Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council met Feb. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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 *Denotes absent as of roll

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Darcy Sandefur, Bourema Ouedraogo, Carol Mitten, Sheila Dodd, Tim Cowan, Dave Wesner, Andrea Ruedi, Elizabeth Hannan, Alyana Robinson, Shaennon Clark

OTHERS PRESENT: Sean Flynn of Gilmore and Bell representing Clark-Lindsey; Kelsey Beccue, Corky Emberson, Timothy Bartlett, Derek Liebert of Urbana Park District;

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

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

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

February 14th, 2022

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

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

None

4. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INPUT

1. Public Input

Brandi McCoy asked about UPD use of force policy. Expressed excitement about upcoming community composting campaign. Angel Johnson expressed frustration about not being informed about wellness center and not given opportunity to open a daycare. John Kraft asked about in person meetings and virtual meetings. Asked about public recording of previous Goal-Setting Session.Phyllis Clark shared statement about meeting on the 22nd of February and clarified for the public the OMA and City’s policy on the recording of meetings. Sarah Nixon was unable to speak at this time.Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood thanked Pastor Johnson and feels that members of the community have been excluded from important conversations. Nicholas Dale advocated for in person meeting so that all citizens may participate. Sarah Nixon expressed the Pastors Johnsons frustrations were valid. Urged council to not support health and wellness center. Asked about meeting on Feb 22nd and the public recording. Kanittha Fay thanked council and city for their hard work. Expressed support for Urbana Park District Health and Wellness project.

2. City of Urbana ARPA Response & Recovery Allocation - Mayor

Presented by Mayor Marlin and Urbana Park District. Mayor Marlin shared a PowerPoint presentation on proposed allocations of ARPA funds. This proposed uses presentation is not actionable and informational only. Provided an ARPA overview and explained the conditions of the funding. Proposed three areas of use that accounts for about half of the funds: ARPA Fiscal/Project Management, Services/Infrastructure, and Park District Health & Wellness Center. Mayor went more into depth about those three proposed areas.

3. Urbana Park District Health & Wellness Center Presnetation

Presented by Timothy Bartlett, Derek Liebert, Corky Emberson, and Kelsey Beccue of the Urbana Park District. Bartlett explained their strategic planning process and their consideration of public input of community needs. Beccue played a video that explained the intended purposes of the project and site plan. Liebert discussed how this project aligns with the City’s strategic goals and the utilization of sustainable infrastructure. Emberson explained how the facility would help meet the strategic area of public health and safety with community violence prevention. Explained Urbana Park District partnerships with other community organizations. Detailed how this facility can be utilized as a public health facility and used as COVID-19 response tool. Emberson presented on the lens of equity applied to this project and the focus on Human Rights & Social Services.

CM Kolisetty motioned to extend presentation and CM Quisenberry seconded. Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

Liebert explained the potential economic recovery and opportunities that this facility would create for the community. Beccue detailed the estimated costs and funding options. Bartlett explained the proposed construction timeline and thanked council for their time.

Questions and discussion ensued.

5. COUNCIL INPUT AND COMMUNICATIONS

CM Wilken thanked presenters and members of the public for their input. Shared thoughts on proposed City ARPA allocations. Expressd concerns about the City favoring projects and not adhering to the agreed upon process. Shared information about upcoming community composting project. Agrees with upholding OMA and updating CPRB ordinance. CM Kolisetty echoed the importance of upholding the ARPA process. Shared that the request for qualifications for the community safety review has gone out. CM Evans was unable to share at this time due to connection issues. CM Quisenberry shared his opinion on the meeting on the Feb 22nd meeting. CM Hursey expressed that she felt insulted by what occurred at the Feb 22nd meeting and that it was inappropriate. Mayor Marlin shared that the meeting complied with the OMA and explained that a public body may prescribed the areas from which the public may make recordings. Explained that on Feb 22nd that two individuals disregarded this and entered the meeting space with numerous recording devices. Shared other concerns from this meeting.

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

7. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Committee Of The Whole (Council Member Chaundra Bishop – Ward 5)

1. CONSENT AGENDA

a. Resolution No. 2022-02-020R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Urbana Home Consortium Subrecipient Agreement (Champaign County Regional Planning Commission HOME ARP Allocation Plan FY 2021-2022) – CD

Presented by CM Bishop.

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

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

2. REGULAR AGENDA

a. Ordinance No. 2022-02-009: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance (Budget Amendment #6 – Omnibus) – HRF

Presented by CM Bishop.

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

Discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

AYE: Wu, Quisenberry, Bishop, Hursey, Kolisetty, Evans, Mayor Marlin

NAY: None

ABSTENTION: CM Wilken (because of her role with the Champaign County Environmental Stewards)

b. Resolution No. 2022-02-021R: A Resolution Approving the Engagement of Lauterbach & Amen, LLP for Independent Financial Auditing Services (Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2022; June 30, 2023; June 30, 2024; June 30, 2025; and June 30, 2026) – HRF

Presented by CM Bishop.

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

Discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY:

PRESENT: Wilken

c. Resolution No. 2022-02-022R: A Resolution Adopting Financial Policies – HRF

Presented by CM Bishop.

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

Discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: Evans

8. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

None.

9. REPORTS OF OFFICERS

Carol Mitten explained that the city is revamping COVID requirements for employees and asked that the public please still remain masked while in building. Mayor Marlin shared that the city was in discussion about returning to in person meetings.

10. NEW BUSINESS

a. Resolution No. 2022-02-023R: A Resolution Approving Certain Amendments to Revenue Bonds Issued by the City of Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois for the Benefit of Clark-Lindsey Village, Inc. – Exec

Presented by Sean Flynn representing Clark-Lindsey Village and Dave Wesner City Attorney. This effectively changes the name on the bonds as the entity is undergoing a corporate reorganization. Discussion and questions ensued.

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

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

b. Mayoral Appointment to Boards and Commissions

i. Human Relations Commission (Term ending 06/30/2025) – Gregory Schroeder

Presented by Mayor Marlin. Marlin shared a brief biography and credentials for Mr. Schroeder.

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

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

ii. Housing Authority of Champaign County Board of Directors (Extending Terms) – Peter McFarland: July 1, 2024 through July 31, 2026 – Todd Salen: February 1, 2023 through July 31, 2027

Presented by Mayor Marlin. Explained that this would correct the terms of existing appointments resulting from years of administrative turnovers.

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

Discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

11. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business before the Urbana City Council Chair Marlin adjourned this meeting at 9:31 P.M.

This meeting was video recorded and is viewable on-demand HERE.

http://urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/2-28-22%20%20cc%20minutes.pdf