Chambana Sun

City of Urbana City Council met Sept. 29

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Darcy Sandefur, City Clerk; CM Maryalice Wu, CM Christopher Evans, CM Jaya Kolisetty, CM Grace Wilken, CM James Quisenberry

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: DeShawn Williams, Mayor; CM Shirese Hursey, CM Chaundra Bishop

STAFF PRESENT: Darius White, Elizabeth Hannan, Matt Roeschley, Demond Dade

OTHERS PRESENT:

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

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

2. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

a. 08-25-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes

b. 09-02-2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

Motion to approve by CM Quisenberry, seconded by CM Kolisetty.

Roll Call Vote:

AYE: Wu, Evans, Kolisetty, Wilken, Quisenberry

NAY: None.

3. Additions to the Agenda

None.

4. Presentations and Public Input

a. Public Input

Benita Rollins-Gay spoke in support of establishing an honorary street naming program similar to the one at the City of Champaign. Requested a street to be named after the late Janice Marie Mitchell for her contributions to the community and City of Urbana. Spoke on her impact on three generations across the community through her service at the 4H Club, the United States Army Reserve, the Champaign County Housing Authority Board, the Urbana School District, the Cunningham Children’s Home, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Prairie Tracks, and the Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center (UNCC). 

Requested further information on how to proceed forward. Del Elaine Owens requested a street be named in honor of the late Lawrence “LC” Owens. Spoke on Lawrence “LC” Owens’ accomplishments, ties to the local community, and his 32 years of work at the University of Illinois. Stated he served the community through coaching the Golden Bears pee-wee football team for 22 years, mentored many young athletes, served with the Community Elements Teen Mom Program, began a daycare business, was recognized as the Honorary Chef for the Urbana School District’s Parent Teacher Association, fostered over 250 children, and served at the Salem Church. Shared over 700 people attended his homegoing service, displaying the impact he had on the lives of so many people in Urbana. Jeneice D. Mitchell thanked Benita RollinsGay for her leadership and raising this issue to the City of Urbana. Stated everyone at the UNCC saw how hard Janice Marie Mitchell had fought to realize her vision of serving underprivileged youth. Expressed gratitude for Janice Marie Mitchell’s service to the community and also thanked Daniel Mitchell’s contributions to the UNCC as its Chief Financial Officer. Voiced support for any measures the City can take in recognizing the legacy of Janie Marie Mitchell and supported renaming Hartle Avenue in honor of her. Lucinda Smith stated she previously appeared before Council in 2022 requesting an honorary street naming for her father, Lawrence “LC” Owens. Expressed hope for the City of Urbana to begin this program to honor community members. Ben Joselyn voiced support for an honorary street naming program as it allows for neighborhoods to celebrate their histories, local heroes, and provide role models for children. Stated cities typically have streets name after old politicians and notable people whose politics are no longer viewed favorably. Emphasized the importance for neighborhoods to honor members of their community for their service, voicing support for streets to be named in honor of Janice Marie Mitchell and Lawrence “LC” Owens. Beth Hand spoke on the legacy of Janice Marie Mitchell as someone who had worked alongside her at the Urbana School District and the Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center. Shared hope for the City of Urbana to honor her legacy and the contributions she has made to the community.

5. Council Input and Communications

CM Evans thanked the public for their continued advocacy regarding honorary street names and stated people such as Janice Marie Mitchell, Lawrence “LC” Owens, Dr. Willie Summerville, Roger Ebert, and many more deserve to be honored through this program. Disagreed with the City’s previous resistance to the program as it honors the history of Urbana. Shared support for beginning an honorary street naming program. CM Kolisetty agreed with CM Evans and voiced establishing this program should be a priority for the City as the community has consistently requested this. Noted the City has the capacity to create honorary street signs as former staff members were given fake honorary street signs as farewell gifts. Expressed support for the creation of a skate park in Urbana. CM Quisenberry agreed with the need for establishing an honorary street naming program as Council has supported this program in the past, but the previous administration chose not to pursue the program. Shared he has recently joined a committee on renaming the Flossie Wylie School and voiced support for naming more buildings in the community after women who were local leaders such as Janice Marie Mitchell. CM Wilken voiced appreciation for the public sharing support for an honorary street naming program and supported beginning the process to establish the program. Wished the best for the Councilmembers who were unable to attend tonight and encouraged the public to do the same. Shared the Champaign-Urbana Muslim Action Committee recently held an event in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla and local resident, Jessica Clotfelter who is aboard the flotilla. Expressed pain and sorrow felt after witnessing an ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention site near the City of Chicago and considered what actions can be taken locally to protect residents. Mayor Pro-tem Wu expressed support for the honorary street naming program as it allows the community to display0 1their own history. Shared the upcoming Historic Preservation Commission meeting is on November 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. and stated the Historic Preservation Commission may be able to take on the duty of considering people to honor through street names. Stated the City can draw inspiration from other communities with similar programs.

6. Reports of Standing Committees

None.

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

1. Consent Agenda

a. Ordinance No. 2025-09-027: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 5, Article XIII - Fire Prevention Code – UFD

The Ordinance aligns this section of the City Code with the City’s renewal of its agreement with Brycer LLC for third-party fire safety inspection services and would broaden its application to include any third-party vendor performing such work on the City’s behalf.

b. Resolution No. 2025-09-075R: A Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement Between the State of Illinois, Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, and City of Urbana – UPD

The Resolution approves a grant agreement between the State of Illinois, Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) and the City of Urbana in the amount of $165,818.40 from the FY25 Camera Grant.

Motion to approve by Mayor Pro-tem Wu, seconded by CM Evans.

Roll Call Vote:

AYE: Wu, Evans, Kolisetty, Wilken, Quinseberry

NAY: None.

2. Regular Agenda

a. Ordinance No. 2025-09-025: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance (Budget Amendment #2 – Omnibus) – HRF

The Ordinance rebudgets multiple equipment line items across various departments, totaling $120,599; rebudgets $6,990 in the Urbana Police Department (UPD) budget for uniform items; rebudgets $13,914 in the UPD budget for periodic physical exams; and increases the Information Technology (IT) budget by $13,455 to replace email archive hardware.

Motion to keep in City Council, returning October 13, by CM Quisenberry, seconded by CM

Evans.

Roll Call Vote:

AYE: Wu, Evans, Kolisetty, Wilken, Quisenberry

NAY: None.

b. Ordinance No. 2025-09-026: An Ordinance Providing for the Issuance of Not to Exceed $5,200,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025 – HRF Darius White, City Administrator and Elizabeth Hannan, HR & Finance Director / CFO were present for questions. The Ordinance approves the issuance of bonds for the purpose of financing the reimbursement of an economic development incentive provided to the developer of Hotel Royer for $5,200,000. Questions and discussion followed.

Motion to approve, as amended, by Mayor Pro-tem Wu, seconded by CM Evans.

Roll Call Vote:

AYE: Wu, Evans, Kolisetty, Wilken, Quisenberry

NAY: None.

i. Motion to amend to incorporate language noting Raymond James Financial Incorporated as the placement agency in Section 9 instead of Robert W. Baird & Co. by CM Quisenberry, seconded by CM Kolisetty. Questions followed.

Roll Call Vote:

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

NAY: None.

8. Reports of Special Committees

None.

9. Reports of Officers

None.

10. Mayoral Appointments

a. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

– Kevin Murphy (term ending June 30, 2028)

– Sara Rand (term ending June 30, 2028)

Mayor Pro-tem Wu spoke on the qualifications and accomplishments of the candidates.

Motion to approve by CM Wilken, seconded by CM Evans.

Roll Call Vote:

AYE: Wu, Evans, Kolisetty, Wilken, Quisenberry

NAY: None.

11. Discussion

a. Police Surveillance Technology (Ordinance No. 2024-12-042)

Darius White provided Council with an updated spreadsheet on the surveillance technologies used by the UPD with corrections made to correct column alignment. Council discussed the clarifications made from the list provided today and the one previously provided. 

CM Wilken shared updates made to notes tracking Council discussion. Further shared comparisons between the definitions contained within the draft Ordinance and the comparable Ordinance from the Village of Oak Park.

Council discussed when the Ordinance will return to City Council for a vote for approval.

Council discussed how to better describe the data and technologies Council seeks to regulate.

12. Adjournment

With no further business before the Urbana City Council, Mayor Pro-tem Wu adjourned the meeting at 8:53p.m.

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