Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council met May 20

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT:

STAFF PRESENT: Carol Mitten, Dave Wesner, Seok Hyun Cho, Bourema Ouedraogo, Tim Cowan, Nick Olsen, Breaden Belcher

OTHERS PRESENT:

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

With a quorum present, Mayor Marlin called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:47p.m.

2. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

a. 04-15-2024 Committee of the Whole Minutes

b. 04-22-2024 City Council Minutes

c. 04-22-2024 Special Committee of the Whole Minutes

d. 04-29-2024 Special City Council Minutes

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

Voice Vote:

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

NAY: None.

3. Additions to the Agenda

None.

4. Presentations and Public Input

a. Public Input

Camille Cobb shared qualifications on viewing data similar to that presented in BerryDunn report. Shared findings from personal review of the BerryDunn report, stating that it is unnecessarily dense, disorganized, and inaccessible. Pointed to the long form recommendations section having incorrect data citations. Emphasized BerryDunn has the capabilities to make the report more accessible and readable with how much funding has been spent on the report.

Reiterated the scale of self-plagiarism from other studies conducted on other cities in their conclusions. Stated the quotes from Sir Robert Peel are out of place as he personally supported the prolonging of slavery in the 1800s. Drew attention to unusual methodology used in survey questions. Ben Joselyn spoke on the history of the BerryDunn report, providing an overview of the timeline of the report and the initially promised scope of review. Stated that BerryDunn had misrepresented their intentions and lens of review to the public as recommendations for hiring additional police staff were provided before the study had been fully concluded.

Commended City Council’s efforts to question and provide input on BerryDunn’s methods.

Elaborated that BerryDunn had shifted away from the initial intentions behind the review and is an injustice to the people of the City of Urbana. Sana spoke on the BerryDunn report from the perspective of being a researcher and educator. Stated that BerryDunn study does not meet scientific standards for methodologies, accessibility, and consistency within a report. Quoted Senior Manager at BerryDunn, Michelle Weinzetl’s comments on the necessity of the length of the report for accessibility while having also stated that criticisms of the report may be from not being able to understand it as another instance of BerryDunn’s inconsistencies. Echoed community sentiment disagreeing with the recommendation of hiring of additional police staff without having explored alternatives to policing. Stated that BerryDunn has not done sufficient community outreach and the efforts cannot be verified as information on outreach was not made public. Stated that contradictory information and baseless statements from BerryDunn has caused the community to lose faith in their report. Urged City Council to further listen to community input regarding alternatives to policing. Emphasized that there is no rush in hiring additional police staff and City Council can take their time into considering multiple options.

Mayor Marlin read public input from Dua Aldasouqi regarding recent negative experiences with the Urbana Police Department.

5. Council Input and Communications

CM Wilken thanked the public for their input regarding concerns of the BerryDunn. Agreed with community concerns on the conduct of the BerryDunn report offering recommendations to hire additional police staff before exploring alternative options. Spoke against the hiring of additional police staff before having fully completed the BerryDunn study, received community input on the matter, and having sufficiently explored alternative models to policing. CM Kolisetty echoed CM Wilken’s sentiments and reiterated that the initial scope of the study was to view alternative response models.

Hoped for further information to develop from the report that align with the initial intent behind commissioning the study and for further community involvement from the study. Stated that the complete study is required before making long-lasting decisions on staffing and budget. Mayor Marlin reminded the public of the Ward Map Redistricting process and that the three finalists can be viewed and commented on through the City of Urbana’s website. Stated that the comments will be open until 05-24-2024. CM Wu asked how people can provide feedback on the redistricting maps. Mayor Marlin clarified that the public can provide comment to the email provided on the Ward Map Redistricting page (wardmaps@urbanaillinois.us). Also shared that there will be a Ward 7 SUNA meeting on 5-30-2024 at 7:00p.m. at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church (2200 Philo Rd).

6. Unfinished Business

a. Ordinance No. 2024-04-019: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance (Budget

Amendment #8 - Omnibus) - HRF

Presented by Mayor Marlin. Item amends the FY2024 annual budget including budgeting for a payment related to the Carle property tax case in the General Reserve Fund and increasing the budget for ladder truck repairs in the Equipment Services Fund. In addition, there is a placeholder for any changes related to Council decisions on how to proceed with Fire Station construction.

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

Roll Call Vote:

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

NAY: None.

7. Reports of Standing Committees

None.

8. Committee of the Whole (Council Member Christopher Evans, Ward 2)

1. Consent Agenda

None.

2. Regular Agenda

a. Resolution No. 2024-05-021R: A Resolution Approving the Capital Improvement Plan (Fiscal Years 2025-2029) – PW

Presented by CM Evans with Tim Cowan, Director of Public Works available for questions.

The resolution seeks to approve the Capital Improvement Plan FY 2025-2029 (CIP) which outlines planned projects for the next five fiscal years.

Motion to approve by CM Evans, seconded by CM Bishop. Questions and discussion ensued.

Roll Call Vote:

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

NAY: Evans

b. Resolution No. 2024-05-022R: A Supplemental Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Florida Avenue Shared-Use Path) – PW

Presented together with Resolutions 2024-05-023R, 2024-05-024R, 2024-05-025R, 2024-05-026R, and 2024-05-027R by CM Evans with Tim Cowan, Director of Public Works available for questions. This resolution seeks to appropriate $40,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for the preliminary engineering services, construction, and construction engineering for a new shared-use path on the south side of Florida Avenue from Lincoln Avenue to Race Street.

Motion to bundle Resolutions 2024-05-023R, 2024-05-024R, 2024-05-025R, 2024-05-026R, and 2024-05-027R into an omnibus by CM Evans, seconded by CM Hursey.

Voice Vote:

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

NAY: None.

Motion to approve the omnibus by CM Evans, seconded by CM Wu.

Roll Call Vote:

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

NAY: None.

c. Resolution No. 2024-05-023R: A Supplemental Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Bakers Lane Shared-Use Path) – PW

The resolution seeks to appropriate $110,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for the engineering services, construction, and construction engineering for a new shared-use path on the north side of Washington Street and from Washington Street to Main Street east of Weaver Park. Approved in omnibus, see item b.

d. Resolution No. 2024-05-024R: A Supplemental Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Colorado Avenue Resurfacing) – PW

The resolution seeks to appropriate $1,690,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for the HMA resurfacing, curb ramp reconstruction for ADA compliance, pavement patching, driveway approach removal/replacement, curb and gutter removal/replacement, and other miscellaneous work incidental to construction on Colorado Avenue from east of South Vine Street to Philo Road. Approved in omnibus, see item b.

e. Resolution No. 2024-05-025R: A Supplemental Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Boneyard Creek Crossing Bridge Repairs) – PW

The resolution seeks to appropriate $310,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for bridge repairs, including removing and resetting stone masonry façade on concrete abutments, removing and resetting stone masonry blocks along the bank of Boneyard Creek, retrofitting the existing sidewalk superstructure to repair deterioration and mitigate future deterioration, and other miscellaneous work that is associated with the Boneyard Creek Crossing Improvements project and is eligible for State Motor Fuel Tax funds. Approved in omnibus, see item b.

f. Resolution No. 2024-05-026R: A Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Springfield Avenue, Wright Street to Gregory Street, Resurfacing) – PW

The resolution seeks to appropriate $1,430,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for asphalt resurfacing with roadway rehabilitation for Springfield Avenue from Wright Street to Gregory Street. Approved in omnibus, see item b.

g. Resolution No. 2024-05-027R: A Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Vine Street and Illinois Street Improvements) – PW

The resolution seeks to appropriate $370,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for pavement rehabilitation with potential road diet and pedestrian improvements for Vine Street from south of Main Street to north of California Avenue and for Illinois Street from east of Race Street to Urbana Avenue. Approved in omnibus, see item b.

9. Reports of Special Committees

None.

10. Reports of Officers

None.

11. New Business

None.

12. Adjournment

With no further business before the Urbana City Council, Mayor Marlin adjourned the meeting at 8:17p.m.

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