Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Cunningham Township Board met Aug. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Cunningham Township Board met in regular session at 6:30pm.

ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT:

Chair: Diane Wolfe Marlin

Township Clerk: Phyllis D. Clark

Trustees: Maryalice Wu, Chris Evans, Shirese Hursey, Chaundra Bishop, Grace Wilken, James Quisenberry Supervisor: Danielle Chynoweth

Assessor: Wayne Williams

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Trustee Jaya Kolisetty

OTHERS PRESENT: Frederic Grosser, Jason Liggett, Darcy Sandefur

I. ROLL CALL

With a quorum present, Chair Marlin called the regular meeting of the Cunningham Township Board to order at 6:32pm following a public hearing.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trustee Hursey motioned to approve the minutes for the June 28th public hearing and regular meeting minutes. Seconded by trustee Wilken.

Vote as follows:

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

NAY: None

III. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Supervisor Chynoweth asked that item b regarding the budget be removed from the agenda until next month.

*Motion to remove by trustee Wu to remove seconded by trustee Evans.

Vote as follows:

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

NAY: None

IV. PUBLIC INPUT

Katie Muir expressed concerns about safety regarding the clients served by the Cunningham Township residing at 206 and 208 W California Ave. Trustee Hursey read on behalf of Allan Max Axelrod wanted to provide clarity on a social media graphic posted by Cunningham Township about the angel donor fund and the California Ave properties.

V. COMMITTEE TO VERIFY BILLS

Supervisor Chynoweth presented the town bills. Expenditures for the month broken down by fund are as follows: Town Fund $26,957.42, GA $82,438.06, total $109,395.48. Trustee Wu asked about the expense for hellosign listed in the bills. CM Hursey asked for clarity about Allan Max Axelrod’s public comment.

Motion to approve bills by trustee Bishop. Seconded by trustee Quisenberry.

Vote as follows:

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

NAY: None

VI. REPORTS OF OFFICERS

Supervisor Chynoweth provided clients served statistics as reported in the supervisor’s memo. Rental assistance numbers have increased, largest month to date. Provided link to research on number of residents at risk for eviction. Explained the process to apply for eviction moratorium protections. Township staff has started attending eviction court. Partnership with City of Champaign Township and the county for bus advertisements for the eviction prevention campaign. Provided an update on the utility assistance program. Reported on previously held neighborhood meeting about the California Ave properties.

Trustee Wu asked for additional explanation about the Bridge to Home program.

Trustee Wilken thanked the Township for their work. Asked about challenges to permanent housing within the community and what future chances there will be for vouchers. Asked about non discrimination ordinance protections.

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

a. Resolution No. T-2021-08-010R: Resolution Authorizing the Supervisor to Sign an Agreement with Pehlman and Dold P.C. for Audit Services for Fiscal Year 2020-2021

Presented by Supervisor Chenoweth. Time for new audit contract as the previous 5-year contract with CLA has ended.

Trustee Quisenberry asked about other recommendations or references for this firm by other organizations.

Motion by trustee Bishop to approve. Seconded by trustee Hursey.

Vote by roll call as follows:

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

NAY: None

b. Ordinance No. T-2021-08-002: An Ordinance Approving 2020-2021 Cunningham Township Budget (revised)

*Moved to next scheduled meeting.

IX. ADJOURNEMENT

With no further business to come before the Township Board, Chair Marlin adjourned at 7:05