City Council Regular Meeting

STATE OF ILLINOIS CITY OF URBANA Laurel Lunt Prussing, Mayor Phyllis D. Clark, City Clerk URBANA CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 17, 2014 The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, November 17, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT Eric Jakobsson, Alderman Ward 2 Bill Brown, Alderman Ward 4 Michael P. Madigan, Alderman 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 Charlie Smyth, Alderman Ward 1; Carol C. Ammons, Alderwoman Ward 3; Dennis Roberts, Alderman Ward 5 STAFF PRESENT Patrick Connolly; Jeff Engstrom; William Gray; Elizabeth Hannan; Mike Monson; Brian Nightlinger; Matthew Rejec; James Simon; Elizabeth Tyler OTHERS PRESENT Derek Liebert; Caitlin Lill, Robert Naiman; and, Members of the Media A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL There being a quorum Mayor Prussing called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:01 p.m. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve the minutes from the Urbana City Council meeting held November 3, 2014. Alderman Brown seconded. Mayor Prussing asked Council for any additions or corrections to the November 3, 2014 minutes. Alderwoman Marlin asked that on page 2, item D. under “Council Member Input”, that for clarification of the record that “burnt buildings issue” be replaced with “Urbana Townhomes Demolition”. Ms. Marlin also asked that on page 4 item H, third Urbana City Council Minutes: November 17, 2014 Page 2 of 5 paragraph, that “fire buildings” be replaced with “Urbana Townhomes Demolition”. No other additions or corrections were submitted. A unanimous decision was made to approve the November 3, 2014 (Special Meeting/Committee of The Whole) minutes at the November 24, 2014 Committee of The Whole meeting. C. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA Mayor Prussing submitted to Council Elizabeth Hannan for appointment to the Police Pension Fund Board ending May 31, 2015 and Elizabeth Hannan for appointment to the Fireman’s Pension Board, term to end June 30, 2016. Alderwoman Marlin made a motion to approve the appointments, Alderman Jakobsson seconded. After Mayor Prussing asked if there was discussion, Council carried the motion by voice vote. D. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1. Robert Naiman addressed the Council with concerns regarding the Urbana Free Library facing possible budget cuts. Mr. Naiman presented Council with a petition signed by Urbana residents in support of raising the property tax levy to be able to provide the Urbana Free Library with the funds necessary to maintain their current hours of operation and the services currently provided to the public. Council members offered questions and comments pertaining to the Urbana Free Library petition that Mr. Naiman presented to Council. Mayor Prussing gave a detailed overview of the current financial situation of the City, and discussed the impact that a property tax increase would have on the City. Mr. Naiman reiterated his concerns and proposed solutions to Council, and the discussion then terminated. 2. Caitlin Lill and Derek Liebert with the Urbana Park District addressed the Council in support of the proposed ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Urbana by revising Article IX to permit electronic message board displays on signs in the Conservation-Recreation-Education zoning district. Ms. Lill presented visual examples of the current sign and the proposed sign for the Phillips Recreation Center, along with the benefits, intended use and placement of the sign. Council Member Input Ms. Lill’s presentation was followed by a brief discussion with Alderman Brown regarding the illumination/brightness of proposed sign, and the Park District’s intended use and placement for any additional proposed electronic signs. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Ordinance No. 2014-08-075: An Ordinance Amending the City of Urbana 2005 Comprehensive Plan (Active Choices: Champaign County Greenways and Trails Plan – Plan Case No. 2223-CP-14) Urbana City Council Minutes: November 17, 2014 Page 3 of 5 Jeff Engstrom, Interim Planning Manager with Community Development presented an overview of the Active Choices Greenways and Trails Plan. Discussion ensued with Council members, members of Public Works staff, and members of Community Development staff following Mr. Engstrom’s presentation. Alderwoman Marlin made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2014-08-075 as presented. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by roll call. Votes were as follows: Bill Brown – Aye Michael P. Madigan - Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye Diane Marlin - Aye Disposition: Ordinance No. 2014-08-075 was approved by roll call vote (4 – Ayes; 0 – Nays) F. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES 1. Committee of the Whole a. Resolution No. 2014-11-059R: Resolution to Endorse the Champaign Urbana Urbanized Area Transportation Study Long Range Transportation Plan 2040 Alderman Brown made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2014-11- 059R as presented. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by roll call. Votes were as follows: Bill Brown – Aye Michael P. Madigan - Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye Diane Marlin - Aye Disposition: Resolution No. 2014-11-59R was approved by roll call vote (4- Ayes; 0 – Nays) G. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES There were none. H. REPORTS OF OFFICERS William Gray, Director of Public Works, presented a invitation/reminder that there will be a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Boneyard Creek Improvement on November 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Northwest corner of Race Street and Griggs Street. Mayor Prussing presented an update on the recent trip to Thionville, France, which took place during Thionville’s 70 years of liberation celebration. Mayor Prussing discussed that Kermit Harden who served under General Patton during the liberation of Thionville, was able to accompany the group on this successful and enjoyable trip. Mike Monson presented an update on the Enterprise Zone, in that great progress is being made. Mr. Monson reported that the Park District gave its approval on November 11, 2014, the County Board gave its tentative approval on November 13, 2014, the matter goes to the School Board on Urbana City Council Minutes: November 17, 2014 Page 4 of 5 November 18, 2014, and the County Board is expected to give its final approval on November 20, 2014. Bill Brown presented that he attended a fund-raising benefit for Saint Joseph Fire Chief Rusty Chism, who is battling Thymic Cancer. Alderman Brown expressed that the turnout was impressive. Alderman Jakobsson also attended the benefit, and agreed that the benefit was a success. I. NEW BUSINESS 1. Ordinance No. 2014-11-106: An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance of The City of Urbana, Illinois (Revising Article IX to permit electronic message board displays on signs in the CRE, Conservation-Recreation-Education zoning district/Plan Commission Case No. 2244-T-14) Matthew Rejec, Planning Division Intern, presented a summary of the intended use and restrictions of use of electronic display signs in the Conservation-Recreation-Education (CRE) zoning district. Mr. Rejec discussed the possible private use in the CRE district, and represented to Council that there is currently only one private owned business in the CRE district, and that with the public entities, it is not foreseen that there will be a proliferation of electronic display signs in any given area. Discussion ensued with Council members, members of Community Development staff, and James Simon, City Attorney, following Mr. Rejec’s presentation. Alderwoman Marlin made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2014-11-106 as presented. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by roll call. Votes were as follows: Bill Brown – Aye Michael P. Madigan - Aye Eric Jakobsson – Aye Diane Marlin - Aye Disposition: Ordinance No. 2014-11-106 was approved by roll call vote (4 – Ayes; 0 – Nays) 2. Ordinance No. 2014-11-107: An Ordinance Ascertaining Prevailing Wages (2013-2014)- FIN Elizabeth Hannan, Finance Director, presented that all public bodies every year during the month of June are to establish prevailing wage rates for workers under contract for public works projects. Ms. Hannon requested Council approve Ordinance No. 2014-11-107 to establish the required prevailing wage. A brief discussion ensued with Council and Ms. Hannon regarding the ordinance. Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2014-11- 107 as presented. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by roll call. Votes were as follows: Bill Brown – Aye Michael P. Madigan - Aye Urbana City Council Minutes: November 17, 2014 Page 5 of 5 Eric Jakobsson – Aye Diane Marlin - Aye Disposition: Ordinance No. 2014-11-107 was approved by roll call vote (4 – Ayes; 0 – Nays) J. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Prussing declared the meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m. Vicky A. Osborn Recording Secretary Phyllis D. Clark City Clerk This meeting was taped. This meeting was broadcast on cable television. Minutes Approved: December 1, 2014