City Council Regular Meeting

CITY OF URBANA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – March 9, 2015 – 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 9, 2015 in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Aaron Ammons; Eric Jakobsson; Michael P. Madigan; Diane Marlin; Dennis Roberts; Charles Smyth; Laurel Lunt Prussing; Phyllis Clark ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: Bill Brown ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Brad Bennett; Brandon Boys; Patrick Connolly; Jeffrey Engstrom; William Gray; Mike Monson; Brian Nightlinger; James Simon; Elizabeth Tyler OTHERS PRESENT: Linda Gibbens; William Gillespie; Naomi Jakobsson; Cain Kiser; Linda Lorenz; Donald Owen; Esther Patt; Chris Stohr; Bishop King James Underwood, Members of the Media 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL There being a quorum, Chair Aaron 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 1. Alderman Smyth made a motion to move items 5 and 6 on the agenda to the end of the agenda, to be presented to the Committee last. Alderwoman Marlin seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 2. Alderman Roberts made an announcement that the Mayor of Urbana’s African Sister City, Zomba, Malawi passed away suddenly. Alderman Roberts requested that we as a City and Mayor Prussing as Mayor send in some way a letter of condolences for their loss. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes from the February 23, 2015 meeting were not complete, and will be provided for approval prior to the March 23, 2015 meeting of the Committee. 4. PUBLIC INPUT 1. Linda Gibbens, Director of Grant-Based programs at USD #116, and Donald Owen, Superintendent of Urbana School District #116 addressed the Committee to discuss the Urbana Middle School “SPLASH” program. Ms. Gibbons gave thanks to Mayor Prussing and Council for the social service grant the City provided to Urbana School District #116 that sustained the program until Federal grant funding was approved that will further sustain the program. 2. Urbana resident Esther Patt addressed the Committee in opposition of digital billboards. Page 1 of 5 City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: March 9, 2015 Page 2 of 5 3. Chair Ammons acknowledged a card from Bishop King James Underwood, and further acknowledged that Mr. Underwood did not wish to verbally express his concerns regarding Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues, but asked that these issues be mentioned for the record. 4. Urbana resident Linda Lorenz addressed the Committee in opposition of digital billboards. 5. Urbana resident Chris Stohr addressed the Committee in opposition of digital billboards. 6. Urbana resident William Gillespie addressed the Committee in support of the City approving a redevelopment Agreement with HG Dwell, LLC, at the time the item was presented. 7. Cain Kiser with Adams Outdoor Advertising addressed the Committee in support of Digital Billboards. 8. Urbana resident Naomi Jakobsson addressed the Committee in support of Digital Billboards. Committee Member Input 1. Mayor Prussing acknowledged the caliber of arts and music provided to Urbana students by the Urbana School District, and offered thanks to Ms. Gibbons and Mr. Owens for their contribution to running a quality school district. 2. After Ms. Lorenz addressed the Committee, Mayor Prussing read from electronic mail received, comments from the following individuals that were all opposed to electronic billboards: Sandra Batzli; Carolyn Baxley; Ellen Brewer; Kathleen Brinkmann; Ed DeWan; Alice Englebretsen; Kate Hunter; Julie Laut; Leon McCulloh; Gale Walden 3. After Mr. Stohr addressed the Committee, Alderman Roberts read from electronic mail that he received, comments from the following individuals that were all opposed to electronic billboards: Casey Smith; Eunice Weech; Michael and Elizabeth Plewa; Christie Schuetz; James Stori; Stuart Martin; Kasia Hopkins; Beverly Fagan; David Young; Becky Mead and Tim Stelzer; Caroline Coulston; Jo and Doug Kibbee; Dan Otto. Casy Diana also emailed in opposition to digital billboards. Following Alderman Roberts, Alderman Smyth gave the following names, also in opposition to electronic billboards: Marilyn and David Kay; Ed Macklin, Don Packy; Lois Steinberg and Jean Grass. 4. After Mr. Kiser addressed the Committee, discussion ensued and Mr. Kiser addressed the Committee’s questions and concerns. 5. Ordinance No. 2015-03-023: An Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement with HG Dwell LLC (202 West Illinois Street) - CD Economic Development Manager Brandon Boys spoke on proposed Ordinance Nos. 2015-03-023 and 2015-03-024, presenting an overview of the City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: March 9, 2015 Page 3 of 5 renovation and redevelopment of the former Korean New Life Church building located at 202 West Illinois Street, Urbana Illinois into an event center and office space. Mr. Boys discussed the benefits redevelopment of the property would provide to the City, including the commercial activation of currently tax-exempt property. Discussion with the Committee ensued following Mr. Boys’ presentation. Mr. Boys and Megan Gillette of HG Dwell, LLC addressed the Committee’s questions and concerns. Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2015-03-023 to Council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Madigan seconded. Discussion continued, followed by public input from Urbana resident William Gillespie. Following Mr. Gillespie’s presentation, the motion to send Ordinance No. 2015-03-023 to Council was carried by voice vote. 6. Ordinance No. 2015-03-024: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance, FY2014-15 (Redevelopment Agreement with HG Dwell LLC) - CD Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2015-03-024 to Council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Roberts seconded. Being no discussion, the motion to send Ordinance No. 2015-03-024 to Council was carried by voice vote. 7. Resolution No. 2015-03-011R: Resolution for Improvement by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code (MCORE Project — Green Street Improvements: Wright Street to Race Street (PEI))- PW Public Works Director William Gray presented an update pertaining to Resolution Nos. 2015-03-011R and 2015-03-012R, and Ordinance No. 2015- 03-025, on the status of the five MCORE projects since Council approved Resolution No. 2014-11-064R on December 1, 2014. Mr. Gray gave an overview of the work and studies being and to be done, along with discussing meetings to be held regarding public involvement and other various meetings and work to be done related to the projects. Discussion with the Committee and Mayor Prussing ensued following Mr. Gray’s presentation. Mr. Gray addressed the Committee’s questions and concerns. Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Resolution No. 2015-03-011R to Council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Roberts seconded. Being no discussion, the motion to send Resolution No. 2015-03-011R to Council was carried by voice vote. 8. Resolution No. 2015-03-012R: Resolution for Improvement by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code (MCORE Project — Green Street Improvements: Wright Street to Busey Avenue (PEII))- PW Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Resolution No. 2015-03-012R to Council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Roberts seconded. Being no discussion, the motion to send Resolution No. 2015-03-012R to Council was carried by voice vote. City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: March 9, 2015 Page 4 of 5 9. Ordinance No. 2015-03-025: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance FY2014-15 (MCORE Project – Green Street Improvements: Wright Street to Race Street (PEI)) – PW Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2015-03-025 to Council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Being no discussion, the motion to send Ordinance No. 2015-03-025 to Council was carried by voice vote. 10. Ordinance No. 2015-03-026: An Ordinance Approving a First Amendment To An Agreement For Use Of Right-Of-Way With Campus Communications Group, Inc. – PW Public Works Director William Gray discussed that Campus Communications Group, Inc. has decided to expand its fiber optic infrastructure build- out to outside the limits defined in their current license agreement. Mr. Gray recommended the Committee approve sending Ordinance No. 2015- 03-026 to Council with recommendation for approval, so that the current agreement can be amended to allow Campus Communications Group to proceed with their expansion project. Alderwoman Marlin made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2015-03-026 to Council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Madigan seconded. Discussion with the Committee ensued following the motion. Following discussion, the motion to send Ordinance No. 2015-03-026 to Council was carried by voice vote. 11. 2014 Sewer Activity Report: Following the voice vote regarding Ordinance No. 2015-03-026, Alderwoman Marlin initiated a discussion regarding the 2014 Sewer Activity Report Summary from Public Works, which was included in the packet as an information item. Public Works Director William Gray addressed the Committee’s questions regarding the report. 12. Ordinance No. 2015-03-027: An Ordinance Increasing Number of Class R-2 Liquor Licenses for Lord and Lacy’s Famous Kansas City Style BBQ d/b/a Lacy’s Famous Kansas City Style BBQ, 119 W. Main – MAYOR After Chair Ammons introduced Ordinance No. 2015-03-027, Alderman Madigan recused himself at 8:13 p.m. from participating in this agenda item. Mayor Prussing then discussed that Lord and Lacy’s Famous Kansas City Style BBQ d/b/a Lacy’s Famous Kansas City Style BBQ is a new business, and she therefore highly recommended that a liquor license be approved. Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2015-03-027 to Council with a recommendation for approval. Alderman Roberts seconded. Being no discussion, the motion to send Ordinance No. 2015-03-027 to Council was carried by voice vote. 13. Ordinance No. 2015-03-021: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 14 (Establishing a License for Digital Outdoor Advertising Sign Structures) – CD City of Urbana Committee Of The Whole Minutes: March 9, 2015 Page 5 of 5 Discussion over Ordinance No. 2015-03-021 began with additional public input from Cain Kiser with Adams Outdoor Advertising and Urbana resident Naomi Jakobsson. Following public input, Interim Planning Manager Jeffrey Engstrom gave an oral/video presentation on Digital Billboards, giving an overview of the proposed text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, safety studies, aesthetics, costs and revenues, existing regulations and proposed regulations. Discussion with the Committee and Mayor ensued during Mr. Engstrom’s presentation. Mr. Engstrom and City Attorney James Simon addressed questions and concerns. Following the presentation and discussion, Alderman Smyth made a motion to keep Ordinance No. 2015-03-021 in Committee, and for staff to bring the Ordinance back to Committee in two weeks if staff is ready to present and further address questions. If staff is not prepared to present to Committee in two weeks, then the Ordinance is to be brought back to Committee in no more than five weeks. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Discussion continued after the motion was made. Following further discussion, the motion to keep Ordinance No. 2015-03-021 in Committee was carried by voice vote. 14. Ordinance No. 2015-03-022: An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Urbana, Illinois (Revising Article IX and Article XI regarding Digital Outdoor Advertising Sign Structures/Plan Commission Case No. 2242-T-14) – CD This Ordinance was not discussed separately or voted on separately from Ordinance No. 2015-03-021, but it was implied through the Committee’s discussion that the above motion that was carried by voice vote indicated that both Ordinance Nos. 2015-03-021 and 2015-03-022 were to be kept in Committee to be heard concurrently in two to five weeks. 15. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Aaron Ammons declared the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m. _Vicky A. Osborn______ Recording Secretary *This meeting was taped. **This meeting was broadcast on cable television. Minutes Approved: _ March 23, 2014_____