This post covers several City of Urbana updates over the past couple months. Meetings are back to remote Zoom format due to the latest COVID-19 / Omicron variant surge. There are City Council meetings tonight (a Special meeting that includes snow removal plans and a Committee of the Whole meeting).
In November the Urbana City Council voted down implementing Automatic License Plate Readers as a tool against gun violence locally. From WCCU's coverage:
After months of conversations, presentations, and debates, the Urbana council decided on Monday night to not move forward with automatic license plate readers...
The council voted 4-3 to not move forward with the installation of 20 scanners in town.
Councilmembers Christopher Evans, Chaundra Bishop, Jaya Kolisetty, and Wilken all voted to shoot down the idea...
The city of Champaign is still looking into the pursuit of the readers and are expected to have further discussions in the coming months.
That full article here. Smile Politely had a short blurb on the vote and a link to their opinion piece against the ALPR plan here. The News-Gazette had reactions to the vote here.
The News-Gazette had a couple recent articles in support of using the technology by a victim and family member affected by gun violence here and here. In a recent editorial, the News-Gazette noted the adoption by other departments in C-U. WCIA had an overview of those other area departments here.
Urbana's police review board is looking for Urbana resident volunteers according to WCIA. The 7 member board is currently down to 5 members. WCIA had a brief description of what the board does.
The CPRB was created to hear police complaints in the city. When a complaint is lodged against officers, the police department first does an internal investigation. Then the police chief decides if that complaint is founded or not.
If the person who made the complaint disagrees with the police chief, that’s when the review board steps in.
That full blurb here. More information at the Board's webpage along with a link to the application.
The News-Gazette had an overview of a well known community organizer who passed away in November:
Urbana school children who need a helping hand lost a powerhouse last week.
Janice M. Mitchell, 58, of Urbana, founder of the Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center, died early Monday at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center of cancer.
A social worker by training, Mrs. Mitchell was a wife and mother blessed with the ability to gather people and resources to help children in need.
Full article here.
In other Urbana News:
- The Urbana Police Department gave out awards for saving lives and local acts of bravery in its annual award event covered by WCIA.
- WAND had updates on the launch of Nexamp’s Solar Star Urbana Landfill community solar farm.
- The City Council is looking for feedback on infrastructure projects from the community "to improve health and safety in neighborhoods through its Equity and Quality of Life Project" according to WCIA.
- The city is offering Christmas tree removal opportunities. From WCIA. C-U tree disposal information from Smile Politely here.
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