The City of Urbana has exercised its contractual right to terminate, without cause, the consulting agreement with Barry Dunn McNeil & Parker LLC that supported the city’s alternative response task force, City Attorney Matt Rushley told the Council at its Oct. 28 meeting.

Rushley said the termination follows negotiations over whether and how task‑force meetings would comply with the Illinois Open Meetings Act and the city's procedural expectations. "Ultimately, we weren't able to find a path that worked for both parties," Rushley said, and the city invoked its right to end the agreement with a 14‑day notice.

The contract in question is tied to city RFP 2223‑05 (the community safety review). Rushley said the firm will invoice the city for work performed since the last invoice (mid‑September), will deliver work product and materials they've developed, and the contract will be concluded at close of business on Nov. 11 under the contract schedule discussed in the meeting. "They'll also provide us any documentation that was produced and any data or materials that were developed preparing for the alternative task force meetings," Rushley said.

Council members urged prompt communication with task‑force members and a path forward. Council member Jaya thanked staff for timely notice and asked how the city would communicate next steps; Mayor Marlin said the council was being informed first, that staff would email the task force the next day and that the city will pursue procuring another facilitator. "There's not a lot we can say other than that there are no meetings scheduled at this point, and we hope that they will stick with us," the mayor said.

Council member Grama confirmed the city will pay for work already performed only and will not be on the hook for future phases of the contract. "It's essentially a pay‑as‑you‑go contract," Rushley said.

Why it matters: the alternative response task force was created to help develop non‑police response options for certain calls. The termination pauses the consultant‑led facilitation and report schedule; staff signaled they intend to reengage the task‑force membership and consider a procurement for a new facilitator.

Implementation notes: Barry Dunn will be paid for outstanding invoices up to the termination date and must deliver produced materials. Staff will notify the task force and evaluate whether to reprocure facilitation services or proceed with internal facilitation. Council members encouraged preserving task‑force momentum.

No formal council vote was required to exercise the contract termination; the action was executed under the contract's termination clause and described to council as an administrative action by staff.