City Council Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · November 15, 2021
Minutes
URBANA CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE MINUTES
DATE: Monday, November 15, 2021
TIME: 7 : 0 0 pm
PLACE: *Via ZOOM, 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,
November 15, 2021, at 7:00pm virtually via ZOOM.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor; Phyllis D. Clark, City
Clerk
ELECETED 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, Darcy Sandefur, Carol Mitten, Bourema Ouedraogo, Elizabeth Hannan,
Carla Boyd, Dave Wesner, Bryant Seraphin.
OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Hofer
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
With a quorum virtually present, Chair Wilken called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to
order at 7:00 PM.
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
November 1st Public Hearing and meeting minutes. Motion to approve as corrected by CM Wu and
seconded by CM Kolisetty.
Corrections provided via email by CM Wilken.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Quisenberry, Wilken, Bishop
NAY: None
3. Additions to the Agenda
CM Evans Motioned to include 10 minutes presentation by Brian Hofer an expert on issues
municipalities face in regards to ALPR.
Mayor Marlin pulled item number 9 Ordinance for omnibus budget #4.
CM Wilken asked to change discussion order.
Page 1 of 3
4. Discussions (Continued from November 8, 2021)
a. Procedures Related to Action Item by Council (Continued from October 18, 2021) –
CMs Bishop and Kolisetty
CM Kolisetty wanted to reiterate that this item was brought forward to prioritize clear
communications and practices. CM Bishop emphasized the importance of communication
prior to decisions being finalized. Discussion ensued.
b. Public Safety Evaluation: Scope of Work Discussion – CM Bishop
Presented by CM Bishop, reviewed public safety proposal draft provided by CM Wilken.
Goal is to examine what public safety is like now and what is needed. Asked council for
input prior to draft being given to staff. Questions and discussion ensued.
5. Public Input and Presentations
a. Presentation by Brian Hofer Executive Director of Secured Justice.
Hofer explained Secure Justice’s services. For municipalities they provide support in policy
writing and consulting on proposals for the purchase of policing technology. Shared concerns
with ALPR. Discussion and questions ensued.
b. Public Input
Allan Max Axelrod thanked CM Evans for bringing in guest speaker on ALPR, thanked CM
Bishop and CM Wilken for initiating safety review conversations. Thanked City for updates to
ALPR policy. Linda Turnbill spoke in support of ALPR. Tracy Chong expressed concerns about
dishonesty from the city of Urbana in regards to ALPR. Steve Fay spoke in support of ALPR and
urged council to consider local input. Brandi McCoy expressed concerns about citing
municipalities who have not yet implemented ALPR and also about the language used when
describing those impacted. Eddie Pratt Jr. spoke in opposition to ALPR and supported
alternatives like infrastructure investments. Julie Watkins spoke in solidarity with city workers,
asked about the FOP side letter. Audrey Ishii spoke in support of ALPR. Theresa Sweeney spoke to
her experiences with gun violence and urged council to listen to residents impacted. Ben Theobald
thanked Council for discussion with community on ALPR. Expressed concerns of effectiveness
of ALPR. Niko Johnson Fuller spoke in opposition to ALPR, expressed concerns about
effectiveness. Sarah Nixon spoke in opposition to ALPR and expressed concerns about petitions
in support of ALPR. David Young spoke in opposition to ALPR. Expressed concerns about
digital security. Luke echoed comment of opposition to ALPR. CM Hursey read a letter from Julia
Guth in support of ALPR. CM Wu read a letter from Allison Colgrove in support of ALPR. CM Hursey read
a letter from Ivan Cowing in support of ALPR.
6. Staff Report
Mayor Marlin reminded about council goal setting session on Dec 2nd and 3rd.
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7. Resolution No. 2021-11-046R: A Resolution Estimating the Tax Levy (Fiscal Year 2021-2022) –
HR/Finance
Presented by Elizabeth Hannan. Hannan shared a PowerPoint overviewing property tax basics
Motion to approve to send to council with recommendation for approval by CM Wu and seconded by
CM Hursey. Questions and discussion ensued.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Quisenberry, Wilken, Bishop
NAY: None
8. Ordinance No. 2021-09-044: An Ordinance Revising the FY2022 Annual Budget (Budget Amendment
#3) – HR/Finance
Presented by Chief Bryant Seraphin. Discussion and questions ensued.
Motion to approve to send to council by CM Hursey and seconded by CM Wu.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Hursey, Quisenberry
NAY: Evans, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken
*Motion to extend meeting to 11 by CM Hursey and seconded by CM Wu.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry
NAY: None
9. Ordinance No. 2021-11-048: An Ordinance Revising the FY 2022 Annual Budget (Budget Amendment
#4) – HR/Finance
Removed from this agenda during additions to the agenda.
10. Council Input and Communications
CM Bishop shared condolences for Janice Mitchell.
CM Wu provided update on RPC rental assistance following previous meetings council input.
CM Kolisetty shared condolences for Janice Mitchell. Thanked for progress on goal setting.
CM Quisenberry echoed condolences for Janice Mitchell.
11. Adjournment
With no other business before the committee of the whole, Chair Wilken called this meeting adjourned
at 10:59 PM.
Darcy Sandefur
Recording Secretary
This meeting was video recorded and is viewable on-demand HERE.
Minutes approved: 12/6/2021
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Agenda
URBANA CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MEETING
DATE: Monday, November 15, 2021
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: *To be held virtually via Zoom, 400 South Vine Street, Urbana, IL 61801
A G E N DA
Chair: Grace Wilken – Ward 6
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
a. November 1st, 2021 (Public Hearing and Regular Session)
3. Additions to the Agenda
4. Discussions (Continued from November 8, 2021)
a. Procedures Related to Action Items by Council (Continued from October 18, 2021)
– CMs Bishop and Kolisetty
b. Public Safety Evaluation: Scope of Work Discussion – CM Bishop
5. Public Input and Presentations
a. Public Input
6. Staff Report
7. Resolution No. 2021-11-046R: A Resolution Estimating the Tax Levy (Fiscal Year 2021-2022) –
HR/Finance
8. Ordinance No. 2021-09-044: An Ordinance Revising the FY2022 Annual Budget (Budget
Amendment #3) – HR/Finance
9. Ordinance No. 2021-11-048: An Ordinance Revising the FY 2022 Annual Budget (Budget
Amendment #4) – HR/Finance
10. Council Input and Communications
11. 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: Nov 15, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Committee of the Whole
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82579808226
Or one tap mobile:
US: +13126266799, 82579808226# or +13017158592, 82579808226#
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: 825 7980 8226
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcgAn8ajT9
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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