Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council met January 8. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, January 8, 2018 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building.

Elected Officials Physically Present

        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

        Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk

Elected Officials Present Via Teleconference

        None

Elected Officials Absent

        Dennis Roberts, Alderman Ward 5; Maryalice Wu, Alderwoman Ward 1

Staff Present

         Brad Bennett; Brandon Boys; William Gray; Elizabeth Hannan; Elizabeth Horwitz; Wendy

         Hundley; Sylvia Morgan; Brian Nightlinger; John Schneider; James Simon; Justin Swinford;

         Celeste Choate (Urbana Free Library)

Others Present

         Tom Howley; Members of the Media

         * David Sutton submitted a public input card but was not present at the time Mayor called his name.

A. Call to Order and Roll Call

     There being a quorum present, Mayor Marlin called the meeting of the Urbana City Council

     to order at 8:29 p.m. following a Township Special Board Meeting and the rescheduled

     Township Board meeting.

B. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

     Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve minutes from December 18, 2017.

     Alderman Miller seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

C. Additions to the Agenda

     There was none.

D. Public Input

     Mayor Marlin read and presented a proclamation to Tom Howley from CU 1-to-1

     mentoring program proclaiming the month of January as National Mentoring month.

E. Unfinished Business

     There was none.

F. Reports of Standing Committees

     There were none.

G. Reports of Special Committees

     There were none.

H. Reports of Officers

     Public Works Director William Gray gave an update about the Christmas tree collection

     schedule delayed due to unforeseen weather conditions. The schedule with the one-day

     delay will be 01/09-01/13-2018.

     Community Development Manager John Schneider announced a neighborhood meeting that

     will take place Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 6:00pm at Greater Holy Temple Church

     located at 1409 W. Dublin Street in Urbana. The purpose of this meeting is to meet with the

     developer to discuss the potential redevelopment possibilities of the American Water

     property along with two other adjacent properties.

     Mayor Marlin reminded everyone about the upcoming MLK celebration that will take place

     this Friday, January 12, 2018 at 4pm at the Urbana Vineyard church located at 1500 N.

     Lincoln Ave., Urbana. This is open to the public and the focus this year is our youth.

     Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan and Mayor Marlin gave an overview of the financial

     forecast for FY19-FY2023. Some of those details are as follows:

     Ms. Hannan said that the financial forecast is the first step in the annual budgeting process.

     It focuses on the City’s General Operating Fund, which pays for most basic city services,

     such as Police, Fire and most of Public Works services. This process is used to evaluate

     financial conditions, and based on that evaluation, make high-level decisions about the

     budget process.

     Mayor Marlin also emphasized the need to make tough choices now by setting the stage for

     making a realistic shift in financial perspectives, making a commitment and taking the

     necessary steps to build a solid foundation for the future. This will provide financial

     transparency, accountability and take practical steps to improve the City’s financial position.

     Mayor Marlin also addressed the long-term financial concerns identified last year. These

     were Police & Fire pension funding, structural deficits, inadequate investment in

     infrastructure maintenance, the impact of State decisions on City finances and rebuilding

     reserves. Some actions taken since last year include a budget reduction for FY2018 (no

     salary increase for department heads and upper management staff), revenue enhancement by

     increasing the food & beverage tax, and elimination of two positions by offering a Voluntary

     Separation Incentive (VSP).

     Mayor Marlin said that adjusting to our new reality involves stagnant sales tax revenues, the

     State budget crisis, implications of federal tax changes, and expenditures growing faster than

     revenues (structural deficit). She added, “We are building a strong foundation for our

     future.” Discussion ensued.

I. New Business

     1. Mayoral Appointment to Boards and Commissions

          a. Urbana Business Association Board

               1. Elizabeth Horwitz – term to expire 06/30/20

          b. Visit Champaign County

               1. Rachel Storm

                Mayor Marlin presented the appointments of Elizabeth Horwitz to the Urbana

                Business Association Board replacing Brandon Boys and Rachel Storm to Visit

                Champaign County replacing Natalie Kenny-Marquez.

                There was no discussion. Alderman Brown made a motion to approve the

                appointments as presented. Alderman Ammons seconded. Motion carried by

                unanimous voice vote.

J. Adjournment

     There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Marlin declared the

     meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/01-08-2018_Minutes_CC.pdf