By: Alli Harlan
The Urbana City Council met on Tuesday and started with a public hearing. During this time, the council extended the approval of the preliminary development plan and related plan exhibits for the unit development to be known as Dugan Place which was originally approved by Urbana City Council on May 17, 2022, with the passage of Ordinance 4572-22. Dugan Place will be located behind Walmart and has a maximum capacity of 192 apartment units, 114 townhome units, 75 condo units, and 132 single-family homes. This project will be underway within the next year.
A new member of the council was sworn in by the Mayor of the City of Urbana, Bill Bean. Edwin Davis, 3rd Ward, is newly elected for the vacated term. Mayor, Bill Bean shares his excitement about the fully staffed council:
Next, Doug Crabill, Urbana Community Development Manager spoke on Arbor Day. The Mayor gave a Proclamation for the city’s recognition of Arbor Day to be on Friday, April 26th. He is inviting all citizens to participate in the continued efforts to replenish and protect trees and woodlands; for “Trees nourish life in uncountable, always beautiful ways, and to plant one is to plant hope.” (Hope Jarhen) Crabill gives more information about Dugan Place and Arbor Day:
The council then approved the minutes from the meeting that was held on March 19th.
In communications, there were several topics:
- City of Urbana Shade Tree Commission Minutes from October 12, 2023
- Champaign County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
- Division of Liquor Control Notice to Legislative Authorities Letter
- Oak Dale Cemetery Board Meeting Minutes from January 19, 2024
- Champaign County Wide Communications 911 Center 2024 1st Quarter Report
- City of Urbana 2024 1st Quarter Division Activities Report
For the board of control, the following were passed:
- A purchase order to White’s Service Center for $65,495.94 for the purchase of a 2024 Ford Utility Police vehicle for the Police Division. The expense will be charged to the Police & Fire Levy Capital Improvement Fund and is in the 2024 budget.
- Purchase order to The Champaign Family YMCA for $95,051.00 for the management of the Wendell Stokes Municipal Pool for the 2024 season. This expense will be charged to the General Fund – Pool and is in the 2024 budget at $67,000.00.
- The Director of Administration is to enter into a contract with A & B Asphalt for $599,866.85. This bid was the lowest and best bid of two bids received. The engineer’s estimate was $724,000.00. This expense will be charged to various funds and is in the 2024 budget.
There was one citizen comment at the meeting, Mary Lee Gecowets who was the Chamber Director for 17 years. She started by applauding the city for the amount of work they put in, as well as how nice the downtown is becoming. However, she and other members of the council have been seeing homeless people more frequently in town.
Gecowets expressed her concern about this topic and would like council and community members to think about some possible solutions.
Council moved into ordinances and resolutions.
The following passed:
- Ordinance 4572-24: An ordinance to extend the approval of the preliminary development plan and related plan exhibits for the planned unit development to be known as Dugan Place that was originally approved by Urbana City Council on May 17, 2022, with the passage of Ordinance 4572-22. (Three readings required, public hearing required)
- Resolution 2689-24: A resolution to amend resolution 2433-23 to modify or increase appropriations within various funds of the city of Urbana, Ohio for current expenses during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. (Supplemental appropriations) (suspension of rules requested for passage on First Reading)
- Resolution 2690-24: A resolution authorizing the Director of Administration of the City of Urbana to prepare and submit an application to participate in the FAA’s FY2024 Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Program and to execute contracts as required. (One reading required)
- Resolution 2691-24 A resolution authorizing the director of administration of the City of Urbana, to make an application to The Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation, for an Ohio Airport Improvement Program grant for the state fiscal year 2025 at the Grimes Field Airport (1-74), and declaring an emergency (1 reading required, no public hearing required).
- Resolution 2449-24 A resolution authorizing the director of administration of the City of Urbana, county of Champaign, to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Winter Contracts (018-25) awarded in 2024, and declaring it an emergency (1 reading required, no public hearing required).
In miscellaneous business, the council thanked Mrs. Gecowets who has a caring heart for those in need in Urbana, and for bringing its deserved attention.
Chief Matthew D. Lingrell, with the Urbana Police Division, mentioned that there have been 2 vacancies, which means 2 spots need to be filled to get back to full staff.
He also touched on the topic of homelessness in town, he stated that it is very important to him and his staff.
After the meeting, the council had a work session to discuss the concerns of the deer population in town. Many thoughts were expressed on this topic but the council plans to bring in other resources from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to make the right decisions on behalf of the community.
You can attend the next meeting on Tuesday, May 7th, starting at 6 PM. Meetings are on the 3rd floor of the Municipal Building, located at 205 South Main Street in Urbana.
