Chambana Sun

City of Champaign City Council met July 9

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

COUNCIL MEMBERS 

PRESENT: Alicia Beck Jamar Brown 

Michael Foellmer William Kyles 

Vanna Pianfetti Kathy Shannon 

Davion Williams Mayor Feinen 

COUNCIL MEMBERS  

ABSENT: Matthew Gladney 

STAFF PRESENT: Dorothy David, City Manager 

Thomas Yu, City Attorney  

Daniel Saphiere, Associate Planner 

TJ Blakeman, Economic Development Manager 

OTHERS PRESENT: None 

TIME STARTED: 7:01 p.m. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  

• June 11, 2024 Special Regular Meeting and Study Session 

CM Pianfetti, seconded by CM Beck, moved to approve the minutes. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes. 

TOPICS DISCUSSED: 

Economic Development Manual [SS 2024-019] 

Staff Presentation: Manager Blakeman and Associate Planner Saphiere’s presentation included the following topics:  

• Program Development Overview 

- New Economic Development Manual

- Economic Development Program Development 

- Four Programs For Consideration 

- Redevelopment Incentive program 

◦ Why Update? 

◦ Proposal 

◦ New Criteria Points

- Business Development Programs 

◦ New Business 

◦ Growing Business 

◦ Business Buildout 

• Program Budget Allocations 

• Next Steps  

• Council Feedback Requested

(Note: Information on how to obtain Staff’s written report on this subject is provided below.) 

Action Recommended: Provide feedback on the draft Economic Development Manual and direct staff to schedule it for consideration at a Regular Meeting as a Council Policy after incorporating Council feedback. 

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions included value given to businesses outside of preferred zone; sufficient funding for Small Business Development Center (SBDC); SBDC staffing; would an established business outside of City limits that wants to move into City limits be eligible for the new business or growing business programs; do the programs include businesses without store fronts; cap on criteria points;  funding for growing business program; excluded businesses; and business buildout for business not in commercial district. 

(Note: Information on how to view video and audio recordings of the full Council Meeting is provided below.) 

Public Input: None 

Council General Discussion: Council Member’s comments included appreciation to staff for presentation and matrix for scoring; additional criteria to allow points for creative or impactful programs; exclusions from program to include gambling; SBDC funding; diversity component; matrix; exclusion for alcohol not to include restaurants; and support for staff execution of  economic development agreements. 

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1 directing staff to bring the Manual and proposed  programs to a Regular Meeting for adoption as a City Council Policy, incorporating Council comments. The result of the poll was 8 ayes and 0 nays. 

Audience Participation: The following members of the audience commented regarding various  community concerns:

• Sana Saboowala, Champaign 

• Sam Froiland, Urbana 

• Karen Medina, Champaign 

• Don Owen, Champaign 

• Derek Briles, Urbana 

• Stuart Levy, Champaign 

• Farrah, Urbana 

• Alyse Gratz, Urbana 

• Ben Joselyn, Urbana 

• Bara Saadah, Savoy 

• Kimberlie Kranich, Champaign 

• Faith Ryan 

• Carmen Gorth, Urbana 

• Christopher Zelle, Champaign 

• Sarah Blanco, Champaign

Council/Manager Comments: None 

Adjournment: CM Pianfetti, seconded by CM Beck, moved to adjourn. A voice vote was taken on the motion to adjourn; all voted yes. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m. 

https://documents.ci.champaign.il.us/object?id=1SlzjW1ornGNeIhawrZmU3KXK690Vtd4Q