City Council Regular Meeting

Minutes Approved: October 28, 2013 CITY OF URBANA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – OCTOBER 14, 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, October 14, 2013 in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Bill Brown (Chair); Carol Ammons; Eric Jakobsson; Michael P. Madigan; Diane W. Marlin; Dennis Roberts; Charlie Smyth; Laurel Lunt Prussing; Phyllis Clark ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: James Simon; Mike Monson; Patrick Connolly; Brian Nightlinger; William Gray; Elizabeth Tyler; Michael Brunk; Thomas Carrino; Vacellia Clark; Bruce Cubberley; Kelly H. Mierkowski; Robert Myers; Jennifer Gonzalez OTHERS PRESENT: Esther Patt; Scott Dossett; Bishop King James Underwood; Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood; Robin Arbiter; Members of the Media 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Brown 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 no additions to the agenda. Mayor Prussing gave a brief staff report, informing Committee Members that two topics they requested for discussion have been scheduled for the following upcoming meetings: 1) October 28th, Digital Billboards; and 2) November 12th, IDOT Traffic Stop Study. a. “Working with Neighborhood Groups” Robert Myers (Planning Division Manager) and Kelly Mierkowski (Grants Management Division Manager) presented. They were invited to make a presentation on the topic of “Working with Neighborhood Groups” at a conference in Peoria last month sponsored by Original Neighborhood Network. Mr. Myers and Ms Mierkowski gave a presentation and overview of the Lierman neighborhood, focusing on what City staff has been doing to work with the community. This item did not warrant Council action. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING September 23, 2013 – CM Roberts made a motion to approved the minutes of the September 23, 2013 meeting. CM Marlin seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: October 14, 2013 Page 2 of 4 4. PUBLIC INPUT Esther Patt, representing Champaign-Urbana Tenant Union, addressed the Committee sharing two viewpoints of information: 1) Life safety codes are not the most serious problems (some are among the most serious and some are minor); and 2) Regarding the grading system, more than 4 out of 5 have a B grade. Ms Patt suggests it would be unfair to charge every property that got a B grade the same fee. She suggests the easiest method is to fine landlords. Scott Dossett addressed the Committee in opposition to digital billboards. Bishop King James Underwood and Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood did not wish to speak, but requested their position be entered into record as concerned about the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issue. Robin Arbiter, representing the Lierman Neighborhood Action Committee (LNAC) expressed appreciation regarding the sidewalk improvement on Main Street. She also gave an update on the neighborhood garden, informing the Committee that November 2nd will be the final clean-up day. She gave special recognition to neighborhood residents Lizzie Duckworth Carter, Tommy Askins, and Jerry Hess for their leadership and support; and she also noted that there were more than 65 volunteers participating between April and October, feeding more than 300 residents. Ms Arbiter concluded with words of gratitude to Robert Myers for his help and support to the residents of Lierman neighborhood. 5. ORDINANCE NO. 2013-10-097: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING URBANA CITY CODE CHAPTER THREE, SECTION 3-43 (INCREASING NUMBER OF CLASS R LIQUOR LICENSES FOR SUJUAN LIU, d/b/a TANG DYNASTY, 140 LINCOLN SQUARE) CM Madigan recused himself from debate and action on this item due to conflict of interest. He left his seat at 7:46 p.m. Mayor Prussing presented the staff report. CM Roberts made a motion to send this item to Council with a recommendation for approval. CM Jakobsson seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. CM Madigan returned to his seat at 7:47 p.m. 6. ORDINANCE NO. 2013-10-098: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER TWO, SECTION 2-99(8) OF THE URBANA CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO CIVIL SERVICE (VETERAN’S PREFERENCE) Vacellia Clark (Human Resources Manager) presented the staff report. 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. City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: October 14, 2013 Page 3 of 4 7. ORDINANCE NO. 2013-10-099: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE (HEIMBURGER FARM) William Gray (Public Works Director/City Engineer) presented the staff report. CM Ammons made a motion to send this item to Council with a recommendation for approval. CM Smyth seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. 8. ORDINANCE NO. 2013-10-095: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE (HEIMBURGER FARM) 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. 9. ORDINANCE NO. 2013-10-096: AN ORDINANCE REVISING THE ANNUAL BUDGET ORDINANCE (PURCHASE OF LARGE LOG SPLITTER) Michael Brunk (City Arborist) presented the staff report. CM Ammons moved to send this item to Council with a recommendation for approval. CM Smyth seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. 10. RESOLUTION NO. 2013-10-051R: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE URBANA PARK DISTRICT (SCULPTURE IN MARTIN LUTHER KING PARK) Thomas Carrino presented the staff report. CM Marlin made a motion to send this item to Council with a recommendation for approval. CM Ammons seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. 11. RESOLUTION NO. 2013-10-052R: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF ASPEN COURT AND URBANA TOWNHOMES Jennifer Gonzalez (Grants Coordinator) presented the staff report. CM Smyth moved to send this item to Council with a recommendation for approval. CM Roberts seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. 12. RESOLUTION NO. 2013-10-053R: A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE AMOUNTS OF MONEY NECESSARY TO BE RAISED BY THE TAX LEVY (2013) Mike Monson (Chief of Staff) 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. City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: October 14, 2013 Page 4 of 4 13. RESOLUTION NO. 2013-10-054R: A RESOLUTION DEEMING CERTAIN FUNDS IN THE SPECIAL TAX ALLOCATION FUND FOR THE DOWNTOWN URBANA TAX INCREMENT REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA AS “SURPLUS” FUNDS AND DIRECTING THE PAYMENT AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF (2013) Mr. Monson presented the staff report. CM Marlin made a motion to send this item to Council with a recommendation for approval. CM Roberts seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. 14. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Brown declared the meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. ______________________________ Deborah J. Roberts Recording Secretary This meeting was taped. This meeting was broadcast on cable television.