City Council Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · January 9, 2017
Minutes
CITY OF URBANA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – Monday, January 9, 2017 – 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, January 9, 2017, in the Council Chambers of the
Urbana City Building.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Aaron 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, Alderman Ward 5
STAFF PRESENT: Brad Bennett; Patrick Connolly; Bruce Cubberley; William Gray;
Elizabeth Hannan; Mike Monson; Brian Nightlinger; Lorrie Pearson; James
Simon; Elizabeth Tyler
OTHERS PRESENTE: Sandra Ahten; Richard Balsbaugh; Lisa Chason; Danielle
Chynoweth; James Golaszewski; Deborah Jadhav; Rohn Koester; Joyce Mast;
Martel Miller; Andre Montgomery; Robert Murdock; Catherine Novak; Sarah
Scott; Albert Stabler; Janet Swatscheno; Creel Umbelovèd; Rev. Dr. Evelyn B.
Underwood; Bishop King James Underwood; Geovanny Vega; Members of the Media
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
There being a quorum, Chair Madigan called the meeting of the Committee
of the Whole to order at 7:06 p.m. *Late start due to a prior meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Alderman Jakobsson made a motion to approve the minutes from the
meeting held on December 12, 2016. Alderman Smyth seconded. Motion
carried by voice vote.
3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
There were none.
4. PUBLIC INPUT
Geovanny Vega addressed the committee and presented the board with a
copy of Resolution No. 2016-12-070R translated in Spanish and informed
the board that the he contacted the Refugee center and they are working
on getting the resolution translated in French, Vietnamese and Russian.
He is also looking for someone to translate the document in Arabic and
Chinese.
The following residents expressed their concerns regarding the Times
Center and the need for a homeless shelter: Sandra Ahten, Lisa Chason,
Deborah Jadhav, Joyce Mast, Robert Murdock, Catherine Novak, Sarah
Scott, Janet Swatscheno, Creel Umbelovéd.
Council Input: Invite Rosecrance (Sheila Ferguson) to a meeting to
discuss options.
Committee of the Whole
Monday, January 09, 2017
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The following residents addressed the board in opposition of police
funding, unless homelessness is addressed: Martel Miller; Andre
Montgomery; Albert Stabler; Rohn Koester.
Richard Balsbaugh addressed the board in support of additional police
officers.
James Golaszewski addressed the board in support of Resolution No.
2017-01-002R about keeping the Police Training Institute at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Danielle Chynoweth addressed the board regarding social service and
Township Funding with opposition in reducing Township’s General Fund.
She hopes to partner with the city once she becomes the Township
supervisor.
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.
5. PRESENTATIONS
a. Audit Presentation
Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan introduced one of the partners
from Baker Tilly, Mr. Jason Coyle, who presented the Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report.
Mr. Coyle gave a presentation focusing on the City’s Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report, addressing the financial section. Mr.
Coyle encouraged committee members to read the Management
Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). He also addressed the changes that
were implemented by management that have improved reporting. Mr.
Coyle also answered questions and concerns from the committee
members.
Ms. Hannan acknowledged the work by City Accountant Sophie Pham
during the audit process.
b. Ash Tree Preservation Discussion
Arbor Manager Bruce Cubberly gave a PowerPoint presentation about
Ash Trees, with an inventory of existing trees and how many will be
removed. Mr. Cubberly addressed the concerns of his department
regarding private property ash trees and how to address the
problem, with no city grant money available. Mr. Cubberly and
Arborist Mike Brunk attended the Illinois Arborist Association
Summer Conference where there were new product demonstrations
showing how to save future removal of ash trees. Mr. Cubberly
explained how the product works as well as the cost and financial
impact. Mr. Cubberly addressed questions from committee.
6. STAFF REPORT
Community Development Elizabeth Tyler presented the December Business &
Development some of the highlights and announcements are as follows:
• February 23, 8:00am-10:00am Urbana Homebuilders Breakfast, where
Community Development staff will present Think Urbana residential
development incentive program. It will be held at Eastland Suites,
Committee of the Whole
Monday, January 09, 2017
Page 3 of 5
1907 N. Cunningham Ave.
• February 28, 12:00pm-1:30pm Business and Development Luncheon –
Think Urbana staff will present Urbana residential development
incentive program at Attie’s Bar and Grill located at 2600 S. Stone
Creek Blvd.
• April 13, 8:30a-11:00a 2017 Realtor Bus Tour leaving from Attie’s
Bar and Grill, 2600 S. Stone Creek Blvd.
• Burger King on University is now open
• Marco’s Pizza on Philo Rd. is now open
• Urbana Arts Grants Program will be accepting applications until
February 6, 2017.
• February 24, 2017 Contractor’s Diversity Breakfast will be hosted
at El Toro on Springfield Ave.
Ms. Tyler ended report by announcing the 16th Annual Countywide Dr.
MLK Jr., celebration that will take place at Parkland College from
4:00-6:00pm. For a full calendar of events go to the website at
www.diversity.illinois.edu
Alderman Madigan asked for an update on the Broadway Market.
Alderman Ammons announced that in celebration of Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day the North End Breakfast Club and The Art Theater
will be hosting The Murder of Fred Hampton Monday, January 16 from
7:00pm-9:00pm.
7. DISCUSSION – Possible Funding for Additional Police Officers
The discussion started with public comment and a memo introduction from
Mayor Prussing. She explained the cost of hiring new officers and
possible funding options.
Police Chief Patrick Connolly also addressed the committee with questions
regarding the need for additional police officers. Chief Connolly
explained that the City of Urbana is understaffed based the national
ratio per capita. Discussion ensued.
Chair Marlin reminded the committee that the purpose of the discussion is
to come up with a position from council to decide whether or not to add
more officers. If a decision is made to add more officers then how and
when to do this.
After discussion staff was given direction to prepare a budget amendment
to add two officers for the remainder of the year. This will be
presented at the next committee meeting on January 23, 2017.
8. Ordinance No. 2017-01-001: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget
Ordinance for FY 2016/17 (Miscellaneous Items)
Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan presented Ordinance No. 2017-01-001 with
recommendation for approval. The budget amendment includes changes to PSEBA
benefits(Public Safety Employee Benefits Act), a Grant from Illinois
American Water Company to the Fire Department, added expenses to the
Lincoln Avenue project which is 80 percent funded by federal dollars and
rebugets to marketing expenses for the City’s new enterprise zone.
After the presentation Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Ordinance No.
2017-01-001 to council with recommendation for approval. Alderman Jakobsson
seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.
Committee of the Whole
Monday, January 09, 2017
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9. Ordinance No. 2017-01-002: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City
Code Chapter 20 Concerning Use of Rights-of-Way (Monopoles and
Towers in the Public Right- of-Way)
Assistant City Engineer Brad Bennett and Planning Manager Lorrie Pearson
presented Ordinance No. 2017-01-002 with recommendation for approval.
The purpose of this ordinance is to address an increase requests from
telecommunications services for cell towers in the City’s right of way.
City Staff has consulted with other communities in Illinois and with
legal staff regarding responses to recent right-of-ways tower requests
and has determined that it would be in the City’s best interest to limit
their placement in the ROW.
Mr. Bennett said that no action is need at this time since this item
will be brought back to the 23rd committee of the whole meeting. This
will give committee members time to make changes or revisions to the ROW
ordinance.
Alderman Smyth made a motion to keep Ordinance No. 2017-01-002 in
committee. Alderman Ammons seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.
Chair Marlin advised the board that it was 10:30 and a motion was needed
to continue with the meeting. Alderman Smyth made a motion to
extend meeting to 11:00pm. Alderman Madigan seconded. Motion
carried by voice vote.
10. Resolution No. 2017-01-001R: Resolution in Favor of Sustainable
Funding for 911 Systems
Mayor Prussing presented Resolution No. 2017-01-001R with recommendation for
approval.
Chair Marlin relinquished the chair to Alderman Madigan from 10:31pm-10:34pm
to express her concerns regarding 911 system and METCAD. Discussion ensued.
After discussion Alderman Smyth made a motion to send Resolution No. 2017-01-
001R to council without recommendation. Alderman Ammons seconded. Motion
carried by voice vote.
11. Resolution No. 2017-01-002R: Resolution for Keeping the Police
Training Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mayor Prussing presented Resolution No. 2017-01-002R with recommendation for
approval. No discussion.
Alderman Ammons made a motion to send Resolution No. 2017-01-002R to council
with recommendation for approval. Alderman Smyth seconded. Motion
carried by voice vote.
12. Adjournment
There being no further business before the committee, Chair Brown
declared the meeting adjourned at 10:46pm.
Committee of the Whole
Monday, January 09, 2017
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_Wendy M. Hundley____
Recording Secretary
*This meeting was taped.
**This meeting was broadcast on cable television.
Minutes Approved: January 23, 2017
Agenda
CITY OF URBANA
COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
NOTICE OF MEETING
DATE: Monday, January 9, 2017
TIME: 7:00pm
LOCATION: Urbana City Council Chambers
400 S. Vine Street, Urbana, IL
A G E N D A
Chair: Diane Marlin, Ward 7
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
a. December 12, 2016
3. Additions to the Agenda
4. Public Input
5. Presentations
a. Audit Presentation – FIN
b. Ash Tree Preservation Discussion - PW
6. Staff Report
7. Discussion – Possible Funding for Additional Police Officers - Mayor
8. Ordinance No. 2017-01-001: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget
Ordinance for FY 2016/17 (Miscellaneous Items) - FIN
9. Ordinance No. 2017-01-002: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 20
Concerning Use of Rights-of-Way (Monopoles and Towers in the Public Right-
of-Way) - PW
10. Resolution No. 2017-01-001R: Resolution in Favor of Sustainable Funding for
911 Systems - Mayor
11. Resolution No. 2017-01-002R: Resolution For Keeping the Police Training
Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Mayor
12. Adjournment
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting
should contact the City of Urbana's Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 384-2466 or
TTY at 384-2447.
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