Township Board Meeting

STATE OF ILLINOIS CUNNINGHAM TOWNSHIP Diane Wolfe Marlin, Chair Phyllis D. Clark, Township Clerk CUNNINGHAM TOWNSHIP BOARD Wednesday, August 12, 2020 The Cunningham Township Board met in Regular session Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. virtually via Zoom. Chair Marlin was physically present in the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building, 400 S. Vine Street, Urbana, Illinois. *This meeting was rescheduled from August 10, 2020 due to inclement weather. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Chair: Diane Wolfe Marlin Trustees: Virtually via zoom Town Clerk: Phyllis D. Clark Supervisor: Virtually via zoom Assessor: Virtually via zoom ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA ZOOM: (Trustees) Bill Brown, Bill Colbrook, Shirese Hursey, Jared Miller, Dennis Roberts, Maryalice Wu, Danielle Chynoweth, Township Supervisor; Wayne Williams, Assessor ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT VIA ZOOM: Frederic Grosser, Wendy Hundley, Cathleen Sawyer 1. ROLL CALL Chair Marlin called the meeting of the Cunningham Township Board to order at 9:19pm. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Trustee Roberts made a motion to approve the minutes from the meetings held on July 13, 2020. Motion seconded by Trustee Colbrook and carried by roll call vote as follows: Aye: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Laut, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nay: None 3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA There were none. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Allan Axelrod addressed the board via zoom wanted to report an injustice toward low- income families and their utility bills. Ameren resumed their normal business hours as of August 03, 2020. Ameren sent notices to residents with outstanding balances and notifying them of upcoming shout off dates starting August 11, 2020, and due to some advocating efforts by concern citizen, the original date has been extended to September 1, 2020. Mr. Axelrod encouraged trustee to call the Illinois Commerce Commission at 1-800- 524-0795 and advocate for a moratorium on utility bills. Page 1 of 4 5. COMMITTEE TO VERIFY BILLS The following items were presented in omnibus fashion: a. Town Fund b. General Assistance Fund Trustee Roberts made a motion to approve the Town Fund for $ 170,371.38 and the General Assistance Fund for $ 147,695.17. Motion seconded by Colbrook and carried by roll call vote as follows: Aye: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Laut, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nay: None 6. REPORTS OF OFFICERS Township Supervisor Danielle Chynoweth provided a written report to the board. She gave a summary of her written statement, mentioning the following updates:  Currently there are 157 participants with 71 experiencing homelessness  26 participants are in temporary housing  95 males/61 females/ 0 transgender or gender non-conforming  11 Rental Assistance, 7 moved in and 4 eviction prevention  Bucket Brigade Update  89 Solidarity Gardens volunteer and approximately 400 plants and seeds were distributed  Covid Fund updates  Angel Donor Fund  Permanent Housing for Homeless Residents Ms. Chynoweth addressed questions from trustees about charges to the credit card account and rental assistance programs. Township Assessor Wayne Williams reported that all property assessments have been submitted to the county. Appeals are due by September 10, 2020 to the board of reviews and if residents have any questions or concerns about their assessments, they should contact the Cunningham Township Assessors office, which remains closed but staff is available by phone, zoom, or appointment if necessary. Discussion ensued. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was none. 8. NEW BUSINESS a. Resolution No. T-2020-08-009R: A Resolution Placing a Referendum Regarding an Increase in the Limiting Tax Rate Levied by Cunningham Township under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Purpose of Providing Assistance for Low-Income Households in Urbana on the November 3, 2020 Ballot Township Supervisor Danielle Chynoweth presented this resolution with the recommendation for approval. She said that Cunningham Township seeks to place a referendum on the November 3, 2020 ballot where the Urbana electorate would vote on whether to increase the Township levy for the purpose of providing assistance to Page 2 of 4  low income households in need in Urbana. Ms. Chynoweth explained the structure of the program as follows:  General Assistance – a monthly check that supports Urbana residents who are disabled or out of work  Rental Assistance – is a one time assistance every two years to prevent eviction and homelessness  Social Service Grants – to support other agencies to fill gaps the township does not have the capacity or expertise to provide  Housing Advocacy – help rent burdened residents navigate housing options and apply for subsidies. Ms. Chynoweth said that this would be an estimated increase of $3 per month, $36 per $100,000 of a single-family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum. This will aide residents facing poverty, disability, housing, and food insecurities. Ms. Chynoweth introduced Cathleen Sawyer and Ja Nelle Davenport-Pleasure who provided their testimonies about the assistance they have received at Cunningham Township office. Discussion ensued. At 10:25, Chair Marlin asked for a motion to extend the meeting to 11:00pm. Trustee Wu made a motion to extend the meeting to 11:00pm. Motion seconded by Trustee Hursey and carried by roll call vote as follows: Aye: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Laut, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nay: None After presentation and questions, Trustee Laut made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2020-08-009R as presented. Motion seconded by Trustee Miller and carried by roll call vote as follows: Aye: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Laut, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nay: None b. Resolution No. T-2020-08-010R: A Resolution Authorizing the Supervisor to Sign Agreements with Social Service Providers for Grants Disbursed through the Consolidated Social Service Funds for FY 2021 Township Supervisor Danielle Chynoweth presented this resolution with the recommendation for approval. This resolution will allow the Township Supervisor to sign agreements. There being no questions or concerns, Trustee Wu made a motion to approve Resolution No. T-2020-08-010R as presented. Motion seconded by Trustee Roberts and carried by roll call vote as follows: Aye: Brown, Colbrook, Hursey, Laut, Miller, Roberts, Wu Nay: None Page 3 of 4 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Cunningham Township Board, Chair Marlin declared the virtual meeting adjourned at 10:49pm. Wendy M. Hundley Township Deputy Clerk This meeting was taped and broadcast on cable television. Website link for this meeting: https://www.urbanaillinois.us/node/8791 Minutes Approved: September 14, 2020 Page 4 of 4