Urbana council discussing wide range of topics at meeting
Property tax levy, higher fines for some ordinance violations among issues on agenda
URBANA – City council members Monday night face an agenda loaded with potentially controversial items, including an increase in the property tax levy, higher fines for dozens of ordinance violations, a proposed ordinance regarding chronic criminal nuisance properties, an update on the city's civilian police review board and a presentation on a possible storm water utility fee.
The "committee of the whole meeting" – a study session for council members – will be at 7 p.m. at the Urbana City Building, 400 S. Vine St.
The city's proposed property tax levy is $8.07 million, a 7.5 percent increase over last year's level. The levy is designed to keep the city's property tax rate stable at $1.29 per $100 of assessed valuation. But that doesn't mean that property tax bills will be stable. According to a memo from Comptroller Ron Eldridge, the levy means that an Urbana homeowner would pay an average 2.5 percent more in property taxes to the city next year ($19 more for the owner of a $175,000 home).
Also on the agenda is a series of increases in fines for various ordinance violations. Most of the fines have been unchanged since 2004, according to a memo from Assistant City Attorney Curt Borman. Approval of the increases would result in about $70,000 more revenue to the city.
The most significant increase would be for violations of the ordinance governing purchase, possession or consumption of liquor by a minor. It would increase from the current $135 to $300.
In Champaign the same fine is $310.
A noise offense violation would be $165, the same amount as Champaign, and an increase from the current $135.
A city charge of retail theft could result in a $300 fine, up from the current $135 and higher than Champaign's $215.
Fines for most other ordinance violations, including animal complaints, open burning, disorderly conduct, possession of cannabis and allowing a nuisance party, also would be increased.
The chronic criminal nuisance property ordinance would permit fines of $300 to $750 per day per offenses to be levied against anyone who allows a property to continue as a criminal nuisance property, which is defined as a property in which there have been three or more instances of criminal nuisance activity over 12 months.
The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Central Illinois Apartment Association and the Champaign County Association of Realtors, are opposed to the ordinance. In a resolution passed last month, the chamber of commerce said that the proposal is overly broad, would target landlords and property owners instead of perpetrators and is in conflict with another city ordinance.
"Under the human rights ordinance, landlords are prohibited from basing a rental decision on the criminal arrest or conviction record of the prospective tenant," a chamber of commerce resolution said. "By protecting convicted criminals, the property owner has limited control over the ability to protect his/her property against potential crime in the first place."
The regular quarterly report from the civilian police review board shows that six complaints have been filed against Urbana police since July 1. Five cases are still being investigated, and in the sixth, it was determined that the police officer had acted properly.
The council also will hear a presentation from Town of Normal officials about a recently enacted storm water utility fee. Champaign also is looking into such a fee to help fund storm water remediation projects in flood-prone areas.
Also on this date
- Carle will 'vigorously' defend against lawsuit
- Fire heavily damages apartment garages in Urbana
- Excerpts of lawsuit filed against Carle Clinic, officials
- Ex-health district director indicted on 7 counts
- Montgomerys' 'Extreme Makeover' home is 'so like us'
- Community comes through for A Woman's Place
- Committee calls for new discussions between health agencies
- Vaccinations will continue next week at grade schools
- Ex-Iroquois County clerk gets 60 days in jail
- Obituaries