City Council Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · December 6, 2021
Minutes
URBANA CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE MINUTES
DATE: Monday, December 6, 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,
December 6, 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: Darcy Sandefur, Carol Mitten, Bourema Ouedraogo, Elizabeth Hannan, Carla Boyd,
Dave Wesner, Bryant Seraphin, Tim Cowan, Vince Gustafson, Stepheny McMahon, Alyana Robinson,
Rachel Storm, Demond Dade, Breaden Belcher, Sheila Dodd
OTHERS PRESENT:
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
With a quorum virtually present, Chair Quisenberry called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole
to order at 7:00 PM.
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
November 15th minutes. Motion to approve as corrected by CM Wilken and seconded by CM Wu.
Corrections by Mayor Marlin.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Quisenberry, Hursey, Evans, Bishop, Kolisetty, Wilken
NAY: None
3. Additions to the Agenda
None.
4. Public Input and Presentations
a. Public Input
Jonathan Blake was not able to speak at that time. Sarah Nixon expressed concerns about
budget amendment #4. Expressed concerns about local news media unfairly addressing council.
Shared thoughts on local gun violence. Alvaro Molina expressed concerns about garbage in
local cities parking lots. Asked about possibility of plastic ban. Allan Max Axelrod spoke in
solidarity with Alvaro for environmental activism. Asked council to consider providing eviction
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prevention assistance. Dean Hazen read statement in support of purchasing ALPR and
changing policing techniques to address growing gun violence. Jonathan Blake shared thoughts
on gun violence. Expressed frustration with council not addressing gun violence. Hrant
Kebantsi provided update on eviction prevention organizing efforts.
5. Staff Report
a. AARP Community Gardens Grant
Presented by Rachel Storm from the Community Development Department. Shared a power
point presentation. Talked about the AARP community challenge grant and the growing
communities’ garden initiative. Shared goals of the project and discussed scope of project.
Rachel shared a video on the Urbana Gardens project. Questions and discussion followed.
b. Equity and Quality of Life Infrastructure Program
Presented by Carol Mitten City Administrator. Project is intended to be broken into smaller
tasks. Provided background information on project and shared the link to the website and a
PowerPoint presentation. Informed public of how to share proposals for this project. Questions
and discussion ensued.
6. Ordinance No. 2021-11-048: An Ordinance Revising the FY 2022 Annual Budget (Budget Amendment
#4) – HR/Finance
Presented by Alyana Robinson from the Finance Department. Explained the composition of the budget
amendment. Discussion and questions ensued. Elizabeth Hannan, Tim Cowan, and Sheila Dodd helped
answer questions.
Motion to approve to the regular agenda by CM Wu and second by CM Hursey.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisneberry, Mayor Marlin
NAY: None
7. Resolution No. 2021-12-047R: A Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code (State
Motor Fuel Tax for West Windsor Road Resurfacing Project) – PW
Presented by Tim Cowan Public Works Director. Starting the Windsor Rd resurfacing project.
Questions and Discussion ensued.
Motion to approve to send to consent agenda by CM Hursey and second by CM Kolisetty.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Quisenberry, Wilken, Bishop, Hursey, Kolisetty, Evans
NAY: None
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8. Resolution No. 2021-12-048R: A Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code (State
Motor Fuel Tax for Philo Road, Colorado Avenue, and Anderson Street Resurfacing Project) – PW
Presented by Tim Cowan Public Works Director. Starting another resurfacing project with access and
ADA improvements. Questions and discussion ensued.
Motion to approve to consent agenda by CM Wilken and seconded by CM Wu.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Quisenberry, Wilken, Bishop
NAY: None
9. Resolution No. 2021-12-049R: A Resolution Approving a Funding Agreement CU at Home Winter
Shelter - CD
Presented by Breaden Belcher of Community Development. Resolution authorizes a onetime
expenditure to create emergency low barrier winter shelter with CU at Home. Questions and discussion
ensued.
Motion to approve to consent agenda by CM Bishop and second by CM Kolisetty.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Quisenberry, Bishop, Hursey, Evans, Kolisetty, Wilken
NAY: None
10. Ordinance No. 2021-12-049: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section 3-43
(Increasing the number of Class P liquor licenses for Zeyad Salem LLC d/b/a Black Fox, 602 N
Cunningham Ave, Urbana, IL) – Exec
Presented by Mayor Marlin. Class P is a packaged liquor license. Discussion ensued.
Motion to approve to consent by CM Wu and second by CM Hursey
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry
NAY: None
11. Ordinance No. 2021-12-050: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section 3-43
(Increasing the number of Class R&T liquor licenses for Sakura Japanese Cuisine Inc d/b/a Sakura
Japanese Cuisine, 132 W Main St, Urbana, IL) – Exec
Presented by Mayor Marlin. Class is restaurant and tavern license.
Motion to approve to consent agenda by CM Wu and second by CM Hursey.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Quisenberry, Wilken, Bishop, Kolisetty, Hursey, Evans, Wu
NAY: None
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12. Ordinance No. 2021-12-051: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section 3-43
(Increasing the number of Class GC liquor licenses for WELOCAVORE.COM LLC d/b/a
Homegrown, 2600 Stone Creek Blvd, Urbana, IL) – Exec
Presented by Mayor Marlin. Class GC liquor license is for golf course to allow for sale on multiple
locations on property.
Motion to approve to consent agenda by CM Kolisetty and second by CM Hursey.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry
NAY: None.
13. Resolution No. 2021-12-050R: A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of an Illinois Arts Council
Agency (IACA) Grant for Arts and Culture Program Operating Support – CD
Presented by Rachel Storm from Community Development. Grant is a general operating support grant
and was previously awarded.
Motion to approve to consent agenda by CM Hursey and second by CM Kolisetty.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry
NAY: None
14. Ordinance No. 2021-12-052: An Ordinance Levying Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2021
and Ending June 30, 2022 – HR/Finance
Presented by Elizabeth Hannan Finance and HR director. Previously presented on in previous meeting.
Questions and discussion ensued.
Motion to send to regular agenda by CM Wu and second by CM Hursey.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry
NAY: None
15. Ordinance No. 2021-12-053: An Ordinance Directing the Champaign County Clerk to Abate the Tax
Levy for the General Corporate Fund for the Tax Year Beginning July 1, 2021 and Ending June 30,
2022 – HR/Finance
Presented by Elizabeth Hannan Finance and HR director. Explained abatement act and the increase of
taxes to account of errors. Proposed abatement allows City to return amount back to County Clerk to
maintain tax rate. Prevents tax rate from being increased in addition to previously proposed amount.
Explained new legislative municipal tax ruling. Questions and discussion ensued.
Motion to send to council to the regular agenda by CM Hursey and second by CM Wu.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Quisenberry, Wu, Hursey, Bishop, Evans, Wilken, Kolisetty
NAY: None
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16. Ordinance No. 2021-12-054: An Ordinance Directing the Champaign County Clerk to Abate a Portion
of the 2021 Related General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014 – HR/Finance
Presented by Elizabeth Hannan Finance and HR director. Questions and discussion ensued.
Motion to approve and send to regular agenda by CM Wu and second by CM Evans.
Vote by roll call:
AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry
NAY: None
17. Council Input and Communications
CM Wu thanked city staff for participating in the City Council goal setting sessions. CM Wilken
reminded council of scope of work policy input needing to be submitted. Hopes to have an update on
co-responder model. Agreed strategic goal setting sessions was helpful. CM H ursey thought strategic
planning sessions were useful. Addressed public input. CM Kolisetty thanked staff for strategic goal
setting sessions. Expressed desire for clarification on council input and public input. CM Quisenberry
thanked staff for strategic goal setting sessions. Felt sessions were productive. Shared concerns about
role of chair in meetings. Mayor Marlin hopes to get council goal setting session reconvened before
holidays.
18. Adjournment
With no other business before the Committee of the Whole, Chair Quisenberry called this meeting
adjourned at 9:58 PM.
Darcy Sandefur
Recording Secretary
This meeting was video recorded and is viewable on-demand HERE.
Minutes approved: 12/20/2021
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Agenda
URBANA CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MEETING
DATE: Monday, December 6th, 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: James Quisenberry – Ward 7
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
a. November 15th, 2021
3. Additions to the Agenda
4. Public Input and Presentations
a. Public Input
5. Staff Report
a. AARP Community Gardens Grant
b. Equity and Quality of Life Infrastructure Program
6. Ordinance No. 2021-11-048: An Ordinance Revising the FY 2022 Annual Budget (Budget
Amendment #4) – HR/Finance
7. Resolution No. 2021-12-047R: A Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code
(State Motor Fuel Tax for West Windsor Road Resurfacing Project) – PW
8. Resolution No. 2021-12-048R: A Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code
(State Motor Fuel Tax for Philo Road, Colorado Avenue, and Anderson Street Resurfacing
Project) – PW
9. Resolution No. 2021-12-049R: A Resolution Approving a Funding Agreement CU at Home
Winter Shelter - CD
10. Ordinance No. 2021-12-049: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section
3-43 (Increasing the number of Class P liquor licenses for Zeyad Salem LLC d/b/a Black Fox,
602 N Cunningham Ave, Urbana, IL) – Exec
11. Ordinance No. 2021-12-050: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section
3-43 (Increasing the number of Class R&T liquor licenses for Sakura Japanese Cuisine Inc d/b/a
Sakura Japanese Cuisine, 132 W Main St, Urbana, IL) – Exec
12. Ordinance No. 2021-12-051: An Ordinance Amending Urbana City Code Chapter Three, Section
3-43 (Increasing the number of Class GC liquor licenses for WELOCAVORE.COM LLC d/b/a
Homegrown, 2600 Stone Creek Blvd, Urbana, IL) – Exec
13. Resolution No. 2021-12-050R: A Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of an Illinois Arts Council
Agency (IACA) Grant for Arts and Culture Program Operating Support – CD
14. Ordinance No. 2021-12-052: An Ordinance Levying Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1,
2021 and Ending June 30, 2022 – HR/Finance
15. Ordinance No. 2021-12-053: An Ordinance Directing the Champaign County Clerk to Abate the
Tax Levy for the General Corporate Fund for the Tax Year Beginning July 1, 2021 and Ending
June 30, 2022 – HR/Finance
16. Ordinance No. 2021-12-054: An Ordinance Directing the Champaign County Clerk to Abate a
Portion of the 2021 Related General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014 – HR/Finance
17. Council Input and Communications
18. 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: Dec 6, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: City Council Meeting
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82495990979
Or one tap mobile:
US: +13126266799, 82495990979# or +19292056099, 82495990979#
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 +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or
+1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 824 9599 0979
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kduaI0hVtu
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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