City Council Regular Meeting

URBANA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES DATE: Monday, May 4, 2020 TIME: 7:00 P.M. PLACE: *Held virtually due to Governor’s Stay at Home order The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, May 4, 2020, at 7:00pm via Zoom. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: None ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA ZOOM: Maryalice Wu, Ward 1; Eric Jakobsson, Ward 2; Shirese Hursey, Ward 3; Bill Brown, Ward 4; Dennis Roberts, Ward 5; Bill Colbrook, Ward 6; Jared Miller, Ward 7; Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor; Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Brandon Boys; Carol Mitten; Lorrie Pearson; James Simon; Rachel Storm; Lily Wilcock OTHERS PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY: Danielle Chynoweth; Tracy Chong; Linda Kwon; Sarah Nixon; Emily Rodriguez; Chris Saunders 1. Call to Order and Roll Call There being a quorum present, Chair Bill Brown called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 7:01pm. 2. Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting CM Bill Colbrook made a motion to approve minutes from the April 20, 2020 meeting. Motion seconded by CM Maryalice Wu and carried by voice vote. 3. Additions to the Agenda There were no additions to the agenda. 4. Public Input and Presentations Bishop King James Underwood and Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood asked that their concerns about the Dr. Ellis subdivision sewer problems be entered into the record. Scott Dossett, Danny Otto and Gina Pagliuso commented by email on the 200 Vine Street project, with concern that Green Street Realty delays changes until the last minute and rushes the city to accept changes. There was also concern about the substitution of some of the materials for the project. Public comment concerning the arrest of Aleyah Lewis on April 10, 2020 was provided by email from the following people: Jeffrey Putney; Chelsea Birchmier; Danyelle Dawson; Andi Lee Quasebarth; Griffin Quasebarth; Elizabeth Simpson; Karen Linder; Jacqueline Hannah; Benjamin Stone; Rohn Koester; Allen Axelrod; Maria Zoey; Jane McClintock; River Brown; Nadja Robot. A summary of comments included: charges against Lewis should be dropped and the incident reviewed by the Civilian Police Review Board; Lewis is a victim of police brutality; the police chief should resign; there is a lack of concern for the well-being of Urbana residents; city needs to change the pattern of brutality by police; police should be educated to de-escalate instead of reacting; independent investigation should be done; taser should not have been used in the jail; officers involved should be put on administrative leave; there is a lack of understanding about domestic violence. Page 1 of 3  Public input was also provided via Zoom from the following people: Tracy Chong; Linda Kwon; Danielle Chynoweth; Sarah Nixon and Emily Rodriguez. Comments included: there should be a fair independent investigation of the incident; the review of police misconduct was poor; there were missed opportunities for voluntary compliance; videos show brutal assault by officers; disturbed by officers carrying automatic weapons close to park; all charges and fees against Lewis be dropped. Comments by City Council members included: police were responding to shots fired call, not domestic violence call; council members had no information about Lewis being tased; the amount of public input concerning the incident warrants further review of it; do not want to see everyone so overcome by emotion that they fail to see a solution; discussion of the incident should take place in some sort of forum rather than during city council meetings; there should be an independent review of the incident. 5. Staff Report City Administrator Carol Mitten gave updates on current projects. She said MCORE Phase 5 began today on Green Street between McCullough and Race and it will go on until the end of November 2020. The Dr. Ellis subdivision infrastructure improvements are well underway. She discussed a couple of upcoming lighting projects that will be underway in the next few months. Ms. Mitten said as of yet there is no permanent director for Public Works, but through a recruiter, the City has two prospects for an interim director. One of the candidates could also serve as the City Engineer. Interviews will take place in the near future. There is also someone who could give temporary engineering assistance. She said the request for information on the Comprehensive Plan, revenue projections and budget preparation will be given at the next meeting. 6. Ordinance No. 2020-04-025: An Ordinance Approving A Special Use Permit (205 North High Cross Road - OSF Healthcare – Plan Case 2399-SU-20) [CC 04/27/2020] CM Jared Miller made a motion to send Ordinance No. 2020-04-025 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion was seconded by CM Bill Colbrook. There was discussion about sidewalks, and Community Development Director Lorrie Pearson confirmed that OSF would provide a sidewalk in front of the property. There was discussion about a possible future connection of the sidewalk at the intersection, for which a culvert would be required at a cost of about $120,000. There was support for having a healthcare facility and for crosswalks at the intersection of High Cross Road and East University Avenue. After discussion, the motion to send Ordinance 2020-04-025 to council with recommendation for approved was carried by voice vote. 7. Resolution No. 2020-05-021R: A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of an Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA) Grant for a Youth Employment Project (Arts & Culture Program) Arts and Culture Coordinator Rachel Storm presented this resolution. She said this grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, in the amount of $3,515 will fully support two high school age youths to work during the summer, and provide support in marketing, social media, data entry and more. The grant specifies the employment period must take place between the dates of May 15 and September 15, 2020. CM Maryalice Wu moved to send Resolution No. 2020-05-021R to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by CM Miller and carried by voice vote. 8. Ordinance No. 2020-05-026: An Ordinance Approving an Amendment to a Redevelopment Agreement by and Between the City of Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois and Green Street Page 2 of 3  Realty Co., of Ill (First Amendment – 200 Block of South Vine Street / 300 Block of East Green Street) Economic Development Manager Brandon Boys presented this ordinance and he said this would extend the redevelopment agreement for 200 Vine Street by four months, moving the completion date from December 31, 2020 to May 1, 2021. The incentives to the developer would remain the same. The developer, Chris Saunders, spoke about the project. He said there have been delays in the project due to utility work taking longer than expected, and because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr. Saunders said costs for the project have risen and finding a bank to lend the necessary amount for the project has been a challenge. In an effort to control expenses, Mr. Saunders said he would like to substitute MAC siding for the original EIFS siding. MAC siding is pre-painted with a woodgrain design, is more durable than EIFS siding, and has a 40- year warranty. Brick finishes on the exterior would remain as originally planned. Mr. Boys and Mr. Saunders responded to questions and concerns from committee members. After discussion CM Wu moved to send Ordinance No. 2020-05-026 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by CM Hursey and carried by voice vote. 9. Ordinance No. 2020-05-027: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section 3-43 (Increasing number of Class C liquor licenses for Mama Tried LLC dba The Rose Bowl Tavern, 106 N Race St, Urbana, IL) Mayor Marlin presented this ordinance. She said the Rose Bowl would like to change from a class A license to Class C package liquor license. It will reduce Class A licenses from 11 to 10 and increase Class C licenses from 22 to 23. The usual fee charged for a change in liquor license class will be waived and the license will be in effect until June 30, 2020, the end of this fiscal year. CM Miller moved to send Ordinance No. 2020-05-027 to council with recommendation for approval. Motion seconded by CM Roberts and carried by voice vote. Mayor Marlin thanked staff and the public for the success of the first Market at the Square on Saturday, May 1. She said there was total compliance with social distancing and wearing masks. 10. Adjournment With no further business to come before the council, Chair Brown adjourned the meeting at 9:39pm. Kay Meharry Assistant City Clerk This meeting was video recorded and is viewable on-demand. Minutes Approved: Page 3 of 3