This post covers a few additional January meetings of the Champaign City Council and the Human Relations Commission and its Police Review Subcommittee.
The CAFR is extremely long and detailed, but the presentation at the study session hit the general themes if one is interested and in getting the gist of the City's financial situation. For a quick overview, they recommend the analysis on pages 17-34 (pages 33-50 of the PDF file). The first and last sections of this analysis section is probably the most useful for folks who want to skim it. This bit from the "Economic Factor's and Next Year's Budget" serves as a warning for what the future may hold:
These reductions balanced the FY 2020/21 with anticipated recurring revenues slightly greater then recurring expenditures. While the FY 2020/21 budgets is balanced, budgeted total expenditures are not within the City’s policy limits of budgeting recurring General Fund expenditures at 98.5% of recurring revenues. Additional budget balancing measures will be required to reduce recurring expenditures to 98.5% of recurring revenue in accordance with the City’s financial policies. These additional budget balancing measures will require cuts to City services that will impact residents and businesses. The City’s financial policies were designed to provide time during a fiscal crisis to allow for Council and City staff to approach budget reductions and the corresponding reductions to services in a thoughtful manner. This also includes time to allow for public and employee input in the process.
Due to the City’s conservative financial policies, the City has available fund balance reserves to allow for the time to evaluate the impact of further budget reductions. Because of the available fund balance the City has the budgetary buffer to phase in necessary budget reductions over the coming year. As such, City staff recommended taking a tiered approach to the FY 2020/21 budget. This tiered approach included adopting in June a budget for FY 2020/21 that is balanced but does not meet the threshold of the City’s recurring revenue policy. Then in December, the Administration will bring forward recommended savings ideas to Council for consideration. Finally, in February 2021 staff will bring forward a budget amended for the FY 2020/21 budget year based upon Council direction.
Full Study Session report that includes an explanation by staff and the full CAFR here. The City Goals presentation appeared to get most of the public participation on concerns about investing in diverse neighborhoods beyond just financial investment.
Human Rights Commission 1/4 and Citizen Review Subcommittee Meetings 1/13:
The Human Rights Commission meeting welcomed a new commissioner, Prince Robertson. He introduced himself more in the Commissioner Comments towards the end of the meeting and explained how he planned to be a sponge for information coming into the appointment. There was a presentation by the City of Champaign's Assistant HR Director, Eric Reynolds, on affirmative action and equal employment. Topics included how the city conducts outreach and training. He also explained details about retention and the metrics they use for measuring success. Chair Young discussed having him come back in 6 months for further information.
There was a discussion and brainstorming session on possible future speakers and presentations to the Commission in 2021. Ideas included guests from the Jewish and Muslim community, "Station Theater" and its push for BIPOC representation in the arts, and experts on homeless shelter challenges. There were also presentation suggestions from the school district, public health, and representatives from some local programs such as LEAP and a youth employment program.
Local activist and Urbana City Council primary candidate Christopher Hansen spoke in the public comment opportunity to push for more substantive changes generally. He also asked the Commission to look closer at an employment background issue referenced in the Human Resources presentation earlier in the meeting. One of the commissioners stated he was interested in getting more information on that during commissioner comments after.
Chair Young highlighted an ongoing vacancy on the board for the Youth Commissioner. Board vacancies and an application to be considered for appointment are available on the City website here. The Commission bylaws require a Youth Commissioner be between 15 and 17 years old:
A maximum of two (2) youth members ages fifteen (15) through seventeen (17) may be appointed in the event of a vacancy in an existing seat. Youth members shall be designated voting members and shall participate in the exercise of all of the Commission’s powers and the performance of all of its functions as provided by ordinance or by law with one exception. Youth members may attend hearings concerning human rights violations but may not vote.”
More information is available on the board's webpage here.
The Citizen Review Subcommittee of the HRC (agenda, video) also met this month. It also welcomed a new member, Martez Miller. The subcommittee elected a new chair, Alexandra Harmon-Threatt, and a new vice-chair, the newly appointed Martez Miller. They will fulfill those roles starting at the next CRS meeting in March. This meeting was facilitated by the current vice-chair, Demario Turner. The former Chair, Emily Rodriguez is now an elected County Board member. There is also still a vacancy on the CRS for anyone interested in applying here.
Public comments included City of Champaign Township Supervisor candidate Rita Conerly explaining her interactions with the police as inappropriate and concerning. Emily Close and Christopher Hansen reiterated many of their continuing concerns with Champaign's policing and frustration with a lack of substantive changes. Haki, a University of Illinois alum wanted the issue of police participating in the coup attempt in Washington D.C. looked into locally. He reiterated the need for reforms in policing and acknowledgement of both the objective and subjective fight against racism he has raised with both the Champaign and Urbana city councils.
The Commissioner comments included Keebler's support for Haki's concerns about the aspects of fighting racism as well as the violation of respect involved with officers engaging in insurrection. She noted that she is not aware of any participation by members of the Champaign Police Department at this time.
Incoming chair Harmon-Threatt welcomed the new member Miller and explained her experience with the subcommittee, having been on it since its inception. She addressed public concerns about their work and pointed out that a great deal of the subcommittee's work is done behind the scenes due to privacy restrictions and closed meeting rules. She expressed disappointment in Chief Cobb's lack of response to their requests from August and thanked people for their participation on study circles for additional public input.
Miller introduced himself and responded to some of the public comments on how he was appointed and how he intends to try to improve the system. Turner took offense at the suggestion that the subcommittee was engaged in aiding police corruption. He stated that is the opposite of what the people on this subcommittee do. He explained the work and hours that go in behind the scenes that they volunteer to do. He noted that after the open session the subcommittee members have a long night of work ahead of them that the public may not be aware of. He highlighted recent reforms at the State level and had a moment of silence for the victims of the insurrection at the nation's capital.
There was some discussion about the annual report that is presented to the Human Relations Commission and how that might highlight some of the work the subcommittee does for the public.
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