Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Committee of the Whole met Sept. 6.

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 Tuesday,  September 6, 2022, at 6:00pm.  

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT: Phyllis D. Clark, City Clerk; CM Maryalice Wu, CM Christopher  Evans, CM Shirese Hursey, CM Chaundra Bishop, CM Grace Wilken, CM James Quisenberry*  *Denotes present after roll 

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: CM Jaya Kolisetty; Diane Marlin, Mayor; 

STAFF PRESENT: Carol Mitten, Bourema Ouedraogo, Darcy Sandefur, Dave Wesner, Will  Kolschowsky, John Zeman  

OTHERS PRESENT: J.D. McLanahan and Ashlee McLaughlin from Champaign County Regional Plan  Commission 

Chair: Shirese Hursey, Ward 3 

1. Call to Order and Roll Call 

With a quorum present, Chair Hursey called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 6:02 p.m. 

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting 

None. 

3. Additions to the Agenda 

None. 

4. Closed Session: Collective Bargaining Issues, Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2) ; Personnel Issues, Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) 

Motion to enter closed session by CM Wu and seconded by CM Bishop. 

Vote by roll call: 

AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Bishop, Wilken 

NAY: None 

Entered closed session at 6:04 pm 

Motion to return to open session by CM Wu and seconded by CM Quisenberry. 

Vote by roll call: 

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

NAY: None 

Returned to open session at 7:54 pm

5. Public Input and Presentations 

a. Public Input 

Allan Max Axelrod provided an update on a homeless neighbor previously mentioned at council.  Shared reasons that the SFWT program needs to increase the stipend. Pastor Angel Johnson asked  about the community garden on Lierman and Washington Ave and the funding the City had previously  provided. Expressed concerns about the appearance of this lot. Asked if someone could be appointed to  help applicants apply for ARPA funding.  

6. Staff Report 

a. Draft Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER_ - CD 

Presented by Sheila Dodd the Interim Community Development Director. Dodd shared a PowerPoint presentation. This report provides HUD with annual performance reporting on client outputs and outcomes that enables assessment of grantees in achieving housing stability outcome measures. This year there was $524,590 allocated for the Community Development Block Grant, $819,687 allocated for the HOME consortium, and a carryover balance from the previous year of $183,501 from the Community Development Block Grant and $167,931 from the Emergency Solutions Grant program. Dodd reviewed the challenges faced in the last year and highlighted the program successes. Dodd then highlighted next steps and a community needs review. Questions and discussion ensued. 

7. Resolution No. 2022-09-065R: Resolution of Support for an Application for Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Funds (Bakers Lane Multi-Use Path) - PW 

Presented by John Zeman City Engineer. Item is asking for Council support for a grant application for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The proposed project will be a multiuse pedestrian and bike path that would connect Main and Washington Street. This is the second application for this 

grant for this project. The City is partnering with CCRPC for the grant application process. This path will help connect the neighborhood to the Kickapoo Rail Trail and the planned Park District Health and Wellness Center. Questions and discussion ensued. 

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

Voice vote: 

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

NAY: None 

8. Resolution No. 2022-09-066R: Resolution of Support for an Application for Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Funds (Florida Avenue Multi-Use Path - Lincoln to Race) – PW 

Presented by John Zeman City Engineer. Item is asking for Council support for a grant application for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The proposed project will be a multiuse pedestrian and bike path along the Southside of Florida Avenue to Lincoln Avenue. Total project would cost about $1.1 million dollars. Questions and discussion ensued. 

Motion to approve to consent by CM Quisenberry and seconded by CM Wu. 

Voice vote: 

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

NAY: None

9. Resolution No. 2022-09-067R: Resolution of Support for an Application for Safe Streets for All Grant Program Funds (Champaign County Education, Encouragement, and Enforcement Campaign and Lincoln Avenue Project - Wascher to Killarney) – PW 

Presented by John Zeman City Engineer. Item is asking for Council support for a grant application for the Safe Streets for All Program. The proposed project will be a multiuse path on Lincoln Avenue that will be shaped by public input and community engagement on how to improve overall safety of the corridor. Questions and discussion ensued. 

Motion to approve to regular agenda by CM Wu and seconded by CM Quisenberry. Voice vote: 

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

NAY: None 

10. Resolution No. 2022-09-068R: A Resolution Adopting the City of Urbana American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Concept Plan – Exec 

Presented by Will Kolschowsky from the Executive Department, Ashlee McLaughlin, and J.D. McLanahan from Champaign County Regional Planning. Item adopts the American Rescue Plan Act Concept Plan. Kolschowsky shared a program timeline and announced next steps. McLanahan and McLaughlin shared a PowerPoint Presentation detailing the concept plan process to date and also shared the concept plan website. They reviewed the application, application process, and the concept plan. Questions and discussion ensued. 

Motion to send with no recommendation to council on the regular agenda by CM Wu and seconded by CM Bishop. 

Vote by roll call: 

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

NAY: None 

11. Council Input and Communications 

CM Wilken expressed interest in discussing a Police budget resolution, hybrid meeting, and contracting with Buy Black Chambana. CM Wu shared that the Lierman Garden was rented out by the City for $1, and that due to organizational changes within the rental entity that the garden has suspended for the season. 

12. Adjournment 

With no further business before the committee of the whole Chair Hursey adjourned the meeting at 10:21 p.m. 

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