This post includes a preview of upcoming Urbana government meetings, a vote on a resolution committing the City of Urbana to end structural racism, an overview of the last City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, and some other Urbana related news.
Tomorrow's February 8th Urbana City Council meeting (agenda) will likely be voting to approve the Alderwoman Shirese Hursey's resolution to commit the City to end structural racism and achieve racial equity. There are also a few appointments on the agenda, including an interim public works director and a FOIA officer.
Prior to the City Council meeting there will be the monthly Cunningham Township meeting (agenda here). An intergovernmental agreement with the school district will be voted on to fill the gap in emergency shelter for student families experiencing homelessness (text of resolution).
Other Urbana News:
- The local NAACP branch and ACLU chapter are working on language for a new Use of Force policy for the Urbana Police Department.
- Urbana is looking for applications and nominations for the next Poet Laureate: Smile Politely had an interview with the current Poet Laureate Ashanti Files. Calls for nominations are in these Smile Politely links to the notice and update. The City's Poet Laureate page is available here and the nomination / application form is available here.
- The Urbana Free Library's efforts to serve the community during the pandemic were highlighted in Smile Politely.
- WCIA had coverage of the proposed resolution on structural racism that also highlighted an initiative by the Champaign County Historical Archives for "chronicling racial and social justice movements in Champaign County."
- The lottery for the municipal ballot order was held in Urbana this week.
- The News-Gazette had an update on Urbana's Enterprise Zone which tallied new project cost heights and expects a busy 2021.
City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting 2/1:
Most of the public comments at the COW meeting (agenda, video) revolved around support of the proposed resolution committing to end structural racism, but also to demand substantive action towards that goal. Speakers included local ACLU chapter president Carol Leff and Cunningham Township Supervisor Danielle Cynoweth as well as several City Council/Township Board election challengers.
Mayor Marlin read a proclamation for Black History Month and gave updates on the area COVID situation. Updates included the news that cases of one of the more contagious variants have been detected locally and updates on the health district's vaccination efforts.
It was pointed out that C-UPHD is still the best contact for questions and information on vaccinations. Alderman Brown noted the continued importance of social distancing and masks as there are still many vulnerable people waiting to be vaccinated in the months ahead.
The presentation and discussion of the resolution on structural racism began around the 1:24 mark in the video (jump to link). There appeared to be broad support for the resolution. The resolution passed with only some grammatical edits suggested for the final resolution to be voted on at the next City Council meeting. The News-Gazette had coverage of the meeting and the discussion:
The four-page resolution calls out the city for a history of Jim Crow laws, White supremacy, segregation and racial oppression.
“It’s an important first step,” said Ward 3 Alderwoman Shirese Hursey, who co-sponsored the resolution.
Full article available here.
Council communication at the end of the meeting included some concerns and questions about leniency for ticketing vehicles while the pandemic continues and continuing utility shut offs mentioned in public comments. City Administrator Carol Mitten said she would look into and follow up on the concern.
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