Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council Committee of the Whole met June 7.

Here are 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, via Zoom.

ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor; Phyllis D. Clark, City Clerk

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: City Council Members (CM), Maryalice Wu, Christopher Evans, Shirese Hursey, Jaya Kolisetty, Chaundra Bishop, Grace Wilken, James Quisenberry

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Jason Liggett, Carol Mitten, William Kolschowsky, Tim Cowan, Kat Trotter

OTHERS PRESENT VIA ZOOM: Celeste Choate

Chair: Shirese Hursey, Ward 3

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

With a quorum virtually present, Chair Hursey called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 8:42pm, following a special meeting of the Urbana City Council.

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

None

3. Additions to the Agenda

a. Discussion of Council Priorities (Following Council Input and Communications)

b. Staff Report (following Public input and Presentations)

Mayor Marlin notified that the council training materials will be made available on the website. First allocation of the American Rescue Plan funds has been received.

4. Public Input and Presentations

a. Urbana Free Library – (Budget Review FY 2021-2022)

Celeste Choate from the Urbana Free Library presented on the budget for FY 22. She provided statistics on community use and service volume during the prior FY. Discussed plans for future renovations. Provided updates on the Library’s efforts to become more accessible. Explained the different sources of revenue. Reviewed a percent based breakdown of expenditures. Discussion ensued.

b. Capital Improvement Plan Presentation

William Kolshowsky provided an introduction to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Explained key projects such as facilities upgrades, the equity and quality of life project, big ticket transportation projects, preventive maintenance.

Tim Cowan provided an assets valuation and explained the expenditures associated. Provided an overview of revenue and how these proposed projects will be funded. Explained the system of prioritization for infrastructure improvements. Discussion ensued.

c. Public Input

Arthur Paganany objected to cameras being installed in response to community violence. Brandy McCoy objected to putting cameras in targeted neighborhoods and feels it will create trust issues with residents. Sarah Nixon expressed a desire for the community development budget to match the figures projected for the police department budget. Wants to see social services funded more. Allan Max Axelrod invited the public to come out and support a union rally tomorrow June 8th

5. Ordinance No. 2021-06-019: An Ordinance Amending the Urbana Zoning Map (Europa House - 802 West Oregon Street / Plan Case No. 2420-M-21) – CD

Kat Trotter from community development presented on the proposed ordinance to amend the zoning for the property of the former Europa House. Questions and discussion ensued.

CM Wu motioned to move the ordinance to the consent agenda for the next city council meeting. CM Quisenberry seconded.

AYE: Wilken, Quisenberry, Bishop, Evans, Wu, Kolisetty, Hursey

NAY: None

6. Council Input and Communications

CM Hursey expressed discomfort with residents outside of a neighborhood offering suggestions about what should be done there. CM Bishop suggested a future special meeting to discuss council priorities. Discussion ensued. Looking at possible agenda item to discuss council priorities at a later meeting.

CM Wu motioned that the meeting is extended to 10:45 PM. CM Bishop seconded. 

AYE: Wu, Hursey, Evans, Kolisetty, Wilkens, Bishop, Quisnberry

13. Adjournment

With no further business before the committee, Chair Hursey adjourned the virtual meeting at 10:45pm.

http://urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/06-07-2021_Minutes_0.pdf