Urbana Development and Deans

A future development of townhomes from Monday's Urbana City Council meeting got a mention today. More specific information from the meeting agenda supplementals here. (full meeting information here with specific video for these resolutions 017 and 018 here). From the News-Gazette's coverage of the Urbana City Council meeting:

Urbana council OKs code tweaks for development in northwest
The city council approved some code tweaks that pave the way for a new townhome-style development.

The decision changes zoning and city comprehensive plan designations for 12 parcels on the northwest side of Urbana.

Aaron Ammons, one of two aldermen to vote against the measure, represents the ward where the townhomes are being pitched. He said they wouldn’t be an option for families looking for affordable housing.

“This is a residential area where families live currently,” Ammons said. “A development of this sort that doesn’t consider actual people living in this area is problematic for me.”

Some council members were torn over the decision.

“I want families to afford to live in any property but we can’t discriminate against students,” Maryalice Wu said. “(Students) have a right to good housing that’s different and not a 10-story high rise.”

Alderman Dennis Roberts asked Doornbos to reimagine his design plan with the council’s suggestions and concerns in mind.

“I think it’s important to bring this (development) into the public and make it into a community where property taxes can support city infrastructure services,” Roberts said. “It is an issue with a balance between affordability and a handsome development. It’d be good if you made some of this really truly family-oriented rather than apartment/ student-oriented.”

And from the Urbana School Board meeting. Full article here (link will be updated):

Ditching deans would be bad idea, board told
At the Urbana School Board meeting there were concerns about a plan to eliminate dean positions without seeking more public and staff input. There was also concern that new positions would be filled by uncertified staff.
Ditching deans would be bad idea, board told
Tuesday night’s Urbana school board meeting was standing-room-only, as members of the public and district employees came to discuss a controversial plan proposed by district officials earlier this week.

Educators told board members they felt blind-sided when, during a staff meeting Monday, it was announced that the district plans to eliminate its deans at Urbana High School, as well as overhaul the district’s disciplinary system.
...
Among other items, the board also has been asked to consider approving $560,000 worth of working cash projects at the March 13 board meeting. These projects include a pool pack HVAC system for the aquatic center, as well as a gym floor replacement at the high school and the resurfacing of the athletic complex’s track. Action items the board approved Tuesday included the renewal of the district’s print shop management and operational services contract at the district’s current rate of $8,859 per month, as well as entering a five-year lease with RK Dixon to get new copier equipment across the district at a rate of $7,210 per month.

Urbana Administrator

Following up on an earlier blurb, Urbana is coming closer to having a City Administrator for the first time in about a decade again, including a local candidate. From the News-Gazette:

Local official among four finalists
An in-house candidate is among four finalists for Urbana’s newly created city administrator position, the city announced Monday night.

Elizabeth Hannan, who is in her fifth year as Urbana’s finance director, was the lone Illinois resident to make the cut.

The others: — John Burt, town manager of Groton, Conn.

— Angel Jones, senior consultant and project manager with NOVAD Management Consulting.

— Carol Mitten, deputy manager of Arlington (Va.) County.

The city administrator will handle the day-to-day operations of city staff and coordinate communication and planning across departments. This will be Urbana’s first administrator in more than 10 years, since former mayor Laurel Prussing opted to not have one.

One of Mayor Diane Marlin’s repeated campaign promises, before being elected last spring, was to reinstate the position.

More details on the candidates in the full article.

Unit 4 Magnet Schools

Unit 4 is putting millions in federal grants towards magnet school themes at three area schools. From the News-Gazette:

Thematic shifts in store for 3 schools
Unit 4 plans to implement new educational themes in three of its schools by August, thanks to funding from a $9.6 million grant the U.S. Department of Education awarded the district.

The grant, announced last fall and set to kick in this summer, will turn three district schools into magnet schools — ones with specialized courses or curriculums based on a theme — and provide the funding for magnet development over the course of five years.

— For Stratton Elementary, the theme will be fine arts.

— For Garden Hills Elementary: math, engineering and leadership.

— For Franklin Middle School: science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

More information at the full article.

Early Early Voter Turnout

In early voting so far, the Democrats are outpacing the Republicans in pulled ballots, but it should be noted that the full early voting options don't start until next week. You can however vote early right now at the Office of the County Clerk at the Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 East Washington Street, Urbana. Other early voting locations will be opening soon.

There is also still the vote by mail option. For those who missed the normal registration deadline, you can also still utilize grace period registration to register and vote. Links to sample ballots, candidate guides, and more election information on the County Cheat Sheet's Elections page. (generally county races occur in even years, while municipal local elections occur in odd years).

Excerpt from the News-Gazette on turnout:

Early tally sees unusually high Dem turnout
Voters haven’t been rushing to the polls ahead of the March 20 primary, say election authorities in Champaign and Vermilion counties.

But the big early voting push in Champaign County is still a week away.

For now, though, those who have voted have chosen Democratic ballots over Republican ones, and that’s atypical of nonpresidential-year primary elections. Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten said that 1,892 ballots have been returned or tabulated so far and that the number of Democratic Party ballots cast so far exceeds the number of Republican ballots, 1,024 to 868...

The greater number of Democratic ballots cast so far in Champaign County varies from the county’s tradition. Four years ago, among early and absentee voters, 57 percent took Republican ballots.

And over the past three primaries in nonpresidential years, the number of Republican votes in the county has been about twice what Democrats cast.

Full article here.

Attend a Meeting - Champaign HRC

To jump directly to the Champaign Human Relations Commission meeting notes click here.

In Champaign the City Council, and in this case the Human Relations Commission, meet at the City Building in the City Council Chambers (from google maps and city videos screen grab):

It's generally street parking at 75 cents an hour, so bring quarters or face the annoying meter website on your phone.

The City Council Chambers entrance is to the left as soon as you enter the Chester St. Entrance. Along the outside wall is a display with informational pamphlets including the protocols for public participation: "How to Address the Council." The door warns of the usual rules about no food or drink and to turn off your cell phones.

Once inside, the back table will typically have an agenda and any other materials for the audience. The projector screen for Power Point presentations is on the right side wall.

Today's meeting is a Human Relations Commission meeting: "The Human Relations Commission is responsible for the promotion of equal rights and opportunities in the City.  It is responsible for the enforcement of the City’s Human Rights Ordinance and serves as the hearing board for complaints of violation of the Ordinance that cannot be conciliated by staff.  The Commission also advises the City Council on human rights and equal opportunity issues."


Champaign Human Relations Commission Meeting: March 5th, 2018 at 5:30pm (video link)

The Meeting started promptly at 5:30pm. In attendance: Chair Young, Vice Chair Elmore, and Commissioners Bressner, Felty, and Greene, and two staff members. Absent were Commissioners C. Comer, W. Comer, Midden, and Secretary Turner.

Previous minutes were accepted and there was a report of one open discrimination case involving employment and no open cases involving policing.

There was an announcement that the Community Relations Office had buttons and other materials for March being women's history month available to the public. There was an additional announcement for the disABILITY Resource Expo on April 7th, 2018.

No Audience Participation.


Guest Speaker: Holly Wilper, President of the Champaign County League of Women Voters (LWVCC)

She covered some of the basic history of the League nationally and locally. She then discussed some of their projects such as mock elections for students with the assistance of the County Clerk and voting machines. Also candidate forums for candidates to address the issues and not each other. They already had forums for the primary (video available on their website and from the county Cheat Sheet) and will probably have forums for the general election in September or October.

She also talked about the Observer Corps project where members observe local government bodies and report back to the rest of the group about them, including how open and accessible they are. There was a court observer project that sounds like it is going through some leadership changes. They're updating a news literacy project from years ago and adapting it for the current "fake news" phenomenon to help people sort through the nonsense with a skeptical eye.

She described topical study groups on various political issues such as gun policies and immigration. She described pillars of their work being Human Resources (such as encouraging Human Relations Commissions), Natural Resources (environment and more), Local Government, and the Judicial System. The last two she described their efforts to make sure they're accessible, working for everyone, and working efficiently.

She made a point to note that the local League is for all of Champaign County, not just the City of Champaign.  If groups want to work with the league they can bring their non-partisan efforts to their attention, help with study topics and share information. Individuals can volunteer. They encourage engagement with local government, respectful discourse, and above all: voting.

Q & A:

Q. Felty: asked if their was as comporable organization for men.
A. The LWV has male members too.

Q2. Asked if they were aware of the 5th and Hill environmental issues.
A. They're aware, but Barb Specter (?) is the person to talk to.

Q3/A: They talked about communicating further about a potential redlining issue with home loan access shunting people to Decatur or Rantoul by limiting access to loans in Champaign.

Q. Greene: noted her participation in the mock elections and a now newly registered voter. Asked about bringing registration to high schools.
A. Due to the strict registration age limits in Illinois it's messy. Apparently some states allow younger future voters to at least register for the future.

Q. Elmore: How is the Champaign HRC doing, given that they observe and try to improve such commissions.
A. She noted that it was good that it was active. Some HRCs exist to just check off a box so cities can say they have one and look like they're doing something. Some HRCs bicker as opposed to Champaign's which appears to believe in the mission.

Q2. Are their LWV City Council observers?
A. Yes, for both Champaign and Urbana. There are roughly 12-14 government bodies and they have observers in nearly all, but not all.

Q. Chair Young: Membership information and how to join?
A. She explained the dues. They have 89 dues paying members who not only participate but also have voting rights. They're trying to improve their diversity. A discussion ensued about recruitment and outreach opportunities to help with diversity.

Q. Felty again: brought up their recommendation (also a Racial Justice Task Force recommendation — Felty was on the task force) to end the housing discrimination exemption for convicted felons for 5 years in Champaign.
A. It could be part of the League's criminal justice portfolio. Asked for a write up with a description for their members. Could write letters to the editor and other actions. That is "right up our wheel house."

Guest Speaker thanked for her time.


Back to Agenda:

Committee Reports: there was going to be an update on a video by Comer (which?) but absent. There was nothing in old or new business and no further audience participation.

Comments: Greene noted Centennial High School was having an after school event open to the public on March 14th at 3:45pm at the school track on gun violence. There are going to be guest speakers on the issue.

Felty gave an update on the Mennonite screening of the "Racial Taboo" film that 150 local residents attended and split into 14 discussion groups afterward to consider. Next Sunday at 4:30pm there will be followup discussions also at the Mennonite church.

Adjourned at 6:04pm

Saving Local Kids from Bleeding Out

Following up on yesterday's post on Arming Teachers Locally, today the N-G highlighted some active shooter programs that had already been in the works before the Parkland massacre:

In continuing coverage of how our community has been preparing for active shooters and training school staff to stop catastrophic blood loss in our children when it occurs — because that's a thing we do now — the News-Gazette lays out the Stop the Bleed Campaign as part of their active shooter protocols:

Critical Care: Over 1,200 school workers learn how to stop the bleed
Even before the latest school shooting tragedy last month in Florida, some local school staffs had begun arming themselves with training they hope they never have to use — how to stop life-threatening bleeding.

Instruction under a national campaign called Stop the Bleed has been under way for East Central Illinois schools since the start of last year.

While some schools have also undergone ALICE active shooter response training, Stop the Bleed teaches a medical response that bystanders can use to save lives in the critical first minutes after a trauma injury that causes bleeding.

Carle Foundation Hospital’s trauma department is offering Stop the Bleed training to schools in a 21-county area of East Central Illinois, with a hope that those they teach will pass on what they learn to other school district employees and students.

Carle chose to start the training with schools because schools have been a top target in active shooter episodes, according to Dr. Henry Moore, Carle trauma services medical director and chairman of a trauma committee covering the multi-county region...

White recalled learning at her training how to do a quick assessment of a bleeding victim and distinguish whether bleeding is coming from a vein or artery. Arterial bleeds are more critical, and people with these wounds should be stabilized first, she said.

This instruction also drove home the importance of people on the front line of a tragedy being prepared to know what to do before the ambulance arrives, White said.

“A person can bleed out within five minutes,” she said.

School nurses in Champaign and Urbana school districts have also undergone this training. Unit 4 schools spokeswoman Emily Schmit said Stop the Bleed kits have been received by all Champaign schools, and there’s a desire to share the training the district’s lead nurse administrator, Margee Poole, received with other school staff, Schmit said.

ALICE has an "age appropriate" book, and probably not the best pictures on its blog to ease concerns.

More on ALICE here.

More on the Stop the Bleed Campaign as part of the Hartford Consensus active shooter recommendations after Sandy Hook here.

Arming Teachers Locally

In a troubling sign of the times, the News-Gazette interviewed local teachers and their opinions on plans to encourage and support armed teachers to deter and/or kill armed mass shooters:

Teachers: Arming us would spell nothing but trouble
...
 To get a sense of where local educators stand on the issue, The News-Gazette surveyed 70 of them, representing 46 different schools — public and private, rural and urban, elementary through high school, based in seven area counties. (Nearly three dozen other teachers and principals declined to go on record with their stance, most of them citing the sensitivity of the topic as the reason).

Opinions are those of the educators and not the schools that employ them.

What we found: — 57 of the 70 were adamantly opposed to any plan that involves teachers having guns.

— Five said they strongly support the idea.

— Three backed a version that doesn’t include every teacher being armed.

— Two said they wouldn’t object if it came to that, two others would prefer that taxpayers or state legislators make the decision, and one was in the undecided camp.

All agreed on one point, expressed by Oakwood Grade School teacher Lacey Boen: “I am saddened by what our society now has to face.”

Here, in area teachers’ own words, are why more than 80 percent of them believe there must be a better alternative.

There was a second piece with several more interviews with teachers thoughts on the subject here.

Viaduct Sidewalk a Decade Later

In the category of "way more complicated than it seems," is the case of the St. Mary's Road viaduct and the expanding traffic needs over the past couple decades beyond automobile traffic:

A Path Forward: Adding sidewalk no simple task, but new talks underway

In 2008, the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission recommended a sidewalk be added to the St. Mary’s Road viaduct — the only viaduct in town under the Canadian National Railroad without one...

 Any project at the viaduct would be complicated because of the numerous stakeholders involved, including: — Various groups at the University of Illinois (which owns the land northeast of the viaduct).

— The Catholic Diocese of Peoria (which owns the St. Mary’s Cemetery southeast of the viaduct).

— The city of Champaign (which has jurisdiction of the surface under the viaduct).

— The Canadian National Railroad (which owns the tracks).

— The Illinois Department of Transportation (which has jurisdiction over Neil Street).

— Barr Properties (which owns the building northwest of the viaduct).

— Enterprise Rent-a-Car (southwest of the viaduct).

There are also several other organizations, such as Ameren and Champaign- Urbana Mass Transit District, which could be affected by any changes to the viaduct.

But there have recently been talks to improve the viaduct.

The city of Champaign’s Planning and Public Works departments recently met with various UI officials to discuss the viaduct, and they decided the next step is another study and looking for funding.

March Meetings

Champaign (calendar)

Meetings are held at the City Council Chambers unless otherwise indicated. How to address the council information. 102 N. Neil St., Champaign (map)

Champaign Human Relations Commission: March 5th @ 5:30pm

Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month at 5:30 pm in City Council Chambers, 102 N. Neil St., Champaign.
[UPDATE: Meeting Notes]

Champaign City Council:

• Regular Meetings: March 6th and March 20th @ 7pm
•  Regular meetings of the City Council are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the City Building, 102 N Neil Street, Champaign.  Regular meetings are used to conduct the legislative work of the City, including voting on Ordinances, Resolutions, holding public hearings, and approving expenditures.  Major items of legislation are often discussed in Study Session meetings prior to being voted on during a Regular Meeting.

• Study Session Meetings: March 13th and March 27th @ 7pm
•  Study Session meetings of the City Council are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the City Building, 102 N Neil Street, Champaign. Study Session meetings are used to engage in an in-depth analysis and discussion of a particular topic.  Informal polls are commonly taken by the Council to provide general staff direction on the subject being discussed, but no formal action is taken during Study Session meetings.  Study Session topics needing formal approval will be place on a subsequent Regular Meeting agenda for a Council vote.

Urbana (calendar)

Meetings are held at the Urbana City Council Chambers unless indicated otherwise. Meeting brochure with protocols. 400 S. Vine St., Urbana (map)

Urbana Human Relations Commission: March 14th @ 5:30pm

The Commission holds regular monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Urbana City Council Chambers. Special meetings may be held as deemed necessary. 

Urbana City Council:

• Regular Meetings: March 5th and March 19th @ 7pm
•  The Council meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7pm.
• Committee of the Whole Meetings: March 12th and March 26th @ 7pm
•  The Committee of the Whole meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 7pm.

The City Council establishes laws for citizen welfare, determines policies that govern providing municipal services and approves certain Mayoral appointments.

County Government: The Week Ahead posts

Bradley and Kirby I-57 Bridges

A vote on the Bradley bridge renovations is coming up. Also a reminder of the much delayed Kirby bridge project from the News-Gazette today:

Vote set on IDOT plan for Bradley bridge
After 56 years, the Bradley Avenue bridge over Interstate 57 could be coming down.

The Champaign City Council will vote Tuesday on an Illinois Department of Transportation project to completely replace the bridge, renovate its approaches and improve the surrounding area.

If approved, construction is slated to begin in 2019. The plan is to create two 11-foot traffic lanes, according to a city staff report, with a six-foot bike lane and sixfoot sidewalk on each side.

There would also be protective pedestrian fencing on each side of the bridge. It only has two traffic lanes now and was designed in the 1960s for low-volume use, according to the report.

Most folks may have heard more local coverage of the Kirby bridge due to citizen complaints, which also got a mention:

The Kirby Avenue bridge over I-57 shares some of the same ailments as Bradley’s — age deterioration and no pedestrian or bicycle lanes. Champaign neighborhood groups have urged the council in recent years to negotiate with IDOT to prioritize the Kirby bridge — slated for renovation in 2023 — over Bradley due to safety concerns.

More on that project at the News-Gazette here. More information on the current reduced speed and beacons for bicycle traffic from last October here.

Garden Hills Improvement Plan

The News-Gazette had an update on the Garden Hills improvement plan with comments by City Councilwoman Clarissa Fourman and additional information on the project:

Clearing way for change
...
After years of encouraging city-led Garden Hills improvements, Fourman and her fellow Champaign City Council members voted this week to tee some up.

The beginning of a five-phase, multiyear Garden Hills improvement plan is now being refined by city staff and will need one more council vote before it can start.

The plan’s first phase involves the city appraising, purchasing and demolishing 46 properties along Hedge Road, in addition to appraising and purchasing a vacant lot on Joanne Lane.

Occupants of the properties will be relocated by the city, according to a staff report, and a detention basin with greenery and foliage will take the homes’ place.

More Green Busses

From the News-Gazette today:

Three more diesel-electric hybrid buses joining fleet: C-U Mass Transit District
Three more 40-foot diesel-electric hybrid buses are on order for the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District and are expected to be delivered in late summer.

The MTD board Wednesday approved ordering the low-polluting, energy-efficient buses from New Flyer Industries Inc. at a total cost of $1.81 million.

The purchase of the buses is 100 percent federally funded.

Each of the buses being replaced was purchased in 2003 and has more than 500,000 road miles.

With the addition of the new coaches, the MTD will have 92 diesel-electric buses out of a total fleet of 111. The remainder are conventional diesel buses.

The C-U MTD as a local government body was established by referendum back in 1970. From their history page:

In a story that appeared in the November 17, 1970, Champaign-Urbana Courier, P.E. Cherry, then manager, described the state of affairs as, "declining ridership, 22 year old buses and deficit spending." A request was made to the Illinois Commerce Commission by the City Lines to cease operation. The hearing on the petition was put on hold in lieu of a referendum to create a mass transit district. The issue was voted on November 24, 1970, and was overwhelmingly approved. The first director, Thomas Evans, had been hired the previous April for $16,000 a year.

If you want to attend a board of trustees meeting, here is a link to the 2018 schedule: https://www.cumtd.com/about-us/news/article/530/

If you want to contact the board, information is available at the bottom of this page here:

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is governed by a board of trustees made up of seven members selected by the Champaign County Board from submitted applications. To contact a trustee, send your correspondence to:

[Trustee Name]
c/o Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District
1101 E. University Ave.
Urbana, IL, 61802

Citizens Police Academy Info

A brief description and contact information from the News-Gazette today:

Citizens Police Academy: 32nd session gets underway April 19

County residents interested in learning how local law enforcement works are invited to participate in the Champaign County Citizen Police Academy.

The academy meets Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. for 10 weeks beginning April 19. Topics covered include crime prevention, community-based policing, drugs, gangs, driving under the influence enforcement, citizenpolice contacts, use of force, firearms orientation, crime scene investigation, a tour of the Champaign County Jail and a patrol ride-along with your local department.

Contact information for your various police agencies where you may live:

• University of Illinois: Lt. Joan Fiesta, jmfiesta@illinois. edu, 217-333-1216.

• Champaign: LaEisha Meaderds, LaEisha.Meaderds@champaignil.gov, 217-403-6987.

• Urbana: Cassie Heldman, heldmacl@urbanaillinois.us, 217-384-2334.

• Rantoul: Alex Meyer (ameyer@village.rantoul.il.us), Chief Tony Brown (tbrown@village.rantoul.il.us) or Kathy Kohl (kkohl@village.rantoul.il.us), all at 217-893-0989.

• Champaign County Sheriff’s Office: Teresa Schleinz, tschleinz@co.champaign.il.us, 217-384-1205.

• Parkland College: William Colbrook, wcolbrook@parkland. edu. 217-351-2369.

• Mahomet: Chief Mike Metzler, mmetzler@police. mahomet-il.gov, 217-586-5533.

• PTI: Meg Hedrick, mjhedric@illinois.edu, 217-333-7788.