Township Board Meeting

STATE OF ILLINOIS CUNNINGHAM TOWNSHIP Diane Wolfe Marlin, Chair Charles A. Smyth, Township Clerk CUNNINGHAM TOWNSHIP BOARD Monday, July 1, 2019 The Cunningham Township Board met in Regular session Monday, July 1, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building, 400 S. Vine Street, Urbana, Illinois. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Chair: Dennis Roberts, Trustee Trustees: Bill Brown, Shirese Hursey, Eric Jakobsson, Jared Miller, Maryalice Wu Town Clerk: Charles A. Smyth Supervisor: Danielle Chynoweth Assessor: Wayne Williams ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: Dean Hazen ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Diane Wolfe Marlin OTHERS PRESENT: Frederic Grosser; William Harris, and Members of the Media 1. ROLL CALL Chair Pro Tem Roberts called the meeting of the Cunningham Township Board to order at 7:10 pm following a Public Hearing. Trustee Hazen joined the meeting electronically at 7:11 pm. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Trustee Wu made a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting held on June 3, 2019. Trustee Jakobsson seconded motion. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA There were none. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was none. 5. COMMITTEE TO VERIFY BILLS The following items were presented in omnibus fashion: 1. Town Fund 2. General Assistance Fund Trustee Miller made a motion to approve the Town Fund for $123,769.08 and the General Assistance Fund for $ 63,516.36. Motion was seconded by Trustee Jakobsson. Supervisor Chynoweth noted that 4th Quarter Social Service allocations were included in the Town Fund bills, that there were 113 individuals on GA and 14 rental assistance referrals. Questions followed concerning particular bills. Ms. Chynoweth explained that Angel Donor funds were used to help one family in an emergency situation. Assessor Williams explained that the training costs were accumulated expenses and would be covered by line item transfers in the current budget. Ms. Chynoweth also commented on parking enforcement issues related the Township owned parking lot and was working with Finance and Public Works to clarify issues. With no further discussion, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 6. REPORTS OF OFFICERS Township Supervisor Danielle Chynoweth provided a written report to the board. She noted that there were about 100 attendees at the Township Wellness Fair. She thanked community partners and considered it a great success. She noted that the Township garden is bursting and welcomed community members to take what they need. Assessor Wayne Williams stated that it wasn’t his intention last month to imply that assessments haven’t changed but that what he wants to do is reassess everything which is different from the  factoring in the past (of a full neighborhood). Discussion followed on frequency, sampling methods, neighborhood sales levels, and statistical methods including the use of a coefficient of dispersion. Chief Deputy Assessor Harris provided additional explanation. Mr. Harris added that if assistance is needed for senior exemptions or other issues, he is available to help. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Ordinance No. T-2019-05-001: An Ordinance Approving the Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance (Fiscal Year 2019-2020) – Filed 05/06/2019 Chair Roberts introduced Ordinance T-2019-05-001. Questions followed. Supervisor Chynoweth provided background that the Department of Human Services and the Supervisors Association mandates GA allowance of $304. She noted that in general, GA hasn’t kept up with inflation and she is concerned that the GA rolls have increased. She commented that with a surplus we can spend it down but won’t be able to keep it up, will need to bring down the numbers, and that she will be bringing some general ideas to the board. She also noted that the proposed budget has more into the town fund to cover one time assessor’s increases and that next year this will balance back from the Town Fund to General Assistance. She has added staff on the GA side and now has two full time and two part time staff. Rental assistance levels were discussed noting an increase to $80K. Supervisor Chynoweth discussed the combined program involving Champaign County Regional Planning Commission and over budget for the current fiscal year. Trustee Brown asked about cross checking. Ms. Chynoweth noted that they receive a complete list and cross reference with other agencies. Trustee Brown noted about $250K in onetime items leaving about a $300-350K gap in future budgets. Supervisor Chynoweth stated that going forward cuts will be needed but she noted that a past levy reduction resulted in the current deficit spending. However, this has gotten a lot of partners to the table but they will have to pull back and figure out core programs. They also might see if they can recapture some of the levy. Trustee Brown added that he was comfortable spending down the surplus. Champaign Township will also have a $304 GA allowance. Trustee Wu asked Supervisor Chynoweth to cover her proposal for rapid response social service funding at a future date. Assessor Williams addressed trustee questions about travel and training, stating that he is changing methods from cost base to market base and that’s going to take further training with next year budgeting $10K and acknowledging more than $20K spent in the past fiscal year. He indicated that salaries range from $35K to $55K. The additional $71K for salaries in the proposed budget is to cover interns and a one year position. Trustee Brown compared City of Champaign Township staffing levels and budget to Cunningham Township stating that existing staff should be enough though sees additional work being performed. Trustee Miller moved to approve Ordinance T-2019-05-001, seconded by Trustee Brown. Trustee Brown moved to amend the motion cutting the Assessor’s additional $71K salary line for additional staff and interns to $36K, seconded by Trustee Wu. Trustee Brown spoke to his amendment stating that the existing resources could be used, to prioritize neighborhoods and move some work to next year. Trustee Wu concurred. Assessor Williams stated that he is trying to get work done now as they are moving to a new system and need data in a format that the models can use. Discussion on modelling and combining neighborhoods followed. Trustee Miller indicated his support of the amendment. Further discussion of the impact of the amendment followed. With no further discussion, the amendment passed by roll call vote (5-2): Brown – aye; Hazen – Aye; Hursey – No; Jakobsson – Aye; Miller – Aye; Roberts – No; Wu – Aye. With no further discussion, the main motion passed by roll call vote (7-0): Ayes: Brown, Hazen, Hursey, Jakobsson, Miller, Roberts, Wu. 8. NEW BUSINESS Page 2 of 3  a. Resolution No. 2019-07-013R: A Resolution Relating to Participation by Elected Officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Chair Pro Tem Roberts introduced Resolution 2019-07-13R noting previous discussion of the topic. Trustee Brown moved approval of Resolution 2019-07-13R, seconded by Trustee Wu. With no discussion, the motion passed by roll call vote (7-0): Ayes: Brown, Hazen, Hursey, Jakobsson, Miller, Roberts, Wu. b. Resolution No. 2019-07-014R: A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with the County of Champaign for Geographic Information System Services (CCGISS) Chair Pro Tem Roberts introduced Resolution 2019-07-14R. It was noted that this is an annual contract for GIS services. Trustee Brown moved approval of Resolution 2019-07-14R, seconded by Trustee Jakobsson. With no discussion, the motion passed by roll call vote (7-0): Ayes: Brown, Hazen, Hursey, Jakobsson, Miller, Roberts, Wu. c. Discussion: Social Service Fund Allocations Supervisor Chynoweth reviewed the four changes in allocations from previous council discussions indicating her support for the mayor’s changes but speaking against the STEP and TRUCE applications noting unfairness to other agencies who did not follow process or complete the application or avail themselves of help. She stated that the process has been difficult and wants to discuss with mayor in the future, avoiding lobbying and looking at quantifiable impacts for Urbana residents. Trustee Brown noted that one goal was to reduce administrative costs. Trustee Hursey noted that she lobbied for STEP and Truce and even though new organizations, and feels that they work for children at risk. Trustee Miller indicated that he understands both sides of the discussion and asked about a continual application period. Trustee Wu responded that countless hours have been spent but maybe there’s a need for a separate application for new organizations and to look at the rapid response fund as rolling cycles would take a lot of time. Trustee Brown noted that he asked to see scores but has not been shown them. Supervisor Chynoweth noted that there were two workshops and asked people to come for help and review of their application. These organizations didn’t seek help and there are a lot of new organizations that don’t have the track record to stand up. Her concern is about process. Trustee Brown suggested leaving the CU Area Project (TRUCE) off of the list, as did Trustee Miller. Trustee Hursey noted that the recommendations were less than a third of original request and was still advocating for them. Trustee Wu agreed with Ms. Chynoweth on the applications and though doing good work, wants to develop the rapid response process so will not support these allocation at this time. Trustee Hazen concurred with Trustee Wu. No final decision was made on the allocations. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Cunningham Township Board, Chair Roberts declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm. Charles A. Smyth, Township Clerk This meeting was taped and broadcast on cable television. Website link for this meeting: https://www.urbanaillinois.us/node/7690 Minutes Approved: August 5, 2019 Page 3 of 3