Chambana Sun

City of Champaign City Council met Oct. 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

COUNCIL MEMBERS Clarissa Fourman Matthew Gladney

PRESENT: Will Kyles Greg Stock

Alicia Beck Angie Brix

Tom Bruno Mayor Feinen

COUNCIL MEMBERS Vanna Pianfetti

ABSENT:

STAFF PRESENT: Matthew Roeschley, Deputy City Manager

Jennifer Bannon, Assistant City Attorney

Kathryn Cataldo, Assistant City Attorney

OTHERS PRESENT: None

TIME STARTED: 7:00 p.m.

Mayor Feinen noted CM Pianfetti was attending her son’s regional soccer event.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

Mayor Feinen, assisted by Deputy Fire Chief Norwood, administered the oath of office to the following as probationary or promoted fire personnel: Jake Carlson, promoted to Engineer.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

CANNABIS, VAPING, AND TOBACCO ORDINANCES [SS 2019-039]

Staff Presentation: Assistant City Attorney Cataldo’s presentation included the following topics:

• Ordinances, generally

• Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA)

• Required Ordinance Changes (Personal Possession and Cannabis Paraphernalia – 2015 – 2019 to date)

• Other Ordinance Changes (Cannabis and Underage Persons and Public-Related Issues – State Offense/Description)

• Social Equity Applicants and Grants and Investment (map of disproportionately impacted area shown)

• On-Premises Consumption

• Tobacco and Vaping

• Ordinance Fines

• Alternatives

(Note: Information on how to obtain staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.)

Action Recommended: The Administration recommends Council provide staff direction on changes to City ordinances to reflect the recent developments in State law.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Member’s technical questions included the following topics: opt-in option for on-premise consumption, and public view; home growing; public consumption; smoking near an underaged person in your home; technology and future nicotine ingestion; fine inconsistencies for possession; paraphernalia changes and what will be permitted; cannabis ingestion versus smoked; social equity applicants location coverage, guidelines for criminal conviction, and restore/reinvest; defining a disproportionate area; and citations, presence of minors and cannabis portion.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.)

Public Input: None

Council Members’ Comments: Council Members’ comments included the following topics: consumption on premise; fine schedule parallel; fine concerns with sale to minors (alcohol and cannabis) and sale versus possession; usefulness of charts provided, and the opt-in provision; thanks for the presentation and information, and the need for language change regarding tobacco.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.)

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative One directing staff to prepare ordinances that reflect the recent changes to State law with regards to cannabis, tobacco, and vaping. The result of the poll was 8 ayes and 0 nays.

VIDEO GAMING STATE LAW CHANGES [SS 2019-040]

Staff Presentation: Assistant City Attorney Cataldo’s presentation included the following topics:

• Background

• State Law Changes: No City Impact

• Change for Council Consideration

• Gaming in the City (total taxable wagered, taxable wagered per terminal, local share of State tax)

• Total City Tax Revenue, Per Year (FY 12/13 – FY 18/19)

• Alternatives

(Note: Information on how to obtain staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.)

Action Recommended: The Administration recommends Council provide staff direction on whether to amend the City’s ordinance to increase the number of video gaming terminals per business from 5 to 6.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions included the following topic: mirroring the State law language regarding number of terminals.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.)

Public Input: Eric Myer, Champaign, expressed support for increasing the number of terminals allowed based on State language.

Council Members’ Comments: Council Members’ comments included the following topics: concern with social impact on citizens, reduce the number of licenses, and correlation with gaming and violence; business freedom, control your own pleasure, and not the City’s role to determine a person’s pleasure; and fee issue should be between the terminal holder and provider, and mirroring the State language regarding the number of terminals allowed.

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.)

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative One directing staff to prepare an ordinance amending the existing video gaming regulations to increase the number of terminals per business from 5 to 6. The result of the poll was 6 ayes and 2 nays (CM Stock and Kyles).

Audience Participation:

Chad Smith, Champaign, expressed concern with the noise level and explicit language coming from the special event location in his area (1900 block of Bradley Ave.), and questioned the foresight that allowed the event. He expressed acceptance with gaming but concern with the type of revenue generating events and activities allowed.

Emily Klose, Champaign, expressed her understanding regarding the issue raised in relation to boards and commissions at a prior meeting; Council should not govern with haste or anger, and that Council represents and works for all citizens; and citizens should be heard, as well as board and commission representatives, especially in relation to the citizen complaint process.

Council and City Manager Comments:

Mayor Feinen questioned the ability of staff to deny a special event if criteria are met; and whether calls were reported to the Police Department regarding the event.

CM Fourman noted noise concerns that were raised in the past regarding the old Fluid Event location, and concern regarding noise and impact on the surrounding community with any event.

Adjournment:

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adjourn. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes. The meeting ended at 8:13 p.m.

http://documents.ci.champaign.il.us/v/1YpXcI-bB5kiHIT-m4LvHgHO8YXegQc49