City Council Regular Meeting

CITY OF URBANA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – March 28, 2016 – 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 28, 2016, in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Aaron Ammons; Bill Brown; Eric Jakobsson; Mike Madigan; Diane W. Marlin; Dennis Roberts; Charles Smyth; Laurel Lunt Prussing ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Phyllis D. Clark STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Connolly; William Gray; Wendy Hundley; Kelly Mierkowski; Mike Monson; Brian Nightlinger; Matt Rejc; James Simon; Elizabeth Tyler OTHERS PRESENT: Elderess Melinda Carr; Belden Fields; Ben Joselyn; Durl Kruse; Dan Linn; Martel Miller; Neil Parthun; Ivan Ruiz; Benjamin Stone; David Sutton; King James Underwood and Reverend Dr. Evelyn Underwood; Members of the Media 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL There being a quorum, Chair Dennis Madigan called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:04 p.m.*. *Late start for meeting due to Special City Council meeting. 2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA AND STAFF REPORT Mr. Gray addressed the Committee to cancel Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project (Green Street) since it was not supposed to be on this agenda but will be presented at the April 11 meeting. Alderman Ammons made a motion to change the order of agenda for items 11 and 13 to be presented after public input. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. Alderman Ammons also made a motion to add a discussion item regarding paraphernalia. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. Community Development Specialist Matt Rejc announced the release of the social service schedule for applications, requirements and due dates. All of the information is available on the City’s website. Mayor Prussing read State Bill 2228 regarding Cannabis Control Act. Provides that the possession of 10 grams or less of cannabis is a civil law violation punishable by a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum fine of $ 200.00 Committee of the Whole March 28, 2016 Page 2 of 5 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Alderman Ammons made a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting held on March 14, 2016. Alderman Jakobsson seconded the motion, which was carried by voice vote. 4. PUBLIC INPUT Chair Smyth acknowledged a card from Bishop King James and Reverend Dr. Evelyn B. 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 for the record. Chair Smyth acknowledged a card from Benjamin Stone and Ivan Ruiz who are both in support of lowering marijuana fines. Durl Kruse addressed the committee to express his concerns regarding cannabis fines. He read an article from Harper’s Magazine title “LEGALIZE IT ALL”. Belden Fields addressed the committee in support of Ordinance No. 2016- 03-025 regarding Marijuana fines, discussion ensued with committee. David Sutton addressed the committee in support of lowering Marijuana fines. Martell Miller addressed the committee regarding disparities and racial profiling. Dan Linn from Illinois Chapter of the National Organization to reform Marijuana laws addressed the committee regarding cannabis fines. Discussion ensued. Chair Smyth acknowledged a card from Eldress Melinda Carr who chose not to address the committee, but asked that her concerns regarding Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues and historical impact be entered into the records. Alderman Ammons read a correspondence from one his constituents in favor of reducing cannabis Fines. Neil Parthun addressed the committee in support of the proposal to lower marijuana possession fines to $5.00. 5. Ordinance No. 2016-03-025: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 1, Section 1-18 (Reducing minimum fine for possession of cannabis from $300 to $5) – Alderman Ammons; Alderman Jakobsson Alderman Jakobsson and Alderman Ammons presented Ordinance No. 2016-03- 025 to committee with recommendation for approval. Alderman Ammons made a motion to amend Ordinance No. 2016-03-025 to read from $300 to $50). Alderman Roberts seconded the amendment. Motion carried by voice vote. Discussion ensued. Committee of the Whole March 28, 2016 Page 3 of 5 After debate Alderman Ammons made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2016- 03-025 to council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Roberts seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 6. Ordinance No. 2016-03-027: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 1, SECTION 1-18 (Reducing minimum fine for alcoholic liquor purchase, consumption or acceptance of gift by minors, and misrepresentation of age from $300 to $100) Mayor Prussing presented Ordinance No. 2016-03-027 to council with recommendation for approval. Discussion ensued. Most members of committee were in disagreement to reduce the fee as it is a different issue and no disparities have been shown at this time. This Ordinance Failed due to lack of motion. 7. Ordinance No. 2016-03-024: An Ordinance Amending Schedule Q of Section 23-64 of the Urbana Local Traffic Code Decreasing State Speed Limits on Certain Streets (Green Street between Wright Street and Lincoln Avenue; Springfield Avenue between Wright Street and Lincoln Avenue) Public Works Director William Gray presented Ordinance No. 2016-03-024 to committee with recommendation for approval. Mr. Gray also addressed the committee questions regarding the change of the driving speed for Green Street between Wright Street and Lincoln Avenue; Springfield Avenue between Wright Street and Lincoln Avenue. After presentation Alderman Roberts made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2016-03-024 to council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Brown seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 8. Resolution No. 2016-03-017R: A Resolution Approving an Emergency Solutions Grants Program Subrecipient Agreement with Champaign County Regional Planning Commission (FY 2015-2016) Community Development Specialist Matt Rejc presented Resolution No. 2016-03-017R with recommendation for approval. Lisa Benson from the Regional Planning Commission was present to answer questions. Discussion ensued. Mr. Rejc added that the funds will go toward implementation of a centralized intake center to assist homelessness. After presentation Alderman Roberts made a motion to send Resolution No. 2016-03-017R to council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Jakobsson seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 9. Resolution No. 2016-03-018R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Urbana Home Consortium Community Housing Development Organization Agreement (Habitat CHDO Developer FY 2015- 2016) Community Development Specialist Matt Rejc presented Resolution No. 2016-03-018R with recommendation for approval. This agreement will Committee of the Whole March 28, 2016 Page 4 of 5 allocate $ 97,962.60 to assist the Habitat in creating three new single family units. After presentation Alderwoman Marlin made a motion to send Resolution No. 2016-03-018R to council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Brown seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 10. Resolution No. 2016-03-019R: A Resolution Certifying a Community Housing Development Organization for the Urbana Home Consortium (Habitat February 2016) Community Development Specialist Matt Rejc presented Resolution No. 2016-03-019R with recommendation for approval. This Resolution will give Habit the required certification to receive funding. Discussion ensued. After presentation Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to send Resolution No. 2016-03-019R to council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Roberts seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 11. Resolution No. 2016-03-020R: A Resolution Approving the Transfer of Volume Cap in Connection with Private Activity Bond Issues, Single- Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds, and Related Matters (Private Bond Cap Allocation – Assist Programs, Series 2016) Grants Management Division Manager Kelly Mierkowski presented Resolution No. 2016-03-020R with recommendation for approval. Ms. Mierkowski said that the recommendation given by Community Development Commission is to allocate 50% to the Assist 2016 Program (First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program) and the other 50% to EIEDA (Eastern Illinois Economic Development Authority) to be utilized for possible neighborhood initiatives in the community, such as multi-family housing developments. Discussion ensued. After presentation Alderman Roberts made a motion to send Resolution No. 2016-03-020R to council with recommendation for approval. Alderwoman Marlin seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 12. Resolution No. 2016-03-021R: A Resolution Approving the Transfer of Volume Cap in Connection with Private Activity Bond Issues, Single- Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds, and Related Matters (Private Bond Cap Allocation – EIEDA, Series 2016) Grants Management Division Manager Kelly Mierkowski presented Resolution No. 2016-03-020R with recommendation for approval. Alderwoman Marlin made a motion to send Resolution No. 2016-03-021R to council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Roberts seconded. Motion carried by voice vote. 13. Ordinance No. 2016-03-026: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 1, Section 1-18 (Reducing minimum fine for possession of cannabis from $300 to $100) Committee of the Whole March 28, 2016 Page 5 of 5 Mayor Prussing presented Ordinance No. 2016-03-026 to council with recommendation for approval. Discussion ensued. This Ordinance Failed due to lack of votes. 14. Discussion – Drug Paraphernalia Fines Alderman Ammons moved to lower the paraphernalia fines to $ 25.00. City Attorney advised the committee that this item could not be voted on since it was added as a discussion item. Chair Smyth suggested bringing this item back to the next committee meeting with more information. 15. Discussion - Council Rules Chair Smyth drafted a Resolution to establish a mandatory adjournment time for both city council and committee of the whole meetings and asked for feedback. He will incorporate changes or suggestions if needed, and bring back to the next committee meeting. Alderwoman Marlin suggested removing the two thirds (2/3rds) vote and changing it to a “simple majority”. This item will be presented for approval at the next committee meeting with all of the updated information. 16. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Charles Smyth declared the meeting adjourned at 09:08 p.m. _ Wendy M. Hundley____ Wendy M. Hundley Recording Secretary This meeting was taped. This meeting was broadcast on cable television. Minutes Approved: April 11, 2016