City of Urbana City Council met Jan. 10

By Philip Gonzales

Mar 30, 2022

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session beginning at 7:00pm.

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

ELECTED 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: Darcy Sandefur, Bourema Ouedraogo, Carol Mitten, Dave Wesner, Shaennon Clark, Elizabeth Hannan, Sheila Dodd, Sanford Hess, Michelle Brooks

OTHERS PRESENT: Joe Lightcap, Auditor; Michelle Lorenz, Attorney

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

With a quorum virtually present, Chair Mayor Marlin called the special meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:00 PM.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

January 3rd, 2022

Motion to approve by CM Bishop and seconded by CM Wu.

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

NAY: None

3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

None

4. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INPUT

1. Annual Audit Presentation – HR/Finance

Presented by Shaennon Clark director of finance and Joe Lightcap from Baker Tilly the auditing firm. Presented on the FY 2020 audit and explained that the reporting is done on an accrual basis as opposed to a cash basis which is the normal format of the quarterly financial reports. All financial reports including the audit are now available on the City website. Joe Lightcap shared key details from the financial reports. The auditing firm issued a clean finding for the audit.

Questions and discussion ensued.

2. City of Urbana Network Security Presentation IT

Presented by Sanford Hess director of Information Technology. Shared a PowerPoint presentation on Urbana Network Security. Hess explained what measures the City has taken already to strengthen and update network security. Outlined potential threats still present and prefaced options available to further strengthen the network security.

Questions and discussion ensued.

3. Public Input

Brandi McCoy was unable to speak at this time.Allan Max Axelrod expressed concerns about the Crisis Co-Responder team’s legality. Brandi McCoy hopes city will continue to support the utility shut off moratorium campaign and the SWFT program. Sarah Nixon expressed concerns about the Crisis Co-Response leadership.

5. COUNCIL INPUT AND COMMUNICATIONS

CM Wu thanked finance, HR, and accounting for excellent work they’ve done this year. CM Wilken thanked staff who were able to come to Council Goal-Setting sessions and is looking forward to public input on them. Mayor Marlin addressed concerns about Crisis Co-Response team and also addressed public comments about an officer of Urbana PD.

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

7. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Committee Of The Whole (Council Member Christopher Evans – Ward 2)

1. CONSENT AGENDA

2. REGULAR AGENDA

a. Resolution No. 2022-01-001: A Resolution Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Council 31, Local 1331 – HR/Finance

Presented by Michelle Brooks of the Human Resources department.

Motion to approve by CM Evans and seconded by CM Wu.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: none

8. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

None.

9. REPORTS OF OFFICERS

Carol Mitten meeting with staff members this week to finalize RFP for community safety study to be shared with Council. Mayor Marlin announced the hire of the new assistant City Engineer. 10% of City workforce out due to COVID. Urged public to get vaccinated and take other precautions.

10. NEW BUSINESS

a. Ordinance No. 2022-01-001: An Ordinance Approving a Major Variance (Front Porch at 1401 Perkins Road / ZBA-2021-MAJ-08) – CD

Presented by Kat Trotter of the Community Development Department. Ordinance would allow homeowner to put in a front porch. Michelle Lorenz and attorney on behalf of the requester was present for questions. Questions and discussion ensued.

Motion to approve by CM Bishop and seconded by CM Kolisetty.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

b. Boards and Commission Appointments

Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission (term ending June 30, 2025) – Bruce Michelson

Presented by Mayor Marlin. A long time Urbana resident, Michelson has contributed in many ways to making Urbana a safer bicycle community.

Motion to approve by CM Hursey and seconded by CM Kolisetty.

Discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None