acknowledged the efforts by the Mayor to include council members in the process. He also reminded the board that their work comes with a guarantee. If, for any reason, a candidate leaves within the first two years the firm will restart the search again at no additional fee to the city, excluding expenses incurred. The company will stay connected until the city is pleased with their candidate selection. Mr. Slavin and Krings addressed questions from council members. Discussion ensued.

2. Storm Ready - Fire

Fire Chief Brian Nightlinger introduced Champaign County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Director John Dwyer and Fire Marshal Phillip Edwards.

Mr. Dwyer expressed his gratitude to the council and all public servants. He started by saying that Urbana was one of the first communities south of I-80 to become Stormready September 5, 2000. He gave a brief description of what it takes to become a Stormready community. What this program does to encourage the community to adopt new proactive approach by improving communication during disasters.

What does it take to be a Stormready community?

• Have an established 24-hour warning point emergency operation center

• Have more than one way to receive weather warnings and forecast alerts to the public.

• Create a system that monitors the local weather.

• Promote the importance of public readiness.

Fire Marshal Phillip Edwards gave an overview of the Risk Watch program that is a school-based curriculum that links teachers with community safety experts and parents. They have a storm simulator and have all the kids go through it and provide the information for them to take home. Discussion ensued.

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.

David Monk addressed the council to express his concerns about prairie planting along North Lincoln Avenue.

Terry Townsend addressed the council with concerns about the current direction and structure of the Champaign County Housing Authority.

Allan Axelrod addressed the council about Renewable Energy Municipal Bond.

E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

There was none.

F. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

1. Committee Of The Whole

a. Resolution No. 2017-09-064R: A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement (JAG Program)

Alderman Brown made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2017-09-064R as forwarded from committee. Alderman Ammons seconded. There being no discussion the motion carried by roll call vote. Votes were as follows:

Aaron Ammons - Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye

Bill Brown – Aye Jared Miller – Aye

Dean Hazen – Aye Maryalice Wu - Aye

Disposition: Resolution No. 2017-09-064R was approved by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-Nay).

b. Ordinance No. 2017-09-054: An Ordinance Naming a Street, Avenue, Alley, or Other Public Place (Changing “North Lincoln Avenue” to “West Oaks Road”)

Alderman Brown made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-09-054 as forwarded from committee. Alderman Miller seconded. There being no discussion the motion carried by roll call vote. Votes were as follows:

Aaron Ammons - Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye

Bill Brown – Aye Jared Miller – Aye

Dean Hazen – Aye Maryalice Wu - Aye

Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-09-054 was approved by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-Nay).

c. Resolution No. 2017-09-065R: A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement (Agreement for sewer system modeling)

Alderman Brown made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2017-09-065R as forwarded from committee. Alderman Hazen seconded. There being no discussion the motion carried by roll call vote. Votes were as follows:

Aaron Ammons - Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye

Bill Brown – Aye Jared Miller – Aye

Dean Hazen – Aye Maryalice Wu - Aye

Disposition: Resolution No. 2017-09-065R was approved by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-Nay).

d. Ordinance No. 2017-09-055: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Section 3-8 (Liquor Delivery)

* Alderman Miller recused himself from voting on this item, due to conflict of interest, as he is a manager for a business that holds a liquor license in the City of Urbana.

Alderman Brown made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-09-055 as forwarded from committee. Alderwoman Wu seconded. Discussion ensued. After discussion, the motion carried, by roll call vote. Votes were as follows:

Some of the concerns addressed by staff were Law enforcement process, Fines, and Suspensions.

Aaron Ammons - Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye

Bill Brown – Aye Jared Miller – Recused

Dean Hazen – Aye Maryalice Wu - Aye

Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-09-055 was approved by roll call vote (5-Aye; 0-Nay).

G. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

There were none.

H. REPORTS OF OFFICERS

Community Developments Manager John Schneider announced various events:

 Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - Walk n Roll to School Day.

 Saturday, October 7, 2017 - Bike Rodeo at the parking lot on Illinois Street to the south across from the Market at the Square from 9-11:30 am., teaching children bicycle skills through hands-on activities and safety instructions, they will also be selling and fitting bicycle helmets (free fitting with the purchase of a $10 helmet).

Mr. Schneider also reported that on Friday September 29, the City received official news that 9% of Low Income Housing Tax Credits were awarded by the Illinois Housing Development Authority to TWG Development the new owner of Aspen Court Apartments. Development Director for TWG Andrea Kent reported that the preliminary timeline for construction to begin in late spring to early-summer 2018. The project will take approximately one year to complete.

I. NEW BUSINESS

1. Ordinance No. 2017-10-056: An Ordinance Approving A Major Variance ((711 East Kettering Park Drive / ZBA Case No. 2017-MAJ-04)

Planning Manager Lorrie Pearson presented Ordinance No. 2017-10-056 with recommendation for approval. This ordinance variance will allow a building expansion to be continuous with the exiting structure for accommodating operational needs while complying with City regulation requirements.

Representatives from A&R Mechanical were present to address any questions council had. Bill Walter and Jon Reichard addressed the council and commended the collaborative work and support from city staff. Discussion ensued.

After discussion, Alderman Ammons made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017- 10-056 as presented. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by roll call vote. Votes were as follows:

Aaron Ammons - Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye

Bill Brown – Aye Jared Miller – Aye

Dean Hazen – Aye Maryalice Wu - Aye

Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-10-056 was approved by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-Nay).

2. Ordinance No. 2017-10-057: An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map of The City of Urbana, Illinois (Rezoning of a 3.86-acre parcel at 1303 Cunningham Avenue from R-4,\ Medium Density Multiple-Family Residential to B-3, General Business – Plan Case 2312- M-17 / Cunningham Children’s Home)

Planning Manager Lorrie Pearson presented Ordinance No. 2017-10-057 with recommendation for approval. This Ordinance will allow a change in zoning from R-4 Medium Density Multi-Family Residential to B-3 General Business.

Representative Dan Holmer from Cunningham Children’s Home was available to answer any questions that council had.

After discussion, Alderman Miller made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-10-057 as presented. Alderman Ammons seconded. Motion carried by roll call vote. Votes were as follows:

Aaron Ammons - Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye

Bill Brown – Aye Jared Miller – Aye

Dean Hazen – Aye Maryalice Wu - Aye

Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-10-057 was approved by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-Nay).

3. Mayoral Appointment to Boards and Commissions

a. Sustainability Advisory Commission

1. Claire Autumn Johnson – term ending 06/30/19

Mayor Marlin presented the appointment of Claire Autumn Johnson to the Sustainability Advisory Commission. There being no objections to the appointment. Alderman Miller made a motion to approve as presented. Alderwoman Wu seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

J. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Marlin declared the meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/10-02-2017_Minutes.pdf