City Council Regular Meeting

CITY OF URBANA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – October 13, 2014 – 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 13, 2014 in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Carol Ammons; Bill Brown, Eric Jakobsson; Michael P. Madigan; Diane Marlin; Charles Smyth; Laurel Lunt Prussing; Phyllis Clark ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Dennis Roberts STAFF PRESENT: Brad M. Bennett; William Gray; Sylvia Morgan; Mike Munson; James Simon; Sanford Hess; Celeste Choate OTHERS PRESENT: Carlos Donaldson; Peter Folk; Bishop King James; Members of the Media 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL There being a quorum, Chair Eric Jakobsson called the meeting of the Committee Of The Whole to order at 7:12 p.m. 2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA AND STAFF REPORT William Gray gave a Staff Report in that IDOT last week did conduct a road safety assessment Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the University Avenue Corridor (Cunningham/Vine Streets area). IDOT gave staff and others a verbal assessment of the corridor and it is Mr. Gray’s understanding that there will be a written report 4-5 months from now, but gave verbal short-term, mid-term and long-term suggestions in how to make the corridor safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Alderwoman Ammons made a motion to approve minutes from the meeting held on September 22, 2015. Alderman Brown seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 4. PUBLIC INPUT Chair Jakobsson acknowledged a card from Bishop King James and Reverend Evelyn Underwood, and further acknowledged that neither wanted to verbally express their concerns regarding Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues, but asked that these issues be mentioned. Carlos Donaldson spoke regarding the recent decision that was made regarding bicycle paths on Broadway Avenue in that he agreed with the decision not to install a bicycle path on Broadway Avenue in favor of keeping curb parking readily available to the public. Mr. Donaldson further suggested that “bicycle friendly’ signs be posted to make drivers aware of the presence of bicycles. City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: October 13, 2014 Page 2 of 4 Committee Member Input Alderman Smyth introduced the issue of speed limits in that your chances of survival as a pedestrian is greater the lower the speed limit, and voiced that he would be in support of residential street speed limits being reduced to 25 mile per hour from 30 miles per hour. 5. Ordinance No. 2014-10-099: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Two, Section 2-160 (Public hearing required – 2014) William Gray, Public Works Director, presented a slight revision to Urbana City Code Chapter Two, Section 2-160 regarding a defined method of informing the public when a street will be closed, and/or vacate a street for a certain purpose. Alderman Smyth made a motion to send the proposed revisions to council, Alderwoman Marlin seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 6. Ordinance No. 2014-10-094: An Ordinance Vacating a Right-Of-Way (Smith Lane south of Lantern Hill Drive) William Gray, Public Works Director, presented a proposal vacating the right-of-way located on South Smith Lane south of Lantern Hill Drive. Alderman Madigan made a motion to send the proposed Ordinance to counsel, and Alderwoman Marlin seconded. Motion carried with a voice vote. 7. Resolution No. 2014-09-047R: A Resolution Approving an Agreement for Engineering Services with Hanson Professional Services Inc. (North Lincoln Avenue Improvements) William Gray, Public Works Director, presented information that since the September 22, 2014 meeting, Staff has had discussions with the County engineer, consultant and Paris Local IDOT 65 officials that 6 foot shoulders on both the north and south bound lanes would not be a significant change from the south bound lanes having a curve and gutter. The proposed project cost remains at 3.6 million dollars, however additional engineering costs may be incurred as this is a design change, so the engineers may have to go back to the preliminary designing phase. Alderman Jakobsson relinquished the chair to Alderman Smyth from 7:39 p.m. to 7:41 p.m. to pose mowing questions. Alderman Smyth made a motion to send the proposed Resolution to council, Alderwoman Ammons seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 8. Resolution No. 2014-10-055R: Resolution for Improvement by Municipality under the Illinois Highway Code (Lincoln Avenue –Saline Court to Olympian Drive) William Gray, Public Works Director, presented information that the City and County will be equally splitting the project costs of City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: October 13, 2014 Page 3 of 4 approximately $222,438.00 50/50, with the City using $120,000.00 coming from state Motor Fuel Taxes. Alderwoman Ammons made a motion to send the proposed resolution to council, Alderman Smyth seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 9. Resolution No. 2014-10-054R: A Resolution Approving an Agreement for Wireless Internet Facility (Wi-Fi) Installation with Gargoyle Technologies, Inc., D/B/A Volo Broadband Bradley M. Bennett, Assistant City Engineer presented information regarding the installation of a wireless internet facility to provide free public wireless internet service in and around the City parking deck. Peter Folk, owner of Gargoyle Technologies, Inc., d/b/a Volo Broadband also presented information and answered questions. Discussions ensued regarding the initial 20 year contract term between the city and Gargoyle Technologies, adding language to the contract regarding the wireless internet service being “free”, the coverage area, that the city is going to be receiving $13.00 per year as a utility fee for the city’s electrical costs, and how those costs should be adjusted. Alderman Brown suggested a 5 year contract vs a 20 year contract, or a 5 year review and language to address the same. Discussions ensuing regarding adding language by amendment regarding both issues, both addressed by James Simon, City Attorney. To resolve the matter of “free” internet, Alderwoman Ammons proposed a friendly amendment to the agreement and to the resolution adding “free” in front of wireless internet on both documents. Alderman Smyth made a motion to send the proposed revisions to council, Alderwoman Ammons seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 10. Ordinance No. 2014-10-095: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance FY 2014-15 (High Cross Road Construction Engineering 2014) William Gray, Public Works Director, presented information regarding needing additional construction engineering services provided by Crawford, Murphy and Tilley due to weather, utility relocation, and bad subgrade material that needed to be removed and replaced with suitable material at a cost of an additional $25,000.00. Project now to be completed next spring rather than this year. The project is being funded by State grant monies. IDOT forces in the field are containing costs, by providing construction observation. Alderman Smyth made a motion to send the proposed revisions to council, Alderman Madigan seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 11. Ordinance No. 2014-10-096: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 3, Section 3-43 (Increasing number of Class C liquor licenses for MAC’s Convenience Stores, LLC d/b/a Circle K #1413, 507 W. University Avenue) Alderman Madigan recuses himself from this matter from 8:08 p.m. to 8:11 p.m., due to conflict. Mayor Laurel Lunt Prussing discussed this City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: October 13, 2014 Page 4 of 4 and Ordinance No. 2014-10-097 should be approved, but individually not omnibus. Mayor clarified that the total amount of liquor licenses were not being increased, that only ownership of the current license is being transferred to the new owner. Alderman Smyth made a motion to send the proposed Ordinance to counsel, Alderwoman Marlin seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 12. Ordinance No. 2014-10-097: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 3, Section 3-43 (Increasing number of Class C liquor licenses for MAC’s Convenience Stores, LLC d/b/a Circle K #1434, 810 W. Green) Alderman Smyth made a motion to send the proposed Ordinance to counsel, Alderwoman Ammons seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 13. Ordinance No. 2014-10-098: An Ordinance Changing the Title of Finance Officer (Change of Title from Comptroller to “Finance Director”) Mayor Laurel Lunt Prussing discussed “comptroller” being an outdated term. The new Finance Director was appointed as “Finance Director”, so this Ordinance is to make clear that every time the word “comptroller” is seen, that it should be interpreted as “Finance Director”. Alderman Smyth made a motion to send the proposed Ordinance to counsel, Alderman Madigan seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 14. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Alderman Eric Jakobsson declared the meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m. ______________________________ Vicky A. Osborn Recording Secretary *This meeting was taped. **This meeting was broadcast on cable television. Minutes Approved: October 27, 2014