Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council Committee of the Whole met Jan. 18.

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 *DENOTES LATE ARRIVAL

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Darcy Sandefur, Carol Mitten, Bourema Ouedraogo, Dave Wesner, Sheila Dodd, Sanford Hess, Chuck Lauss, Elizabeth Hannan, Demond Dade, Matt Bain, Alyana Robinson

OTHERS PRESENT: DARLENE KLOEPPEL

Chair: Shirese Hursey, Ward 3

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

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

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

January 3rd, 2022

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

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

3. Additions to the Agenda

Mayor Marlin is removing item #12 from the agenda as it will be moved to the COW meeting on Feb 12th, 2022.

4. Public Input and Presentations

a. Public Input

Christopher Hanson asked that a video be played as part of his public input. Explained that the video contained previous public input along with footage of a police call. Expressed concerns about legality and transparency. Urged council to speak up. Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood was hoping to speak at a later time. Sarah Nixon expressed concerns about Mayor Marlin’s response to her public input at the previous meeting. Provided a definition of gaslighting. Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood urged council to look through a lens of equity for all goal setting and policy making. Asked when further discussion about ARPA funds will be. Asked about when residents can provide input for infrastructure funding.

5. Staff Report

Mayor Marlin wanted to let public know of public health updates at the county level. Provided an update on Urbana City staff effected by COVID. Announced ARPA discussions beginning next week. Provided clarification on how residents or council may recommend projects for the infrastructure projects.

6. Resolution No. 2022-01-002R: A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement for Animal Control Services – Exec/Police

Presented by Carol Mitten, Lt. Matt Bain, and County Executive Darlene Kloeppel. Mitten explained that the position was vacated as of July of last year and provided the city with an opportunity to consider alternatives. The county has provided animal control services at a larger scale and would provide double the coverage for Urbana.

Questions and discussion ensued.

Motion to approve for the consent agenda by CM Wilken and seconded by CM Quisenberry. Further discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

7. Ordinance No. 2022-01-002: An Ordinance Authorizing Purchase of Certain Real Estate (1501 East Mumford Drive) – Exec/Fire

Presented by Carol Mitten, Fire Chief Chuck Lauss, and Deputy Fire Chief Demond Dade. Previously presented initially in a closed session in December. Ordinance authorizes the purchase of land to allow for the construction of a fire station. Will allow for additional space and future flexibility. Questions and discussion ensued.

Motion to approve for the consent agenda by CM Kolisrtty and seconded by CM Wu. Additional discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

Abstention: CM James Quisenberry abstaining for his relationship with Sola Gratia and the Church.

8. Ordinance No. 2022-01-003: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance (Budget Amendment #5 – Omnibus) – HR/Finance

Presented by Alyana Robinson of the Finance Department. Explained the proposed changes to the budget including additional COVID PPE supplies, Fire Department overtime allowances, property purchase for the Fire Station, intergovernmental agreement for animal control services with Champaign County, additional salary for UPTV production team, additional funds for hiring examinations, and funds to purchase additional network security measures.

Questions and discussion ensued.

Motion to approve to regular agenda by CM Wu and seconded by CM Kolisetty. Further discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

9. Ordinance No. 2022-01-004: An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Real Estate (704 North Broadway Avenue – Habitat for Humanity) – CD

Presented by Community Development Director Sheila Dodd.

*CM Bishop Motioned to combine items 10, 11, and 12 in omnibus. Seconded by CM Quisenberry.

Further discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

Motion to approve combined items to send to consent agenda by CM Wu and seconded by CM Bishop. Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

10. Ordinance No. 2022-01-005: An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Real Estate (1201 West Beslin Street – LaKendra O’Bannon) – CD

*combined and moved to consent agenda above

11. Ordinance No. 2022-01-006: An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Real Estate (1407 Wiley Drive – First Followers) – CD

* combined and moved to consent agenda above

12. Ordinance No. 2022-01-007: An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 2018-12-082 Urbana City Code Chapter 2, “Administration”, Article IV, “Boards and Commissions”, Division 4 – “Public Arts Commission and Arts Program” (Adding a Youth Member to the Arts & Culture Commission) – CD*

* Note: item moved to the COW meeting on February 7th, 2022

13. Resolution No. 2022-01-003R: A Resolution Adopting Mayor/ City Council Strategic Goals for 2022-2023 – Exec

Presented by Carol Mitten City Administrator. This is the work in progress outline from the previous goal-setting session to formalize where council is with Strategic Goals.

Questions ensued.

Motion to keeping in committee for further discussion by CM Wilken and seconded by CM Evans. Discussion ensued.

Motion amended to approve for the consent agenda with omitting the action steps and strategic goals, only the 4 strategic areas by end of March if possible for staff by CM Wilken and seconded by CM Evans.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

14. Council Input and Communications

CM Evans wanted to address six concerns he has about the Alleyah Lewis arrest. Shared that he has had constituent interest in ARPA conversations. CM Wu reminded of upcoming APRA discussions. Thanked Urbana and Champaign Police Department for their work in addressing the homicide investigation last week. Sent best wishes for staff out with COVID. CM Wilken urged public to adhere to COVID guidelines and wants clarity on what current policy is. Expressed concerns about policing and hopes to have input on future use of force policy. CM Quisenberry wanted to wish a speedy recovery from COVID to staff. Mayor Marlin wanted to remind about upcoming ARPA presentation next week and future public engagement will follow. Shared COVID protocols in place at the City of Urbana. CM Bishop attended the MLK celebration and wanted to ensure we are approaching things in our City with racial equity.

9. Adjournment

Chair Hursey adjourned the meeting at 9:19 PM.

http://urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/01-18-2022-COW-Minutes_.pdf