Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council Committee of the Whole met March 7.

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: Darcy Sandefur, Carol Mitten, Dave Wesner, Bourema Ouedraogo, Shannon Beranek, Sheila Dodd, William Kolschowsky,

OTHERS PRESENT: Patrick Thompson, VEYA Inc.; Ashlee McLaughlin, CCRPC; Chair: Grace Wilken, Ward 6

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

a. February 21st, 2022

Presented by Chair Wilken.

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

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

b. Strategic Goal-Setting Session February 22nd, 2022

Presented by Chair Wilken.

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

CM Wilken provided corrections prior to meeting via email.

CM Wilken proposed an amendment removing strategy two title as it appears “Enhance and Expand Public Safety”

Discussion ensued.

CM Evans seconded.

Further discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call on amendment:

AYE: Evans, Wilken

NAY: Wu, Hursey, Bishop, Quisenberry

PRESENT: Kolisetty

Vote by roll call to approve minutes:

AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Bishop, Quisenberry

NAY: Wilken

PRESENT: Kolisetty

3. Additions to the Agenda

None

4. Public Input and Presentations

a. Contracting with African American Businesses – Patrick Thompson and CMs Evans and Wilken

Presented by Patrick Thompson. CM Evans provided an introduction for Mr. Patrick Thompson founder of VEYA, Inc, a construction company specializing in concrete work. Wants the City to hire a director of diversity specializing in economic development who would work to create economic opportunities for minority businesses. Provided statistics detailing numbers of minority owned businesses and their representation in contracts. Stressed the importance of enacting social and policy changes to better support diversifying City contract recipients. Questions and discussion ensued.

b. Public Input

Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood thanked council for bringing Mr. Thompsons presentation to council tonight. Stressed the importance of supporting minority businesses. Julie Watkins expressed concern about previous week’s presentation about possible allocation of COVID response funds. Expressed disagreement with utilizing COVID funds for a building. Brandi McCoy expressed concerns about UPD use of force and Taser review policy and previous questions. Spoke in support of increasing traffic safety with additional stop signs and street lights. Spoke in support of prioritizing affordable housing and wants to see more information about resources. Allan Max Axelrod provided an update on the Utility shut-off moratorium campaign. Spoke in support of the city adopting a dedicated focus to prioritize minority owned businesses. Spoke in support of supporting programs like SWFT. Angel Johnson spoke in support of Mr. Thompson’s presentation. Expressed concerns about attempts made previously to seek City support for her businesses. Tracy Chong expressed concerns about UPD changes to CPRB Taser review policy. Inquired about the status of the advisory committee for public safety. CM Jaya Kolisetty read on behalf of Sarah Nixon (attached).

5. Staff Report

None.

6. Ordinance No. 2022-03-010: An Ordinance Amending Schedule H of Section 23-93 of the Urbana Local Traffic Code Requiring Stop Signs at a Certain Intersection (Ogelthorpe Avenue at Rainbow View; Montgomery Street at Rainbow View; Michigan Avenue at Ogelthorpe Avenue; Michigan Avenue at Abercorn Street; Michigan Avenues at Montgomery Street) – PW

Presented by Shannon Beranek of Public Works. Following a survey of residents in the area reviewing traffic concerns, the outlined intersections are currently uncontrolled. Traffic commission, as well as residents who initially submitted commentary, support the installation of stop signs. Questions and discussion ensued.

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

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None.

7. Resolution No. 2022-03-026R: A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a DCEO Grant (Nevada Street Lighting Project) – CD

Presented by Shannon Beranek of Public Works. Due to lack of staff and time, this grant was not previously executed fully after being awarded. Grant is a reimbursement based grant to pay for a portion of the previously expended costs on the street lighting project. There will be a subsequent grant for a separate street lighting project on Matthew Street at a future meeting. Questions and discussion ensued. Motion to approve to consent agenda by CM Bishop and seconded by CM Wu.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None.

8. Resolution No. 2022-03-024R: A Resolution Approving the Transfer of Volume Cap in Connection with Private Activity Bond Issues, Single-Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds, and Related Matters (Private Bond Cap Allocation – Assist Programs, Series 2022) – CD

Presented with Resolution No. 2022-02-025R together by Community Development Director Sheila Dodd. This is a tax exempt bond that the City may grant towards priorities. Previous investments have been made in Crystal View Townhomes and Prairie Green Apartments. There is no fiscal impact with these items, but instead is a designation for how the municipality shall designate the state funds. Must be executed by May 1st or the state will make their own designation. Discussion and questions ensued. Motion to approve to regular agenda by CM Hursey and seconded by CM Wu.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None.

9. Resolution No. 2022-03-025R: A Resolution Approving the Transfer of Volume Cap in Connection with Private Activity Bond Issues, Single-Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds, and Related Matters (Private Bond Cap Allocation – IDHA, Series 2022) – CD

Presented with item eight above.

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

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None.

10. Council Input and Communications

CM Quisenberry shared that on 21st and 28th he will be on a work trip and does not anticipate disruptions to his attendance but wishes to have another member chair in the event that he is unable to attend. Mayor Marlin explained that the public safety advisory committee has been rolled into the public safety review. The council just submitted a request for qualifications for that safety review. Provided clarity about the EQUAL project and urged residents who wish to see updates to infrastructure to provide input.

Motion for a 5 minute recesses by CM Wilken and seconded by CM Bishop. Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

Will return at 9:10 PM.

11. Discussion

a. Public Input Survey and Plan for ARPA Concept Place

Presented by William Kolschowsky from the Executive Department. Shared a PowerPoint presentation detailing process on ARPA Public Input Plan following the last RPC presentation. Shared a timeline of the process to date and upcoming steps. Explained the opportunities and methods for the public to provide public input on ARPA allocations. Shared the priority areas the public may provide input on and the prompts designed to organize the input. Outlined the community organizations patterning with the City to aide in collecting public input. Ashlee McLaughlin from Champaign County Regional Planning was present to help in answering questions. Council asked questions and offered suggested edits.

b. Continuing Conversation on Council Goals – CMs Wilken and Kolisetty

CM Kolisetty introduced the discussion. CM Kolisetty expressed the desire to not rush this process and the idea of continuing the discussion during council meetings. Council members shared their thoughts on continuing this item at future meetings. Some council members expressed that the goals are not meant to be perfect but instead are working goals and that this item should be introduced at Committee and then later Council for approval. Some Council members expressed the desire to spend additional time on the structuring of goals with relation to their priority. Some Council members expressed a desire to see specific items revisited and prioritized. Council began discussing restructuring of previously draft goals. Council asked staff to prepare a draft set of goals following the last session to come before Council at the next committee meeting to work from. Council members asked for procedural guidance on future decision making in later discussions.

12. Adjournment

With no further business before the committee of the whole Chair Wilken adjourned the meeting at 9:52 PM

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