Chambana Sun

City of Champaign City Council Met July 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: 

Danny Iniguez William Kyles

Davion Williams Alicia Beck

Tom Bruno Michael Foellmer

Matthew Gladney Mayor Feinen

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Vanna Pianfetti (family matters)

STAFF PRESENT: Dorothy Ann David, City Manager

Fred Stavins, City Attorney

Kris Koester, Acting Public Works Director

Lacey Rains Lowe, Senior Planner

Chris Sokolowski, Assistant City Engineer

OTHERS PRESENT: None

TIME STARTED: 7:00 p.m.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

Mayor Feinen, along with Council, recognized City Clerk Banks for thirty one years and six months of service to the City of Champaign. During her tenure, City Clerk Banks served under seventeen different Councils, four Mayors, two City Managers and thirty nine different members of Council. City Clerk Banks attended more than eight hundred Council meetings and prepared more than sixteen hundred meeting minutes. City Clerk Banks was responsible for maintaining municipal code, serving as the records keeper and Clerk for the City of Champaign Township, and being an organizational expert in the records retention and disposition processes. Mayor Feinen along with Council, expressed gratitude and appreciation for a job well done, and the City Clerks service to the City of Champaign.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

June 15, 2021 Regular Council Meeting

CM Beck, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to approve the minutes. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

REQUEST FOR HONORARY STREET NAME – WALTER SMITH [SS 2021-019]

Staff Presentation: Staff noted a request to designate an honorary street for Walter Smith, designating Fifth Street (between Tremont Street and Eureka Street) as Honorary Walter Smith Way; and this is the third request for an Honorary Street name designation and the limit for regular street naming is four per year.

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

Action Recommended: The Administration seeks Council direction on preparing the Resolution for the honorary street, designating Fifth Street (between Tremont Street and Eureka Street) as Honorary Walter Smith Way.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: None

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

Public Input: The following members of the audience spoke regarding the Request for Honorary Street Name:

• Diane Nesbitt, Champaign

• Dean Davis Smith, Champaign

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

Council Members’ General Discussion: None

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1 directing staff to prepare a Resolution to be placed on a Regular Meeting agenda for honorary street designation for Walter Smith on Fifth Street (between Tremont Street and Eureka Street). The result of the poll was 8 ayes and 0 nays.

COUNCIL GOAL UPDATE – NEIL STREET PLAZA PLACEMAKING PLAN PHASE 1 [SS 2021-020]

Staff Presentation: Senior Planner Rains Lowe and Assistant City Engineer Chris Sokolowski’s presentation included the following topics:

• Site

• Neil Street Plaza Values – Desired Outcomes

• Community Input

• Concept Design

• Great Lawn Space

• Hickory Promenade (Heritage Walk)

• Hill Street Main Entrance

• Phasing

• Phase 1 – One Main Area

• Phase 2 – Gateway From Plaza

• Phase 3 – More Exciting Amenities

• Phase 1 Engineering Analysis

- Design

- Swings

- Seating

- Outdoor Dining

- Holiday Tree

- Stage

• Estimated Costs

- Impact of COVID-19

- Sponsorship and Outside Funds

• Next Steps – Seeking direction from Council

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

Action Recommended: The Administration recommends that the City Council provide direction and guidance on strategies for advancing implementation, or for alternative direction.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: CM Beck’s technical questions concerned the funding mechanisms for the project and for the scope of the TIF District’s funding area. CM Gladney’s technical question related to programming for areas like the stage, who would use it, and who would oversee the space.

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

Public Input: The following members of the public spoke regarding the Neil Street Plaza Placemaking Plan Phase 1:

• Allan Max Axelrod, Urbana

• Creel Unbelove’d, Champaign

• Amy Revilla, Champaign

• Chad Smith, Champaign

• Owen Hayes, Champaign

• Brian Dunn, Champaign

• Kelly White, Champaign

• Leslie Krause, Champaign

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

Council Members’ General Discussion: Council Members’ general comments included gratitude for the presentation and staff work that has gone into the project; safety concerns for the area; policy related to loitering in the area; regulations related to use of the area; potential funding or sponsorship sources; consideration given for all modes of transportation, including parking; celebrating the history of Champaign in this project; using programming to bring more visitors to the area; use of a space for community that is free to visit; suggestion of tables/benches for communal seating; encouragement for continued public engagement in the design process; concept of community living room; work together to create something special; encouraging diversity and inclusion; CDAP vendors taking part in this project, builds value; appreciation for the phased in roll-out; support for the small business kiosks; family friendly programming; and support for the swings and encouragement of musical swing programming.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1 directing staff to accept the Neil Street Plaza Phase 1 Engineering Study and support additional work on sponsorship and other funding opportunities to advance the construction timeline of the Neil Street Plaza. The result of the poll was 8 ayes and 0 nays.

Audience Participation: The following members of the audience commented regarding various community concerns:

• Allan Max Axelrod, Urbana

• Amy Revilla, Champaign

• Riley Schneider, Champaign

• Tegan Schneider, Champaign

• Chad Smith, Champaign

• Eddie Pratt Jr., Urbana

• Brian Dunn, Champaign

• Creel Unbelove’d, Champaign

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

Council and Manager Comments:

CM Kyles thanked staff and community for coming out every week. CM Kyles noted he met with Neighborhood Services about areas of interest, and mentioned driving through the interest areas, keeping an idea of how people are maintaining properties. CM Kyles was pleased to see some improved properties including infrastructure and garbage cleanup. CM Kyles noted the continued need for fresh fruits/veggies, the need to engage people regarding the Mobile Food Market, and to make sure the community is aware of this resource. CM Kyles also shared an experience with Dr. Will Patterson about educating youth on STEM programs, providing youth someone to identify with, and guiding youth in community engagement.

Mayor Feinen noted Council interactions with the public and public concerns is not always obvious, but that does not mean Council is not present or engaged. Mayor Feinen also asked for Council and the public to show reciprocal respect and mutual understanding of one another.

City Manager David noted the retirement of Marilyn Banks and expressed that her service, leadership and dedication to the City will be greatly missed by her colleagues.

Adjournment:

CM Beck, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adjourn to Closed Session to discuss Pending Litigation, followed by adjournment. A roll-call vote was taken on the motion to adjourn; all voted yes.

The meeting ended at 9:38 p.m.

http://documents.ci.champaign.il.us/v/1FKmEHojIDRad4-EXqISYEQcIhEsxbx4F