City Council Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · October 11, 2021
Minutes
CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
MINUTES
DATE: Monday, October 11, 2021
TIME: 7: 0 0 pm
PLACE: *Virtually Via Zoom, 400 South Vine Street, Urbana, IL 61801
The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, October 11, 2021, at
7:00pm.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor; Phyllis D. Clark, City
Clerk
ELECTED OFFICIALS VIRTUALLY PRESENT: CM Maryalice Wu, CM Christopher Evans, CM
Shirese Hursey, CM Jaya Kolisetty, CM Chaundra Bishop, CM Grace Wilken, CM James Quisenberry
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Jason Liggett, Dave Wesner, Bourema Ouedraogo, Carol Mitten, William
Koloschowsky, Sheila Dodd, Tim Cowan
OTHERS PRESENT:
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
With a quorum virtually present, Chair Mayor Marlin called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to
order at 8:10 PM.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
June 21st, 2021 Public Hearing and September 13th, 2021
Motion to approve by CM Wu. Seconded by CM Kolisetty.
CM Wilken and CM Hursey provided the clerk’s office with corrections.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry
NAY:
3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
None
4. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INPUT
Indigenous Peoples Day Proclamation made by Mayor Marlin who read an excerpt from a publication of
Ingenious Illinois: the history of ingenious tribes in and around Champaign County.
Eviction Crisis in Champaign County
Presented by Collin Dodson and Hrant Kebantsi from the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Provided
a timeline of the eviction crisis locally. Provided a background of local efforts made to prevent evictions.
Compiled statistics on local debt owed towards rent. Provided the council with action items to help
address the eviction crisis.
*Motion to extend presentation by CM Wu and seconded by CM Wilken.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry
NAY: None.
Presented resumed the presentation and outlined issues within the current aide systems.
Public Input: Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood asked for more quantitative data on ALPR. Urged the council to
take additional time to examine quantitative data. Christopher Hanson was called upon and didn’t provide
input. Tracy Chong asked how she would be able to play a video for public input as someone did last
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week. Expressed concerns about the conflict between the human rights ordinance and the FOP contract
limiting CPRB membership. Eddie Pratt Jr. spoke in solidarity with the PSL regarding eviction
moratorium. Urged council to take stronger action. Ben Theobald urged the council to take action with the
county sheriff’s office about the eviction moratorium. Allan Max Axelrod asked Tim Cowan to follow up
with his public comment from last week. Reviewed efforts made by PSL to address eviction moratorium
including local elected who have signed petitions to urge the Sheriff to halt evictions. Sarah Nixon
thanked members of the public for their involvement. Commented on Supervisor Chynoweths
comments following public input in township meeting. Julie Watkins agrees with other public comment
and the presentation regarding eviction moratorium.
5. COUNCIL INPUT AND COMMUNICATIONS
CM Bishop thanked PSL for highlighting the eviction issues. Read letter Council sent to Sherriff
Huerman to dissuade him from enforcing evictions. Proposed having a discussion about communication
between council and administrations. CM Wu thanked CM Bishop for her efforts in producing the
letter to the sheriff. Announced she has scheduled a meeting to follow up on concerns with rental
assistance programs. CM Quisenberry also thanked CM Bishop for her efforts with the letter and
thanked CM Wu for following up on complaints about rental assistance issues. Wanted to follow up on
comments made previously at township board regarding roles and responsibilities. CM Kolisetty started
input by naming and acknowledging the tribes whose land we currently occupy. Suggested council
follow up with the University for how to honor these commitments. Wanted to know why some
community members are allowed to share video input and not others. Expressed concern about errors
within minute records and communication about correction. CM Wilken thanked those involved with
presentation today and to those involved with the preparation of the letter sent to Sherriff. Is interested
in drafting something stronger to send to the sheriff on evictions. Wanted to follow up on council
priorities special meeting. Shared ways to honor Indigenous people’s day. CM Hursey thanked CM
Bishop for her diligence. Echoed concerns about evictions. Urged public to also take eviction
moratorium proposals to the county board as they have greater opportunities to respond. In response to
previous comment made about the NAACP not representing the black community, Hursey said that it’s
a national organization that has been around 1920s that has always recognized violence against black
people. Ended remarks stating a black man was shot on Saturday. Mayor Marlin shared that later in the
meeting Carol will provide an update on many of the questions raised. Wanted to provide clarification
on mental health hotline legislation in regards to the co-responder model comment from last week.
Clarified video input not being part of public input.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
7. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Committee Of The Whole (Council Member Shirese Hursey – Ward 3)
1. CONSENT AGENDA
None.
2. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Resolution No. 2021-10-043R: A Resolution Approving the Urbana HOME Consortium
Community Housing Development Organization Agreement (Habitat CHDO Developer FY 2020) –
CD
Presented by CM Hursey.
Motion to approve by CM Hursey and seconded by CM Bishop. Discussion ensued.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry
NAY: None
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8. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
None.
9. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
Mayor Marlin announced the ALPR Town Hall meetings cohosted with NAACP. Announced the back
to business grants from the state of Illinois. Carol Mitton reported that they will be sharing a proposal
from the facilitator to have council goal setting conversations. Those meetings will be later in November
or early December. Provided an update on the challenges of staffing the city is facing. Announced new
arrivals to the Public Works department. Announced new UPTV production coordinator Borame.
Provided data on staffing situation. Questions and discussion ensued. William Kolschowsky provided an
update on ARPA timeline. Explained opportunities for council and public input opportunities. Sheila
Dodd helped answer questions.
10. NEW BUSINESS
Mayoral Appointments
a. Staff Appointment
1. City Engineer – John Zeman
Presented by Mayor Marlin and Public Works director Tim Cowan. Mayor Marlin read a description of
qualifications and background.
Motion to approve by CM Wu and seconded by CM Hursey. Discussion ensued.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Quisenberry
NAY: None
PRESENT: Wilken
b. Board and Commission Appointment
1. Urbana Arts and Culture Commission
– Heather Rose
- Howard Schein
- Blair Ebony Smith
Presented by Mayor Marlin. Mayor Marlin read their background and qualifications.
Motion to approve by CM Bishop and seconded by CM Kolisetty.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry
NAY: None
11. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the Urbana City Council Chair Marlin adjourned this meeting at 10:08
P.M.
Darcy Sandefur
Recording Secretary
This meeting was video recorded and is viewable on-demand HERE.
Minutes approved: 11/08/2021
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Agenda
URBANA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DATE: Monday, October 11, 2021
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
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 PREVIOUS MEETING
1. June 21st, 2021 Public Hearing
2. September 13th, 2021
C. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
D. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INPUT
1. Indigenous Peoples Day Proclamation
2. Eviction Crisis in Champaign County – CM Bishop, CM Wilken and the
Party for Social Liberation-Champaign Urbana
3. Public Input
E. COUNCIL INPUT AND COMMUNICATIONS
F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
G. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Committee Of The Whole (Council Member Shirese Hursey – Ward 3)
1. CONSENT AGENDA
2. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Resolution No. 2021-09-043R: A Resolution Approving the Urbana HOME Consortium
Community Housing Development Organization Agreement (Habitat CHDO Developer
FY 2020) – CD
H. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
I. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
J. NEW BUSINESS
1. Mayoral Appointments
a. Staff Appointment – City Engineer – John Zeman
b. Board and Commission Appointments
Urbana Arts and Culture Commission
- Sarah Buckman
- Heather Rose
- Howard Schein
- Blair Ebony Smith
K. ADJOURNMENT
* Pursuant to the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation and the Declaration of Emergency for the
City of Urbana, Illinois related to the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with changes to the
Open Meetings Act (Public Act (P.A. 101-0640), it has been determined that an in-person public
meeting is not prudent or safe at this time. Members of the public body will attend remotely using
Zoom Webinar. Members of the public may attend via Zoom or view meetings remotely on Urbana
Public Television through Comcast Xfinity on Channels 6 and 1096, i3 Broadband on channel 6,
AT&T U-Verse on channel 99 and streamed on the web (https://livestream.com/urbana).
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Oct 11, 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/82283787517
Or one tap mobile:
US: +13126266799, 82283787517# or +19292056099, 82283787517#
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: 822 8378 7517
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kE4pbgAB
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 the 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 of addressing the business of the City.
Obscene or profane language, or other conduct that threatens to impede the orderly progress of the
business conducted at the meeting is unacceptable.
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. 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.
In order to maintain the efficient and orderly conduct and progress of the 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 engages in the conduct or behavior proscribed under “Verbal
Input”. Any member of the public body participating in the meeting may also 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 conduct or behavior 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 e-mail to the public body for inclusion in the meeting record.
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
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