Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council Committee of the Whole met April 4.

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.

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT: Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor; CM Maryalice Wu, CM Christopher Evans, CM Shirese Hursey, CM Jaya Kolisetty, CM Chaundra Bishop, CM Grace Wilken, CM James Quisenberry

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Phyllis D. Clark, City Clerk

STAFF PRESENT: Darcy Sandefur, Carol Mitten, Bourema Ouedraogo, Dave Wesner, Sheila Dodd, Tim Cowan, John Zeman, Richard Surles, William Kolschowsky,

OTHERS PRESENT: None;

Chair: James Quisenberry, Ward 7

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

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

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

a. March 21, 2022

Presented by Chair Quisenberry.

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

Voice vote:

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

NAY: None

3. Additions to the Agenda

None

Chair Quisenberry welcomed the public back to the first meeting back in Council chambers and asked for patience in navigating new technology.

4. Public Input and Presentations

a. ARPA Public Input

Motion to amend public input guidelines to prioritize ARPA comments first by CM Wu and seconded by CM Kolisetty.

Voice vote:

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

NAY: None

Eric Freyfogle stressed the importance of utilizing funds available because of a public health crisis, to address public health and wellness. Spoke in support of the Park District Health and Wellness Center. Tim Bartlet the director of the Urbana Park District, shared support for the proposed Health and Wellness Center. Explained how it would meet many of the outlined ARPA and Council strategic goals. Allan Max Axelrod Co-Chair for DSA and campaign lead for no Ameren Shut offs. Spoke in support of City addressing the Dr. Ellis subdivision infrastructure. Spoke in support of the Match the Mil campaign to increase funding for the SWFT program. Ben Theobold spoke in support for the Match the Mil campaign to further expand the services of the SWFT program. Fred Delcoleman spoke in support of the proposed Health and Wellness Center. Discussed the public support present for this project. Brian Dunn spoke in support of the Match the Mil campaign and furthering the SWFT program. Spoke in support of community space and proposed the idea of a skate park. Shared statistics detailing the benefits of skateboarding. Brandi McCoy spoke to advocate for some ARPA funds to be used to address sewer system in Dr. Ellis subdivision. CM Quisenberry read on behalf of Fiona Munro (see attached). CM Hursey read on behalf of Lashaunda Cunningham (see attached).

b. Public Input

Anonymous expressed frustration regarding availability of remote public input options or a hybrid meeting model. Asked City to provide clarity. Tyler Swanson spoke in support of City adopting a plastic bag tax and adopt more green policies. Expressed importance of furthering green projects and sustainable practices. Allan Max Axelrod spoke in support of a plastic bag tax, and allowing more options for remote public input. Urged council to explore options to reduce evictions. Brian Dunn spoke in support of adopting a hybrid meeting model. CM Kolisetty read on behalf of Carol (see attached).

c. BPAC Annual Report

Presented by Bill Brown of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. This is the annual report to be presented before council as per ordinance. Brown explained the history and purpose of BPAC. Detailed changes to infrastructure within 2021 that improved safety and offered recommendations on future improvements. Stressed the importance of infrastructure improvements to minimize crashes and injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists. Questions and discussion ensued.

5. Staff Report

Carol Mitten shared that request for qualifications for the Community Safety review has closed with no responses. City plans to follow up with entities who inquired but did not apply. Announced upcoming presentation by Public Works for the Dr. Ellis subdivision. The EQL project submissions window has also closed and review of submissions will begin soon.

*Motion to recess until 8:25 pm by Chair Quisenberry

Mayor Marlin provided an update on the number of responses received for the ARPA survey.

6. Resolution No. 2022-04-028R: A Supplemental Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Race Street Resurfacing Construction and Construction Engineering Services) – PW

Presented by John Zeman the City Engineer. Resolution will allow Public Works to expend additional funds to maintain construction cost cushion after bids came back higher than anticipated. This is part of the Race street resurfacing project. Questions and discussion ensued.

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

Voice vote:

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

NAY: None

7. Resolution No. 2022-04-029R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Urbana HOME Consortium Subrecipient Agreement (Champaign County Regional Planning Commission Households Impacted by Gun Violence TBRA 2022) – CD

Presented by Sheila Dodd the Interim Community Development Director and Grants Manager. Dodd explained that a coalition of services providers is attempting to fill gaps in existing services. This resolution will allow for supportive funding to reallocated existing vouchers to provide rental assistance to households impacts by gun violence. Dodd shared some program applicant criteria. Questions and discussion ensued.

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

Voice vote:

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

NAY: None

8. Resolution No. 2022-04-030R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Community Development Block Grant Subrecipient Agreement (Champaign County Regional Planning Commission Households Impacted by Gun Violence TBRA 2022) – CD

Presented by Sheila Dodd the Interim Community Development Director and Grants Manager. Dodd explained that this item is the case management portion of supporting funding relating to the item above. Questions and discussion ensued.

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

Voice vote:

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

NAY: None

9. Resolution No. 2022-04-031R: A Resolution Adopting Mayor/ City Council Strategic Goals 2022-2023 – Exec

Presented by Chair Quisenberry. Item has been before council in a working draft since December 2021. Questions and discussion ensued.

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

Voice vote:

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

NAY: None

10. Council Input and Communications

CM Kolisetty shared that April is sexual assault awareness month. Reminded public about resources available locally such as RACES (217-384-4444) and nationally through RAIN’s hotline (1-800-656- 4673). CM Wu announced updated R7 meeting information and how residents can provide input at the Plan Commission for this item. CM Evans asked about hybrid meetings capabilities. CM Bishop asked about information letter received by Council from Habitat for Humanity. CM Wilken thanked public for input and those listening at home. Reminded folks about opportunities to provide ARPA input. Asked if EQL requests could be shared with Council. CM Quisenberry thanked staff for work towards enhancing meeting space. Asked about moving timer so that chair may view the time remaining. Asked about accommodating members of the public who are unable to stand. Expressed that he does not feel OMA allows for hybrid meeting models at this time. Urged City to inquire with State for further clarification. Mayor Marlin responded to some of CM Quisenberry’s questions. Shared that City is working with new technology and staff with the return to in person meetings. CM Hursey echoed that the current meeting arrangement is in compliance with OMA. Just because the OMA doesn’t explicitly state you can’t have hybrid meetings doesn’t mean that you can. Shared other remote methods of public input currently available.

11. Adjournment

With no further business before the committee of the whole Chair Quisenberry adjourned the meeting at 9:01 PM

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/4-4-22%20COW%20min.pdf