Chambana Sun

Urbana City Council met May 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Elected Officials Physically Present:

Maryalice Wu, Alderwoman Ward 1

Eric Jakobsson, Alderman Ward 2

Aaron Ammons, Alderman Ward 3

Bill Brown, Alderman Ward 4

Dennis Roberts, Alderman Ward 5

Dean Hazen, Alderman Ward 6

Jared Miller, Alderman Ward 7

Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor

Elected Officials Present Via Teleconference:

None

Elected Officials Absent:

Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk

Staff Present:

James Eggert; Elizabeth Horwitz; Wendy Hundley; Kelly Mierkowski; Sylvia Morgan; Matt Rejc; John Schneider; James Simon; Derrick Odle

Others Present:

Elderess Melinda Carr; Alex Payton; James Roberts; Patrick Thompson; Bishop King James Underwood; Rev.Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood; Members of the Media

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 7:53 p.m. following the Cunningham Town Board Meeting.

B. Approval Of Minutes Of Previous Meeting

Alderman Hazen made a motion to approve minutes from April 16, 2018. Alderman Miller seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

C. Additions To The Agenda

There was none.

D. Public Input

Mayor Marlin introduced and welcomed Fire Interim James Eggert. He addressed council and thanked them for the opportunity to serve the City of Urbana.

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

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

Mayor Marlin read three proclamations as follows:

❖ Proclaiming May 6-12, 2018 as “Municipal Clerk’s Week” – Proclamation accepted by Deputy Clerk Wendy Hundley

❖ Proclaiming May 6-12, 2018 as “Public Service Recognition Week” – Proclamation accepted by Grants Manager Kelly Mierkowski

❖ Proclaiming the month of May 2018 as “Historic Preservation Month” – Proclamation accepted by Commission Chair Alice Novak

Ms. Novak addressed the council and thaked them for the proclamation. She also invited the council to various events.

→ Urbana Free Library - Wednesday, May 9, 2018 7:00-8:00 p.m - “How to research your old house”

→ Champaign Library - Thursday, May 24, 2018 Brian Adams will be presenting about the local architect Nelson Strong Spencer.

Patrick Thompson addressed the council to express his concerns about Resolution No. 2018-04-013R regarding Davis-Bacon prevailing wages.

E. Unfinished Business

There was none.

F. Reports Of Standing Committees

1. Committee Of The Whole ( City Council Member Eric Jakobsson)

a. Resolution No. 2018-04-013R: A Resolution Approving Certain Home Investment Partnership Program Loan Documents between the City of Urbana and Bristol Place Residences, LP. – [COW 04/09/18] - CD

Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2018-04-013R as forwarded from committee. Alderman Roberts seconded. Discussion ensued.

Community Development Service Coordinator Matt Rejc gave an updated report about the finalized loan documents and possible changes. Bristol Project Director James Roberts and Project Analyst Alex Payton were present to address questions and concerns from council and audience.

Alderman Ammons asked project director James Roberts about the workforce structure of the project regarding minority participation. Mr. Roberts said that his goal is to hire 30% of qualified subcontractors by trade and experience. Mr. Roberts also said that workshops had been offered throughout the past year to explain the bidding process and requirements. Mr. Roberts said that the purpose of using Davis-Bacon wages is a form of apprenticeship and pathway to getting a union card while allowing the small trades to participate in big projects such as Bristol Place.

Mr. Roberts addressed both council’s concerns and Mr. Thompson. Mr. Rejc also added that as the lead agency for this project, Urbana is only responsible for making sure federal regulations are being followed.

After presentation and discussion the motion carried by roll call. Votes were as follows:

Ammons – Aye Miller – Aye

Brown – Aye Roberts – Aye

Hazen – Aye Wu – Aye

Jakobsson – Aye

Disposition: Resolution No. 2018-04-013R was approved by roll call vote (7-Aye; 0-Nay).

G. Reports Of Special Committees

There were none.

H. Reports Of Officers

Economic Development Coordinator Elizabeth Horwitz presented the April Business and Development report as follows:

→ Business Updates

➢ 25 O’Clock Brewery is now serving beer on their patio overlooking the Boneyard Creek Crossing.

➢ The Tap Room and Pizza M renovations are ongoing.

➢ Cafeteria & Company has completed renovation and is now open serving coffee and sandwiches including nitro coffee.

➢ See You CD & Vinyl has relocated from 123 W. Main Street to the back area of 208 W. Main Street.

➢ Stango Cuisine completed their renovation at Lincoln Square Food Court area and is now open serving lunch and early dinner Tuesday through Saturday, offering Zambia cuisine. Stango will also donate 10% of all sales to One Dream Foundation to assist with construction of a hospital in Zambia.

➢ Gen Con and CU Adventures will hold events at the 2018 Indianapolis Gen Con, the largest tabletop-game convention in North America.

➢ In April, Economic Development staff spoke with eight potential developers and an additional 11 potential new and expanded businesses.

➢ Think Urbana Marketing compaign has launched a new testimonial video that will run through the end of June 2018.

➢ Stone Creek Golf Course will have their second Realtor Tour with 25 RSVP and 41 interested from the newly created Facebook page.

→ Upcoming Events

Ms. Horwitz also announced upcoming events:

• May 10, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm Urbana Business Association and City of Urbana Realtor Tour at Stone Creek.

• May 15, 12:00 pm-7:30 pm – Business Development Luncheon – What’s In Your Square visioning session.

• May 22, 5:00 pm-7:30 pm Urbana Business Association Connections Over Cocktails

• June 9, 3:00 pm-10:00 pm Urbana Association Uncork Urbana Wine Festival.

• June 14, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm Urbana Business Associaton Urbana Realtor Tour at South Ridge.

Mayor Marlin extended an invitation to city council to attend Busey Bank Economic Development Seminar May 9 at the ihotel. This event will be the last presentation by Ed Scharlau wishing him a farewell.

I. New Business

There was none.

J. Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Marlin declared the meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/05-07-2018_Minutes.pdf