Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Committee of the Whole met Nov. 15.

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 Chaundra Bishop, CM Grace Wilken, CM James Quisenberry

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Jason Liggett, Darcy Sandefur, Carol Mitten, Bourema Ouedraogo, Elizabeth Hannan, Carla Boyd, Dave Wesner, Bryant Seraphin.

OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Hofer

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

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

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

November 1st Public Hearing and meeting minutes. Motion to approve as corrected by CM Wu and seconded by CM Kolisetty.

Corrections provided via email by CM Wilken.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

3. Additions to the Agenda

CM Evans Motioned to include 10 minutes presentation by Brian Hofer an expert on issues municipalities face in regards to ALPR.

Mayor Marlin pulled item number 9 Ordinance for omnibus budget #4.

CM Wilken asked to change discussion order.

4. Discussions (Continued from November 8, 2021)

a. Procedures Related to Action Item by Council (Continued from October 18, 2021) – CMs Bishop and Kolisetty

CM Kolisetty wanted to reiterate that this item was brought forward to prioritize clear communications and practices. CM Bishop emphasized the importance of communication prior to decisions being finalized. Discussion ensued.

b. Public Safety Evaluation: Scope of Work Discussion – CM Bishop

Presented by CM Bishop, reviewed public safety proposal draft provided by CM Wilken. Goal is to examine what public safety is like now and what is needed. Asked council for input prior to draft being given to staff. Questions and discussion ensued.

5. Public Input and Presentations

a. Presentation by Brian Hofer Executive Director of Secured Justice.

Hofer explained Secure Justice’s services. For municipalities they provide support in policy writing and consulting on proposals for the purchase of policing technology. Shared concerns with ALPR. Discussion and questions ensued.

b. Public Input

Allan Max Axelrod thanked CM Evans for bringing in guest speaker on ALPR, thanked CM Bishop and CM Wilken for initiating safety review conversations. Thanked City for updates to ALPR policy. Linda Turnbill spoke in support of ALPR. Tracy Chong expressed concerns about dishonesty from the city of Urbana in regards to ALPR. Steve Fay spoke in support of ALPR and urged council to consider local input. Brandi McCoy expressed concerns about citing municipalities who have not yet implemented ALPR and also about the language used when describing those impacted. Eddie Pratt Jr. spoke in opposition to ALPR and supported alternatives like infrastructure investments. Julie Watkins spoke in solidarity with city workers, asked about the FOP side letter. Audrey Ishii spoke in support of ALPR. Theresa Sweeney spoke to her experiences with gun violence and urged council to listen to residents impacted. Ben Theobald thanked Council for discussion with community on ALPR. Expressed concerns of effectiveness of ALPR. Niko Johnson Fuller spoke in opposition to ALPR, expressed concerns about effectiveness. Sarah Nixon spoke in opposition to ALPR and expressed concerns about petitions in support of ALPR. David Young spoke in opposition to ALPR. Expressed concerns about digital security. Luke echoed comment of opposition to ALPR. CM Hursey read a letter from Julia Guth in support of ALPR. CM Wu read a letter from Allison Colgrove in support of ALPR. CM Hursey read a letter from Ivan Cowing in support of ALPR.

6. Staff Report

Mayor Marlin reminded about council goal setting session on Dec 2nd and 3rd.

7. Resolution No. 2021-11-046R: A Resolution Estimating the Tax Levy (Fiscal Year 2021-2022) – HR/Finance

Presented by Elizabeth Hannan. Hannan shared a PowerPoint overviewing property tax basics Motion to approve to send to council with recommendation for approval by CM Wu and seconded by CM Hursey. Questions and discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

8. Ordinance No. 2021-09-044: An Ordinance Revising the FY2022 Annual Budget (Budget Amendment #3) – HR/Finance

Presented by Chief Bryant Seraphin. Discussion and questions ensued.

Motion to approve to send to council by CM Hursey and seconded by CM Wu.

Vote by roll call:

AYE: Wu, Hursey, Quisenberry

NAY: Evans, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken

*Motion to extend meeting to 11 by CM Hursey and seconded by CM Wu.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

9. Ordinance No. 2021-11-048: An Ordinance Revising the FY 2022 Annual Budget (Budget Amendment #4) – HR/Finance

Removed from this agenda during additions to the agenda.

10. Council Input and Communications

CM Bishop shared condolences for Janice Mitchell.

CM Wu provided update on RPC rental assistance following previous meetings council input. CM Kolisetty shared condolences for Janice Mitchell. Thanked for progress on goal setting. CM Quisenberry echoed condolences for Janice Mitchell.

11. Adjournment

With no other business before the committee of the whole, Chair Wilken called this meeting adjourned at 10:59 PM.

http://urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/11-15-2021_COW-Minutes.pdf