Champaign City Council: January 21, 2020

The January 21, 2020, City Council meeting kicked off with a special recognition session for two firefighters that were recently promoted. Greg Elliot, who has been with the Champaign Fire Department for 10 years was promoted to Fire Engineer. Jeff Jones, with 35 years of firefighting under his belt (21 years with Champaign) was promoted to Fire Lieutenant.

Next on the agenda, City Council members voted on five resolutions. The first was a unanimous (8-0, Council member Vanna Pianfetti was absent) decision to reject the proposal for a safety trailer with sprinkler demonstrator for the Champaign Fire Department from Mobile Concepts, Mount Pleasant, PA.

City Council approved the renewal of City of Champaign’s Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan with Health Alliance Medical Plans, Inc. with a 5% increase in premium pay. Based on the current enrollment, the total estimated cost is $8,067,820.00 with $4,179,131 paid from the general operating fund, $651,880 from the library fund, $1,799,124 by employees, retirees, and former employees receiving COBRA benefits, and $1,437,686 by outside agencies that participate in the city’s health plan. This approval also includes the continuation of the Waiver Incentive where each employee that waives coverage of the city’s health plan will receive $200/month, upon proof of other coverage. Mayor Deborah Feinen also announced that the city will be going out for bids on broker contracts this year.

The following resolution approved an agreement to receive $67,500 for the Garden Hills Safety Lighting Energy Efficiency Program (SLEEP). This grant was awarded to the city, in partnership with Busey Bank, by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Affordable Housing Program. From a news release from the city, the money will be used to provide emergency escape, rescue windows, and exterior lighting on yard poles and entry points for 20 homeowners. A related resolution amended the 2019-2020 annual budget to reflect the grant.

The final resolution allowed for an agreement with Clark Dietz, Inc. worth not more than $119,475 to complete a preliminary design for Immediate Phase improvements outlined in the Neil Street placemaking plan. 

This week’s council meeting was a short one, there was no participation from the audience nor council members’ comments. The meeting adjourned to closed session to discuss collective negotiating matters.