Champaign City

Today's NG:

Before voting unanimously to approve $2.3 million in cuts and revenue enhancements, several board members said they were satisfied the district has done that as well as it could.

The cuts also include: reductions in departmental budgets at the district level (not building budgets); the elimination of three director jobs and one special education administrator job; and the end of the extended-day program at Stratton Elementary School. The district also proposes selling land near Barkstall Elementary School and Dr. Howard Elementary School, and putting an energy savings program into place.

Discuss.

The NG:

With the tab for city ordinance violations ranging from $165 to $310, Champaign stands to gain more than $43,000 in revenue from fines, assuming all those ticketed plead guilty or are found guilty. Last year's police overtime cost taxpayers just over $10,600.

"It's like last year. We had a ton of arrests but we thought it was a success," Friedlein said. "We have recognized some of our key issues. Some of our party sizes seem to be down, which equates to, typically, less issues for us overall. We still had typical nuisance issues with balconies."

He said cracking down early (about 9:30 a.m. Friday) on an apartment complex where a young woman threw a beer can off a balcony helped a bit with that problem.

"We pulled in, took enforcement action and that party was shut down," he said, adding that word spread through that complex on East Armory quickly and police received no more complaints from that building of things being tossed from on high.

"That's the message you want to send our early and strong: We won't tolerate those behaviors that create a public-safety risk," he said. Nine people received tickets for throwing objects off balconies.

Discuss.

DI:

Assistant to the Chief for Community Services Rene Dunn, Champaign Police Lt. Brad Yohnka, Patrol Division Commander for University Police Lt. Skip Frost and Champaign Police Sgt. Scott Friedlein spoke at the Champaign Police Department.

“There has been a recent change in our city ordinance with regard to throwing things off balconies,” Yohnka said. “In the past we had to be able to identify exactly who threw the item. Now, we can also charge the actual residents of the apartment that it came from, which gives us a whole lot more leverage.”

One of the changes made from last year will be a new emergency ordinance by the mayor prohibiting package liquor stores from opening before 11 a.m. on Unofficial, Friedlein said.

The police also emphasized the importance of keeping interruptions out of the classroom.

“If you want to take the day off classes and have some drinks if you’re of age...great. That’s your choice,” Frost said. “But what you will not do is mess with the academic mission of the University. Anyone who is caught doing that will be dealt with pretty harshly by the Dean of Students Office.”

The Champaign City Council will take applications until March 23, and vote on a replacement April 20.  The News-Gazette editorializes in favor of the process, which has been used to fill past vacancies:

Since Johnson, who is leaving to take a job in Cleveland, was elected to the council in early 2009, the appointment will be relatively brief, concluding in early 2011. The remaining two years of Johnson's term then will be filled by election.

That, however, is an issue for another day. The city's job now is to accept and review the applications, allow time for a public vetting of applicant backgrounds, conduct candidate interviews and make a decision. If past is prologue, the process will be relatively easy to follow and the council will make a solid choice on behalf of the residents of District 5 in southwest Champaign.

The NG also has an article in the print edition, but not online, in which they discuss one other interested person, former Deputy Fire Chief Tim Wild. 

I will definitely be applying, and I hope to be considered.

Potentially huge ramifications for CU:

The clock begins ticking Tuesday for local governments to decide whether they are willing to accept a $22.5 million grant to fund the Big Broadband proposal after officials received word this afternoon that the project will be funded by the federal government.

The announcement ends months of anticipation and gives public bodies 30 days to decide if they are willing to accept the grant.

The Champaign City Council is scheduled to meet March 16 with a Maryland consultant who audited the high-speed Internet proposal. Champaign Mayor Jerry Schweighart in February said that there is a possibility the council may deny the grant.

Discuss.

Today's NG:

City council members this week will discuss how to fill District 5 representative Dave Johnson's seat, which he will give up following Tuesday night's council meeting.

The discussion will follow the regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. in the Champaign City Building, 102 N. Neil St.

City staff and council members will pore over the details to get the application process rolling. Council members have 60 days following the resignation in which to appoint a replacement.

The person selected, who must be a resident of southwest Champaign's fifth district, would serve until the regular election in 2011.

Voters would then select a candidate to complete Johnson's four-year term, scheduled to end in 2013.

As I said in the last week, I am interested in applying for the vacancy, and I'm eager to see what process the Council will adopt tomorrow night.

This happened last night, and the NG article has been up for a while, but I've had a slightly busy day:

Champaign school district Superintendent Arthur Culver got a one-year extension on his contract, in large part because of his work in helping the district successfully satisfy the requirements of its federal consent decree.

The school board evaluated Culver in closed session Tuesday night and voted 4-3 to extend his contract for an additional year, to June 30, 2014.

The three board members voting against the contract extension did so because they don't agree with having a contract extended beyond three years, not because of any dissatisfaction with the superintendent's performance, they said.

One of those board members, Sue Grey, noted the district's teachers and support personnel have three-year contracts. She said she doesn't want to vote for a contract extension beyond her term on the board.

I agree that Culver did an excellent job in stewarding Unit 4 through the end of the Consent Decree.   I don't agree that his contract should perpetually be four years from expiring.  And I agree with those Board members who don't want to push the contract into the term of the next Board.  Grey, Lockman and Novak are absolutely correct in voting against this extension.

WDWS asked me about my interest in applying for the Champaign City Council vacancy that will be created by Dave Johnson's resignation.

Dave Johnson is a good friend and has served us well on the Council, on County Board, and at the UI.  When I heard about his resignation, I began to discuss with my family and friends about the great opportunity to further serve my community.  The Council has not yet determined their process for filling the vacancy.  When they do announce that process, I plan to apply and I hope to be considered.

Thanks.

Dave Johnson is stepping down as Champaign City Council Member for District 5:

Dave Johnson, District 5 representative on Champaign City Council, will step down from his position following the Council meeting on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 due to a permanent move to Cleveland, Ohio for professional reasons. CM Johnson has served his southwest home district since his election in April, 2009.

“I have lived in Champaign for 42 years and will dearly miss my hometown, serving my district as a City Council Member, and working with an exceptional and collegial group of colleagues on the Champaign City Council,” said Johnson. “I have richly enjoyed serving the residents of District 5 and working with the outstanding City of Champaign staff, however, I have a remarkable life-changing career opportunity that will allow me to fulfill many of my professional and personal goals.”

CM Johnson is in his 22nd year working in marketing and public relations at the University of Illinois, serving for 17 years in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and for the past four and half years as the Assistant Dean for Communications at the College of Law. He will begin his new role in a public relations capacity for the Cleveland Medical Mart on Monday, March 15.

The Champaign City Council will discuss the process to be used in selecting a replacement for Johnson at a Study Session following their regular meeting on March 2, 2010. An individual interested in the position must have lived in the City of Champaign for at least one year and be a resident of District 5. The replacement selected by the City Council will serve until the consolidated election in 2011, at which time voters will elect a Council Member to complete the remaining two years of Johnson’s four year term.

Dave Johnson is a good friend, and has been a great County Board and City Council member.  I am saddened to see him leave the community, and wish him nothing but the best.

Today's NG:

A revised plan for budget cuts in the Champaign school district would eliminate two additional administrative positions but remove several other possible cuts from consideration.

The school board talked again about the cuts at a noon meeting Wednesday.

The revised recommendations include eliminating an administrative position in the special-education department and another director, for a total savings of $200,000. That would allow the district to avoid making cuts in other areas.

The recommendations in- clude selling land near Barkstall and Dr. Howard elementary schools, which would bring in an estimated $435,000; paying for $200,000 in building ex- penses with facilities sales-tax money rather than money in the Operations & Maintenance fund; and reducing district travel expenses by $50,000.

The proposals that would be eliminated from consideration include cutting middle school and high school athletic budgets (which would have meant cutting middle school baseball); reducing library aides; reducing world language offerings at sixth grade; reducing elementary band and strings teachers; reducing enrichment teachers; increasing textbook rental fees; and charging fees for extracurricular activities.

You can see a list of proposed cuts here.  Per Board member Greg Novak in the comments of another thread, there's a listening meeting open to the public tonight, at Unit 4 HQ, 703 S. New St., Champaign.

Today's News-Gazette:

The board Wednesday gave the MTD staff approval to look into annexing properties including the Stone Creek subdivision in Urbana, the Boulder Ridge and Sawgrass subdivisions in Champaign, areas north of Interstate 74 in Champaign and Urbana including Frasca Field, a commercial area north of Interstate Research Park in Champaign, a new addition to the Myra Ridge subdivision in Urbana and a small area in Savoy west of Colbert Park.

In addition to discussing the annexations at next month's meeting, the MTD board would be required to hold a public hearing on each of the proposals, said MTD Director Bill Volk.

Every year in January, Volk said, the MTD assesses whether new areas in the community are eligible for annexation. Under an agreement the transit district has with Champaign, Urbana and Savoy, areas are eligible for annexation if they are contiguous to current MTD boundaries, if they are not taxed as farmland and if they are within the corporate limits of one of the municipalities.

Discuss.

Last month, the board approved a $13.5 million expansion to Garden Hills Elementary.  The district, though, started buying the land as early as October of last year and they now own all of the east side of the 1900 block of Cynthia Drive and two houses in the 2000 block.  While I applaud the district for going forward with this expansion, I do questions why all of these homes were purchases for significantly  more than their assessed value.  In one case, the home was purchased for over $54,000 more than the assessment from a family that just bought it a year ago.

I find it bothersome that the district is talking about the need to save money but is somehow in a position to purchase 6 homes at a significant markup.  I'm not a big fan of eminent domain, but I thought it had to be at a fair market value, not a huge markup.  I also find it bothersome that the purchases were done before the board approved the plans for expansion, or is that common practice? Are the funds for this coming from the new school tax that was just levied?

Today's NG:

According to city documents, the revised policy adds language to provide supplemental guidance to officers in a number of areas – specifically, when it is appropriate to draw their firearms and when it is reasonable for an officer to believe use of force in arresting a suspect is necessary.

"Hopefully it clarifies some of those items that the public in particular was concerned about," Stavins said.

The state law itself, which defines the legality of use of force and when it is appropriate, has not been changed in 20 years, Stavins said.

The proposed policy uses language identical to state law in describing the appropriate force to be used, according to city documents.

The proposed policy completes one of several objectives Carter believes will enable the community to move past the shooting death of Mr. Carrington.

Discuss.

Champaign At-Large Council Members Karen Foster and Tom Bruno will be available to talk with anyone who would like to discuss City issues, ask questions, etc. at the Champaign Public Library in the cafe area today from about 5:00-6:30.

The three At-Large Council Members (including Deb Feinen) have been doing this on a rotating basis for several weeks to make themselves more accessible.  If they have more than two Council member there at any one time, it's a technical violation of the Open Meetings Act, so that's why the rotation.  Stop by and let them know your thoughts about snow removal, the Carrington case, downtown development, or just to say hello and get acquainted.

Campustown is without a doubt the economic hub of the community.  According to the 2007 University District Existing Conditions Report (part of the Campustown Action Plan), 19.72% of the sales tax generated in the City of Champaign came from the University District (Campustown).  In addition, the report states that 8.87% of the total property tax generated by the City of Champaign was derived from the University District. (Hat Tip: Bulldog)

Recently the University District Advisory Board was disbanded after many meetings were cancelled.

After speaking with multiple council members, bar owners, and a few students, I grew very disturbed.   There is an obvious disconnect between the Mayor and the bar owners.   The Liquor Advisory Commission is not working.   The University District Advisory Board clearly was not working.   The Mayor is making claims that he has made things clear and some bars are arguing otherwise.   After listening to multiple sides of the situation, there is (at the very least) a communication problem.   These types of problems are solvable. 

Yet you have THE economic epicenter of the community arguably on the brink of a huge political and economic shift that is certain to bring significant change.   A change that impacts some serious stakeholders and could possibly undermine the very goals that the city and mayor are working towards.   A change that possibly brings serious short-term challenges on many levels.

I think it would be in everyone's best interests if key stakeholders had a special summit or one-time special committee formed to focus on campustown safety.   This summit, study session, special one time committee, whatever, could be designed to plan in advance of Unofficial, while improving communication among the key stakeholders of that district, and looking the top 1-2 safety concerns outside of Unofficial. 

It is not reasonable to expect that any one group should shoulder all the blame or responsibility.  This is a great opportunity to bring people together and work for a cause everyone agrees with.   What are the major challenges?   What can a group do to make the situation better?   Where does a group need help?   What can one group to do to help the other group?   ALL the groups should be engaged.  

1) The Mayor and Council

2) City Staff

3) Police Department

4) The Bar Owners

5) The University

6) Property Owners

7) The Retail Business Group

8) Student Senate

9) Irish Illini

(Did I get them all?)

The agenda could be two-fold preparing proactively for Unofficial and also working together to get everyone in campustown on the same page.  This is obviously a great opportunity to do great things with something like this.

I don't know why these commissions are not meeting and don't want to suggest another commission or committee that is not effective.   Hopefully, everyone can keep it simple and constructive.   People don't need extensive documents.   No master plans.  As little finger pointing as possible.  Keep it short-term and specific so it doesn't turn into another bland committee.   It doesn't have to include economic development.   It doesn't have to focus on economic concerns, even though it's obvious we need to keep things in balance.   We can keep it somewhat simple and be very direct, yet respectful about everyone's concerns. 

Saftey.   It's a good thing.  

Communication.  It's a good thing.

And PS - if this type of summit is even possible, let's try to set it up so the crazies don't come in and talk about how they send their kids away so they can insulate them from the horrors of this community.  : )   Instead, let's ensure the key players are working together to make the key economic hub of our community safer and more attractive. 

It is so rewarding when policy makers read the IlliniPundit.   Good things start to happen and you apply common sense.

http://www.wicd15.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wicd_vid_1525.shtml

The mayor said in the report that, "This is the one thing that I will not tolerate."  

I must ask, what the heck is that one thing?   Where was that one thing communicated?    How was that message expected to reach the bar owners? 

The mayor knew about the bar crawl but did not send out an email or any indication of his desires, but today he (courtesty of staff) sent out the email you see below.   Isn't it so nice when you're nice enough to take time to outline your expections in advance and work together.   Congratulations!   This is how it should have have been for the bar crawl as well!   It is clear that this communication capability was possible and it's a shame he couldn't simply indicate his concerns in advance.   Then again, the "force the bar to 21" scheme wouldn't have worked. 

The TV reported the mayor is "taking heat".   Oh yeah, wait until the marketing campaign starts! 

Ben Handleman (bhandleman@wicd15.com), if you are going to reference this blog as a source/reference on story where you get paid to report on, please give the Illini Pundit his due respect.   Unlike you, nobody here gets paid.   The least you can do is give credit where credit is due.   For the record, you did a great job on the story.  : )

Update: Illinipundit.com was cited as source at bottom of screen. 

From an email from the Mayor today:

Licensees:
 
Please find attached 2 documents:
 
1. Holiday Party & New Years Eve Event Reminder note on Happy Hour
2. 2010 TIPS and BEST training schedule
 
Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Mayor Jerry Schweighart

December 15, 2009

Re:    Holiday Party’s and New Year’s Eve events

Dear Licensee,

Happy Holidays

Cheers!

Via the N-G (http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2009/12/08/states_attorney_shooting_was_accident_no_charges)

URBANA – Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz has concluded that the shooting of a Champaign teen by a police officer in October was an accident and that no criminal charges will be filed against Officer Daniel Norbits.

Rietz this morning released her own 13-page summary of the Illinois State Police investigation into the Oct. 9 shooting death of Kiwane Carrington, 15, and the arrest of his friend, Jeshaun Manning-Carter, 16, also of Champaign.

The shooting occurred in the back yard of 906 W. Vine St., C, at a home where Mr. Carrington spent a lot of time with the son of the resident.

I keep hearing that State's Attorney Julia Rietz will both meet with the Carrington family and release their report mid-morning today.

It has come to my attention that a local developer will be asking the Champaign City Council for development concessions on a local campustown development.   While I appreciate developers investing in our community, I hope Council will take into serious consideration a few concerns of mine.

1) "Three-O-Nine" Green currently has liens on the building while local contractors have been waiting to be paid for "almost a year".   I heard number of $2M or more in liens that I don't know how to confirm, but does someone know how to look up liens so that we can get an actual figure?

2) When the council gives concessions to a developer, it is not fair to competing developers who did not benefit from such agressive concessions in the past.   Standards should be set that are consistently enforced.   This is beneficial on many levels and ensures that those getting special treatment do not benefit from an unfair competitive advantage over other local developers.   Will this developer be providing something that nobody else is willing to provide?   Is the demand so great for student apartments that we need to ignore existing standards?   What do you say to other developers who did not benefit from the same concessions who must compete with the developer who was not required to meet those standards?

I would like to provide you some additional perspective and explain why I think the council should think long and hard before rewarding developers who do not fullfil their obligation to local contractors.   I was able to get in touch with a contractor directly impacted by the failure of the developer to pay their bills.  

Please take a moment to appreciate how irresponsbile behavior can adversely impact a business provider who sells construction product on low margins.   I have confirmed that the situation I'm explaining is actual and not speculation. 

• A contractor was required to take out loans against unpaid receiveables to pay for employees and product.  They are paying interest cost on a large receivable.
• That same contractor is losing any opportuninity of investing that payment and receiving a return on that investment.   So not only is the local employer paying interest to the bank, the local employer is losing out on considerable opportunity cost as well.    These are not recovered from the developer even if they were to pay tomorrow. 
• There are signficant costs for a small employer to file a lien and hire an attorney to chase down developers who do not pay their bills.  Ask Deb Feinen what she would charge.   These are not recovered from the developer even if they were to pay tomorrow. 

Whether or not the City Council decides to grant concessions to the developer, I hope everyone will take this matter seriously and not encourage and/or reward those who screw over local employers. 

This needs to stop right now.   Before any more time is invested working with developers who are not paying their bills, we need a clear and very good explanation of the situation I just decribed.

Furthermore, the city needs to acknowledge this problem on their own development projects at Burnham and M2 and work to make sure this doesn't keep happening.  

My name is Brenda Employer and I own a small business that currently employs 20 people.  

My business is such that I can setup shop pretty much anywhere.   We've launched successfully, but now I'm looking for a place to call home for the long-term.

We've had a breakthough in the company and we expect that we will likely grow to total payroll of about $10,000,000.  

I've been looking at a few places, preferably small metros in/around college towns, and I currently have a few favorites:

Bloomington, IN, Lafayette, IN, Columbia, MO, Iowa City, IA, and Champaign, IL.

I'm a bit partial to the Champaign, IL because that's where I graduated college.   I'm a midwest gal, so I'd prefer to be within driving distance of family.   Can you bloggers please tell me why I should consider moving my business to the great state of Illinois and to the great City of Champaign?

Your help would be greatly appreciated.   We hope to build a long and prosperous relationship with your community.

Best Regards,

Brenda Employer