Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council met Oct. 28

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 Grace Wilken, CM James Quisenberry

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: CM Chaundra Bishop

STAFF PRESENT: Bourema Ouedraogo, Demond Dade, Carol Mitten, Ray Garcia, Larry Boone, Matthew Roeschley, Tim Cowan, Michelle Brooks

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 7:53p.m.

2. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

a. 10-07-2024 Committee of the Whole Minutes

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

Voice Vote:

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

NAY: None.

3. Additions to the Agenda

Mayor Marlin requested the “Reports of Officers” segment, which includes a fire station update and an update on the BerryDunn contract regarding the Alternate Response Task Force, to follow after “Council Input and Communications”.

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

Voice Vote:

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

NAY: None.

4. Presentations and Public Input

None.

5. Council Input and Communications

CM Wu shared that the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission provided an update stating there were 1,400 interviews for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) with an estimated assistance amount of $400,000 for that group. CM Kolisetty congratulated Sergeant Cortez Gardner and Detective Paige Bennett of the Urbana Police Department for being selected for the Forty Under 40 Class of 2024 in the Central Illinois Business Magazine. CM Evans congratulated Deputy Chief of Police, Dave Smysor and Lieutenant Zach Mikalik for their recent promotions and being sworn in on Friday, October 25th.

6. Reports of Officers

a. Fire Station Construction Update – PW

Presented by Tim Cowan, Public Works Director and Ray Garcia, Special Projects Manager. Tim Cowan provided an overview of what will be covered in the presentation: cost summary, diversity utilization summary, schedule, and progress pictures & videos. Shared a cost summary table displaying the original budget of $16,800,000.00, the estimated cost-to-date of $5,006,042.08 (30%), and the projected final cost of $16,257,872.99 (97%). Shared $1,175,000 has been spent toward purchasing the land, $968,781.85 has gone toward ongoing design & construction administration costs, $2,669,034.23 has been spent toward construction costs, and $168,226.00 was spent toward furnishings, fixtures, & equipment (FFE). Stated land, design, and construction costs are currently projected to fall slightly below the original budgeted amount. Shared the total contract Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion Business Enterprise Program (BEP) participation was set at 24% (9.8% Minority Business Enterprise; 3.1% Women Business Enterprise; and 11.5% Other) and the current BEP utilization to-date is at 12% (8.2% Minority Business Enterprise; 0.0% Women Business Enterprise, 3.7% Other). Stated the utilization to-date will seem that way due to the logistics of construction and the current stage they are at with the goal of 24% to be attained in the future.

Ray Garcia stated the projected month of completion will be in June 2025 instead of May 2025 as originally scheduled due to various factors such as materials procurement. Shared photos of ongoing construction at the Bradley Avenue construction site and stated they expect to begin placing trusses within the week with the intent of having an enclosed structure within the next month. Expressed pride that 25 to 36 people per day are working on both projects with over 4,000 total hours spent without incurring an accident or injury. Provided an update on completed foundations for both construction sites, which both ran into poor soil conditions, leading to having to remediate those conditions before enacting construction to save on costs as well as increase productivity. Stated one pour of concrete remains for the Bradley Avenue construction before interior walls can begin to be framed. Tim Cowan emphasized the importance of completing the enclosed structure is to allow for work to continue throughout the Winter. Ray Garcia shared photos of the construction ongoing at the Philo Road location. Stated the construction implemented cement soil stabilization to improve soil conditions. Provided updates on the foundation setting for Philo Road and the effectiveness of the soil stabilization in preventing additional costs to construction. Questions and discussion followed.

b. Update on the BerryDunn Contract – Exec

Presented by Mayor Marlin and Matt Roeschley, City Attorney. Mayor Marlin stated the City of Urbana has terminated its contract with BerryDunn, effective in 14 days. Matt Roeschley stated the contract amendment to abide by the guidelines of the Illinois Open Meetings Act was met with a counteroffer of preferred practices of BerryDunn. Stated negotiations to find common ground were unfruitful and the City moved forward with utilizing a termination provision in the contract to terminate without cause. Stated BerryDunn will send a final invoice for work conducted since the last invoice and they will provide documentation and data developed in preparation for the Alternate Response Task Force meetings. Questions and discussion ensued.

Council stated intent to continue the Alternate Response Task Force meetings with another facilitator.

7. Unfinished Business

a. Resolution No. 2024-08-058R: A Resolution Approving Standardized Employment Agreement Templates for City Appointees – HRF/Exec

Presented by Michelle Brooks, Labor & Employee Relations Manager. Stated the packet items for this Resolution include the tracked changes and clean drafts which includes the changes to the documents requested over the course of deliberation on this item. Questions and discussion followed.

Motion to approve by CM Wu, seconded by CM Hursey. Questions and discussion ensued.

Roll Call Vote:

AYE: Wu, Hursey, Quisenberry

NAY: Evans, Kolisetty

PRESENT: Wilken

8. Reports of Standing Committees

None.

9. Committee of the Whole (Council Member Maryalice Wu, Ward 1)

1. Consent Agenda

None.

2. Regular Agenda

a. Ordinance No. 2024-10-033: An Ordinance Fixing the Salary of the City Clerk Elected for a Definite Term of Office (2025-2029) – CM Bishop & City Clerk

The Ordinance sets the salary for the elected position of the City Clerk for the four-year term commencing in May 2025.

Motion to approve by CM Wu, seconded by CM Hursey. Questions and discussion followed.

Roll Call Vote:

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

NAY: None.

b. Ordinance No. 2024-10-034: An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of City Officers who are Elected for a Definite Term of Office (2025-2029) – Exec

The Ordinance sets the salaries for the elected positions of Mayor, City Clerk, and Alderperson for the four-year terms commencing in May 2025.

Motion to approve, as amended, by CM Wu, seconded by CM Hursey. Questions and discussion ensued.

Roll Call Vote:

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

NAY: None.

i. Motion to amend the office of Mayor salary schedule to be $85,000 in year 1 with 3% increases annually by CM Quisenberry, seconded by CM Kolisetty.

Roll Call Vote:

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

NAY: None.

Motion to divide the question to consider the office of Alderperson salary by CM Evans.

Motion to approve the office of Alderperson salary by CM Wu, seconded by CM Hursey.

Roll Call Vote:

AYE: Wu, Hursey, Kolisetty, Wilken, Quisenberry

NAY: None.

PRESENT: Evans

10. Reports of Special Committees

None.

11. Reports of Officers

Moved to follow after “Council Input and Communications”.

12. Mayoral Appointments

a. Mayoral Reappointments to Boards and Commissions

Firemens’ Pension Fund Board of Trustees

– Kristine Francisco (term ending June 30, 2025)

Mayor Marlin provided an introduction to the candidate, reading her merits and accomplishments.

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

Voice Vote:

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

NAY: None.

13. Adjournment

With no further business before the Urbana City Council, Mayor Marlin adjourned the meeting at 9:03p.m.

https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/urbanail-pubu/MEET-Minutes-20afe5aeeb44419792dc9aa996427084.pdf