City Council Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · May 21, 2018
Minutes
STATE OF ILLINOIS CITY OF URBANA
Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk
URBANA CITY COUNCIL
Monday, May 21, 2018
The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois met on Monday, May 21, 2018 at 7:00pm in the
Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Aaron Ammons; Bill Brown, Dean Hazen;
Eric Jakobsson, Jared Miller; Dennis Roberts (arrived at 7:12pm); Diane Wolfe Marlin
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk
STAFF PRESENT: James Eggert; William Gray; Elizabeth Hannan; Kay Meharry; Kelly Mierkowski;
Sylvia Morgan; Lorrie Pearson; Matt Rejc; Todd Rent; John Schneider; James Simon
OTHERS PRESENT: Van Anderson; Deb Busey; Elderess Melinda Carr; Juli Kartel; Rev. Dr.
Evelyn B. Underwood; C. Pius Weibel; Members of the Media
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Marlin called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:00pm.
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
CM Bill Brown made a motion to approve the minutes from May 7, 2018 City Council meeting.
Motion seconded by CM Jared Miller and carried by voice vote.
C. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
There were none.
D. PUBLIC INPUT
1. Public Input – cards submitted
Rev. Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood asked that her position be entered into the record regarding the
Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues.
Elderess Melinda Carr did not wish to speak, but asked that her concerns about the Dr. Ellis
Subdivision sewer problems, equity and historic impact be entered into the record.
Mayor Marlin proclaimed the week of May 20 – 26, 2018, as National Public Works Week in
the City of Urbana and presented the proclamation to Public Works Director William Gray.
2. Budget Presentation
Mayor Marlin and Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan presented the proposed budget for FY
2018-2019, with focus on the general fund. Mayor Marlin thanked Sophie Pham, Don Ho and
everyone who contributed to putting it together.
Mayor Marlin said this budget represents a significant step forward from where the City was last
year, and will address steps that need to be taken to eventually fully fund the police and fire
pensions, fund the structural deficit, provide better infrastructure maintenance and repair, and
field potential fallout from the State budget crisis. The mayor said some cuts are included in the
budget and more will be necessary.
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Minutes: May 21, 2018
Page 2 of 7
There will be expenditures to improve efficiency and productivity (costs have been offset by
reductions in other areas):
• Employee scheduling and time entry software
• Website update
• Licensing software
• Other small increases
Proposed budget reductions include:
• Closing the Urbana Civic Center at end of calendar year ($40K)
• IT Enterprise Fund ($220K)
• Lease about 50 fleet vehicles as opposed to purchase ($70K)
• Library fund ($55K)
• Fire Prevention Inspector ($35K)
• Unemployment Comp shifted to Risk Fund ($35K)
• Adjust budgeted level for Human Relations Officer to half time, as it is currently staffed
($36K)
• Reductions of line items from departments ($75K)
CM Bill Brown took the chair for Mayor Marlin during discussion. When asked which part
of the budget would significantly increase revenues, Mayor Marlin responded that the only
increase in revenue would be from the parking meter increases and the modest fee
increases. She said there are no tax increases proposed this year. Mayor Marlin and Ms.
Hannan responded to questions and concerns from council members.
Upcoming dates for further budget review will be May 29 (Committee of the Whole
meeting), June 4 (Council meeting), June 4 (public hearing), and June 18 to adopt (Council
meeting).
The link to view this presentation and discussion is:
https://www.city.urbana.il.us/Scripts/CouncilVideo/Video.asp?v=/_Video/City_Council/201
8/20180521/03._Budget_Presentation.mp4
E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was none.
F. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
1. Committee Of The Whole (Council Member Aaron Ammons)
a. Ordinance No. 2018-05-032: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance
(Budget amendment #8 – Omnibus)
CM Ammons made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2018-05-032. Motion
seconded by Alderman Brown and carried by roll call vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye Hazen – aye
Jakobsson – aye Miller – aye Roberts - aye
Wu – aye Mayor Marlin – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2018-05-032 was carried by roll call vote (8-aye; 0-
nay)
b. Ordinance No. 2018-05-035: An Ordinance Approving an Amended and Restated
Right-of-Way License Agreement with MDCJ, LLC - PW
Urbana City Council
Minutes: May 21, 2018
Page 3 of 7
CM Ammons made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2018-05-035. Motion
seconded by Alderman Jakobsson and carried by roll call vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye Hazen – aye
Jakobsson – aye Miller – aye Roberts - aye
Wu – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2018-05-035 was carried by roll call vote (7-aye; 0-nay)
c. Resolution No. 2018-05-017R: A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Grant for
Market at the Square (Farm Credit Illinois Grant – SNAP Double Value Program, FY
2018-2019) – CD
CM Ammons made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2018-05-017R. Motion
seconded by CM Wu and carried by roll call vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye Hazen – aye
Jakobsson – aye Miller – aye Roberts - aye
Wu – aye
Disposition: Resolution No. 2018-05-017R was carried by roll call vote (7-aye; 0-nay)
d. Resolution No. 2018-05-018R: A Resolution Approving the City of Urbana and
Urbana Home Consortium FY 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan - CD
CM Ammons made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2018-05-018R. Motion
seconded by CM Roberts and carried by roll call vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye Hazen – aye
Jakobsson – aye Miller – aye Roberts - aye
Wu – aye
Disposition: Resolution No. 2018-05-018R was carried by roll call vote (6-aye; 0-nay)
e. Ordinance No. 2018-02-013: An Ordinance Amending the Urbana Zoning map
(Rezoning a Portion of 500 Art Bartell Rd. from CRE to R-4 / Plan Case No. 23330M-
18)
CM Ammons announced Ordinance No. 2018-02-013 without a motion to approve.
Not realizing there was no motion for approval, CM Hazen seconded. After
clarification that there had been no motion, CM Hazen made a a motion to approve
Ordinance No. 2018-02-013. Motion seconded by Jakobsson. and carried by roll call
vote as follows:
Ammons – nay Brown – aye Hazen – aye
Jakobsson – aye Miller - nay Roberts – aye
Wu – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2018-02-013 was carried by roll call vote (5-Aye; 2-Nay)
f. Ordinance No. 2018-02-014: An Ordinance Approving and Denying Requests for
Waivers of Subdivision Regulations (500 Art Bartell Rd. / Plan Case No. 2335-S-18)
CM Ammons announced Ordinance No. 2018-02-014 without making a motion.
Motion was made to approve Ordinance No. 2018-02-014 by CM Hazen and seconded
by CM Jakobsson. There was clarification about the lack of sidewalks by Planning
Manager Lorrie Pearson. She reminded council members that within two years of
recording the plat, the nursing home is required install a sidewalk on one side of the
street from East Main Street to Lierman Avenue. A second sidewalk on the other side
of the street would be required if there were requests to subdivide the parcel. At this
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Minutes: May 21, 2018
Page 4 of 7
time there are no plans to subdivide any of the property. After discussion, the motion
and second to approve Ordinance No. 2018-02-014 were carried by roll call vote as
follows:
Ammons – nay Brown - aye Hazen – aye
Jakobsson – aye Miller – nay Roberts - aye
Wu – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2018-02-014 was carried by roll call vote (5-Aye; 2-Nay)
G. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
There were none.
H. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
There were none.
I. NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution No. 2018-05-019R: A Resolution Authorizing the City to Participate in the
Illinois Housing Development Authority Abandoned Property Program
Community Development Coordinator Matt Rejc presented this resolution, stating that
this is round three of money awarded by the State for the Abandoned Properties
Program. The amount for this round is $55,000, which will be added to the $71,000
awarded to Urbana in February 2017 in round two. Community Development Manager
John Schneider clarified the steps and handling of abandoned properties.
Alderman Ammons made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2018-05-019R. Motion
was seconded by Alderman Roberts. After discussion, motion to approve Resolution
No. 2018-05-019R was carried by roll call vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye Hazen - aye
Jakobsson – aye Miller – aye Roberts - aye
Wu – aye
Disposition: Resolution No. 2018-05-019R was carried by roll call vote (7-aye; 0-nay)
Presentation and discussion for this item can be found at:
https://www.city.urbana.il.us/Scripts/CouncilVideo/Video.asp?v=/_Video/City_Cou
ncil/2018/20180521/10._Resolution_2018-05-019R.mp4
2. Resolution No. 2018-05-020R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Urbana
Home Consortium Subrecipient Agreement (Rosecrance TBRA FY 2018-2019)
Community Development Coordinator Matt Rejc presented this resolution, stating that
subrecipient agreement, in the amount of $35,065.72, is for tenant-based rental
assistance (TBRA) for Rosecrance for fiscal year 2018-2019. He said it would help assist
about 10 households and would fully commit the remaining available funds remaining
to the City, and would allow Rosecrance to continue its TBRA program for about eight
to nine months longer. Juli Kartel, Director of Rosecrance answered questions and
concerns from committee members.
CM Wu made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2018-05-020R. Motion seconded by
CM Jakobsson and carried by roll call vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye Hazen - aye
Jakobsson – aye Miller – aye Roberts - aye
Wu – aye
Urbana City Council
Minutes: May 21, 2018
Page 5 of 7
Disposition: Resolution No. 2018-05-020R was carried by roll call vote (7-aye; 0-nay)
Presentation and discussion for this item can be viewed at:
https://www.city.urbana.il.us/Scripts/CouncilVideo/Video.asp?v=/_Video/City_Cou
ncil/2018/20180521/11._Resolution_2018-05-020R.mp4
3. Ordinance No. 2018-05-036: An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit (1007
West University Avenue / Green Street Realty – Plan Case 2343-SU-18) - CD
Planning Manager Lorrie Pearson presented this ordinance. She explained this permit is
requested for the construction of a mixed use building, which would combine
commercial space on the first floor with four floors of apartments above. The layout of
the building and front parking would allow flexibility for a food business to pursue the
addition of a drive-through lane.
CM Miller made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2018-05-036. Motion was
seconded by CM Hazen.
There was concern expressed about parking on the University Avenue side of the
building, rather than having it all behind the building. After discussion about location of
parking, CM Roberts made a motion to keep this item in Council and forward it to the
June 4 council meeting so property owners could listen to input about the position of
the proposed building. Motion was seconded by CM Wu.
CM Miller withdrew his motion to approve this ordinance, as did CM Hazen for his
motion to second it.
The motion to hold Ordinance No. 2018-05-036 for further discussion in Council was
approved by voice vote.
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2018-05-036 will be carried over to the Council meeting
on June 4, 2018, for further discussion.
Presentation and discussion for this item can be viewed at:
https://www.city.urbana.il.us/Scripts/CouncilVideo/Video.asp?v=/_Video/City_Cou
ncil/2018/20180521/12._Ordinance_2018-05-036.mp4
4. Mayoral Appointments to Boards and Commissions
a. Urbana Free Library Board – term to expire June 30, 2021
1. John Thies
5. Mayoral Reappointments to Boards and Commissions
a. Police Pension Fund Board – term to expire May 31, 2020
1. Shaennon Clark
b. Firemen’s Pension Fund Board – term to expire June 30, 2020
1. Elizabeth Hannan
Mayor Marlin presented the appointment of John Thies to the Urbana Free Library
Board and the reappointments of Shaennon Clark to the Police Pension Fund Board
and Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan to the Firemen’s Pension Fund Board.
CM Miller made a motion to approve the Mayoral appointments and reappointments.
Motion seconded by CM Ammons and carried by voice vote.
Disposition: The appointments of John Thies to the Urbana Free Library Board, and
reappointments of Shaennon Clark to the Police Pension Fund Board and Elizabeth
Hannan to the Firemen’s Pension Fund Board, were approved by unanimous voice
vote.
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Minutes: May 21, 2018
Page 6 of 7
6. Mayoral Staff Appointments for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 (July 1, 2018 – June 30,
2019)
a. Executive Department
1. Vacellia Clark Human Relations Officer
2. Todd Rent Human Resources Director
3. Sanford Hess Information Technology Manager
4. James L. Simon City Attorney
b. Community Development Services Department
1. John Schneider Community Development Services Director
2. Lorrie Pearson Planning Manager and Zoning Administrator
3. Kelly Mierkowski Grants Manager
4. Brandon Boys Economic Development Manager
c. Finance Department
1. Elizabeth Hannan Finance Director
2. Elizabeth Beaty Administrative Services Manager
3. Kristine Francisco Financial Services Manager
4. Huong (Sophie) Pham City Accountant
d. Fire Department
1. James Eggert Interim Fire Chief
2. Chad Hensch Division Chief
3. Kyle Hensch Division Chief
4. Derrick Odle Division Chief
5. Phillip Edwards Fire Marshall
e. Police Department
1. Sylvia Morgan Police Chief
2. Bryant Seraphin Deputy Chief
3. Robert Fitzgerald Police Lieutenant
4. Jason Norton Police Lieutenant
5. Joel Sanders Police Lieutenant
6. Richard Surles Police Lieutenant
f. Public Works
1. William Gray Directory of Public Works and City Engineer
2. Brad Bennett Assistant City Engineer
3. Craig Shonkwiler Assistant City Engineer
4. John Collins Operations Manager
5. Anthony Arnold Fleet Manager
6. Michael Brunk City Arborist
7. Scott Tess Environmental Manager
8. Bruce Cubberley Arbor Division Manager
9. Vince Gustafson Facilities Manager
Mayor Marlin announced that John Schneider will assume the position of Community
Development Director as of July 1, 2018.
She then presented staff appointments for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019. CM Wu made a
motion to approve Mayoral staff appointments. Motion seconded by CM Miller and
carried by voice vote.
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Minutes: May 21, 2018
Page 7 of 7
Disposition: Mayoral staff appointments for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 were approved by
unanimous voice vote.
J. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the city council, Mayor Marlin declared the meeting adjourned
at 8:53pm.
Kay Meharry
Recording Secretary
Assistant Clerk
The link to view this meeting is: https://www.urbanaillinois.us/node/7181
This meeting was taped and broadcast on cable television
Minutes Approved: June 4, 2018
Agenda
URBANA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
Council Chambers
400 S. Vine Street
Urbana, IL 61801
DATE: Monday, May 21, 2018
TIME: 7:00pm
AGENDA
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
1. May 7, 2018
C. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
D. PUBLIC INPUT
1. Public Input – cards submitted
2. Budget Presentation - Mayor and Finance
E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
F. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
1. Committee Of The Whole – (Council Member Aaron Ammons)
a. Ordinance No. 2018-05-032: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget
Ordinance (Budget amendment #8 – Omnibus) - Finance
b. Ordinance No. 2018-05-035: An Ordinance Approving an Amended and
Restated Right-of-Way License Agreement with MDCJ, LLC - PW
c. Resolution No. 2018-05-017R: A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a
Grant for Market at the Square (Farm Credit Illinois Grant – SNAP Double
Value Program, FY 2018-2019) – CD
d. Resolution No. 2018-05-018R: A Resolution Approving the City of Urbana
and Urbana Home Consortium FY 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan - CD
e. Ordinance No. 2018-02-013: An Ordinance Amending the Urbana Zoning
map (Rezoning a Portion of 500 Art Bartell Rd. from CRE to R-4 / Plan Case
No. 23330M-18) [COW 02-26-18; COW 05-14-2018]] - CD
f. Ordinance No. 2018-02-014: An Ordinance Approving and Denying
Requests for Waivers of Subdivision Regulations (500 Art Bartell Rd. / Plan
Case No. 2335-S-18) [COW 02-26-2018; COW 05-14-2018] - CD
G. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
H. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
I. NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution No. 2018-05-019R: A Resolution Authorizing the City to Participate in
the Illinois Housing Development Authority Abandoned Property Program – CD
2. Resolution No. 2018-05-020R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an
Urbana Home Consortium Subrecipient Agreement (Rosecrance TBRA FY 2018-
2019) - CD
Agenda: Urbana City Council Meeting
Monday, May 21, 2018
Page 2 of 2
3. Ordinance No. 2018-05-036: An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit (1007
West University Avenue / Green Street Realty – Plan Case 2343-SU-18) - CD
4. Mayoral Appointments to Boards and Commissions
a. Urbana Free Library Board – term to expire June 30, 2021
1. John Thies
5. Mayoral Reappointments to Boards and Commissions
a. Police Pension Fund Board – term to expire May 31, 2020
1. Shaennon Clark
b. Firemen’s Pension Fund Board – term to expire June 30, 2020
1. Elizabeth Hannan
6. Mayoral Staff Appointments for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 (July 1, 2018 – June 30,
2019)
J. 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.
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