Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Cunningham Township Board met April 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The Cunningham Township Board met in Regular session Monday, April 2, 2018 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building, 400 S. Vine Street, Urbana, Illinois.

Elected Officials Physically Present:

Chair: Diane Wolfe Marlin

Trustees: Aaron Ammons; Bill Brown; Dean Hazen; Eric Jakobsson; Jared Miller; Maryalice Wu; Dennis Roberts

Township Clerk: Charles A. Smyth

Supervisor: Danielle Chynoweth

Assessor: Wayne T. Williams

Elected Officials Present Via Teleconference: None

Elected Officials Absent:

Others Present: Frederic Grosser

1. Roll Call

Chair Marlin called the meeting of the Cunningham Township Board to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. Approval Of Minutes Of Previous Meeting

Trustee Miller made a motion to approve minutes from March 5, 2018, and March 12, 2018 (Special Meeting). Trustee Miller Ammons seconded and the motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

3. Additions To The Agenda

There were no additions.

4. Public Participation

There was none.

5. Committee To Verify Bills

The following items presented in omnibus fashion by Supervisor Chynoweth:

1. Town Fund - $50,366.29

2. General Assistance Fund - $39,616.53

In response to Trustee Brown, Supervisor Chynoweth noted the line item in the budget for Emergency Assistance. She also noted that this is currently in the Town Fund and could come from GA. The board could consider a budget amendment in the future to move this item to the GA Fund.

Trustee Ammons made a motion to approve the Town Fund and the General Assistance Fund for the amounts listed. Trustee Roberts seconded and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

6. Reports Of Officers

a. Report of Supervisor Chynoweth: Supervisor Chynoweth Danielle provided a written report of monthly statistics summarizing GA participants and Homeless Assistance and spoke to them. She discussed four recent GA terminations. She noted that Homeless assistance was helping 102 residents representing 45 households and 59 children. She also pointed out the numbers of residents moved to permanent housing and discussed her procedures for helping residents. She reminded council of an upcoming SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) workshop and the problems with getting federal funds for the disabled. She is now working with the Assessor to prepare the next budget with plans to put on file in May. She also noted that both winter shelters are closed for the season as of today but that both townships offer emergency assistance, a new program for Champaign. She also reminded everyone that Social Service funding applications are being accepted until April 26. She reported that she is now able to vote on the Housing Authority Board.

Trustee Wu asked about the percentage of those who moved from hotel to permanent housing. Supervisor Chynoweth said that almost all in hotel go to permanent housing with about a 10 day average hotel stay. She noted problems with getting housing for people unable to work or with disabilities. Trustee Jakobsson asked about housing discrimination in connection with the Housing Authority to get some action on this issue. Ms. Chynoweth responded with recommendations to make a motion as a body and discussed recent changes in the HA policy on anyone with convictions.

b. Report of Assessor Williams: Assessor Williams noted that that he and his deputy assessor attended training classes at the end of March and shared several interesting items. He will be looking at some factor changes for neighborhoods based on 3-year sales studies. Mr. Williams will be asking for additional funds for next year for technology upgrades but is also waiting on the county to make related decisions. He will be convening a hiring committee for two open positions. Trustee Jakobsson asked about bringing the Landmark Hotel up in assessment but Mr. Williams indicated that he could not change the assessment, as he cannot use the auction sale as grounds among other reasons.

7. Unfinished Business

There was none.

8. New Business

a. Resolution No. T-2018-04-002R: Resolution Authorizing the Cunningham Township Supervisor to Sign a Depository Pledge Agreement with Busey Bank

Supervisor Chynoweth provided a memo explaining that the township was receiving only.15% interest on reserve township funds. She reviewed her research and negotiations with Busey Bank to collateralize Township accounts with Federal Home Loan Bank letters of credit through the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. This method is approved under the Illinois Public Funds Act, is simpler, and will result in interest of 1.35%. Discussion followed concerning possible changing rates and about reserve amounts being held by the Township. Supervisor Chynoweth said she is looking at a strategic plan to address the reserve and the need for future investment policy and decisions by the board.

With no further discussion, Trustee Miller moved approval of Resolution T-2018-04-002R. The motion was seconded by Trustee Roberts and passed 7-0 by roll call: Ammons – Aye; Brown – Aye; Hazen – Aye; Jakobsson – Aye; Miller – Aye; Wu – Aye.

9. Adjournment

Trustee Ammons asked about investment managers working with municipalities and investments that are in surplus. Sup. Chynoweth said that she has been discussing options and collateralization is required. She is looking at ways of working within the $250,000 Federal bank guarantee funds limit.

Chair Marlin noted that UPTV will be recording the Housing Authority meetings starting this month and broadcasting them at a later time on UPTV.

There being no further business to come before the Cunningham Town Board, Chair Marlin declared the meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/04-02-2018_TB_Minutes.pdf