City Council Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · March 22, 2021
Minutes
CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
DATE: Monday, March 22, 2021
TIME: 6:30 P.M.
PLACE: *Held virtually due to Governor’s and Mayoral Emergency Orders
The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, March 22, at 6:30pm 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: Elizabeth Hannan, Jason Liggett, Kay Meharry, Carol Mitten, Dave Wesner
OTHERS PRESENT VIA ZOOM: Celeste Choate, Pete Resnick, Frances Rigberg; Council Member
Training: Chaundra Bishop, Colin Dodson, Christopher Evans, Mike Kobel, Jaya Kolisetty, James
Quisenberry, Grace Wilken; Public Input via Zoom: Allan Max Axelrod; Tracy Chong, Colin Dodson,
Christopher Hansen, Meghan McDonald, Sarah Nixon
A. Call to Order and Roll Call
With a quorum virtually present, Mayor Marlin called the meeting of the City Council to order at
6:40pm, following a special Cunningham Town Board meeting
B. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
CM Wu made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 22, 2021 meeting. Motion
seconded by CM Hursey and carried by roll call vote as follows:
Aye: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Sacks, Wu
Nay: None
C. Presentations and Public Input
1. Council Member Training Session – The Urbana Free Library
Urbana Free Library Executive Director Celeste Choate gave an overview of the library and explained
its relationship to the City of Urbana. After her presentation, she responded to questions from council
members.
2. Public Input via Zoom
Public Input via Zoom: The Illinois Commerce Commission announced they will resume utility shut-offs;
it is important to keep track of the shut-offs in each community; keep community members safe and
approve the resolutions for First Followers; job applicants could be intimidated by a requirement on
job applications for background checks; the current FOIA Officer should be posted on the City
website; thanks to Jared for bringing up the One Door program; another CPRB board member is
resigning; CPRB board appointments are not open to those with criminal records.
D. Council Input and Communications
There was no council input.
E Additions to the Agenda
There were no additions to the agenda.
**Mayor Marlin announced that one item would be taken off of the agenda, under item J. New
Business, Ordinance No. 2021-03-009. She said for legal reasons Council would not be able to
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reconsider at this meeting and Community Development would have to work on a way to bring it
back.
F. Unfinished Business
There was none.
G. Reports of Standing Committees
Committee of the Whole – Council Member Jared Miller
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
1. Consent Agenda
a. Resolution No. 2021-03-011R: A Resolution Approving a City of Urbana Community
Development Block Grant Program Agreement (Champaign County Health Care Consumers
COVID-19 Assistance)
b. Resolution No. 2021-03-012R: A Resolution Certifying a Community Housing Development
Organization for the Urbana Home Consortium (First Followers PY 2020)
c. Resolution No. 2021-03-013R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an
Urbana Home Consortium Community Housing Development Organization Agreement (First
Followers CHDO Operating PY 2020)
d. Resolution No. 2021-03-014R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an
Urbana Home Consortium Community Housing Development Organization Agreement (First
Followers CHDO Developer PY 2020)
e. Ordinance No. 2021-03-011: An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit (701 E. Florida Ave.
/ Plan Case 2415-S-21 – Trinity Lutheran Church)
f. Ordinance No. 2021-03-012: An Ordinance Amending Schedule J of Section 23-172 of the
Urbana Local Traffic Code Establishing Curb Loading Zones on Certain Streets (Clark Street)
CM Miller moved to approve the Consent Agenda as forwarded from Committee. Motion
seconded by CM Wu and carried by roll call vote as follows:
Aye: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Miller, Roberts, Sacks, Wu
Nay: None
2. Regular Agenda
H. Reports of Special Committees
There were none.
I. Reports of Officers
Mayor Marlin announced that the County Board voted last week to provide short term funding to cover
the shortfalls of the Regional Planning Commission that were due to audits not being completed. They are
working with the county officials and the auditor and treasurer’s office to finish the audit reports.
J. New Business
**1. Ordinance No. 2021-03-009: An Ordinance Approving a Major Variance (Garage at 213 West
Illinois Street / ZBA Case No. 2021-MAJ-01)
This item was removed from the agenda. See item E. Additions to the Agenda.
2. Discussion: City of Urbana Use of Criminal Background Checks
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Finance/Human Resources Director Elizabeth Hannan, began the presentation by explaining the
relevant ordinance language, guidelines on the enforcement of prior convictions as protected class,
factors to weigh for denial, and city practices.
City Administrator Carol Mitten then discussed the initial complaint that led to the discussion
about the jurisdiction of the Human Relations Commission (HRC), and changes that have been
made to job ads for positions requiring background checks.
There was extensive discussion about the wording of ads for positions and whether or not wording
should be included that states a criminal background check will be run. HRC members Pete
Resnick and Frances Rigberg joined the discussion and responded to questions from council
members. City Attorney Dave Wesner was also present and joined the discussion.
Mayor Marlin summarized the discussion:
• It is very important for the City to be transparent in the practices it follows.
• The City needs to be consistent in hiring process.
• At what point in process should applicant be informed about background check if one is
required.
• Check on what the state law is and whether there is a home rule exemption.
• Include more information on City website regarding hiring process.
K. Adjournment
With no further business before council, Mayor Marlin declared this virtual meeting adjourned at
8:52pm.
Kay Meharry
Recording Secretary
This meeting was recorded and is viewable on-demand.
Minutes Approved: April 12, 2021
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Agenda
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DATE: Monday, March 22, 2021
TIME: 6:30pm
PLACE: *to be held virtually via Zoom (400 S. Vine St., Urbana, IL 61801)
AGENDA
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
1. February 22, 2021
C. *PUBLIC INPUT AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Council Member Training Session – The Urbana Free Library
2. Public Input
D. COUNCIL INPUT AND COMMUNICATIONS
E. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
G. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Committee Of The Whole – Council Member Jared Miller
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
1. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Resolution No. 2021-03-011R: A Resolution Approving a City of Urbana Community
Development Block Grant Program Agreement (Champaign County Health Care Consumers
COVID-19 Assistance) – CD
b. Resolution No. 2021-03-012R: A Resolution Certifying a Community Housing Development
Organization for the Urbana Home Consortium (First Followers PY 2020) – CD
c. Resolution No. 2021-03-013R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an
Urbana Home Consortium Community Housing Development Organization Agreement (First
Followers CHDO Operating PY 2020) – CD
d. Resolution No. 2021-03-014R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an
Urbana Home Consortium Community Housing Development Organization Agreement (First
Followers CHDO Developer PY 2020) – CD
e. Ordinance No. 2021-03-011: An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit (701 E. Florida Ave.
/ Plan Case 2415-S-21 – Trinity Lutheran Church) – CD
f. Ordinance No. 2021-03-012: An Ordinance Amending Schedule J of Section 23-172 of the
Urbana Local Traffic Code Establishing Curb Loading Zones on Certain Streets (Clark Street) - PW
2. REGULAR AGENDA
H. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
I. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
J. NEW BUSINESS
1. Ordinance No. 2021-03-009: An Ordinance Approving a Major Variance (Garage at 213 West Illinois
Street / ZBA Case No. 2021-MAJ-01) – For Reconsideration by CM Miller and CM Roberts
2. Discussion: City of Urbana Use of Criminal Background Checks
K. 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: Mar 22, 2021 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Cunningham Township Board / Urbana City Council
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88259055870
Or iPhone one-tap : US: +13126266799,,88259055870# or +13017158592,,88259055870#
Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 312 626 6799 or
+1 301 715 8592 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833
Webinar ID: 882 5905 5870
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbs7AomJKy
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.
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).
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