Chambana Sun

City of Champaign City Council met March 4

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

There being a quorum present, Mayor Feinen called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. following the Township meeting.

ROLL-CALL: Present: Alicia Beck, Jamar Brown, Michael Foellmer, Matthew Gladney, William Kyles, Vanna Pianfetti, Kathy Shannon, Mayor Feinen

Absent: Davion Williams

OTHERS PRESENT: Joan Walls, City Manager

Thomas Yu, City Attorney

TJ Blakeman, Economic Development Manager

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

February 4, 2025 Regular Council Meeting

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

CORRESPONDENCE: None

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

City of Champaign Stormwater Quality Program – Mayor Feinen gave a brief explanation of the purpose of the public hearing, opened the public hearing at 7:22 p.m. and invited the public to speak. No members of the audience spoke. The public hearing was closed at 7:24 p.m.

ACTION ON COUNCIL BILLS

Passed CB-2025-024 “A Resolution Approving the Renewal of Microsoft Licensed Software (Information Technologies Department – CDW Government, LLC)”

Amount: $336,293.09

CM Pianfetti, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt the Resolution. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, a roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

CM Pianfetti, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to consolidate CB-2025-025 and CB-2025-026. A voice vote was taken on the motion to consolidate; all voted yes.

Passed CB-2025-025 “A Resolution Accepting a Bid for the 2025 Asphalt Streets Improvement Project (Public Works Department – Cross Construction, Inc.)”

Amount: $4,008,351.56

Passed CB-2025-026 “A Resolution for Improvement of Streets by Municipalities Under the Illinois Highway Code (2025 Asphalt Streets Improvement Project)”

Amount: $1,575,965.00

After a brief explanation of the Council Bills by Mayor Feinen, a roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

Passed CB-2025-027 “A Resolution Amending the City Council Policy Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement for the Purchase of Electricity for the City’s Municipal Electric Aggregation Program and Repealing Council Bill 2024-005 (Public Works Department – Electricity)”

CM Pianfetti, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt the Resolution. After a brief explanation of the Council Bill by Mayor Feinen, a roll-call vote was taken; all voted yes.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: The following members of the audience commented regarding various community concerns:

• Laurie Reynolds, Champaign

• Maya Novick, Urbana

(Note: The live video stream, meeting recordings, and CGTV playback schedule are available on the City’s website at champaignil.gov/CGTV.)

COUNCIL AND MANAGER COMMENTS:

Council comment included an inquiry to staff about the comment period for the Prospect Avenue IDOT project.

VOUCHERS:

CM Pianfetti, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to adopt the vendor payments dated February 8, 2025 through February 21, 2025 in the amount of $3,094,433.05. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.

PAYROLL:

CM Pianfetti, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to approve the payroll dated February 14, 2025 in the amount of $2,361,706.64. A voice vote was taken; all voted yes.

INVESTMENTS: None

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

Downtown Entertainment Second Year Pilot Project Revised Proposals - [SS 2025-005] Staff Presentation: Manager Blakeman’s presentation included the following topics:

• Pilot Program Year 2

- Market Street Concert Series

○ Initial Proposal vs. Revised Proposal

- Center City C.A.R.E Program

○ Proposed Scope of Work

○ Compassionate Engagement with our Unhoused population

• 2025 Programming – Revised Budget – One Time Funding

• C.A.R.E. Program and Staffing Proposal – Recurring Funding

• 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 discussions with contractual staff; open space vs. closed space for bar service; availability for food truck services;

C.A.R.E.S. program; and post pilot program utilization of Public Works staff.

(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 Entertainment Second Year Pilot Project Revised Proposals:

• Marlin Mitchell, Champaign

• Tamika Davis

• Stuart Levy, Champaign

• Ashley Buerkett, Urbana

• Gabrielle, Champaign

• Matt Kucera, Champaign

• Neil Van Natta, Urbana

Council General Discussion: Council Members’ comments included importance of vibrant entertainment in the downtown area; homeless population; appreciation to staff for presentation; consideration for concerns expressed by downtown businesses; support for permanent position; utilization of City services in lieu of contractual services; C.A.R.E.S. program; and maintenance of downtown infrastructure.

Poll: Mayor Feinen polled Alternative 1 to direct staff to take the necessary actions to implement the proposed pilot project for a second year, incorporating Council input. The result of the poll was 8 ayes and 0 nays.

Adjournment: CM Pianfetti, seconded by CM Gladney, moved to recess into Closed Session to discuss the Purchase of Real Property for Use by the City, and Pending or Probable Litigation. A roll- call vote was taken on the motion to adjourn; all voted yes.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EUBNRj2WHmJTE95BdwCJDYH-e9AoPIIy/view