Chambana Sun

City of Champaign City Council met Jan. 14

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

COUNCIL MEMBERS

PRESENT: William Kyles Vanna Pianfetti

Davion Williams Alicia Beck

Jamar Brown Michael Foellmer

Matthew Gladney Mayor Feinen

COUNCIL MEMBERS

ABSENT: Kathy Shannon

STAFF PRESENT: Joan Walls, City Manager

Thomas Yu, City Attorney

Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager

Rachel Joy, Equity and Engagement Director

TJ Blakeman, Economic Development Manager

Derrick Braun, Festival District Coordinator

OTHERS PRESENT: None

TIME STARTED: 7:00 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

• December 17, 2024 Regular Council Meeting Minutes

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

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

Downtown 2024 Programming Review and 2025 Proposal [SS 2025-001]

Staff Presentation: Director Joy, Manager Parsons, Manager Blakeman and Coordinator Braun’s presentation included the following topics:

• Pilot Program – Year 1 “The Beat”

- Market St. Entertainment District

- Friday Night Live

- Live Entertainment Grants

- Special Event Support

• Infrastructure Improvements

• Safety & Staffing

• Feedback

• Pilot Program – Year 2

- NEW – Farmers Market Support

- NEW – Lunchtime, Concert Series

- Friday Night Live

- NEW – Social District

- Market St. Summer Concert Series

- Special Event Support

- Live Entertainment Grants

- New – C.A.R.E Program

- Staffing

- Budget Impact

• Next Steps

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

Action Recommended: The Administration recommends Alternative 1, directing staff to take the necessary actions to implement the proposed programming and staffing options for a second-year pilot project, incorporating Council input.

Council Members’ Technical Questions: Council Members’ technical questions included funding for live entertainment grants; business and individual needs of programs; ability to return to initial format; business opportunities for those outside of the social district; changes to the Market Street event; street outreach team; concerns of M2 residents; long term funding; acts allowable under terms of program; clarifying different areas of the Beat; guidelines for inclusion; changes based on stakeholder feedback; partnering with businesses; grant opportunities for businesses after 11:00 p.m.; safety for patrons; scope of services for Request for Proposal; inclusion of plaza space; street closures; and ensuring adequate police staffing.

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

Public Input: The following members of the audience spoke regarding the Downtown 2024

Programming Review and 2025 Proposal:

• Christopher Zelle, Champaign

• Karen Medina, Champaign

• James Corbin

• Yolanda Starks, Champaign

• Gabriel Ewing, Champaign

• Tony Odom, Champaign

• Inaudible

• Brian Lee

• Steven Maguire, Urbana

• Seon Williams, Champaign

• Trey, Champaign

• James Kilgore, Champaign

• Brian Maxwell

• Denzel McCauley, Urbana

• Marlin Mitchell, Champaign

Council Members’ General Discussion: Council Members’ comments included appreciation to staff for their work; grants to businesses; program changes between pilot year 1 and pilot year 2; extending bar hours; maintaining integrity of program purpose; year round activation of downtown; downtown plaza; pedestrian safety; support for continuation of Friday Night Live; security; alternative spaces for young adults; ambassador program; support for work with First Followers; 40 North; additional study session to incorporate feedback; CARES program; pop up parties; balancing needs between business owners and program; acknowledging neighbor complaints; staffing; and budget.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled to direct staff to revise the Pilot Program – Year 2 to incorporate Council feedback, as reflected below, and to bring back for discussion at a Regular Study Session Meeting.

Foellmer- yes, with revisions made as discussed

Beck- yes, with revisions made as discussed; prioritization from community and Council; and staging of other elements at later date

Pianfetti- yes, with revisions made as discussed; prioritization from community and Council; staging of other elements at later date; prioritization of Festival District Coordinator position

Kyles- yes, with revisions made as discussed

Gladney- yes, with revisions made as discussed

Williams- yes, with revisions made as discussed

Brown- yes, with revisions made as discussed; Market Street changes; prioritization from community and Council

Feinen- yes, with revisions made as discussed

The result of the poll was 8 ayes and 0 nays.

Mayor Feinen called for a break at 10:22 p.m. Mayor Feinen left the meeting and Deputy Mayor

Kyles resumed the meeting at 10:30 p.m.

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

• Mark Medlyn, Champaign

• Ben Joslyn, Urbana

• Steven Maguire, Urbana

• Autumn Soliman, Champaign

• Maya Novick, Urbana

• Lilah Leopold, Urbana

• Nicholas Anderson, Champaign

Council and Manager Comments: None

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

The meeting adjourned at 10:58 p.m.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y7P7WLM7t1FXlh1gY8oTTZ6QnW4_nInC/view