City Council Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · February 1, 2021
Minutes
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MINUTES
DATE: Monday, February 1, 2021
TIME: 7:00pm
PLACE: *Held virtually due to Governor’s and Mayoral Emergency Declarations
400 South Vine Street, Urbana, IL 61801
The City Council Committee of The Whole of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday,
February 1, 2021, at 7:00pm via zoom.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor; Phyllis D. Clark,
City Clerk
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: City Council Members (CM), Bill
Brown, Bill Colbrook, Shirese Hursey, *Jared Miller, Dennis Roberts, Erik Sacks, Maryalice Wu
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Wendy Hundley, Jason Liggett, Carol Mitten
OTHERS PRESENT VIA ZOOM: Allan Axelrod, Beau D. Barber, Chaundra Bishop, Elderess Melinda
Carr, Tracy Chong, Danielle Chynoweth, Rita Conerly, Colin Dodson, Brian Dunn, Christopher Hansen,
Justin Michael Hendrix, Keyarah Johnson, Julie Laut, Carol Leff, Drake Materre, Meghan McDonald, Sarah
Nixon, Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood, Dave Wesner, Grace Wilken
Chair: Bill Brown, Ward 4
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
With a quorum virtually present, Chair Bill Brown called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole
to order at 7:00pm. *CM Miller arrived after roll call
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
There was none
3. Additions to the Agenda
There were none
4. Presentations and Public Input
a. City Update presentation was removed
b. Public Input via Zoom
Comments via Zoom included: in support of anti racism resolution, and put those principal to use by
supporting the resolution drafted by the ACLU and NAACP; in support of resolution to address
racism; proceed with caution when lifting indoor dining restrictions; adopt use of force policy changes
proposed by ACLU and NAACP; interrupt illegal housing discrimination; address the long legacy of
racially biased police traffic and pedestrian stops in Urbana by adopting Durl Kruse’s proposed
resolution; update the Civilian Police Review Board ordinance and procedures; increase investment in
low-income neighborhoods and boost diversity in hiring at the City for both staff and contractors;
lack of reliable vehicles at Urbana High School for Drivers Education course; explanation of why
Adam Rusch is being removed from the ballot; the Use of Force policy from the ACLU and NAACP
are not a full representation of the public; invest in school; American Water still disconnecting
residents; consider creating an equity task force to address education, jobs, and policing; to address
structural racism the council should ask input from minority communities; ask input from what kinds
of action is the city going to take to enforce the racism resolution; make police complaint process
work; Aleyah Lewis still facing court because the Urbana Police won’t own up to their mistake; stop
killing people in Champaign-Urbana; racial policing issues; in support of gender inclusivity; the
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resolution to end structural racism is a historical document, to earn residents’ trust start by
acknowledging Ms. Lewis assault; actions speak louder than words; simplify racism resolution
language; acknowledge homelessness; Happy Black History Month
Public input via email: Edgar Garrett and Durl Kruse see attached.
5. Staff Report
Mayor Marlin read a proclamation in observance of February 2021 as African American History
month.
Mayor Marlin provided a COVID-19 update from a briefing from the White House in efforts to keep
all communities informed. Two major takeaways were the American Rescue Plan, consisting of virus
containment and emphasis on vaccinations, direct financial aid to individuals, and support for
communities. Lastly, she reported that the virus variant B117 was detected in Champaign County
through testing. In efforts to get everyone vaccinated the Old Dress Barn store has been opened to
give vaccine by appointment only to residents and they can call 217-902-6100 and no charge.
Mayor Marlin addressed question from council members about vaccine access and outreach efforts.
6. Resolution No. 2021-02-005R: A Resolution Committing to End Structural Racism and Achieve
Racial Equity – CM Hursey/Wu
CM Hursey and Wu introduced Resolution No, 2021-02-005R with the recommendation for approval,
they said that the purpose of this resolution is not an action item but a first step to create awareness
that structural racism exists.
CM Hursey made a motion to send Resolution No 2021-02-005R to council with the recommendation
for approval. Seconded by CM Wu and carried by roll call vote. Brief discussion took place about the
historical timeline, language simplicity, and grammatical errors. CM Miller will send edits prior to final
vote.
Ayes: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Sacks, Wu
Nays: None
7. Council Input and Communications
CM Miller brought forth concerns about parking tickets being issued to residents in the Vawter, Silver
Street. Can Covid money be used to offset these fines for the low income residents who cannot afford
to pay parking ticket.
CM Hursey asked about water shut offs, illegal evictions, and asked what the city is doing about these
issues.
Mayor Marlin and City Administrator Carol Mitten addressed these questions and said that the eviction
moratorium is still in place statewide. As far as the water shutoffs Mitten will reach out to Rick Manner
of Urbana and Champaign Sanitary District.
8. Adjournment
With no further business before the committee, Chair Brown adjourned the virtual meeting at 8:43pm.
Wendy M. Hundley
Deputy City Clerk
This meeting was video recorded and is viewable on-demand HERE.
Minutes approved: March 1, 2021
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Agenda
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
OF THE WHOLE MEETING
DATE: Monday, February 1, 2021
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: *To be held virtually via Zoom, 400 South Vine Street, Urbana, IL 61801
AGENDA
Chair: Bill Brown, Ward 4
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
3. Additions to the Agenda
4. Public Input and Presentations
a. Presentation
1. City Update – Mayor
b. Public Input
5. Staff Report
6. Resolution No. 2021-02-005R: A Resolution Committing to End Structural Racism and Achieve
Racial Equity – CM Hursey/Wu
7. Council Input and Communications
8. Adjournment
*Due to the Governor Pritzker and Mayoral Emergency Covid-19 Orders, the Urbana City Council
Chambers will be not be open to the public during this meeting. Council Members will meet remotely
using Zoom Webinar. You may watch the meeting on streaming services, or on Urbana Public Television,
or attend via Zoom.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Feb 1, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Urbana City Council’s Committee of the Whole
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86443915789
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13126266799,,86443915789# or +19292056099,,86443915789#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215
8782 or +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 864 4391 5789
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kufyx1DKR
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PUBLIC INPUT
The City of Urbana welcomes Public Input during open meetings of the City Council, the City Council’s
Committee of the Whole, City Boards and Commissions and other City-sponsored meetings. Our goal is to
foster respect for the meeting process, and respect for all people participating as members of the public body,
city staff, and general public. The City is required to conduct all business during public meetings. The presiding
officer is responsible for conducting those meetings in an orderly and efficient manner.
Public Input will be taken in the following ways:
Zoom Webinar Participant
Click on the link listed in the agenda to join the Webinar. You must provide your name and email address in
order to join the Webinar. If you wish to speak during Public Input, “raise your hand” and wait to be called on
by the meeting host. You must state your first and last name for the meeting record. Participants will be
muted except when they are called on to speak; video will remain off for all members of the public when
speaking.
Telephone Participant
Call the phone number listed on the Agenda. Enter the Webinar ID followed by the # key. All callers are muted
by default. If you wish to speak, “raise your hand” by pressing *9 once. When you are called on by the host or
presiding officer you will be un-muted. You must state your first name and last name for the meeting record.
Email Input
Public comments must be received prior to the closing of the meeting record (at the time of adjournment
unless otherwise noted) at the following: citycouncil@urbanaillinois.us. The subject line of the email must
include the words “PUBLIC INPUT” and the meeting date. Your email will be sent to all City Council members,
the Mayor, City Administrator, and City Clerk. Emailed public comments labeled as such will be incorporated
into the public meeting record, with personal identifying information redacted. Copies of emails will be posted
after the meeting minutes have been approved.
Written Input
Any member of the public may submit their comments addressed to the members of the public body in
writing. If a person wishes their written comments to be included in the record of Public Input for the meeting,
the writing should so state. Written comments must be received prior to the closing of the meeting record (at
the time of adjournment unless otherwise noted).
Verbal Input
Protocol for Public Input is one of respect for the process, and respect for others. Ridicule, obscene or profane
language, lack of respect for others, and personal attacks are not acceptable behavior. Public Input shall not be
used to air personal grievances. Speakers should address all comments to the public body as a whole and not
to individual members or City staff.
Public comment shall be limited to no more than four (4) minutes per person. The Public Input portion of the
meeting shall total no more than one (1) hour, unless otherwise shortened or extended by majority vote of the
public body members present. The presiding officer or the city clerk or their designee, shall monitor each
speaker's use of time and shall notify the speaker when the allotted time has expired. All public comments
should be addressed to the public body as a whole. A person may participate and provide Public Input once
during a meeting and may not cede time to another person, or split their time if Public Input is held at two (2)
or more different times during a meeting. The presiding officer may give priority to those persons who indicate
they wish to speak on an agenda item upon which a vote will be taken.
The presiding officer or public body members shall not enter into a dialogue with citizens. Questions from the
public body members shall be for clarification purposes only. Public Input shall not be used as a time for
problem solving or reacting to comments made but, rather, for hearing citizens for informational purposes
only.
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Accommodation
If an accommodation is needed to participate in a City meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s
Office at least 48 hours in advance so that special arrangements can be made using one of the following
methods:
Phone: 217.384.2366
Email: CityClerk@urbanaillinois.us
*In order to maintain reasonable decorum at a public meeting, the presiding officer of the meeting shall have
the authority to raise a point of order and provide a verbal warning to a speaker who uses abusive, harassing,
threatening, or defamatory language, or who engages in disorderly conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or
otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of a meeting. Any member of the public body participating in the
meeting also may raise a point of order with the presiding officer and request that they provide a verbal
warning to a speaker. If the speaker refuses to cease such remarks or conduct after being warned by the
presiding officer, the presiding officer shall have the authority to mute the speaker’s microphone and/or video
presence at the meeting. The presiding officer will inform the speaker that they may send the remainder of
their remarks via email to the public body for inclusion in the meeting record.
*Definitions of Types of Language and Conduct That May Warrant Verbal Warning:
“Abusive” means harsh, violent, profane, or derogatory language which would demean the dignity of an
individual or which is intended to humiliate, mock, insult or belittle an individual.
https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/abusive-language
“Harassing” means to annoy or bother someone in a constant or repeated way; to make repeated attacks on
another person.
https://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/harass
“Threatening” means to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted especially
in order to make someone do what you want.
https://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/threaten
“Defamatory” means a statement or communication that tends to harm a person's reputation by subjecting
the person to public contempt, disgrace, or ridicule, or by adversely affecting the person's business. A
statement that is likely to lower that person in the estimation of reasonable people and in particular to cause
that person to be regarded with feelings of hatred, contempt, ridicule, fear, or dislike.
Black's Law Dictionary (11th ed. 2019)
Citations that Authorize the Presiding Officer to Bar Offensive Language During Public Comment:
The following citations provide the legal basis for adopting UCC Section 2-5(b)(1)(d) that allows the presiding
officer of a City Council, Committee of the Whole, or a City-sponsored board or commission regulate “abusive,
harassing, threatening, or defamatory language” during public comment. The following Attorney General
binding opinions and case law essentially classify abusive, “harassing, threatening and defamatory language as
“manner”, not “content”, of speech that can be reasonably regulated under the First Amendment. UCC Section
2-5(c) (Ordinance No. 2020-09-049. Attorney General binding opinion numbers 2019 PAC 59187, 2018 PAC
55462, 2016 PAC 45349; Milestone v. City of Monroe, Wisconsin, 665 F.3d 774, 783-784 (7th Cir. 2011); Vega v.
Chicago Board of Education, 338 F.Supp.3d 806, 811 (N.D. Ill. 2018); Sandefur v. Vill. of Hanover Park, 862
F.Supp.2d 840, 847 (N.D. Ill. 2012); I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F.Supp.2d 912, 920-923
(D.C. N.D. 2009).
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact the City of
Urbana's Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 217-384-2366.
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