City Council Regular Meeting

CITY OF URBANA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – November 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, November 28, 2016, in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Aaron Ammons; Bill Brown; Eric Jakobsson; Michael P. Madigan*; Diane Marlin; Dennis Roberts; Charles Smyth; Laurel Lunt Prussing; Phyllis Clark ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Bennett; Patrick Connolly; Kevin Garcia; William Gray;; Mike Monson; Brian Nightlinger; Lorrie Pearson; Matt Rejc; James Simon; Scott Tess; Elizabeth Tyler OTHERS PRESENTE: Carolyn Baxley; Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood; Bishop King James Underwood; Members of the Media 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL There being a quorum, Chair Dennis Roberts called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:00pm. *Alderman Michael Madigan arrived at 7:04pm. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Alderman Aaron Ammons made a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting held on November 14, 2016. Alderwoman Diane Marlin seconded the motion, which was carried by voice vote. 3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA Alderman Jakobsson stated he would like to start a formal discussion about sanctuary cities sometime soon. He asked to have it added to the December 5 council meeting agenda for discussion. 4. PUBLIC INPUT Bishop King James and Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood did not wish to speak, but asked that their position be entered into the record regarding the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues. Carolyn Baxley, owner of the Cinema Gallery in downtown Urbana, spoke in support of Imbibe and the success they have had in drawing people to visit downtown Urbana businesses. Because of the success Imbibe is having in promoting downtown small businesses, she urged the committee to consider finding a way to support Imbibe. 5. Presentations a. Imbibe Kristin Walters and Annie Adams from Imbibe gave a presentation showing their “Urbana First Fridays” marketing and ideas for future marketing. They answered questions from committee members and stated they will be seeking support from private and public organizations. 6. Staff Report Chief of Staff Mike Monson gave an update on the Think Urbana Program. He stated that in 2016 there have been nine single family homes built under the program, as well as a two unit townhome. In addition, 23 units at the pending Highland Green development will receive the program incentives. Mr. Monson said developers have attributed the Committee of the Whole November 28, 2016 Page 2 of 3 increase in construction to the Think Urbana Program, and that there is quite a bit of additional construction scheduled for the future. Mayor Prussing stated that because of the increase in shootings and citizen concerns she would like to amend the budget to add five new police officers to the Urbana Police Department. Mayor Prussing made some suggestions to have the funds necessary for the additional police officers. One idea was to use part of the savings from the change in health care plans. The other was raising the hotel-motel tax 2%, starting March 1, 2017. Discussion ensued during which concerns about how the police department would be restructured with the additional officers, comparison of Urbana police staffing to other areas with comparable demographics, and the best sources of revenue to fund the additional officers. 7. Ordinance No. 2016-11-110: An Ordinance Approving a Power Purchase Agreement with WCP Solar Services, LLC – PW Environmental Sustainability Manager Scott Tess presented this ordinance. He explained that there will be nothing paid up front and the payment for the solar array and installation will be paid in kilowatt hours generated by the solar array over a 25 year period. There was extensive discussion during which Mr. Tess answered questions about rates, the 25 year agreement and location of the array. Alderman Brown asked Mr. Tess to estimate the cost over 25 years by the multiplying the estimated kilowatt hours per year times the yearly rate. From this an effective cost of interest could be determined for comparison to the rate for borrowing the money to pay for the solar array up front. Alderman Brown asked Mr. Tess to do the comparison and send results to committee members. Alderman Madigan asked Mr. Tess to determine what the savings would be if the solar array were not purchased. In order to join in the discussion, Chair Roberts relinquished the chair to Alderman Brown from 8:00pm to 8:02pm. After further discussion, Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2016-11-110 to council without recommendation. Motion seconded by Alderman Ammons and carried by voice vote. 8. Ordinance No. 2016-11-111: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 20, Articles IV and V – PW Assistant City Engineer Brad Bennett presented this ordinance. He explained the changes made to the ordinance to better protect residents from possible utility installation damages. Mr. Bennett answered questions and concerns from committee members. After discussion, Alderman Ammons made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2016-11-111 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Smyth and carried by voice vote. 9. Ordinance No. 2016-11-112: An Ordinance Approving a Final Subdivision Plat (Replat of Lot 452 Beringer Commons Subdivision No. 4 – Plan Case No. 2292-S-16) – CD Planner II Kevin Garcia presented this ordinance. Mr. Garcia answered questions and concerns from committee members. After discussion, Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Ordinance no. 2016-11-112 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by Alderman Madigan and carried by voice vote. 10. Resolution No. 2016-11-068R: A Resolution Assigning an Urbana Home Consortium Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program Agreement (Community Elements TBRA FY 2013-2014) – CD Community Development Specialist Matt Rejc presented this resolution. He explained that this was an agreement executed with Community Elements in 2014. Community Elements merged into Rosecrance earlier Committee of the Whole November 28, 2016 Page 3 of 3 this year. Mr. Garcia explained that the Community Elements funds will have to be assigned to Rosecrance in order for Rosecrance to continue to fund their tenant based rental assistance program. Alderman Jakobsson asked if representatives from Rosecrance would be willing to attend a council meeting to talk about their practices and plans. After discussion, Alderman Smyth made a motion to forward Resolution No. 2016-11-068R to council. Motion seconded by Alderman Ammons and carried by voice vote. 13. Adjournment There being no further business before the Committee, Chair Roberts declared the meeting adjourned at 8:36pm. _ Kay Meharry ____ Recording Secretary *This meeting was taped. **This meeting was broadcast on cable television. Minutes Approved: December 12, 2016