Chambana Sun

Champaign County Board Met May 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The County Board of Champaign County, Illinois met at a Special Meeting at 6:30 PM in the Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 East Washington Street, Urbana, Illinois and remote participation via Zoom due to social distancing necessitated by the Coronavirus, with County Executive Darlene Kloeppel presiding, Angela Patton as Clerk of the meeting.

ROLL CALL

Roll call showed the following members present: McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Stohr, Rodriguez, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Ammons, Carter, Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, Lokshin, and Patterson – 20; late:, Paul,– 1 (arrived before 6:40 and missed 1 vote); absent: Wolken - 1. County Executive Kloeppel declared a quorum present and the Board competent to conduct business. Board members were remote via Zoom and County Executive Kloeppel was physically present at the Brookens Administrative Center. Due to the remote attendance situation all voting must be by roll call, per Illinois Public Act 101-0640, approved by Governor Pritzker June 12, 2020.

READ NOTICE OF MEETING

The Clerk read the Notice of the Meeting, said Notice having been published in the News Gazette on May 26 and May 27, 2021.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ADDENDA

Board Member Thorsland offered a motion to approve the Agenda/Addenda, Board Member Humphrey seconded. County Executive suggested to add Communications from the Board after Public Participation on the agenda. Board Member Esry seconded. Motion carried by roll-call vote.

Yeas: McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Ammons, Carter, Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, Lokshin, and Patterson – 20

Nays: None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

David Boyd inquired about notice of the meeting and asked what the special meeting was about and stated he would listen in.

Kristi Stasi expressed disappointment about lack of collegiality among Board Members and stated that what is happening at the meeting does not represent the goals of the County.

COMMUNICATIONS

Board Member Michaels relayed communication from a constituent that the officials who make up the County Board are to represent all and that the Equity Map impacts rural districts negatively.

Board Member Esry shared an e-mail from the Republican Caucus of the County Board about the notice of the Special Meeting questioning why it had to be done on a Friday right before a holiday. The e-mail expressed concern about participation from the public being limited due to the timing.

Board Member Passalacqua shared an e-mail from Cathy Young about the mapping process being flawed. He shared another e-mail from Renee Mullen about the lack of notice and transparency to the public.

Board Member Goss shared a communication from Tami Fruhling-Voges asking the Board to reconsider the vote on the mapping ordinance and to remind Board members they are to represent all the County.

Board Member McGuire shared a communication from a constituent who was not in favor of the selected map and wanted more transparency and accountability from the Board.

Board Member Harper shared a communication from Dee Shonkwiler regarding the process being unfair to the County and the need for Democrats and Republicans to work together.

Thorsland shared a constituent communication that was in favor of the equity map and wanted to see it move forward and gave background as a Board Member in a rural area in favor of the map.

OLD BUSINESS

Board Chair Patterson offered a motion for the Reconsideration of Ordinance No. 2021- 7 establishing the Champaign County 2021 Reapportionment Plan Map: Board Member Stohr seconded. Various Board members discussed their disappointment with the mapping process and the fairness of the Equity Map. Various Board Members also discussed the Equity Map posting the same time as the other maps and the growing and diverse population in Champaign County that the Equity Map accurately reflects. Board Member Goss offered a motion to call the question and Board Chair Patterson seconded. Motion carried by roll call vote.

Yeas: Michaels, Passalacqua, Stohr, Straub, Taylor, Ammons, Carter, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, Lokshin, and Patterson – 15

Nays: McGuire, Rodriguez, Paul, Summers, Thorsland, and Cowart – 6

The motion for Reconsideration of Ordinance No. 2021-7 establishing the Champaign County 2021 Reapportionment Plan Map originally moved by Board Chair Patterson and seconded by Board Member Stohr—carried by roll-call vote.

Yeas: Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Ammons, Carter, Cowart, Fortado, Humphrey, King, Lokshin and Patterson – 14

Nays: McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Esry, Goss, and Harper – 7

OTHER BUSINESS

Board Member Stohr announced there would be a Memorial Day service outside the Champaign County Courthouse on Monday May 31, 2021 at 3:00PM.

ADJOURNMENT

County Executive Kloeppel adjourned the meeting at 7:10 PM.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/CB/2021/210528_Special_Meeting/210528Minutes.pdf