City Council Regular Meeting

Minutes Approved: March 18, 2013 STATE OF ILLINOIS CITY OF URBANA Laurel Lunt Prussing, Mayor Phyllis D. Clark, City Clerk URBANA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 4, 2013 The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, March 4, 2013 in the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT Charlie Smyth, Alderman Ward 1 Eric Jakobsson, Alderman Ward 2 Robert E. Lewis, Alderman Ward 3 Brandon Bowersox-Johnson, Alderman Ward 4 Dennis Roberts, Alderman Ward 5 Heather Stevenson, Alderwoman Ward 6 Diane W. Marlin, Alderwoman Ward 7 Laurel Lunt Prussing, Mayor Phyllis D. Clark, City Clerk ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE None ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT None STAFF PRESENT James Simon; Mike Monson; Bryant Seraphin; Michael Dilley; William Gray; Elizabeth Tyler; Kelly H. Mierkowski; John Schneider; Brandon Boys; Scott Tess OTHERS PRESENT Bishop King James Underwood; Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood; Esther Patt; Nancy Hiatt; Claudia Lennhoff; Members of the Media A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Prussing called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:18 p.m. [Start of meeting held at this time due to Cunningham Town Board meeting held prior.] B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING February 18, 2013 – Alderman Roberts made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held February 18, 2013. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. Urbana City Council Minutes: March 4, 2013 Page 2 of 5 C. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA Alderman Roberts informed the Council that visitors were present who would be giving a presentation on the journey to Malawi and suggested moving “Reports of Special Committees” after “Petitions and Communications”. There were no objections. Kelly Mierkowski (Grants Management Division Manager) informed the Council that the presentation for Hamilton on the Park has been rescheduled to March 25, 2013, due to the developer being unable to be present at this time. The record will show this item as “Removed.” D. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Bishop King James Underwood and Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood submitted public input cards to have their names entered into record on the topic of “Dr. Ellis Subdivision Sewer Problem”, but did not enter their position or wish to address the Council at this time. Esther Patt, representing Champaign-Urbana Tenant Union, addressed the Council regarding the condemnation of three properties on Silver Street last week that caused the displacement of tenants. Ms Patt distributed concern for the people who were relocated to properties that are owned by the same person who owns the properties the City condemned. She elaborated on the legal rights of tenants who are displaced due to condemnation, noting they could “walk away” and get a better landlord and be entitled to their deposit, any prepaid rent, moving costs, and any other damages they suffered as a result to the breach of lease. Ms Patt suggested that the Council consider putting on their agenda for next week’s Committee meeting a resolution requesting that the Housing Authority of Champaign County open the availability of Section 8 vouchers for tenants displaced by government action, and that the Council also pass an ordinance reestablishing relocation assistance for tenants. The following people addressed the Council regarding social service funding allocations for agencies they represent: Nancy Hiatt, Executive Director for The Center for Women in Transition; and Claudia Lennhoff, Executive Director for Champaign County Health Care Consumers Council Member Input Alderwoman Marlin noted that it was decided at last week’s Committee meeting that Public Works staff would render a report in a few weeks to evaluate alternatives for maintenance of sewer laterals when they have to be repaired in the public right-of-way. However, she would like for the ordinance offering reimbursement for repairs to be reconsidered and placed on next week’s Committee agenda. There were no objections. Regarding the City’s condemnation last week of the properties located at 1302, 1304 and 1401 Silver Street due to hazardous conditions of the exterior balconies and stairways, Alderwoman Marlin requested that the rental registration for these three properties be revoked and would Urbana City Council Minutes: March 4, 2013 Page 3 of 5 like this item placed on next week’s Committee agenda also. There were no objections. Alderman Roberts informed Council members and the viewing audience that a seminar sponsored by Center for African Studies will be held next Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Levis Faculty Center on the topic “Peace Building in West Africa – Looking for Answers.” G. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES Chris Stohr (Historic East Urbana Neighborhood Area) and Scott Tess (West Urbana Neighborhood Area) gave a summary of their recent visit to Zomba, Malawi and a PowerPoint presentation depicting updates and continued work being done there. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Discussion: Social Service Funding Allocations Ms Mierkowski distributed final copies via email of the application with suggestions that were made at previous meetings that added reference to the benefit to Urbana residents from funding that was allocated to agencies, and also a chart for fundraising history. Following debate, Alderman Smyth moved to adopt Version 5 with a change in #10 to read: “We expect that Consolidated Social Service Funding will supplement agencies’ services in Urbana rather than replace or supplant funding for services allocated to Urbana residents to the extent possible.” Alderwoman Marlin seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. Alderwoman Marlin moved to approve the evaluation application. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. Further recommendations on scoring and principles will be presented at a later date. F. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES 1. Committee Of The Whole a. Resolution No. 2013-02-005R: A Resolution Approving a Phase II Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with ESCA Consultants, Inc. (Florida Avenue and Philo Road Traffic Signal Improvements) Alderman Smyth made a motion to adopt the resolution. Alderman Roberts seconded. The vote was as follows: Bowersox-Johnson – Aye Roberts – Aye Jakobsson – Aye Smyth – Aye Lewis – Aye Stevenson – Aye Marlin – Aye Urbana City Council Minutes: March 4, 2013 Page 4 of 5 Disposition: Resolution No. 2013-02-005R, “A Resolution Approving a Phase II Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with ESCA Consultants, Inc. (Florida Avenue and Philo Road Traffic Signal Improvements)”, was adopted by Council by roll call vote (7-aye:0-nay). b. Ordinance No. 2013-02-017: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section 3-43 (Increasing Number of Class AA and AA-01 Liquor Licenses for Capital Investment USA, LLC, d/b/a Urbana Landmark Hotel, 210 South Race Street) Alderman Smyth recused himself from voting on this item due to conflict of interest and turned the report of the Chair over to Alderman Jakobsson. Alderman Bowersox-Johnson recused himself also due to a conflict of interest, and both he and Alderman Smyth left their seats at 9:00 p.m. Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve. Alderman Roberts seconded. The vote was as follows: Jakobsson – Aye Roberts – Aye Lewis – Aye Stevenson – Aye Marlin – Aye Disposition: Ordinance No. 2013-02-017, “An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section 3-43 (Increasing Number of Class AA and AA-01 Liquor Licenses for Capital Investment USA, LLC, d/b/a Urbana Landmark Hotel, 210 South Race Street)”, was approved by Council by roll call vote (5-aye:0-nay). Alderpersons Bowersox-Johnson and Smyth returned to their seats at 9:01 p.m. With nothing further to report, the next meeting of the Committee Of The Whole is scheduled for March 11, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. H. REPORTS OF OFFICERS William Gray (Public Works Director/City Engineer) informed the Council that an Open House regarding the University District Traffic Circulation Study will be held Thursday, March 7th from 4-7:00 p.m. at the Activities and Rec Center (ARC) on Campus. Brandon Boys (Redevelopment Specialist) presented an economic development report for the month of February. I. NEW BUSINESS 1. Presentation: Hamilton on the Park (Former Dunbar Court Redevelopment) Removed. Urbana City Council Minutes: March 4, 2013 Page 5 of 5 2. Mayoral Appointment: a. Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission – Amelia Neptune Alderman Smyth made a motion to approve. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. Disposition: The appointment of Amelia Neptune to the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission was approved by Council by voice vote. J. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Prussing declared the meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m. ______________________________ Deborah J. Roberts Recording Secretary ______________________________ Phyllis D. Clark City Clerk This meeting was taped. This meeting was broadcast on cable television.