Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council met March 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session 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, Sheila Dodd, Dave Wesner

OTHERS PRESENT: Dr. Eric Green, University of Illinois Professor; Alexa Smith, John Hopkins, Maiah Caise, Christopher Eng, Asli Topuzlu, Students of Dr. Green’s Class; Andrew Niselhoff, IDHA;

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 7:25 PM.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

February 28th, 2022

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

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

CM Wilken motioned to add a presentation on food waste and a plastic bag tax by Dr. Eric Green’s class before public input seconded by CM Evans.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

4. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INPUT

1. Student Projects U of I Presentation

Dr. Green provided a brief introduction for his class. The first group began their presentation on addressing food waste and food insecurity in Urbana. Students established their credibility, shared their project goals, and proposed practices that the City could adopt to reduce food waste and food insecurity.

The second group began their presentation on a proposed plastic bag tax to reduce environmental contaminates. Students explained the functional differences between a bag ban and a bag tax. The group presented possible outcomes for the City including financial impacts. The students cited other municipalities successfully implementing plastic bag taxes.

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

Mayor Marlin announced upcoming opportunities for the public to provide ARPA input.

Motion to amend public input guidelines to prioritize the first thirty minutes of public input for ARPA by CM Wu and seconded by CM Hursey.

Discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None

Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood expressed frustration at opportunities for public input. Spoke in support of the Council contributing to match the mil campaign for additional funding to the SWFT program. Stressed the importance of supporting the minority communities. Brandi McCoy likes the idea of a wellness center within the City but feels that the focus of funding should be the residents most impacted by COVID. Spoke in support of the math the mil campaign for additional funding to the SWFT program. Eddie Pratt Jr. spoke in support of the match the mil campaign for additional funding to the SWFT program. Stressed the importance of addressing systemic infrastructure issues. Fiona Munro strongly encouraged City council to correct infrastructural issues within the Dr. Ellis Subdivision with ARPA funds. Echoed support for the math the mil campaign for additional funding to the SWFT program. Joan Grave echoed support for infrastructure rebuild for sewer system in the Dr. Ellis subdivision. Julie Watkins stressed importance of supporting job development and infrastructure improvements. Patrick Thompson spoke in support of utilizing the ARPA funds for economic development, job creation, and hiring a diversity compliance officer at the City. Hopes to see funds used to serve communities to address historic inequities. CM Wu read on behalf of Kanittha Fay (see attached). Alison Colgrove submitted written comment for public input (see attached).

3. Public Input

None.

5. COUNCIL INPUT AND COMMUNICATIONS

CM Wilken thanked public for their input. Apologized for confusion with presentation this evening with regard for whom would be presenting. Mayor Marlin provided further clarity on the scheduling evening’s presentation and asked that all presentations be routed through the Clerk’s Office. CM Quisenberry echoed a member of the publics input about the structuring of the survey and changes that could be made to increase efficiency. CM Wu announced that the neighborhood rezoning meeting regarding R7 housing (fraternity houses) will be rescheduled to Tuesday March 29th over Zoom instead of over RingCentral. CM Kolisetty thanked City staff for being flexible while receiving public input on R7 rezoning. Extended appreciation for Dr. Green’s presentation and provided further clarity on presentation scheduling. CM Evans thanked public for input. Stressed the importance of developing all portions of the City equitably. CM Hursey spoke in support of the City providing additional information about the Dr. Ellis subdivision infrastructure. Spoke in support of the plastic bag tax. Mayor Marlin shared that the City strongly supports input and engagement from all residents of the city including students.

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

7. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Committee Of The Whole (Council Member Grace Wilken – Ward 6)

1. CONSENT AGENDA

a. 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 Avenue at Montgomery Street) – PW

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

Presented by CM Wilken.

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

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: None.

2. REGULAR AGENDA

a. 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 by CM Wilken.

Motion to approve by CM Wilken and seconded by CM Wu. Community Development Director

Sheila Dodd helped respond to questions. Questions and discussion ensued. Andrew Niselhoff from IDHA was asked to help respond to questions about development.

CM Wilken and second CM Wu withdraw the motion on the floor.

CM Kolisetty motioned to send item back to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. Seconded by CM Bishop.

Further discussion ensued.

Vote by roll call:

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

NAY: Hursey

b. 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 by CM Wilken.

Primary discussion occurred concurrently with Resolution No. 2022-03-024R.

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

Discussion ensued.

Motion was amended to include language “a minimum of” prior to dollar figure allocation by CM Bishop and seconded by CM Quisenberry.

Vote by roll call on amendment:

AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop

NAY: Wilken, Quisenberry

Vote on motion as amended by roll call:

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

NAY: None

8. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

None.

9. REPORTS OF OFFICERS

Mayor Marlin shared that staff met with City of Champaign in relation to utilization of ARPA funds to reduce community violence. Pride 2022 will once again be held in the City of Urbana in October. This upcoming Thursday will be the return of the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade. City meetings will return to in person on April 4th.

10. NEW BUSINESS

None.

CM Bishop inquired about additional information on the R7 zoning changes. Mayor Marlin directed toward information on the website and shared that there would be information brought to council later.

11. DISCUSSION

a. Rental Assistance for Individuals Impacted by Gun Violence – CD

Community Development Director Sheila Dodd introduced the topic and shared that steps have already been taken within the community by community partners to provide rental assistance for individuals impacted by gun violence. Hope is to launch the program in May of this year and intend to utilize some of the City’s CDBG and HOME funds to launch this program through intergovernmental agreements. The purpose of tonight’s discussion is to assess council support of pursuing this opportunity in order to facilitate a future presentation with the grant agreements and intergovernmental agreements. Council would have final approval. Discussion and questions endued.

Mayor Marlin called for an informal straw poll. Council consensus was for the City to proceed with preparing the agreements for Council approval at a future meeting. Further discussion ensued.

CM Quisenberry inquired about procedural options for his planned upcoming travel for work. Mayor Marlin asked that the next meeting instead be chaired by the next available Council Member. The next Committee of the Whole shall be chaired by CM Evans as CM Wu will also be traveling.

12. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business before the Urbana City Council Chair Marlin adjourned this meeting at 9:27 P.M.

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/3-14-22%20%20cc%20minutes%20draft.pdf