Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council met November 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

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

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

Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor

Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk

Elected Officials Present Via Teleconference

None

Elected Officials Absent

Staff Present:

William Gray; Elizabeth Hannan; Sylvia Morgan; Brian Nightlinger; John Schneider; James Simon; Natalie Kenny-Marquez;; Scott Tess

Others Present:

Jayne DeLuce; Durl Kruse; Harlan Powell; 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 7:00 p.m.

B. Approval Of Minutes Of Previous Meeting

City Council Member Ammons made a motion to approve minutes from November 6, 2017. City Council Member Miller seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

C. Additions To The Agenda

There were none.

D. Public Input

1. Public Input Cards:

Durl Kruse wanted to bring to the attention of City Council that he has been in contact with Melissa Hayes. She will be making her quarterly IDOT study presentation next week and her presentation materials won’t be ready before the meeting. He thinks it’s really important that the presentations are included in the packet so that the public can read and make comments. He requested that the council request the report for transparency purposes. Questions and discussion ensued.

CM Jakobsson asked for clarification from Mr. Kruse and Mr. Kruse indicated that the presentation should be postponed until materials could be provided in advance. Mayor Marlin added that not all presentations are in the packet, that this will be a PowerPoint presentation and that staff will work on it until the last minute. In this case, for this type of presentation and analysis, staff want to be able to make the presentation in person and provide clear explanation of the results to everyone at the same time. She further stated that we can schedule a follow up presentation the following week and that after the presentation, the PowerPoint slides would be on the city website. Further discussion occurred with CM Wu asking for an annual written report to summarize findings and CM Jakobsson adding that he though a follow up discussion appropriate.

2. Presentations

a. Jayne DeLuce, Visit Champaign County (VCC) Executive Director presented VCC’s Tourism recap video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttzTQw6BhF8). On October 9th she provided the annual report and additional materials to council which are available online (https://www.visitchampaigncounty.org/reports). In her presentation, she provided statistics associated with US tourism and listed VCC’s top 5 local highlights including the National Power hot rod tour; creating new welcome centers; expanded use of video in marketing; booking 66 new sports groups, an new Agritourism event and the Farm Progress show; and celebrating our awesome food scene. VCC will do an even bigger restaurant week in 2018. Key goals for FY 18 include expanding the film office; developing a new sporting event; working on IHSA wrestling and the C-U marathon next spring. She noted partners as listed in publications and that she will be continuing to provide quarterly reports to council. CM Jakobsson and Ms. DeLuce discussed VCC interactions with the city Arts Commission coordinator Rachel Storm.

E. Unfinished Business

There was none.

F. Reports Of Standing Committees

1. Committee Of The Whole (reported by Dean Hazen)

a. Resolution No. 2017-11-072R: A Resolution Estimating the Tax Levy (Fiscal Year 2017 – 2018).

CM Hazen moved approval of Resolution 2017-11-072R. Seconded by CM Miller. There was no discussion and the motion carried (8-0) by roll call vote as follows: Ammons – aye; Brown – aye; Hazen – aye; Roberts – aye; Jakobsson– aye; Miller – Aye; Wu – aye; Mayor Marlin – aye.

b. Ordinance No. 2017-11-066: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section 3-43 (Increasing number of Class C liquor licenses for Go-Brands Inc. d/b/a goPuff, 1908 N. Linview Ave., Unit 1W, Urbana, IL 61801)

CM Miller recused himself per state law as an employee of a liquor license holder. CM Hazen made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-10-066. Motion seconded by CM Jakobsson. Discussion followed with CM Brown asking how goPuff contractors were doing delivery and how that affected enforcement via our licensing. City Attorney Simon responded that the licensee is still responsible just as with curbside delivery or anyone handling liquor. The enforcement is against the individual as well as the liquor license holder.

With no further discussion, the motion carried (5-1) by roll call vote as follows: Ammons – aye; Brown – aye; Hazen – aye; Roberts – no; Jakobsson– aye; Wu – aye.

c. Ordinance No. 2017-11-067: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance for FY 2017/18 (Budget Amendment #4 – PW Covered Material Bins)

CM Hazen made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-11-067. Motion seconded by CM Miller. There was no discussion and the motion carried (8-0) by roll call vote as follows: Ammons – aye; Brown – aye; Hazen – aye; Roberts – aye; Jakobsson– aye; Miller – Aye; Wu – aye; Mayor Marlin – aye.

d. Resolution No. 2017-11-073R: A Resolution Amending the City of Urbana- Homefield Energy Electric Aggregation Program Agreement dated February 29, 2016 – PW

CM Hazen moved approval of Resolution 2017-11-073R. Seconded by CM Wu.

Environmental Manager Scott Tess addressed last week’s question about the electricity use by all electric homes. The city consultant thinks that for most electric only users it wouldn’t have an impact. CM Brown thinks that in his initial looks, it might be break even. Mr. Tess added that without the actual breakdown per household, probably can’t work it out.CM Brown is working on a calculator that will help residents calculate potential savings and he commented on the RECs and their inexpensive cost.

With no further discussion, the motion carried (7-0) by roll call vote as follows: Ammons – aye; Brown – aye; Hazen – aye; Roberts – aye; Jakobsson– aye; Miller – Aye; Wu – aye.

e. Resolution No. 2017-11-074R: Resolution in Support of Illinois Bicentennial Celebration.

CM Hazen made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2017-11-074R. Motion seconded by CM Roberts. There was no discussion and the motion carried (7-0) by roll call vote as follows: Ammons – aye; Brown – aye; Hazen – aye; Roberts – aye; Jakobsson– aye; Miller – Aye; Wu – aye.

G. Reports Of Special Committees

There were none.

H. Reports Of Officers

John Schneider, Director of Community Development reported that the City’s emergency grant program provides $8,000 per household for income qualified households. CM Jakobsson noted that the brochure version on the website needs to be fixed which Mr. Schneider said was being done. Mr. Schneider added that the University Campus Master plan is completed and provided upcoming presentation meeting date locations and times.

William Gray, Public Works Director, said that they were in the planning stages for another ribbon cutting for Airport Road by Farm and Fleet. Some work won’t be finished but will be done next spring. This project was done with TIF4 and IDOT Economic and TARP Funds. He noted that the IDOT Economic Development program used to help this project is in jeopardy as is TARP as there is no more money this year. If this trend continues, these kinds of projects will not be possible and gave the Flex n Gate interchange as an example. CM Roberts asked if there was any updates on the status of Windsor Road to which Mr. Gray indicated that the issue has not been resolved and he can’t comment on it.

Mayor Marlin provided a follow up from last week’s presentation by iMatter concerning the city committing to 100% renewables and other issues. She indicated that the city’s Sustainability Advisory Commission will consider the 3 topics and she is also exploring ways of having at least one youth on the commission, high school age in particular.

CM Brown asked about the issue he read on the newspaper related to zoning problems outside the city in the Scottswood neighborhood noting that in the past, our inspectors have helped the county – can this be another opportunity to help in the same fashion as the property outside of Rantoul. Mayor Marlin indicated that she would check into this.

I. New Business

1. Mayoral Appointment to Boards and Commissions

a. Champaign County Community Action Board – Matt Rejc – Three year term

Mayor Marlin presented the appointment of Mr. Rejc. A motion to approve was made by CM Roberts, seconded by CM Jakobsson, and carried by unanimous voice vote.

CM Ammons asked for clarification regarding documents that are included in Thursday’s council packet and presentation. Mayor Marlin addressed the question. Discussion ensued.

J. Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Marlin declared the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/11-20-2017_Minutes_CC.pdf