City Council Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · February 3, 2020
Minutes
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
DATE: Monday, February 3, 2020
TIME: 7:00pm
PLACE: Urbana City Council Chambers, 400 S. Vine St., Urbana, IL 61801
The City Council Committee of The Whole of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday,
February 3, 2020, at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Urbana City Building.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Bill Brown, Dean Hazen, Shirese Hursey, Eric
Jakobsson, Jared Miller, Dennis Roberts, Maryalice Wu, Charles Smyth, Diane Wolfe Marlin
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Kathryn Levy, Sheila Dodd, Kris Francisco, Elizabeth Hannan, Wendy Hundley,
Carol Mitten, Lorrie Pearson, James Simon
OTHERS PRESENT: Amery Gardner, Mike Ingram, Vanessa Robinson, Patrick Singer, Rev. Dr.
Evelyn Underwood, Wayne Williams, Members of the Media
Chair: Shirese Hursey, Ward 3
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
With a quorum present, Chair Shirese Hursey called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to
order at 7:00pm.
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
CM Maryalice Wu made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 21, 2020 meeting. After a
correction was made, motion was seconded by CM Dennis Roberts and carried by unanimous voice
vote.
3. Additions to the Agenda
There was none.
4. Presentations and Public Input
Mayor Marlin read a proclamation, proclaiming February 2020 as African American History month
in the City of Urbana. Proclamation was presented to CM Hursey and Rev. Dr. Evelyn B.
Underwood.
Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood did not wish to speak but wanted the record to show her continuing
concern for the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues.
Patrick Singer addressed the committee after the liquor code ordinance presentation to express his
position about the age limit for events geared toward crowds aged 14-21 years old.
Mike Ingram did not wish to speak but asked that his position be entered into the record in
opposition of raising the age for bar entry, as it would be detrimental for artists, musicians, and the
college experience.
Vanessa Robinson addressed the committee after the liquor code ordinance presentation and was in
full support of All Ages Live Performance Event Rider to accommodate special events.
Amery Gardner addressed the committee to ask about the status of adding an additional Video
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Gambling Terminal (VGT)and the financial impact to local businesses.
Wayne Williams did not wish to speak but asked that his position be entered into the record in
opposition of reducing the age for establishments with Class A liquor licenses.
a. Audit Report – Baker Tilly/FIN
Finance Manager Kris Francisco and Joe Lightcap of Baker, Tilly, Virchow, Krause, LLP presented
the annual audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. Ms. Francisco stated that the audit reports are
done on a different accounting basis (cash basis) but the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report (CAFR) is presented in a (modified accrual basis of accounting) which is a combination of
general funds and other funds.
Mr. Lightcap addressed the purpose of this report which was to describe the scope of testing of
internal control and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the
effectiveness of the city’s internal control or on compliance. The report is an integral part of an audit
performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the city’s internal
control and compliance.
Mr. Lightcap explained the following items:
Statement of Net Position and changes for the reporting period
Balance Sheet of Governmental Funds
General Fund Balances
Income Statement of Revenues
Pension Trust Statement Activity
Communication – External Financial Reporting and Segregation of Duties
Financial Statement Disclosures
Federal Awards
After presentation, Mr. Lightcap and Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan addressed questions and
concerns from committee.
5. Staff Report
Mayor Marlin acknowledged CM Hursey’s birthday. Mayor Marlin also thanked all staff and
community members for the support during the selling process of the Landmark Hotel.
Mayor Marlin announced the resignation of CM Hazen that will be effective 02/25/2020. To fill the
vacancy, applications will be available online, City’s home page, Urbana Free Library, City Clerk’s
office.
Mayor Marlin addressed the audience prior to presenting the liquor code ordinance and some of the
concerns expressed by business owners. She reminded folks that this is the first presentation and
that it would remain in committee until a consensus is reached.
6. Ordinance No. 2020-02-003: Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Real Estate, 1407 West
Beslin Street, Urbana, IL to Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County
Community Development Grants Manager Sheila Dodd presented Ordinance No. 2020-02-003 with
the recommendation for approval. Ms. Dodd gave a background information about the property
and how it was acquired by the city under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
This ordinance will authorize the sale of this property to Habitat for Humanity of Champaign
County for affordable housing development. Ms. Dodd addressed all questions and concern about
the property use and ownership structure.
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CM Roberts made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2020-02-003 to council with the
recommendation for approval. CM Jakobsson seconded, motion carried by voice vote.
7. Ordinance No. 2020-02-004: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section
3-43 (Increasing number of Class R-1 liquor licenses for Sitara Indian Cuisine Inc. dba Sitara Indian
Cuisine, 114 S Race St, Urbana, IL)
Mayor Marlin presented Ordinance No. 2020-02-004 with the recommendation for approval. No
questions or concerns. Mayor Marlin and CM welcome Sitara back, as they are an excellent
restaurant.
CM Brown made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2020-02-004 to council with the recommendation
for approval. CM Miller seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.
8. Ordinance No. 2020-02-005: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 3 – Alcoholic
Liquor
Local Liquor Control Commissioner Diane Wolfe Marlin and Deputy Local Liquor Control
Commissioner Kathryn Levy, and City Attorney James Simon.
Mayor Marlin started the presentation by acknowledging the work of the staff involved. The purpose
of rewriting City Code Chapter 3 is to maintain compliance with the Illinois Liquor Control
Commission and to accomplish this, the following step need to take place:
o Maintain compliance with the Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934
o Clarify language and reduce uncertainties
o Ensure fair and consistent code compliance and classification throughout the city
o Respond to current and future business needs
o Creation of opportunities for Urbana businesses and organizations
Mayor Marlin talked about the current liquor licenses, proposed changes, consolidation of license
classifications, administration process to get a new, renewal, video gaming of liquor licenses. The
process to rewrite the code began in April 2019 with the goal to have it approved before the license
renewal notifications go out in April 2020.
Ms. Levy addressed the licenses classifications, changes, and additions. She explained each of the
classifications with the proposed changes. Currently there are 27 different classes of liquor licenses,
and four of them have not been used. One of the many changes is to condense the 27 different
licenses into 19.
CM Wu made a motion to keep Ordinance No. 2020-02-005 in committee. CM Miller seconded.
The following concerns were expressed by committee members:
o Weekly curfew hours
o Class A age restriction
o All ages live performance event rider
After presentation and discussions, the following items will be reviewed prior to the next Committee
of the Whole meeting.
18+ Age of entry in Class A establishments
All Ages Live Entertainment Event Rider (for 14 -17) – event ending times in relations to
city curfews
A closer look at Restaurant and Tavern (R&T) Licenses in relations to the 60/40 split
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Consider an additional license to accommodate for alternative/unexplored business
concepts
After the presentation, staff addressed all questions and concerns from committee. After
discussion, the motion carried by voice vote.
9. Adjournment
With no further business before the committee, Chair Hursey adjourned the meeting at 9:23pm.
Wendy M. Hundley
Deputy City Clerk
This meeting was video recorded and is viewable on-demand. HERE
Minutes approved: March 2, 2020
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Agenda
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE MEETING
DATE: Monday, February 3, 2020
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: Urbana City Council Chambers, 400 S. Vine St., Urbana, IL 61801
AGENDA
Chair: Shirese Hursey, Ward 3
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
a. January 21, 2020
3. Additions to Agenda
4. Presentations and Public Input
a. Audit Report – Baker Tilly/FIN
5. Staff Report
6. Ordinance No. 2020-02-003: Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Real Estate, 1407 West
Beslin Street, Urbana, IL to Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County – CD
7. Ordinance No. 2020-02-004: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section
3-43 (Increasing number of Class R-1 liquor licenses for Sitara Indian Cuisine
8. Inc dba Sitara Indian Cuisine, 114 S Race St, Urbana, IL) - Mayor
9. Ordinance No. 2020-02-005: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter 3 – Alcoholic
Liquor - Mayor
10. Adjournment
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact the
City of Urbana's Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 217-384-2466.
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