City Council Regular Meeting

URBANA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DATE: Monday, December 14, 2020 TIME: 7:00 P.M. PLACE: *Held virtually due to Governor’s and Mayoral Emergency Declarations The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, December 14, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Urbana City Council Chambers, 400 South Vine Street, Urbana, IL 61801 ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor; Phyllis D. Clark, City Clerk ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA ZOOM: City Council Members (CM) Bill Brown, Bill Colbrook, Shirese Hursey, Jared Miller, Dennis Roberts, Maryalice Wu ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None, Vacant, Ward 2 STAFF PRESENT VIRTUALLY: Shaennon Clark, Sheila Dodd, Elizabeth Hannan, Wendy Hundley, Jason Liggett, Stepheny McMahon, Carol Mitten, Lorrie Pearson, Marcus Ricci, Andrea Ruedi, James Simon, Darius White, Lily Wilcock OTHERS PRESENT VIA ZOOM: Allan Axelrod, Tracy Chong, Steven Drake, Joseph Edwards, Christopher Hansen, Gabriel Lewis, Rick Manner, Sarah Nixon, Minnie Pearson, Joey Rosecrance, Erik Sacks A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL There being a quorum virtually present, Mayor Marlin called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:41pm following Cunningham Township Board meeting. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING CM Miller made a motion to approve minutes from the November 9, 2020 and November 23, 2020. Motion seconded by CM Colbrook, after corrections the motion carried by roll call vote as follows: Aye: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nay: None C. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA There was none D. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INPUT 1. Presentations a. Ward 2 Candidate Statements 1. Steve Drake 2. Joseph Edwards 3. Christopher Hansen 4. Erik Sacks Mayor Marlin introduced ward 2 applicants followed by statements from each candidate about the reason why they would like to serve on the Urbana City Council. Additionally, Mayor Marlin thanked each candidate and said that a new appointee would be selected at a Special Meeting next week followed by a virtual oath of office. Page 1 of 6 Mayor Marlin and Community Development Coordinator Stepheny McMahon (was not able to speak due to technical difficulties) introduced Darius White Community Development Coordinator, formerly of Urbana Business Association, he addressed the board to express his enthusiast for the opportunity to continue working with local businesses. b. Comprehensive Plan – Andrea Ruedi City Administrator Carol Mitten introduced Andrea Ruedi and Lily Wilcock and acknowledged their hard work during this unprecedented times. Mitten emphasized Ruedi’s leadership with the team. Senior Advisor for Integrated Strategy Development Andrea Ruedi began the presentation by reiterating the comprehensive plan, process, branding, frame work and engagement tools, and how the City will strategize to help make that vision a reality while engaging the community in the process. After the presentation, Mitten, Ruedi, and Planner Wilcock addressed questions from council about, other agency partnership work, youth involvement, and what does the community outreach efforts look like. 2. Public Input Public input via zoom from the following people: Allan Axelrod, Tracy Chong, Christopher Hansen, Sarah Nixon, Some of the comments included: quality of water from Illinois American Water and continuous shutoffs, vacant housing issues, public access, ongoing FOIA violation issues, public speaking, virtual meeting definition, sanction council members for disclosing closed session, when is the City going to provide clarification about the Aleyah Lewis case, clarify public input rules, lack of transparency, one door program needs more clarification, CU at Home hand-picked by UPD to run a program that is supposed to help people during their most vulnerable moments, we are working with an organization whose mission philosophy is homophobic, transphobic, and vilifies any religious or spiritual path that is not biblical fundamentalist, where do you stand on inclusivity? No Public Input via email E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was none F. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES Committee Of The Whole – (Council Member Bill Colbrook) 1. CONSENT AGENDA All matters listed under the CONSENT AGENDA are considered to be routine and non- controversial by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and roll call vote. There will be no individual discussion of these items. If discussion is desired by the Mayor, council members, or a member of the public, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and discussed immediately after approval of the remaining items in the Consent Agenda a. Resolution No. 2020-12-064R: A Resolution Certifying a Community Housing Development Organization for the Urbana Home Consortium (Habitat July 2020) b. Resolution No. 2020-12-065R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Urbana Home Consortium Community Housing Development Organization Agreement (Habitat CHDO Operating PY 2020) c. Resolution No. 2020-12-066R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution Page 2 of 6  of an Urbana Home Consortium Community Housing Development Organization Agreement (Habitat CHDO Developer PY 2020) For the committee, CM Colbrook read items (a-c) and made a motion to approve as read, seconded by CM Wu and carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None 2. REGULAR AGENDA a. Ordinance No. 2020-12-068: An Ordinance Ratifying Emergency Order 20-11 (Temporary Ban of On-Premises Indoor Consumption of Food and Beverages to Include Alcoholic Liquor within City of Urbana Corporate Limits) CM Colbrook made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-12-068 as forwarded from committee with pending changes. Mayor Marlin clarified the changes that have to do with expiration date and typo errors. After corrections, the motion was seconded by CM Roberts and carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None b. Ordinance No. 2020-12-069: An Ordinance Ratifying Emergency Order 20-12 (Authorizing Participation in Urbana & Champaign Sanitary District COVID-19 Related Financial Assistance Program Regarding Sanitary Sewer & Stormwater Utility Bills) CM Colbrook made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-12-069 as forwarded from committee with no recommendation pending clarification from Urbana Champaign Sanitary District (UCSD). Seconded by CM Hursey, discussion ensued. UCSD Executive Director Rick Manner addressed questions from council that were raised at the Committee of the Whole meeting in regards to logistics of the program, eligibility, income verification process with Regional Planning Commission, how to apply for program, average household bill, number of delinquent households, payment plans for households who owe more than $100.00 until they get caught up, current grant limit is set for $50, and consequences to property owner for not paying. CM Miller suggested tracking households who owe more than the allowed grant amount and referred them to Cunningham Township Supervisor’s Office for additional assistance. After extensive discussion, the motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-12-069 carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None c. Ordinance No. 2020-12-072: An Ordinance Revising the Annual Budget Ordinance (Budget Amendment #4 – Omnibus) CM Colbrook made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-12-072 as forwarded from committee. Seconded by CM Roberts. CM Wu clarified that the General Fund is not being increased by half a million dollars. Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan said that it will be a decrease of $6,200 in Fund Balance in the General Fund. After clarification, the motion carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Page 3 of 6  Nays: None d. Resolution No. 2020-12-061R: A Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Race Street Resurfacing Project) CM Colbrook made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2020-12-061R as forwarded from committee. Seconded by CM Wu and carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None e. Resolution No. 2020-12-062R: A Resolution Approving an Emergency Solutions Grants Program Subrecipient Agreement with CU at Home (FY 2020-2021) CM Colbrook made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2020-12-062R as forwarded from committee. Seconded by CM Roberts and carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None f. Resolution No. 2020-12-063R: A Resolution Approving an Emergency Solutions Grants Program Subrecipient Agreement with Cunningham Township (FY 2020-2021) CM Colbrook made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2020-12-063R as forwarded from committee. Seconded by CM Wu and carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None g. Resolution No. 2020-12-067R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Community Partnership Agreement (Rosecrance Inc., One Door Program Director) CM Colbrook made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2020-12-067R as forwarded from committee. Seconded by CM Wu. Mayor Marlin provided some clarification about a question that was asked about community involvement in the development of the One Door program. Lieutenant Sanders provided the information to Council via email. Mayor Marlin read the names of all of the agencies who participated in the process. Mayor reminded council that this is a pilot program. Discussion ensued. After discussion and clarification the motion carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None G. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES There were none H. REPORTS OF OFFICERS City Administrator Carol Mitten provided answers to follow up questions from last week’s meeting in regards to potholes, sidewalk snow removal. Mayor Marlin announced the Office of Senator Tammy Duckworth invited Mayors of Central Illinois for a 30 minute meeting Wednesday, December 16 to learn about the economic impact of COVID to municipalities. Local leaders continue to meet with the University of Illinois for the possibility of expanding the saliva test to the community. This will be a strategic roll process to identity the most vulnerable population with possible CURES money. The first shipment of vaccine is underway this week to be given to healthcare workers and long term care facilities. Page 4 of 6 I. NEW BUSINESS 1. Mayoral Staff Appointment a. Deputy Finance Director – Shaennon Clark Mayor Marlin introduced the appointment of Shaennon Clark for Deputy Finance Director. Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan introduced Shaennon Clark and expressed how excited the City is to welcome her. Shaennon addressed the council and thanked everyone for the opportunity to become part of the team. **The approval of the appointment was omitted and rectified*** CM Hursey made a motion to approve the appointment as presented. Seconded by CM Colbrook and carried by roll call vote: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None 2. Resolution No. 2020-12-068R: A Resolution Accepting the Urbana Kickapoo Rail Trail Extension Study Regional Planning Planner Gabriel Lewis presented the Urbana Kickapoo Rail Trail (KRT) Extension Study. He provided an overview summary of the process for getting the study done. The purpose of this study is to analyze the potential of extending the existing KRT westward from its current terminus in East Urbana through Downtown Urbana to Lincoln Avenue. This study addresses the City of Urbana City Council and Mayor Priority for 2018-2021 to “expand connectivity of the Kickapoo Rail Trail with a focus between Vine Street and Lincoln Avenue.” CM Brown made a motion to approved Resolution No. 2020-12-068R as presented. Seconded by CM Colbrook. After the presentation, Lewis addressed questions from council. Mayor Marlin thanked RPC for taking the lead on this project and for applying for funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation, and to Carle for providing the $25,000 required match that the City did not have. This is a project that is long term, but the visibility study is the first step and the project would not move forward without it. Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None 3. Ordinance No. 2020-12-073: An Ordinance Levying Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021 Finance Director Elizabeth Hannan presented Ordinance No. 2020-12-073, Ordinance No. 2020-12-074, and Ordinance 2020-12-075. She said that the council needs to approve the following three ordinances in order to finalize the process. The first ordinance would levy taxes for 2020 and to be collected in 2021. The second ordinance will abate the levy to maintain the current rate of $1.3499, and the third ordinance is to abate debt service payment for the general obligation bonds. CM Roberts made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-12-073 as presented. Seconded by CM Brown and carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None Page 5 of 6  4. Ordinance No. 2020-12-074: An Ordinance Directing the Champaign County Clerk to Abate the Tax Levy for the General Corporate Fund for the Tax Year beginning July 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2020 CM Wu made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-12-074 as presented. Seconded by CM Hursey and carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None 5. Ordinance No. 2020-12-075: An Ordinance Directing the Champaign County Clerk to Abate a portion of the 2020 Tax Levy Related to General Obligation Bonds, Series 2012, and General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014 CM Roberts made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-12-075 as presented. Seconded by CM Hursey and carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nays: None J. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the council, Mayor Marlin adjourned the virtual meeting at 9:51 p.m. Wendy M. Hundley______ Deputy City Clerk This meeting was video recorded and is viewable on-demand. Minutes Approved: January 4, 2021 Page 6 of 6