The Urbana City Council supported a resolution Monday night that calls for an immediate end to the U.S. military occupation of Iraq.

In a narrow 4-3 decision, aldermen voted to back the resolution, which will require a final vote next Monday.

Nearly 50 people packed the council’s chambers, patiently waiting the two hours before the council began deliberations about the resolution.

“We urge you to represent the grassroots sentiments of our community,” said Gary Storm.

Storm is a member of the group Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort, also known as AWARE, which encouraged many of its members to attend the meeting.

Some members of the city council, including Lynne Barnes (Ward 7), did not believe it was the council’s place to pass resolutions about issues outside of their jurisdiction.

Heather Stevenson (Ward 6) and Robert Lewis (Ward 4) also opposed the resolution.

“My opinion has stayed pretty firm,” Barnes said. “I feel it’s advisable not to discuss these issues. My job description is to drive and direct matters in town.”

Barnes explained that bringing more business to Urbana and public safety were issues that she believes are important for the council to deal with.

Community members in attendance did not agree.

“If it’s pointless for the city council to voice their opinion, then it’s pointless for me to voice mine,” said Bob Nainan, a member of AWARE.

Nainan’s views were supported by members of the council like Charlie Smyth (Ward 1).

“The council has a long history of supporting national and state issues,” Smyth said.

The council passed a resolution before the war in Iraq condemning the military action. In 1971, Urbana passed a similar resolution denouncing the war in Vietnam.

“It represents the wishes of the community,” Smyth said of Monday’s resolution. “If anything, tonight’s motion is an ‘I told you so.'”

Mort Brussel, a representative of AWARE, spoke to the council about the economic and social impact of the Iraq war on Urbana.

“Our priorities for a healthy society are distorted,” Brussel said. “The bulk of the population suffers economically, socially and politically.”

He estimated the war’s economic cost to the city of Urbana to be $30.9 million and compared supporters of the Iraq war to idle citizens of Nazi Germany.

“It is similar, if less dire – we’re still free to express our belief that the war must be stopped,” Brussel said.

Also on Monday, the council met with owners of the Canopy Club and Crane Alley to move forward a plan to convert the second floor of the downtown Urbana parking deck into an open-air bar on summer weekend evenings.

The council has put off a decision about the parking deck due to legal issues. Some members are also concerned about the sound potentially disturbing neighboring buildings, including the Lincoln Hotel.

“Realistically, it does need to happen soon for it to work,” said Ian Goldberg, owner of the Canopy Club.