Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council Committee of the Whole met Sept. 20.

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 virtually via ZOOM.

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

ELECETED OFFICIALS VIRTUALLY PRESENT: CM Maryalice Wu, CM Christopher Evans, CM Shirese Hursey, CM Jaya Kolisetty, CM Bishop, CM Grace Wilken, CM James Quisenberry

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Jason Liggett, Darcy Sandefur, Dave Wesner, Carol Mitten, Kat Trotter, Shannon Beraneck, Vince Gustafson, Bryant Seraphin, Richard Surles

OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Murdock, Charles Davidson, Elizabeth Powers, Tracy Chong, Allan Max Axelrod, Christopher Hansen, Eddie Pratt Jr., Sarah Nixon,

Chair: Chris Evans, Ward 2

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

With a quorum present, Chair Evans called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:00 PM.

*The previously scheduled public hearing has been canceled.

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

CM Hursey motioned to approve the minutes for the May 17th and September 7th meetings. CM Bishop seconded.

CM Wilken asked for clarification about the dates of minutes and thanked staff for additional detail. Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

3. Additions to the Agenda

Mayor Marlin requested proclamation for PRIDE week as 5 b. Items 8 and 9 pulled from agenda for future meeting and will remain in committee.

4. Closed Session per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) – AFSCME Collective Bargaining Negotiations Motion to enter closed session by CM Kolisetty and seconded by CM Bishop.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

Entered Closed Session at 7:07 PM

Motion to return from closed session by CM Wilken, seconded by CM Wu.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

Returned to open session at 8:09 PM

5. Public Input and Presentations

*Chair Evans called for presentations to precede public input.

a. Gun Violence Investigation Tools – Police/Exec

Mayor Marlin described the current gun violence climate. Carol Mitten presented a powerpoint on gun violence statistics in comparison to prior years. Chief Seraphin discussed the challenges police face in solving these crimes. Carol Mitten explained an assessment of options to address this problem. Chief Seraphin presented on automatic license plate readers and explained their function. Dan Murdock explained an incident earlier this year during which FLOCK automatic license plate readers were used to aide in a crime stoppage in Urbana. It was 14 minutes from the shooting to an arrest being made. Chief Seraphin provided context on other municipalities locally who are also interested in implementing ALPR technology. Dan Murdock explained the acquisition and storage of data practices. Chief Seraphin explained pricing. Carol Mitten explained future opportunities for council input.

Questions and discussion ensued. CM Hursey asked if another community uses different software if there would be possible complications. CM Kolisetty asked about restricted and audited access and what protections could be put in place by our department. CM Wilken asked for clarification on protections and protocols for access both internally and externally. CM Wu asked about ceiling for pricing. CM Wu inquired how long this technology has been in use. CM Bishop asked what the process for camera placement would be. CM Quisenberry asked about retention timeline of data.

b. PRIDE proclamation – Mayor Marlin

Joint proclamation with city of Champaign and county executive of Champaign County for PRIDE fest, September 24th to 26th to be held in downtown Urbana.

c. Public Input

Charles Davidson spoke in support of efforts to address gun violence. Elizabeth Powers spoke in opposition to Prairie Winds annexation for future meeting. Tracy Chong urged the council to further examine the CPRB legal advice previously presented. Allan Max Axelrod spoke in opposition to license plate readers. Christopher Hanson expressed concerns about license plate readers. Eddie Pratt Jr. spoke in opposition to cameras and proposed alternatives for the council to consider investing in to address gun violence. Sarah Nixon suggested the council consider alternatives to license plate cameras. Thanked police and fire for their support of market at the square. CM Wilken read on behalf of Will and Olivia Grey spoke in opposition to the prairie winds subdivision. CM Quisenberry read on behalf of Katie Muir urged council to go on ride alongs with local police. CM Hursey on behalf of Nick Powers spoke in opposition to prairie winds annexation.

*CM Wu motioned to extend meeting to 11 PM. Seconded by CM Hursey.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

6. Staff Report

City Administrator Carol Mitton and Deputy Director of Public Works Vince Gustfason presented on the changing costs of materials and the challenges faced by the City in the completion of projects.

7. Ordinance No. 2021-09-040: An Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 19 (Civilian Police Review Board Ordinance – Conformance with FOP Contract) – Exec

Presented by Carol Mitten.

CM Wu asked how new state law interacts with CPRB changes.

Motion to forward to council with recommendation for approval for consent agenda by CM Quisenberry. Seconded by CM Wilken.

CM Wilken hopes to have further discussions and opportunities to review in the future. Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

8. Ordinance No. 2021-09-042: An Ordinance Amending Schedule N of Section 23-193 of the Urbana Local Traffic Code Limiting Parking Times on Certain Streets or Public Parking Lots (Urbana Avenue between Elm Street and Green Street) – PW

Presented by Shannon Beraneck from public works.

Motion by CM Wilken to approve and to consent agenda with recommendation for approval. Seconded by CM Bishop.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

9. Ordinance No. 2021-09-043: An Ordinance Amending Schedule J of Section 23-183 of the Urbana Local Traffic Code Prohibiting Parking at All Times on Certain Streets or Public Parking Lots (Urbana Avenue Between Elm Street and Green Street; Clark Street Between Lincoln Avenue and Busey Avenue) – PW

Presented by Shannon Beraneck from public works.

Motion by CM Wilken to send to consent agenda with recommendation for approval. Seconded by Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

10. Discussion – First Followers/CM Evans

Moved to next council meeting following presentations and public input given the time constraints.

11. Council Input and Communications

Due to time constraints council did not provide comment.

15. Adjournment

Due to time constraints, CM Bishop motioned to adjourn seconded by Chair Evans. Chair Evans adjourned the meeting at 11:00 p.m.

http://urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/09-20-2021_COW-Minutes_draft_1.pdf