City Council Reconvened Meeting

Minutes Approved: June 10, 2013 CITY OF URBANA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – MAY 20, 2013 – RECONVENED CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS – 400 S. VINE STREET, URBANA, IL The City Council Committee Of The Whole of the City of Urbana, Illinois, reconvened its meeting of May 13, 2013 in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Charlie Smyth (Chair); Carol Ammons; Bill Brown; Eric Jakobsson; Michael P. Madigan; Diane W. Marlin; Dennis Roberts; Laurel Lunt Prussing; Phyllis Clark ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: James Simon; Mike Monson; Brian Nightlinger; William Gray; Elizabeth Tyler; William DeJarnette; Kelly Mierkowski OTHERS PRESENT: Members of the Media Chair Smyth reconvened the meeting of May 13, 2013 at 8:18 p.m. with a roll call. The record shows all elected officials of the Committee physically present. The order of business begins with those items remaining on the agenda from the May 13th meeting. Chair Smyth noted that agenda item #17, “Carle Tax Update”, had already been presented at last week’s meeting and, therefore, should be removed. There were no objections. Chair Smyth also suggested rearranging the agenda to have item #15, “Discussion: Social Service Funding Allocations”, to follow item #16, “Discussion: Budget”, since one of the Committee Members has a conflict of interest and will be recused. CM Roberts made a motion to move agenda item #16 before #15. CM Marlin seconded. The motion carried by a voice vote. 16. DISCUSSION: BUDGET a. Budget Overview Mayor Prussing gave a summary noting a decrease in the operating budget; however, essentially the department budgets are the same as this fiscal year. She noted that there was no funding for any increases. The increase in capital projects is due to big developments planned previously. William DeJarnette (Interim Comptroller/IS Division Manager) gave a budget overview using a slide presentation depicting changes, where the City is now and areas of interest. A copy of the slide presentation is available in the Clerk’s office or on the City’s website. b. “A Peoples Budget” CM Ammons gave an overview of what participatory budgeting is and referred to a website (participatorybudgeting.org) people could go to for more information. She explained that “participatory City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: May 20, 2013 (Reconvened) Page 2 of 2 budgeting is a different way to manage public money, and to engage people in government. It is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. It enables taxpayers to work with government to make the budget decisions that affect their lives.” CM Ammons informed the Committee that other government agencies are doing this and generally start the process early. She would like for the Council to study a way to create a system in Urbana that would look forward into a budgetary process in FY 2014-15 that would impact our community and staff in helping to pass a budget that meets the needs and goals of the citizens of Urbana. 15. DISCUSSION: SOCIAL SERVICE FUNDING ALLOCATIONS CM Ammons recused herself from discussion of this topic due to a conflict of interest and left her seat at 9:13 p.m. Chair Smyth noted that the Junior League Project had been withdrawn and should be removed from the spreadsheet. Chair Smyth acknowledged public input at this time. Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood addressed the Committee regarding youth employment for Urbana teens and expressed her desire for the City to provide funding allocations. Kelly Mierkowski (Grants Management Division Manager) informed Committee Members that the deadline for applications is June 1, 2013. Chair Smyth asked that Committee Members turn their recommendations in to CM Jakobosson by June 1. He explained a processed he used to make his recommendations. Nothing further presented by staff. 17. CARLE TAX UPDATE Removed. 18. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Smyth declared the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. ______________________________ Deborah J. Roberts Recording Secretary This meeting was taped. This meeting was broadcast on cable television.