The Champaign City Council met on Tuesday for its weekly meeting. The meeting was focused on the passage of several council bills.
The meeting began with a proclamation in special recognition of Juneteenth.
“Juneteenth offers an opportunity to come together to share cultural heritage and learn about our shared history and the opportunities that we have to grow as a community,” Mayor Deborah Feinen said.
Last month, a vacancy was announced on the council, and the city accepted applications from May 23 to June 3. On Tuesday, Jabar Brown was elected to fill the vacant spot in District 3 Council and was sworn in as a Champaign City Council member and Champaign Township trustee in the meeting.
Following this proclamation, the council discussed and passed several resolutions.
A resolution approving and adopting the annual budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 was passed, as well as a resolution adopting financial policies for the development, adoption and execution of the annual budget.
A resolution adopting a plan of finance for general obligation bonds was also passed. The council adopted a separate ordinance providing a bond issuance of at most $37,725,000 in general obligation bonds for the purpose of financing various capital improvements.
An ordinance amending the zoning map of Champaign to rezone certain areas was passed. Additionally, an ordinance amending Articles II and III of Chapter 37 of the Champaign Municipal Code, which concern zoning, was also passed.
The council also adopted resolutions allowing the city manager to execute subrecipient and intergovernmental agreements, as well as execute an updated memorandum of understanding for governmental services. Dorothy Ann David is the current city manager and has served in the position since 2013.
The authorization of the city manager to execute subrecipient agreements with various non-profit agencies was done in coordination with the CommUnity Matters programs, which is an initiative that, according to the city, “addresses safety, academic support, technology, recreation, career exploration and employment” for youth in Champaign.
A resolution approving the non-bargaining unit handbook was passed. The handbook sets out employment expectations and practices for non-union city employees,
An ordinance was passed amending the Liquor Code to add a new license for retail businesses, allow certain event venues to host public events with alcohol and simplify certain regulations for outdoor events.
The meeting concluded with public participation.