Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Committee of the Whole met Feb. 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The City Council Committee of The Whole of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building.

ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Bill Brown, Dean Hazen, Shirese Hursey, Eric Jakobsson, Jared Miller, Dennis Roberts, Maryalice Wu, Charles Smyth, Diane Wolfe Marlin

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None 

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Kathryn Levy, Sheila Dodd, Kris Francisco, Elizabeth Hannan, Wendy Hundley, Carol Mitten, Lorrie Pearson, James Simon

OTHERS PRESENT: Amery Gardner, Mike Ingram, Vanessa Robinson, Patrick Singer, Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood, Wayne Williams, Members of the Media

Chair: Shirese Hursey, Ward 3

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

With a quorum present, Chair Shirese Hursey called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:00pm.

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

CM Maryalice Wu made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 21, 2020 meeting. After a correction was made, motion was seconded by CM Dennis Roberts and carried by unanimous voice vote.

3. Additions to the Agenda There was none.

4. Presentations and Public Input

Mayor Marlin read a proclamation, proclaiming February 2020 as African American History month in the City of Urbana. Proclamation was presented to CM Hursey and Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood.

Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood did not wish to speak but wanted the record to show her continuing concern for the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues.

Patrick Singer addressed the committee after the liquor code ordinance presentation to express his position about the age limit for events geared toward crowds aged 14-21 years old.

Mike Ingram did not wish to speak but asked that his position be entered into the record in opposition of raising the age for bar entry, as it would be detrimental for artists, musicians, and the college experience.

Vanessa Robinson addressed the committee after the liquor code ordinance presentation and was in full support of All Ages Live Performance Event Rider to accommodate special events.

Amery Gardner addressed the committee to ask about the status of adding an additional Video Gambling Terminal (VGT)and the financial impact to local businesses.

Wayne Williams did not wish to speak but asked that his position be entered into the record in opposition of reducing the age for establishments with Class A liquor licenses.

a. Audit Report – Baker Tilly/FIN

Finance Manager Kris Francisco and Joe Lightcap of Baker, Tilly, Virchow, Krause, LLP presented the annual audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. Ms. Francisco stated that the audit reports are done on a different accounting basis (cash basis) but the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is presented in a (modified accrual basis of accounting) which is a combination of general funds and other funds.

Mr. Lightcap addressed the purpose of this report which was to describe the scope of testing of internal control and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the city’s internal control or on compliance. The report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the city’s internal control and compliance.

Mr. Lightcap explained the following items:

 Statement of Net Position and changes for the reporting period

 Balance Sheet of Governmental Funds

 General Fund Balances

 Income Statement of Revenues

 Pension Trust Statement Activity

 Communication – External Financial Reporting and Segregation of Duties  Financial Statement Disclosures

 Federal Awards

After presentation, Mr. Lightcap and Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan addressed questions and concerns from committee.

5. Staff Report

Mayor Marlin acknowledged CM Hursey’s birthday. Mayor Marlin also thanked all staff and

community members for the support during the selling process of the Landmark Hotel.

Mayor Marlin announced the resignation of CM Hazen that will be effective 02/25/2020. To fill the vacancy, applications will be available online, City’s home page, Urbana Free Library, City Clerk’s office.

Mayor Marlin addressed the audience prior to presenting the liquor code ordinance and some of the concerns expressed by business owners. She reminded folks that this is the first presentation and that it would remain in committee until a consensus is reached.

6. Ordinance No. 2020-02-003: Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Real Estate, 1407 West Beslin Street, Urbana, IL to Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County

Community Development Grants Manager Sheila Dodd presented Ordinance No. 2020-02-003 with the recommendation for approval. Ms. Dodd gave a background information about the property and how it was acquired by the city under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

This ordinance will authorize the sale of this property to Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County for affordable housing development. Ms. Dodd addressed all questions and concern about the property use and ownership structure.

CM Roberts made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2020-02-003 to council with the recommendation for approval. CM Jakobsson seconded, motion carried by voice vote.

7. Ordinance No. 2020-02-004: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section 3-43 (Increasing number of Class R-1 liquor licenses for Sitara Indian Cuisine Inc. dba Sitara Indian Cuisine, 114 S Race St, Urbana, IL)

Mayor Marlin presented Ordinance No. 2020-02-004 with the recommendation for approval. No questions or concerns. Mayor Marlin and CM welcome Sitara back, as they are an excellent restaurant.

CM Brown made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2020-02-004 to council with the recommendation for approval. CM Miller seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.

8. Ordinance No. 2020-02-005: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 3 – Alcoholic Liquor

Local Liquor Control Commissioner Diane Wolfe Marlin and Deputy Local Liquor Control Commissioner Kathryn Levy, and City Attorney James Simon.

Mayor Marlin started the presentation by acknowledging the work of the staff involved. The purpose of rewriting City Code Chapter 3 is to maintain compliance with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission and to accomplish this, the following step need to take place:

o Maintain compliance with the Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934

o Clarify language and reduce uncertainties

o Ensure fair and consistent code compliance and classification throughout the city o Respond to current and future business needs

o Creation of opportunities for Urbana businesses and organizations

Mayor Marlin talked about the current liquor licenses, proposed changes, consolidation of license classifications, administration process to get a new, renewal, video gaming of liquor licenses. The process to rewrite the code began in April 2019 with the goal to have it approved before the license renewal notifications go out in April 2020.

Ms. Levy addressed the licenses classifications, changes, and additions. She explained each of the classifications with the proposed changes. Currently there are 27 different classes of liquor licenses, and four of them have not been used. One of the many changes is to condense the 27 different licenses into 19.

CM Wu made a motion to keep Ordinance No. 2020-02-005 in committee. CM Miller seconded.

The following concerns were expressed by committee members: o Weekly curfew hours

o Class A age restriction

o All ages live performance event rider

After presentation and discussions, the following items will be reviewed prior to the next Committee of the Whole meeting.

 18+ Age of entry in Class A establishments

 All Ages Live Entertainment Event Rider (for 14 -17) – event ending times in relations to city curfews

 A closer look at Restaurant and Tavern (R&T) Licenses in relations to the 60/40 split

 Consider an additional license to accommodate for alternative/unexplored business concepts

After the presentation, staff addressed all questions and concerns from committee. After discussion, the motion carried by voice vote.

9. Adjournment

With no further business before the committee, Chair Hursey adjourned the meeting at 9:23pm.

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/02-03-2020_minutes.pdf