Chambana Sun

Urbana City Council met Sept. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Tuesday September 4, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building.

ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: City Council Members (CM) Maryalice Wu (Ward 1), Eric Jakobsson (Ward 2), Aaron Ammons (Ward 3), Bill Brown (Ward 4), Dean Hazen (Ward 6), Diane Wolfe Marlin (Mayor), Charles A. Smyth (City Clerk)

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Dennis Roberts (Ward 5), Jared Miller (Ward 7)

STAFF PRESENT: Carol Mitten, Michelle Brooks, Elizabeth Hannan, John Schneider, Chuck Lauss, Bill Gray

OTHERS PRESENT: Jacqueline Curry

A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

There being a quorum present, Mayor Marlin called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order 7:56 p.m. following a meeting of the Cunningham Town Board. Mayor Marlin welcomed Charles Lauss, the city’s new Fire Chief.

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

CM Jakobsson moved approval of the minutes of July 09, 2018 (Special Meeting), August 20, 2018, August 27, 2018 (Special Meeting). The motion was seconded by CM Hazen and passed by unanimous voice vote.

C. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

There were none.

D. PUBLIC INPUT

Mayor Marlin, having Celeste Choate Library Director join her, read a proclamation making September 2018 Library Card sign up month.

Jacqueline Curry expressed her concern about the new development north of her home in the Carver Park neighborhood. She would like to know more about it. John Schneider, Director of Community, suggested that Ms. Curry attend the upcoming Plan Commission meeting on this development as well as talk to City of Champaign planners and elected officials as the bulk of the development is in Champaign. Mayor Marlin added that this would be an apartment development and CM Ammons listed the Champaign council members for her ward and at large.

E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

F. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

1. Committee Of The Whole – (Council Member Aaron Ammons)

a. Resolution No. 2018-08-040R: Resolution for Improvement by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code (MCORE Project 5, Green Street from West of Busey Avenue to Race Street PE II)

For the Committee, CM Ammons moved approval of Resolution 2018-08-040R. Motion was seconded by CM Hazen and discussion followed. CM Brown asked Public Works Director Bill Gray if this item was in the annual budget noting that there was no amount of this size in the Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Gray responded that the funds are from the state allocation of Motor Fuel Tax and the costs exceed the earlier estimate in the CIP. This is work for Phase 2 engineering and is almost all contractual. This will delay other projects in the CIP. Mr. Gray also discussed departmental capacity versus contracting services noting that with these large multimillion dollar projects, there is too much impact on staff to do these in house. With no further questions or discussion, the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

b. Ordinance No. 2018-08-056: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance (Budget Amendment #2 – Omnibus)

For the Committee, CM Ammons moved approval of Ordinance 2018-08-056, seconded by CM Wu. With no discussion, the motion passed by roll call vote (6-0): Ammons – aye, Brown – aye, Hazen – aye, Jakobsson – aye, Wu – aye, Mayor Marlin – Aye.

c. Ordinance No. 2018-08-057: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section 3-43 (Increasing number of Class G-1 liquor licenses for Urbana Gardens Restaurant Inc. dba Urbana Gardens Family Restaurant, 810 Killarney St, Urbana, IL

For the Committee, CM Ammons moved approval of Ordinance 2018-08-057, seconded by CM Jakobsson. Mayor Marlin distributed a map of current city G1 and G2 liquor license holders including the proposed location. A report of last year’s revenues was attached. Mayor Marlin reviewed the locations around the city noting restaurants and bars having a G1 versus gaming halls with a G2 license noting that G2 is limited to certain zoning districts. CM Ammons indicated that he had requested this information and wondered if there would be limit on the total number. Mayor Marlin responded that licenses have to be approved individually by the city council.

CM Brown addressed the revenues noting that the net wagering figure of $6.7M is money lost to the community explaining that most of this is going to the state and out of town owners. Some comes back in terms of capital projects at the University of Illinois. Additional discussion followed concerning problems at gaming halls and past council action creating a middle ground for licensing gaming establishments. With no further discussion, the motion passed by roll call (5-0): Ammons – aye, Brown – aye, Hazen – aye, Jakobsson – aye, Wu – aye.

G. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

`There were no reports.

H. REPORTS OF OFFICERS

City Administrator Carol Mitten announced the Amnesty Week for criminal and traffic fines and fees Sept 10-14 as an opportunity to settle accounts without late fees and penalties. Further information available on the Circuit Clerk’s website. CM Ammons clarified that this was separate from the upcoming October expungement event and open to the general public. Ms. Mitten also reported sending council members a list of boards and commissions, highlighting those that make recommendations to the council, and their decision-making capacity and authority.

Mayor Marlin reported that the city was in the process of interviewing 3 consulting companies for the city’s program and building needs assessment and choosing one by the end of the week.

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 8:22 p.m.

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/09-04-2018_Minutes.pdf