City Council Regular Meeting

CITY OF URBANA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – Monday March 25 2013 – 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS – 400 S. VINE STREET, URBANA, IL The City Council Committee Of The whole of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday March 25, 2013 in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Brandon Bowersox-Johnson (Chair); *Eric Jakobsson; Robert E. Lewis; Diane W. Marlin; Dennis Roberts; Charlie Smyth; Laurel Lunt Prussing; Phyllis Clark. *Arrived at 7:03pm. ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Heather Stevenson STAFF PRESENT: Tom Carrino; Patrick Connolly; William Gray; Gale Jamison; Kelly Mierkowski; Mike Monson; Elizabeth Tyler; James Simon OTHERS PRESENT: Bishop King James Underwood; Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood; Members of the Media 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL With a quorum present, Chair Bowersox-Johnson called the meeting of the Committee Of The Whole to order at 7:02 p.m. 2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA AND STAFF REPORT There were none. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Mr. Roberts made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held March 11, 2013. Mr. Lewis seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 4. PUBLIC INPUT The following residents submitted an input card, did not wish to address the committee, but asked that their concerns be entered into record regarding the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues. Bishop King James Underwood and Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood. Presentation: Sister City Zomba, Malawi a. Welcome by Urbana Sister City Committee Mr. Dennis Roberts announce an exchange of gift from both cities. Mayor Prussing presented Mr. Dickson Bennet Vuwa Phiri and his colleagues with a city key and other tokens of appreciation. Mayor Prussing expressed her appreciation for the connection that these three cities have in common: City of Urbana is known as City of Trees; Guangzhou is the Flower City and Zomba known for its beautiful trees and natural vegetation. Mr. Kairong Lin was also presented with some tokens of appreciation. Police Chief Patrick Connolly also presented the visitors with tokens of appreciation. b. Presentation to Urbana City Council by Visitors from Zomba, Malawi City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: March 25, 2013 Page 2 of 4 Council member Dennis Roberts gave a brief description of the program. This program is called Sino-African Initiative given by Sister City International, Urbana partners with the city of Zomba, Malawi and Guangzhou City, China. Mr. Roberts proceeded by introducing the project manager Mr. Chris Storr. Mr. Chris Storr introduced both leaders for the two sister cities and purpose of their visit as they are here to see, how Urbana handles the composting and waste. Zomba, Malawi Mr. Dickson Bennet Vuwa Phiri, College Librarian, University of Malawi, Chancellor College (Chairperson-Zomba Sister City) and his delegates. Mr. Kairong Lin, Professor for the Department of Water Resources and Environment at Sun Yat-Sen University of Guangzhou City, China. Mr. Dickson Bennet Vuwa Phiri addressed the committee and thanked everyone for the warm welcome and before proceeding he introduced the rest of the members: Mr. Alick Chima, Acting Director of Administration; Ian Dolozi, Assistant Director of Engineering Services; Fatuma Ahmed Bhima, Vice Chairperson; Elizabeth Moreen Chingayipe, District Environmental Health Officer; Innocent Phillip Malomo, Environmental Health Officer of Zomba City Council. Mr. Dickson Bennet Vuwa Phiri gave a brief history of Zomba, Malawi. He added that at one point in time Zomba was the Capital City of Malawi, but due to its location it was decided to be change to a centralize city instead. Nevertheless regaining its value continues to be the main focus, as it has a lot to offer. Great Universities like the Chancellor College, Theological College, Police Training Academy and it is the National Headquarters for Statistic. This delegation is here to learn about the structure of the city officials and the way things are contended. He feels that they are here to learn by contact, he has learned a lot just by being here at the Committee meeting, going around the city is a great experience. He wishes to emphasize the value of the relationship and friendship between the city of Urbana and Zomba, Malawi. Mr. Kairong Lin addressed the Committee and expressed how pleased he is to be part of this great project. He suggested that everyone should think about visiting the district of Haizu, Guang Zhou City and the rest of China. The six delegates from Zomba, Malawi expressed their appreciation by singing a friendship song to the Mayor and Council members. They also presented the Mayor with some literature about their country and a “Chitenje an African printed wrap that goes around the waist like a skirt”. 5. Presentation: Hamilton on the Park (Former Dunbar Court Redevelopment) Mr. Torian Priestley, with Benoit Group addressed the Committee to say that the best part about this project was winning the Bid. This has been a group effort from City of Urbana, Housing Authority of Champaign County (HACC), HACC board and also the development team. This project started December, 2012 with a completion date of September, 2013. He presented an updated progress of the project, due to weather conditions foundation process has slowed them down, once all of the foundation is pour they can start the vertical building. Due to land limitation all of the utilities have been ran underground. This part of the project is complete. He presented a layout of the units. The project has 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, each unit consist of a kitchen, living room, City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: March 25, 2013 Page 3 of 4 dining room, number of bedroom and bathroom. Each of these units will be furnish with energy efficient appliances including a washer/dryer. The exterior and building amenities will include picnic tables, Gazebos, pavilions and playground with decorative column fencing around the property. There will be no laundry facility onsite. This facility will also have a club house with leasing office space, community room and a computer center. Council members asked many question in regards to property management, utilities, income guidelines and leasing process. Mr. Priestley answer all question as follow: There will be management and leasing agent on-site but will not reside there. The income is base on the Average Medium Income guidance provided by the Housing Authority of Champaign County. The leasing process started in March, 2013 to have all units rented by the time the project is finalized in September, 2013. Mr. Priestley also mentioned that 4 residents have been hire to work on this project on a sub-contractual basis. 6. Ordinance No. 2013-03-025: An Ordinance Amending Schedule J of Section 23-183 of the Urbana Local Traffic Code Prohibiting Parking at All Times on Certain Streets (Kinch Street) William Gray (Public Works Director/City Engineer) presented this ordinance for approval. This item has been at the traffic commission for the past two meetings and they believe that it is the right thing to do at this time to accommodate for bike route since it is part of the safe route program. Mr. Smyth made a motion to send this item to Council with recommendation for approval. Mr. Lewis seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 7. Resolution No. 2013-03-011R: A Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Construction Engineering Services Agreement for Federal Participation with Clark Dietz, Inc. – Champaign, IL (Main Street, ITEP, Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Improvements) Gale Jamison (Assistant City Engineer) presented this resolution for approval and to answer any questions. Mr. Smyth made a motion to send Resolution No. 2013-03-011R, 2013-03- 012R and 2013-03-13R in omnibus fashion to Council with recommendation for approval. Mr. Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. Gale Jamison informed the Committee members and the public of an informational meeting that will take place at the Urbana Civic Center on Thursday April 4, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This information will be published in the News-Gazette paper on Sunday, March 31st, 2013. Ms. Marlin expressed interest and had questions on the way the snow is removed. How does Public Works decide which streets get done first and why cul-de-sac is not plow? Correction: Ms. Marlin made a correction to the minutes it should ready why is cul-de-sac not done at the same time as the nearby streets? City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: March 25, 2013 Page 4 of 4 Mr. William Gray (Public Works Director/City Engineer) explained the process of the snow removal which it is also available online. He explained that emergency streets to hospitals and/or emergency teams are priority, after that they do the residential streets, finally cul- de-sacs and allies are last. Cul-de-sacs are in the low end of priority since there is special equipment needed to get it done. Mr. Smyth commended the public works team for such a great job as most major streets were cleaned before 7 p.m. on Sunday March 24, 2013. 8. Resolution No. 2013-03-012R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Local Agency/State Agreement for Federal Participation with the Illinois Department of Transportation (Main Street, ITEP, Construction Engineering and Construction) 9. Resolution No. 2013-03-013R: Resolution for Improvement by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code (Main Street, Section 09-00483-01-RS) 10. Closed Session: Property Acquisition Issues, Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Mr. Smyth made a motion to go into closed session at 8:10pm. Mr. Jakobsson seconded. Bowersox-Johnson- Aye Diane Marlin – Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye Dennis Roberts – Aye Robert Lewis – Aye Charles Smyth – Aye Laurel Prussing - Aye This motion was carried by roll call (7-Aye:0-Nay) 11. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Bowersox-Johnson declared the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m. ______________________________ Wendy M. Hundley Recording Secretary *This meeting was taped. **This meeting was broadcast on cable television. Minutes Approved: April 8, 2013