Chambana Sun

City of Champaign City Council met July 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Pursuant to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-07 (COVID-19 Executive Order No. 5) which suspends the requirement of the Illinois Open Meetings Act requiring in- person attendance by members of a public body during the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, attendance by all Council Members, the City Manager, the City Clerk and other City staff members will be electronic via an online meeting platform. 7The members of the City Council were not physically present for the July 7, 2020 Regular City of Champaign City Council Meeting but instead participated in the meeting through audio or audio/video access using a virtual meeting platform.

City Manager David was present, via Zoom, at the City Building Council Chambers.

Prior to call the meeting to order, Mayor Feinen noted the public would have an opportunity to speak to each Council agenda item, and again during audience participation at the end of the agenda items. She noted one person listed as an attendee reflects an impolite name. Council rules requires the name and city of residence of a person to speak; and that person will not be called upon if they do not replace their listing with a name.

There being a quorum present, Mayor Feinen called the meeting to order at 7:14 p.m. following the monthly Township meeting.

ROLL-CALL: Present: Matthew Gladney, William Kyles, Vanna Pianfetti, Greg Stock, Alicia Beck, Angie Brix, Tom Bruno, Clarissa Fourman, Mayor Feinen Absent: None

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

Mayor Feinen and Council Members read a proclamation recognizing Dennis Schmidt, Public Works Director, for his years of service to the community; recognizing various City and Champaign County projects he was involved in and completed; his many years serving as a civil engineer within Champaign County; recognizing his upcoming retirement on Friday, July 10, 2020; and Mayor and City Council extended their thanks and appreciation for the many years of service by Dennis J. Schmidt. Director Schmidt expressed his thanks and appreciation to Mayor, Council, past elected officials, and staff for the recognition.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to approve the following minutes:

May 12, 2020 Regular Study Session 

A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes. 

CORRESPONDENCE: None

PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

ACTION ON COUNCIL BILLS ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Passed    CB-2020-071, “An Ordinance Approving Emergency Orders And Extending Council Bill 2020-022 Relating To The COVID-19 Emergency (COVID-19 Emergency)”

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt the Ordinance. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney moved to amend CB-2020-071 by the addition of page 8 to the attachment to the Council Bill which include two additional orders that were issued by the Mayor late last week after the agenda was prepared. The Orders are 20-21 which concerned requirements for certain large Campustown bars to promote social distancing, and 20-22 which eliminates fees for sidewalk sales through September 30th. There were no comments related to the motion to amend. A roll-call vote was taken on the motion to amend; all voted yes. Council Members technical questions included continuation of Emergency Orders with moving into various phases; ending Emergency Orders with Phase 5 or the end of the COVID pandemic; impact on voting no on this order, on other Emergency Orders; increasing Campustown bar entry age, and what additional steps are being taken to address campus town bar issues, their safe operation, and capacity issues; Liquor Commissioners’ emergency power to close bars; and enforcement efforts, and communication with licensees, based on information received. Deputy Mayor Bruno noted one attendee’s hand was raised and called upon Brian Dunn to speak. Brian Dunn, Champaign, noted multimedia items he would share in relation to bar concerns and businesses opening; impact of job loss due to COVID; and the need to protect the most venerable of the community. Council Member comments included the following topics: support of campus bars and their role in social maturation of students, concern with how campus bars have handled reopening, and community support for punishment of violators; need for Council to ensure that licensees abide by Emergency Orders and regulations, and be good citizens and neighbors; need for businesses to abide by health regulations to fight the virus; need to follow the rules established for Phase 4 and take regulations seriously; and taking an educational approach and support for all businesses to understand compliance and given opportunity to correct when needed, right to close bars and businesses for non-compliance, and encouraged the public’s help by filing complaints as they take place. A roll-call vote was taken on approval of the amended Ordinance; all voted yes.

Mayor Feinen reminded the public about participation, flow of the agenda, and having an opportunity to speak during general audience participation on any issue.

Passed    CB-2020-072, “A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Subrecipient Agreements With Various Non-Profit Agencies (COVID-19 Relief Programs)”

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt the Resolution. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, Deputy Mayor Bruno noted no hands were raised for public comment. Council Member comments included thanks to staff and the community; expressed support of the Resolution noting all the organizations are vital to the community which provide needed services, particularly those that address homelessness and recidivism; and thanks for inclusion of mortgage relief along with rental relief. A roll-call vote was taken, all voted yes.

Passed    CB-2020-073, “A Resolution Approving An Agreement For Services With The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (Planning And Development Department)”

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt the Resolution. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, Deputy Mayor Bruno noted no hands were raised for public comment. Council Member comments included the importance of Champaign County Economic Development Corporations (CCEDC) leadership; amount of time, effort, and coordination to assist businesses in the community especially with the COVID pandemic, and for assisting with accessing resources; continued CCEDC strategic planning, and additional plans to address minority underserved populations and to ensure community involvement with next steps in developing plans for the future; and thanks to CCEDC for their leadership and partnership with other agencies to assist local businesses; and to check ChampaignCountySave.org which provides information to businesses and includes businesses that have taken the Saves Pledge. A roll-call vote was taken, all voted yes.

Passed    CB-2020-074, A Resolution Accepting A Bid For The 2020 Sewer Rehabilitation Project (Public Works Department – SNC Construction Inc.)”

Bid Amount $648,065.73

Workforce Diversity Incentive Not To Exceed $16,201.64

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt the Resolution. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, Council Members technical questions included ability to separate bids to make work more attainable for minority businesses (CDAP). Deputy Mayor Bruno noted no hands were raised for public comment. CM Kyles expressed support of the Resolution, but the need in the future to push for more minority contractor inclusion, and the need to review the City’s policy for incentives to help the City reach its minority participation goals. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Allan Axelrod, Urbana, addressed bar and patron safety; ICE Agency rules impact on international students especially in relation to rental prices, taxes received from students, and the need to address these concerns with legislators; and the financial effects of the mass arrest on people during the May 31st protest and to recommend leniency with the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Brian Dunn, Champaign, addressed the increase in housing assistance budget versus funds spent for policing, need to focus on crime prevention, and the need to assess trauma and build resiliency by providing funding in the community.

Larissa Vander Kurr, Champaign, owner of Busy Bee Learning Center, addressed the need for change in zoning requirements (37-167 (a) – employees not living within the group home and (d) – use of 25% of your home) in relation to the importance of providing in-home child care services.

Emily Klose, Champaign, addressed concern with the Human Relations Commission not meeting; and Council not addressing board and commission appointment/re- appointments.

COUNCIL AMD MANAGER COMMENTS:

CM Fourman addressed considering a Black Lives Matter (BLM) street sign on Chester Street in front of the City Building for discussion at a Study Session, or consideration of a mural of historic black faces from the community. Later she expressed appreciation for the responsiveness and service of Director Schmidt, who will be missed.

CM Kyles expressed support of considering a Study Session; and expressed thanks and appreciation to retiring Public Works Director Dennis Schmidt.

CM Stock expressed thanks and appreciation to Director Schmidt.

CM Bruno expressed appreciation of Director Schmidt who will be missed.

CM Beck expressed appreciation for working with Director Schmidt and wished him good luck. She addressed missing meeting with citizens and the hope to resume those meetings, on a scheduled basis, with the library reopening; and expressed hope that everyone will be responsible in keeping the community safe with re-openings. Later she expressed support of the Study Session request for a BLM sign or mural.

CM Gladney expressed support of the Study Session request; and thanks for the service of Director Schmidt who will be missed.

CM Brix expressed appreciation and best wishes to Director Schmidt and noted he would be missed.

CM Pianfetti expressed support of the request for Study Session, especially consideration of a mural; and appreciation and thanks to Director Schmidt and wished him a great retirement and best wishes.

Mayor Feinen expressed support of the Study Session request; related stories regarding Director Schmidt’s responsiveness, being a hands-on person who cares, and his working with staff and the community with a great work ethic and commitment to the community.

City Manager David noted Director Schmidt has been an amazing public servant and exemplary employee; has been a pleasure to work with; and that he leaves a legacy through his employees for being a great mentor, great person and friend, and she wished him well.

VOUCHERS:

CM Bruno, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt Vendor Payments dated June 6, 2020 through June 26, 2020 in the amount of $4,284,475.47. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

PAYROLL:

CM Bruno, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to approve payroll dated June 12, 2020 in the amount of $1,999,299.91; and the payroll dated June 26, 2020 in the amount of $1,801,691.27. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

INVESTMENTS: None

ADJOURNMENT:

CM Stock, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adjourn. A roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

http://documents.ci.champaign.il.us/v/12EANyX2L8Dlb62VKfL87zpITdlkGI_FA