City Council Regular Meeting

Minutes Approved: October 14, 2013 CITY OF URBANA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – SEPTEMBER 23, 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, September 23, 2013 in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Carol Ammons(Chair); Bill Brown; Michael P. Madigan; Diane W. Marlin; Dennis Roberts; Charlie Smyth; Laurel Lunt Prussing; Phyllis Clark ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Eric Jakobsson [Excused] STAFF PRESENT: James Simon; Mike Monson; Patrick Connolly; Brian Nightlinger; William Gray; Elizabeth Tyler; Thomas Carrino; John Collins; Scott Tess OTHERS PRESENT: King James Underwood; Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood; Carol McKusick; Members of the Media 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL There being a quorum, Chair Ammons called the meeting of the Committee Of The Whole to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA AND STAFF REPORT Mayor Prussing gave a brief update on hotel/motel tax, informing Committee Members of a comparison that was done between Urbana and Champaign over the last three years. Urbana’s tax went from 5% to 6% effective October 1, 2011. The comparison showed results with and without the tax increase. Last year Urbana had a growth of 7.8% without the rate increase compared to Champaign with 3.2%. Mayor Prussing also addressed the issue of bridging the budget gap, noting the biggest thing the City can propose to do is reduce the increase in health insurance to zero. Doing so would save $500,000 a year. Thomas Carrino (Economic Development Division Manager) gave an update on the Urbana Landmark Hotel. Currently, 45 rooms are open to the public and the owner plans to open another 23 rooms in the next couple of weeks. The owner has installed new heating and air conditioning units in approximately 69 rooms, and repairs on the south walls of the Jumers additions (related to the heating and air conditioning). Areas open to the public include the Alumni Tap, breakfast area, library, ballroom, and basement. The conference room space is currently being renovated and should open in upcoming months. As more rooms open and common areas become available to the public, Mr. Carrino informed the Committee that the owner plans to engage in an aggressive marketing campaign that would include traditional advertising and also agreements with travel websites (i.e., Expedia, Priceline, etc.). City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: September 23, 2013 Page 2 of 3 CM Smyth requested to add “Discussion of City Council Goals and Potential Scheduling of Study Session” to the agenda before adjournment. CM Roberts seconded. Chair Ammons called for a vote and it carried by voice vote. This item will appear as #9a prior to adjournment. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING September 9, 2013 – CM Smyth made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held September 9, 2013. CM Marlin seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. 4. PUBLIC INPUT Bishop King James Underwood and Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood did not wish to speak, but requested their position be entered into record as still being concerned about the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer problem. Carol McKusick addressed the Committee with ideas about republication of zoning ordinance amendments. 5. ORDINANCE NO. 2013-09-089: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING URBANA CITY CODE CHAPTER THREE, SECTION 3-43 (INCREASING NUMBER OF CLASS A LIQUOR LICENSES FOR A PLUS RESTAURANT & ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, d/b/a A PLUS VIP LOUNGE, 214 WEST MAIN STREET) CM Madigan recused himself from debate and action on this item due to a conflict of interest. He left his seat at 7:32 p.m. CM Smyth made a motion to send this item to Council with a recommendation for approval. CM Marlin seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. CM Madigan returned to his seat at 7:33 p.m. 6. RESOLUTION NO. 2013-09-050R: RESOLUTION FOR IMPROVEMENT BY MUNICIPALITY UNDER THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE (PHILO ROAD AND FLORIDA AVENUE) William Gray (Public Works Director/City Engineer) presented the staff report. CM Smyth made a motion to send this item to Council with a recommendation for approval. CM Roberts seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. 7. ORDINANCE NO. 2013-09-088: AN ORDINANCE REVISING THE ANNUAL BUDGET ORDINANCE (CITY BUILDING EMERGENCY AIR CONDITIONING UNIT REPLACEMENT) Mr. Gray presented the staff report. John Collins (Operations Manager) was available to assist and answer questions. CM Smyth made a motion to send this item to Council with a recommendation for approval. CM Roberts seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: September 23, 2013 Page 3 of 3 8. ORDINANCE NO. 2013-09-090: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SCHEDULE J OF SECTION 23-183 OF THE URBANA LOCAL TRAFFIC CODE PROHIBITING PARKING AT ALL TIMES ON CERTAIN STREETS (PRAIRIE WINDS DRIVE; PRAIRIE WINDS CIRCLE) Mr. Gray presented the staff report. CM Madigan made a motion to send this item to Council. CM Roberts seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. 9a. DISCUSSION OF CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND POTENTIAL SCHEDULING OF STUDY SESSION It was the consensus of the Committee to have a meeting next Monday (September 30th) from 6-7:30 p.m. for the purpose of updating and developing new Council goals. They suggested also obtaining input and feedback from the public at this meeting. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Ammons declared the meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. ______________________________ Deborah J. Roberts Recording Secretary This meeting was taped. This meeting was broadcast on cable television.