Chambana Sun

Champaign County Finance Committee of the Whole Met May 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present via Zoom: Titianna Ammons, Samantha Carter, Lorraine Cowart, Aaron  Esry, Jim Goss, Stan Harper, Jordan Humphrey, Mary King,  Jenny Lokshin, Jim McGuire, Diane Michaels, Brad  Passalacqua, Kyle Patterson, Jacob Paul, Emily Rodriguez,  Chris Stohr, Jennifer Straub, Steve Summers, Leah Taylor, Eric Thorsland, Jodi Wolken 

Members Physically Present: Stephanie Fortado 

Members Absent: 

Others Present: Darlene Kloeppel (County Executive), Tami Ogden (Deputy  Director of Finance), Megan Robison (Recording Secretary),  Lynn Canfield (Executive Director, MHB/DDB),  

Agenda Items 

I. Call to Order  

Chair Fortado called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 

II. *Roll Call 

Roll call was taken, and a quorum was declared present. 

III. Approval of Agenda 

MOTION by Mr. Summers to approve the agenda; seconded by Ms. Straub. Upon roll call  vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously. 

Mr. McGuire joined the meeting at 6:02 p.m. 

Ms. Cowart joined the meeting at 6:07 p.m. 

IV. Public Participation 

Before beginning public participation Chair Fortado made a quick statement. She thanked the  administrative staff for their work on this agenda packet, stated there won’t be any voting  today but just a beginning of many conversations, and she thanked the 70 different people  that submitted ideas to the Board. She then asked the public participants to the make it clear what issue they are speaking to and to let the Board know if they submitted a written  statement. 

Lynn Canfield, Executive Director of Mental Health Board, thanked Chair Fortado for getting  her submission to the Board at the last minute. 

Marlon Mitchell, Executive Director of First Followers, is strongly suggesting that funds be  set aside for the prevention of gun violence. The City of Champaign has had a shooting every  1.4 days and the City of Urbana has had one every four days. They believe brick and mortar  sites should be set up in Champaign, Urbana and Rantoul to help service these communities  effectively. 

Bradley Uken, Farm Bureau, stated the pandemic has proven that a fast, reliable broadband  internet connection is a true critical piece of infrastructure. He is asking the Board set aside  $15 million to improve access to fast, reliable internet connections throughout Champaign  County. 

Bridgette Moen, Champaign County Forest Preserve, is asking the Board to use their transfer  authority to give funds to the Forest Preserve to assist with their losses due to the pandemic. 

Nils Jacobsen, Immigrant Services of Champaign County, referenced his written comment  regarding housing for poor immigrants. Their current crowded living conditions can have  adverse consequences for public health conditions and their education. He believes using  these funds to purchase housing for immigrants would be a very sustainable project.  

William K.T. Brown, CEO of HV Neighborhood Transformation, is speaking about  community violence. He believes the Board should view the violence as a public health issue.  He is asking the Board to give funds towards preventing the community violence. 

Dr. Regina Parnell recognized the many people that have lost their lives to gun violence in  our community. First Followers has been providing support to those affected by the gun  violence.  

James Corbin, First Followers, referenced his written proposal and would just like to reiterate  what his colleagues have said in regard to community violence. He believes a one-stop center would be the best use of funds in the prevention of violence with wrap-around support  services. 

Rick Manner, Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District, referenced his written comment. He also  commended the people at LIHEAP that have helped establish a new assistance program for sewer  systems. He is hoping this is something they find possible to fund. 

James Kilgore, Co-Director of First Followers, is echoing the comments made by his colleagues.  He believes we need a coordinated response for the prevention of community violence. He  explained many programs that are needed in the community. 

Amanda Dixon spoke about her written response regarding animal welfare and the Animal  Control Department. 

Mr. Passalacqua joined the meeting at 6:20 p.m.

V. Discussion – ARPA Funding 

Chair Fortado started the discussion section by suggesting they speak about each topic for  approximately 15 minutes each. She also requested for the Board members to share any feedback  they have received from their constituents. 

• Broadband Infrastructure 

Board members discussed broadband as a possibility for funding. Many Board members  expressed issues they or their constituents have had with internet during the pandemic and stated  this was a very important issue their constituents would like to see funded. Most members  expressed their support for funding this topic. They would also like to find a way for low income  members of the community to receive a high-speed connection. 

Chair Fortado wrapped up this section by giving three suggestions. She would like to dedicate the  June Study Session meeting to this topic. Secondly, she believes it would be best to prioritize  funding a comprehensive county study to get everything on to one page. Finally, she would like  to form a sub-committee to discuss this topic alone. No one spoke against any of her suggestions. 

Ms. King joined the meeting at 6:35 p.m.  

• Water/Sewer Infrastructure 

Ms. Carter, Ms. Rodriguez, Ms. Straub and Ms. King would like to see some funding go towards  the Garden Hills neighborhood. The City has a plan to complete these projects, but they will take  20 years. They believe it would be great to help the City advance these projects. The issues in this  

neighborhood leads to gun violence problems. Mr. Thorsland added that Dobbins Downs and  Wilbur Heights also need the help. Chair Fortado asked that Board members attend the City of  Champaign study session they will be having about Garden Hills to find ways we can partner  with them to complete these projects sooner. 

Mr. McGuire would like to see the funding go towards areas that do not have the monetary means  that others might. 

Ms. Straub and Mr. Summers added that covering the outstanding bills at the Sanitary District  would not only help the community members but also provide revenue to the district that  otherwise might go unpaid. 

Mr. Thorsland also advocated for the project on the Brookens parking lot that was submitted by  John Bergee. He believes this would benefit a lot of people that use this building. 

Mr. Stohr stated we owe it to our residents to take steps to complete the study recommended by  the Mahomet Aquifer Protection Taskforce. It is important to know the physical properties of the  aquifer to ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality potable water. Mr. Summers, Ms. Ammons  and Mr. Paul concurred with these comments. 

Chair Fortado wrapped up this section by suggesting that these conversations be continued in the  Environment and Land Use Committee meetings. 

• Community violence 

Many members agree that something must be done about the community violence. They stated  that investing in many different programs for wrap around services would be beneficial to  beginning to prevent violence in our community. Most believe this should be priority number one  for the County. They also believe it would be best to invest in the groups/programs that are  already available in the community. 

Mr. McGuire said they should make sure they find the best place to support with this short-term  funding. Mr. Summers added to his comment by stating some short-term funding could turn into  long-term funding in terms of grant funds. 

Chair Fortado would like to also form a taskforce for this topic. She thanks those community  groups that are already beginning these conversations. 

• Low income communities 

Ms. Carter suggested installing cameras in the communities where violence is higher. Mr. Stohr  concurs with Ms. Carter and he has heard from many constituents that have recommended  funding doorbell cameras. 

Ms. Rodriguez mentioned that 1 in 7 residents in Illinois is an immigrant. She thanks Dr.  Jacobsen for bringing forward his ideas for housing and is eager to learn more.  

Ms. Straub stated she believes this would be money well spent on our most vulnerable  community members. 

Chair Fortado would like to find a way to be inclusive of all the voices in our community. • Housing 

Mr. Patterson stated that this is one of those over-arching issues that can lead to the community  violence when it is lacking. 

Mr. Paul would like to see assistance with home ownership. Ms. Lokshin and Mr. Stohr agreed  with this idea. 

• Mental Health 

Ms. Carter recognizes there is a great need for mental health services but isn’t sure exactly what  needs to be done. 

Ms. Straub believes the One Door program could really help with lowering the number of people  in the County Jail. 

Mr. Humphrey mentioned the backlog of work for mental health professionals and the access to  quick care is a real issue our community is experiencing at this current time. He would like to  come up with a proposal to alleviate the financial burden that goes into trying to book an  appointment in a timely fashion. Ms. Rodriguez agreed with Mr. Humphrey that our community  needs more competitors in the mental health field, and she would like to hold a special session to  speak just about the mental health availability. Mr. Stohr agrees with these comments and believes some of our community violence issues can be tied back to mental health troubles. He  really encouraged everyone to read Ms. Canfield’s memos. 

• Childcare and education 

Ms. Straub stated that affordable childcare is impossible to find in our community. It is also very  difficult to find quality childcare and care during second and third shifts. This is a huge barrier to  socioeconomic advancement. 

Mr. Thorsland explained this is one the reasons we cannot get people to work in the hospitality  field. Proper childcare would do a lot to get things rolling again in our community. Mr. Patterson  reiterated these same statements.  

Ms. King stated that many of her co-workers have not been able to come back to work because of  the lack of childcare during the pandemic especially for the older children. 

Chair Fortado mentioned how many of these issues and the ideas overlap to other areas. She  believes we shouldn’t be thinking of these as separate issues.  

• Miscellaneous/Multiple ideas 

Chair Fortado mentioned the different type of comments that were in this section. 

Mr. Stohr would like to see if we could help those that had to close their business. Ms. Carter  agreed that small businesses really felt the affects of the pandemic and would like to see some  assistance go to those. 

VI. Adjournment 

Chair Fortado adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/ARPA/2021/210525_Study_Session/210525Minutes.pdf