Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council met Dec. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A majority of a quorum of the Urbana City council met in goal-setting session at 5:30 PM.

ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor; Phyllis D. Clark, City Clerk, CM Maryalice Wu, CM Christopher Evans, CM Shirese Hursey, CM Jaya Kolisetty, CM Chaundra Bishop, CM Grace Wilken, CM James Quisenberry

STAFF PRESENT: Darcy Sandefur, Kate Brickman, William Kolschowsky, Elizabeth Hannan, Carla Boyd, Andrea Rudi, Carol Mitten, Breaden Belcher

OTHERS PRESENT: Kevin James (Facilitator from Quad City Leadership Consulting) 1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Marlin called the City Council Goal-Setting Session to order at 5:31 PM.

2. APPROVAL OF PUBLIC INPUT RULES

Vote to amend public input guidelines: proposed 30 minutes maximum time limit at 3 minutes a person. Motion to amend to adhere to the new guidelines by CM Wu and seconded by CM Quisenberry. Questions and discussion ensued.

Passed by voice vote.

3. PUBLIC INPUT

Julie Watkins wanted to reiterate that the communities where residents feel the safest are those with the most programs and services and not the most police. Hopes council will keep that in mind. Jonathan Blake is here today because the citizens of Urbana don’t feel safe. Shared there was a petition circulated by residents stating that number one priority is gun violence followed by infrastructure like street lights. Opened and founded Citizens Against Gun Violence with goal of obtaining cameras for households for increased security for residents.

4. CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC GOAL-SETTING

Mayor Marlin provided housekeeping guidelines, advised on location of restrooms, and introduced the facilitator Kevin James of Quad City Leadership Consulting.

Kevin James provided a brief background of his experience and his company. Asked for introductions from council.

Active Listening Exercise

Kevin James facilitated an active listening exercise and asked members to pair up to share why they ran for office and why they love Urbana. One partner talked for two minutes while one listens. The one who listens will then share with larger group what they heard from their group partner. Council and Mayor split into four groups of two to discuss.

Mayor Marlin shared that CM Quisenberry has lived here for many years and he and his wife have both made careers here. CM Quisenberry found public service has a direct impact on resident’s lives.

CM Hursey shared that CM Kolisetty loves the diversity and atmosphere of Urbana and the acceptance in Urbana. CM Kolisetty ran because her students of color at the U of I felt ignored and it inspired her to run.

CM Wilken shared that CM Wu loves Urbana because of the diversity here and great people of Urbana. The schools and walkability of the community drew her family here. She ran because of concerns for neighborhood engagement in planned unit developments.

CM Bishop shared that CM Evans loves Urbana because it’s a peaceful progressive community with lots to offer.

Kevin James then asked the groups to switch roles.

CM Quisenberry shared that Mayor Marlin came to Urbana first as student but stayed because she loved the community. She likes the diversity and the desire to improve the community. Became involved in local government first on council and then later as Mayor because of the direct impact and the ability to improve the community.

CM Kolisetty shared that CM Hursey has been here for many familial generations. CM Hursey wanted to be a part of giving back to the community as her family has done. Wanted to see more development in ward 3.

CM Wu shared that CM Wilken loves our community and the diversity of Urbana and the in-between size. CM Wilken ran for office to be involved and to learn new things especially regarding infrastructure. Ran because she feels strongly about our democracy.

CM Evans shared that CM Bishop loves the diversity of this community and Urbana’s commitment to its people. Loves the location and size of Urbana and all that it has to offer. CM Bishop ran because she wants neighbors helping neighbors.

Kevin James explained the goals of that exercise. He stressed that understanding why the council chose to serve is important to these sessions. He explained the importance of opening with a listening exercise. Thanked council for replying to his email with ideas.

Establishing Strategic Areas Activity

Kevin James began explaining the strategic goal setting process. Goal of this first evening is to set the target and generalize the goals that council hopes to work towards over the next few years.

Asked council to split into two groups of four to establish some strategic areas, strategic strategies, followed by action steps. Passed out handout (attachment A) that included email responses to general council goals. Asked groups to see what they saw in the data and the groupings he has created from the tentative areas and comments council shared prior to this meeting.

Facilitator asked groups to designate a person to share their comments. Asked group one to share.

CM Wu shared that group one examined the list and ensured the groupings made sense and explored the themes. Tried to create definitions for the areas. Shared what thoughts the group had for each grouping they made.

CM Quisenberry shared that their group took a similar approach and shared the group thoughts on each of the topical groupings. He expressed that some of the areas when addressed could help improve other areas of focus on the list.

Kevin James following the group shares, discussed that the items in goal setting are often interlinked. Asked broad group what are the areas of focus. Below are the strategic areas established:

a. Public Safety and Well Being.

b. Housing.

c. Infrastructure.

d. Economic Recovery and Development

Discussion ensued on the establishment of these based on group activities.

*Session took a 10 minute break starting at 6:45 and returning at 6:55.

Creating Strategies

Kevin James shared a 5 page document of different ideas shared previously by council with model strategies to address their newly defined areas. He asked council to break into four groups of two to brainstorm 5 strategies to address each area they outlined and fill out the worksheet provided.

5. ADJOURNMENT

Council thanked Kevin James for his help.

Mayor Marlin recessed the meeting for the evening at 7:56 PM and announced the meeting would reconvene in the same room tomorrow (December 3rd) at 6:00 PM.

http://urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/12-2-21%20goal%20setting%20session%20min.pdf