Township Board Rescheduled Meeting

STATE OF ILLINOIS CUNNINGHAM TOWNSHIP Diane Wolfe Marlin, Chair Charles A. Smyth, Township Clerk CUNNINGHAM TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING Monday January 8, 2018 (rescheduled from January 2, 2018) The Cunningham Township Board met in regular session at 7:00 p.m., Monday January 8, 2018 the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building, 400 S. Vine Street, Urbana, Illinois following a special meeting of the Township Board. ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Chair: Diane Wolfe Marlin Trustees: Aaron Ammons; Bill Brown; Dean Hazen; Eric Jakobsson; Jared Miller Town Clerk: Charles A. Smyth Supervisor: Danielle Chynoweth Assessor: Wayne Williams ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: None ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Dennis Roberts; Maryalice Wu OTHERS PRESENT: Fred Grosser, Township Attorney; Media members 1. ROLL CALL Chair Marlin called the rescheduled meeting of the Cunningham Township Board to order at 7:31 p.m. following a special meeting of the Township Board. 2. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Jamie Willard spoke to her dismissal from the Township Assessor’s office. She noted that she had no expectation of being dismissed given prior conversations between herself and Assessor Williams. She listed a number of interactions and events between staff in the Assessor’s office and Mr. Williams. She asked the Board to ask for the resignation of Wayne Williams as Assessor. Trustee Jakobsson noted a constituent letter praising Ms. Willard and thanked her for her service. Trustee Miller noted that all members of the council except for the Mayor ran unopposed. Claudia Lennhoff, Champaign County Health Care Consumers, spoke against dissolution of the Township. She noted the important social services and programs provided by the office. She spoke to the value of the services provided by the Township. She also addressed the process by which dissolution would occur refuting an editorial made by the News-Gazette and discussing the need for an open and educational process should the board pursue dissolution. Trustee Brown noted that he has received 27 emails concerning the issue and thanked Ms. Lennhoff for beginning the discussion. Laura Haber did not wish to speak but wanted the record to note her opposition to dissolution of the Township. James Kilgore, Co-director of First Followers, spoke against dissolution of the Township. Cunningham Township Board Meeting Minutes: January 8, 2018 Page 2 of 3 He noted that the complicated employment issue before the Board could distract from the services provided by the Township. He stated that social services are being stripped away at the national and state level from the very population that he works with at First Followers but are supported by the township. The services provided require an effective local presence by individuals with experience with the issues involved. He considers the Township one of the most effective local service agencies in Champaign County. Kim Harden-Ware addressed the board concerning a recent tax sale of a tract of land abutting her home to Brian Nastruz. He is now demanding that she remove her fence and property from this strip that she did not realize was not part of her property. She noted that the County did not make an attempt to contact her directly after mail was repeatedly returned because it didn’t list the correct owner. She asked that efforts be made to clarify procedures and help in any way from the city. She left pictures, correspondence, and a written statement with the City Clerk. Trustee Jakobsson asked if Ms. Harden-Ware had an attorney and she acknowledged that she did. Trustee Brown asked if the city can do things to help prevent this from happening in the future. He noted that the process is not transparent and discussion ensued. Mr. Grosser also described a similar experience in litigating a similar issue. Maryam Ar-Raheem spoke to the board concerning Mr. Miller’s statement. She did not view it as an argument with the speaker. She thought his comments appropriate and appreciated his comments clarifying the process. David Sutton wished to speak but had to leave before being called on. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING December 4, 2017 and December 18, 2017 (Special Meeting) – Trustee Miller made a motion to approve the minutes from the meetings held on December 4 and December 18, 2017. Motion was seconded by Trustee Hazen and carried by unanimous voice vote. 4. COMMITTEE TO VERIFY BILLS 1. Town Fund in the amount of $27,206.58 2. General Assistance Fund in the amount of $62,206.58 Trustee Miller made a motion to approve the Town Fund and General Assistance Fund bills for the amounts listed. Trustee Jakobsson seconded and the bills were approved by unanimous voice vote. 5. REPORTS OF OFFICERS Assessor Wayne Williams provided a report to the board with work plans for the upcoming month and year. Trustee Jakobsson asked about plans to reassess the Landmark Hotel given a potential sale to which Mr. Williams indicated he would follow the law. Mid-Year Financial Report – Township Supervisor Chynoweth provided a written summary of the current finances and a monthly report of activities of the Supervisor’s office. She summarized the Assistance Statistics by category as of January 7, 2018 with a total active client base of 137 individuals. She also provided an update on Homeless Assistance noting that there is a severe lack of shelter for families with children. Cunningham Township Board Meeting Minutes: January 8, 2018 Page 3 of 3 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was none. 8. NEW BUSINESS a. Resolution No. T-2018-01-001R: Resolution Authorizing Certain Individuals to Sign Checks for Cunningham Township. A motion to approve Resolution T-2018-01-001R was made by Trustee Miller and seconded by Trustee Ammons. With no further discussion, the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Cunningham Township Board, Chair Marlin declared the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Charles A. Smyth Township Clerk *This meeting was taped. **This meeting was broadcast on cable television. Website link for this meeting: Minutes Approved: February 5, 2018