City Council - Regular Meeting

[laughter] [cough] Today, I would like to call to order the Tuesday, January 6, 2026 meeting of the city council. Madam clerk, roll call to establish a quorum, please. Mayor Ricky Williams, Jr., present. Vice Mayor Eve Lewig present. Alderman John Cooper here. Doug Arn here. Jalle Jones here. Trisha Teague present. Sherry Pickering here. Rick Strie here. Mike Poor [snorts] present. Mike Kaine here. Barry Johnson present. Tom High Totower. James Pashard present. Carolyn DeToy present. Ed Butler present. 13 present.

13 present. We do have a quorum. At this time, we will have the invocation by the the Father John Seir of St. Paul Catholic Church, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Alderman Pickering. Please rise. [clears throat] [snorts] In the name of the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, we gather before you with grateful grateful for the gift of this community. Bless the leaders of our city with wisdom to serve every voice, especially the overlooked. Guide their decisions towards justice and compassion, so streets brim with safety and homes with peace. May unity heal divisions and love conquer fear. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, father. If you'd like, we'd be happy to hear any updates that you all have going on at the church or the parish. Sure. I guess just real quick, a little saint story. Tomorrow on the church, Catholic church calendar is St. Raymond of Pennyfort and he was a church lawyer and canon lawyer. Um so some politicians and lawyers I guess go together a little bit so I thought I'd mention him. Um also I I I'm he was a good lawyer. Uh like all the lawyers in the room, good ones. [laughter] Okay. Uh and there's some that need some help. So we pray for them too.

Amen. [laughter] And uh yeah, so also too a little story about St. Raymond I told on Sunday. It's a [cough] I don't know if it's a true story, but it's a I like the story anyway. But uh so he was a missionary priest and one day he was trying to go to his next assignment and he was at the dock waiting for a boat or a ship to take him and they were not letting him on. So days and weeks went by and there he was with his blanket there on the dock waiting and waiting. And so he finally got impatient, put his blanket out on the sea and it floated. So he stepped out on it, pulled up one of the corners and the the wind picked up and off he went across the sea to his next uh missionary assignment. Uh again, I don't know if that's a true story, but uh it's a nice little uh story about St. Raymond and his missionary efforts. Also to a little story I told uh Sunday about a baptism. Uh I was on Facebook Messenger, the parish Facebook page, and there was a lady asking for her to get her baby baptized. And I said, "Okay, great." You know, well, let's meet and do a little baptism class and we'll schedule the baptism. And so we set a date to meet a couple few days back. And so she sent me a message on Facebook and she said, "I'm having a hard time finding the entrance of the church." And so I thought, "Well, maybe she's at the wrong church or maybe she's at another St. Paul's." And so [snorts] I tried to call her and anyway, turns out she was in uh New Jersey. [laughter]

So I'm not sure how she found me. And then she did say good things. she got the baptism scheduled and so she found her way but and then I was joking too I don't know if I get half credit for that. [laughter] So anyway and then other thing as far as a little updated are at Schlurman. So I'm pastor at St. Paul's and also a chaplain at Schlurman Academy the prek through 12 uh with the principal search ongoing. So please pray for our next principal. Uh there's one candidate that everybody really likes, so we're trying to get that uh firmed up. So pray for that uh position to be filled with a good principal so we'll have a good school. And also I'd say too, part of the thing we I would in my opinion top priority is getting our high school enrollment up. I think our prek through eight numbers are decent, but our high school number uh we need to get that number up to be a good, strong, viable uh high school. So please pray for that the success of the school and it's [snorts] good you know even non-atholic it's good in town to have the that option of another school and also too at this you know obviously almost say you know ideally I wish the our enrollment was more Catholic kids but I actually half or more non-atholic so it's open for everybody uh we teach the Catholic faith but anybody any backgrounds welcome to come there uh so I I think I joked last time, too. I'm I'm not here tonight asking for money, but I might be back asking for [laughter] money. So, pray the donors can figure it out. [laughter] And so, thank you, mayor and alderman. Good to be with you this evening.

Thank you, Father. [laughter] At this time, I would entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the December 16th meeting. So moved. Second. Any discussion or debate? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I.

Any oppose? Same sign. Thank you very much. Um, also we'd like to approve the uh agenda. We would like to remove one item and that's item number 16. Unfortunately, the contract revisions did not come through to you. Um, they were sent out on uh last Friday and I want to make sure that you have opportunity plenty of time to read those before you actually vote on them, of course. So we will I would ask that the motion be approved as amended with the removal of item number 16. So moved. Second. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion or debate? Seeing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. I.

Any opposed? Same sign. Thank you very much. Uh I do not have any proclamations or board committee or personnel appointments this evening. Are there any reports of boards, agencies, or commissions? Seeing none, uh I do have a couple of items of information for you. a couple of things that I would like to address that have been going on in the community that I think are important. Uh number one is the situation with Heistister Yale. I would like everyone to know just some of the things that we did in order to try to prevent them from leaving our community. So a couple of years ago they approached Logan with the idea that they they were looking to consolidate and at that time it was our understanding their primary goal was to consolidate here. Um, we hired a consultant and I paid them, we paid them, I think close to $30,000 to come up with different options for them to be here in Danville. It was a 40 page 40-ish page presentation. We met with their CEO via Zoom as well as all their local people in person, answered their questions, and then we had radio silence for a long season. I would say about eight months or so. Uh, despite us reaching out, Logan and I, via email, via telephone, via text message. Uh finally uh several maybe five or six months ago, we heard from them again and said, "Okay, we're more serious." And we we showed them many different sites throughout the community. Some that were in Danville and some that were not in Danville proper. And you might say, "Well, mayor, why would you as the mayor of Danville show uh company sites that aren't in Danville? Because in my estimation, although I want them to be in Danville, if they're not going to be here, it's much better that they be just outside of Danville or in Tilton or Hoopston or Westville or Georgetown than if they leave our community entirely. That's 200 and some odd good paying jobs, right? Um they selected a site that was just outside of uh the city of Danville um but contiguous. Um we put together a proposal with them with the support of the city council. We offered them a financial package. reached out reach

reached I reached out [laughter] to Governor uh Pritsker and my friend Kristen Richards who's the head of DCO the department of commerce and econ economic opportunity they put together a package as well we thought we put together a really strong package and it seemed that we did um a couple of months path pass and I'm on vacation and they call and say we need a million half dollars more mayor so um you guys know me I'm not keen to offer up our resources if we can find them elsewhere. So I reached back out to the state. They said, "Mayor, we can make it happen." They also at that time threw in a partnership with the University of Illinois through their engineering division for the engineering staff for free tuition, free classes, and free collaboration on projects. So I thought that we were there. They then tell us um at that time it was um another community in Indiana. They told us they're out of the running. Uh, so I we thought it was just us. Fast forward to two days before Thanksgiving. Um, I get a call from my team in panic mode. Mayor, they're telling us they need five more five million more dollars. How are we going to pay for it? We have money in fund 107 because we did not have any economic development projects on the site or major ones at the time that we hadn't already budgeted for. We um they they put together a project and said, "Mayor, if we don't do these couple of projects, we think we could come up with it." Um, I'm never going to offer up our resources when I think we can get other resources first. So, I reached out to the state again and said, "Hey, this is the issue that we're having. I think that we could come up with $500,000 pretty readily if we delay one of our projects, and um we we could still we could it would hurt be hurtful to us, but we could make it happen. Can you come up with anything?" The state came up with another $4.5 million to meet the $5 million mark. And then something happened that I thought put us way over the line. The developer, Mr. Paul

Offett, then also reduced the the uh cost to build the uh the the structure by over $10 million. So at this time, they've asked us for 5 million additional dollar. So we've we've given them initial proposal, we've revised it, they've asked us for more, we've given them the more, they've asked us for more again, we've given them the more. We we've come up with the more. And uh Mr. off it reduced his cost by o just over $10 million. So they asked us for five and we've now give given them $15 million additional dollars. The day before Thanksgiving, this is when this meeting happened. I literally had to I was in Georgia visiting family. I had to delay getting to Louisiana to visit family by almost half a day, but we made it happen. And I'm proud of my team. I want to thank Logan and Dave and Alyssa. Uh all of our team for working so hard to bring things together. Uh then we hear nothing. We hear nothing. We hear nothing. And then like many of you, I heard via the news despite reaching out to Heistister on multiple occasions that they were going to Avon, Indiana instead. I cannot tell you why they chose that. What I can tell you is that unfortunately our shop here was one of their last union shops in the country. So, um, in my estimation, I could wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with that, especially given that they have told all of their employees that work here that if they want to continue to work over there that they have to reapply for their jobs. So, um, the outcome is disappointing, but what I want to say is this. I'm incredibly proud of our team. I'm very thankful to Governor Pritsker, to Director Richards. I'm very thankful to Mr. Paul Offett uh to to the um the folks from Vermillion Advantage, especially interim CEO uh Tracy uh for everything that they have done to make this possible. What we proved is that no matter what the obstacles, no matter how people feel about one another, that we can work together to make something

happen. Now, unfortunately, that didn't happen this time, but the fact that we were able to put our best forward foot forward to make it happen, I'm very proud of. The second situation that I want to talk to you about that I keep hearing about is the mall. Mayor, what is going on with the mall? What I will tell you is unfortunately they have stopped communicating with us. Uh they are no longer responding to Logan uh via email or text or me. Uh and so what I know is all from hearsay pervey secondhand uh from the news and other media outlets. Um my understanding is um they have not paid. So, it's important for people to realize the mall at some point along the way years ago was segregated into three different parcels. There was a parking lot area mostly by what we call the dental area now. There was what we'll refer to as the grocery area which was from Ross Dunham's Pet Supply Plus and the um and county market. and then and the parking lots that are right in front of those. And then there was the entire rest of the mall and the rest of the parking lot uh that didn't encompass those areas excepting um Slumberland and um and the shoe store, the shoe, the shoe depot. Uh Slumberland folks own that space. Okay. Um what's happened is they have not even paid the taxes on the non-g grocery store area and it is being auctioned off um at an auction later this month for just over $700,000 is the starting bid. So that's the minimum bid um in order for that. Now mind you, it just sold for just over $400,000 last year. Um and uh we as you all know uh Dunhams is now closing and I just received notification right before this that um Bath and Body Works will be closing on on um uh January 24th. [sighs] So um what's very frustrating again about this is we also put our best

foot forward. We offered them incentives. they have in hand uh as as they've said uh lease agreements that would bring them almost $800,000 in revenue a year and what that is is a movie theater, a five below uh and a women's clothing store. We have also offered them incentives as we have with other businesses and unfortunately they are non-communicative but I think that it's important that we're always as transparent as possible about the efforts that we have made to try to not only keep uh but to to retain but to recruit businesses apologize I need a little bit of water.

I got a question in regards to Yale Heistister. [clears throat] Indiana has an obvious advantage over Illinois. Am I right or wrong on that? In many ways, yes. So, you know, that's putting us in a bad spot with us being on a border where we have to do what you just said. I mean, we went above and beyond, I'm sure. How can we combat that? And I don't even know if we're going to be able to.

How do we combat that? make sure that it um that we're as good as that we're as good as b as possible to do business with here uh to make sure that we have um incentives available when we do have the opportunity to grab things. And the other thing is is we're going to be working with Vermillion Advantage for them to be more proactive. For the longest time, I would say probably since Tanisha Shades Bane was the interimm director, we have not actively recruited businesses. Vermillion Advantage hasn't. the city has and we've been very successful with some of those, but Vermillion Advantage has not. So, um, we spent a day uh about a month ago uh in a workshop trying to make sure that we have our mission and values in correct alignment with Vermillion Advantage. Uh, and we're spending another half day there, I believe, next week to get that finalized that that way as we hire the next CEO, we can be sure that we have someone that's insertive and being proactive instead of always reactive. But the bad thing about that is we've got a developer or a development that wants to go south of 74 on you know that Casey's and all that. I don't even know if that's going to be in existence anymore. But you know when somebody says well Amaran isn't going to build over there or help us out that you know that's doesn't make any sense. [clears throat and cough] My Emirate bill's gone up enough where I could probably pay for it, but I mean, what what's stopping that? I mean, the last record that I had of it was was money. Um, yes, these are very impactful I74 um developments, but they are not substantial enough to justify the roughly, I'll give you a ballpark, $1.2 $2 million to install uh gas and electric underneath the interstate and uh essentially a mini substation for their development. They would really likely need a large anchor um to help

share the cost of those Amarind utilities to get there and we have offered them incentives as well. Um so far they have not uh moved forward. They're looking for a larger tenant before I think that they're willing to to nail down a larger tenant before I believe they're willing to to move forward.

They got close. Sorry to interrupt again. They got really close. There was three tenants total. Um, two of them that the council was aware of, which was the dispensary and the Casey's truck stop. The other can go unnamed, but that was their anchor tenant and they backed out of the deal. It's the bad thing about it is we're just going to have to do everything we possibly can to get anything in here. I mean, especially with us being on the border and, you know, we've lost what, 500 jobs here within the last couple years. And it's it's just we've got to do something to combat that. And I I I don't know what we're going to do to do it.

It's actually more than 500. When Heistister leaves, it'll be over 700. And that's despite adding over 600 jobs since my first term. So, we'll be in my first term. So, we'll be at a net loss. Yes, Alderman Jones. Um, I just, um, think it'll be a very reasonable thing to maybe put more business out by the highways than rather in town. Yes. Well, I I would agree with you on a lot of things all the room, but the problem is, you know, I it's a simple scenario I put to people and I ask them like, "Hey, can I tell you what to do with your money?" [clears throat] Right?

So, when you have multi, you know, millionaire people who are going to invest millions of dollars or billion, you know, multi-billion dollar international companies, we can't tell them where they're going to invest their money. We can incentivize it, which we have, um, but ultimately they decide, you know, where they want to be. for example, you know, the the restaurant that will eventually go where Red Lobster is now. I mean, we have plenty of other green field sites it would be easier for them to build on instead of having to tear down a site to build something new, right? But [clears throat] that's a hightraic area. It's high visibility. Um, that's where they want to be, you know, and a lot of times these folks who are making investments are looking at where the highest traffic areas are. And for us, the highest traffic areas tend to be up north. Um, our busiest intersection in town is Winter in Vermillion. The second business is Fair second busiest I think is Fairchild and Vermillion. Um, the one of the third or fourth busiest is Fairchild and uh, Gilbert Street. And so, um, you know, they want to be where we have high vehicular traffic. Um, so the challenge to us is that we have to, it makes it more important than ever that we're incredibly good stewards of the resources we have. And that's what I explained to someone recently is like, look, we can't control everything, but the things that we do, we have to make sure that we do them well because it's your money and there's less of it. But if there's a manufacturer saying they're wanting to build and they're looking for locations, oh, in Illinois or Indiana or whatever, who do who on our part contacts these people saying, "Hey, we've got land available or whatever that we'll work with you." And is this for me an advantage or

Yeah. Yeah. Um essentially most large players when you're talking, let's use FedEx for example, um they'll use a third party consultant to list their site and and request for RFPs. They request for information through these largecale development sites. And it is Vermillion Advantage's job now to locate those and submit that application. So they can just quickly finger through the city of Danville's application and they'll put it in a pile. That's essentially what happens. Um we got very very lucky when it comes to like a project like FedEx. The consultant they hired had a direct relationship with the city of Danville, so they called us. Um so we got in direct contact with them. But most most of the time it's it's blind luck. They are searching through online applications and that's the mission of Vermillion Advantage as mayor was alluding to is to put in those applications because they're looking for certain utility um capacities, acreage, um topography, freight, interstate proximity, most of the time an airport and we have to submit all of those. We have no idea to whom and then they pick us and and hopefully eventually call us. [laughter] And the other thing,

go ahead.

The other thing, Alderman Cooper, is um the only good thing, if there is anything good about losing something that's been in your community for 60 or 70 years is that the state of Illinois is all in with us. Uh they have um guided us in applying for a couple of grants. We do believe that we will likely be able to receive flu uh flooding remediation money that we need for the uh former Heatcraft site that would allow us to develop all of um all of the Heatcraft and um and Quaker sites together which is approximately 100 acres and they also are helping us with um site readiness grants uh through the state of Illinois. When I say site readiness, I mean just that there are some places for example where we have hundreds of acres of land available but no utilities. So they we are partnering with them to get those sites ready so that they would be developable if we do you know at such time as we have uh have someone that's looking for such a site.

But Logan in regards what you just said uh all these applications or whatever coming down are we even getting any nibbles or anything showing in any interest? We we do

I mean, yeah, we'll make it we'll make it through a couple of rounds. Um and then it'll get really really niche. Um as I've mentioned in the past, land we're starving of of big mega sites of big land. That's why Quaker and Heatcraft is going to be so important. That's why Mr. Office site was so important for the Heistister Yale project. Those are pretty easily readily accessible ground that can be built on, but there's not very many of those sites in the in or around the city of Danville that's readily available. And the other problem that we have, Alderman Cooper, is that many of the sites that we do have available are s are surrounded by sites um that are owned by the Latter-day Saints and they will not sell land. They used to do a 3:1 trade or a 10 to one trade and they're at a point now where they will not sell sell land. So for example, let's say that we're trying to put together a 100 acres acre site. We might have 50 over here and 20 over here and 10 over there. But if the, you know, if the Latter-day Saints own the 20 in the middle and they needed a and we needed a 100 acres for the project, then we're we're out of the running.

Alderman Cooper, you bring up a really, really good point that I want to expand on a little bit against the Indiana and Illinois. We'll call it a battle. That's what it is, right? Um, and I think it became clear to us between Indiana and the state of Illinois while we're battling for the Heistister project. What you guys are aware of is that we tried to extend the enterprise zone to that location. There's a very valuable property tax incentive available there to the tunes to the tune of tens of millions of dollars over a 15-year span. Okay, that impacts all parties. All parties that approved that would have taken a loss a net loss over 15 years. That made us very competitive in that project. But in the long term, as we've heard back from from our resources, that still doesn't touch on the net gain that Indiana is offering on their lack of property taxes over in the state of Indiana. Now, do they make that up and make it on likely income taxes and other sources? Yes. That doesn't hit their dotted line. It's it's it's it's the property tax battle that we're battling right now over there. Wow.

And the other the other thing that we're battling is, you know, workers compensation laws and such like that here in the state of Illinois where it's much friendlier there. And then also, you have to think they're they're um their minimum wage is half of ours. Oh, and I agree. I just [clears throat] want that stated more or less. Yes. Yes, Alderman.

Uh, I I guess I would just offer for everybody is there there is a an appropriate time for a more lengthy discussion, I believe, at the council level on how we can continue to better prepare ourselves. Uh, I think we would all acknowledge there's work yet to be done to to be the best. I drove over to Avon once I found out that was the community. And if you drive to Avon and you drive to Danville, they look different. And one community is growing, one is not. And so I think it goes back to part of what the mayor has indicated in terms of your stewardship of the resources that you do have, how they're being focused and prioritized. Uh but you have to recognize that places like Indiana are always going to have that advantage. And you know, some years ago there was a business that said it would not stay here unless we could get them located across the state line. Danville needs how to figure out how to serve utilities into Indiana because the bottom line is going back to what the mayor stated. You know, whether they're in Tilton or some other community or just outside of Danville, if they're 50 ft on the other side of the line, those people are still going to be spending money in Danville, they're going to be living in Danville. And there's opportunity there because if if we're gonna be stuck to the model that we've always existed and operated under with the state, uh we're getting too small to be able to compete for these kinds of projects. And so we we've got to have the the particular project that Mr. Cooper brings up. That's an example of well, does the city need to pony up the 1.2 million to make things happen? Those are the kinds of things we need to be talking about going down the road and having the resources in place to to have the mayor have the ability to do that. Regarding the the Heistister Yale project, I was not involved in it from the start. It I got involved somewhat at the tail end in a previous uh role. Uh so it it was a difficult project to achieve and and I will agree that in the several months that I was involved that we were able to get people

together, get the get the things resolved uh and that was the case. So, as the mayor indicated, a lot of work to do and there were some good things that came as a result. Still a little fresh for those people that are finding out they're unemployed. So, yes, I'll hold any other comments till a little later. Thank you.

Thank you, alderman. Um I I guess what I would would say too is that you know we have had conversations with them about incentives and um their conversations with us thus far have been until we until we tie down the third hanker it long term it doesn't make sense for us yet. So um the last thing that I want to discuss with you to to to make you aware of is something that you've probably read about is the situation with Chris Rule mass transit district. Now, I want to make sure that everyone is very clear. Chris Senior Services, which is what we think of over on Franklin Street, where the folks meet, where they do meals on wheels, uh, and provide other senior services, and Chris Rural Mass Transit District are two separate things. Okay? They used to be all under one roof and they split maybe five or so years ago. Okay? Unfortunately, ever since that split, um the mass transit district has struggled because we knew that they were struggling and because the state of Illinois was requiring that there would only be one fiscal agent in the community. We uh were proactive and met with um uh both of our chairman and I as well as some of our team met with the county board and their team over a period of time uh almost two years ago to try to get this resolved. the the executive committee of the county board recommended I think nearly unanimously that we would become the fiscal agent for the state and then the next month which would have been June of 2024 the county board voted that down. Um at that time they were almost uh so to clarify relationships Chris RMTD provides for the city of Danville paratransit service. That's service for people who have ambulatory issues that cannot get to a traditional bus or ride a traditional bus. We pick up those folks at their home and take them to their their point of need and then bring them back. Primarily it's used for doctor's appointments, dialysis, things like that. However, they are able to use it for other limited services. Um, so the

city of Danville uh contracted with them to provide that service. In addition to that, Chris RMTD provided a lot of transportation uh all throughout the county. They provided that that service that we provided for our citizens and contract with them. They also had a contract uh through Livingston County with Irakcoy and Ford counties to provide that service for those citizens as well. Um, additionally um they provided a a host of of critical transportation in this community. So, I'll give you an example. Um, WorkSource up north uh for citizens with uh for adults with developmental disabilities. They provide life skills. They provide um job training, job opportunities, and and other um uh recreational and and fellowship opportunities. Of their 120ish um clientele, over 80 of them were served by Chris. They had a contract with Chris RMTD where Chris got them to and from their sessions every day. Unfortunately, uh at the time that we went to the county last year, uh they were almost Chris RMTD was almost one year behind in billing us for their paratransit services. They had some other issues. They had hired our former um treasurer as their financial person. Um and uh there continued to be a lot of issues there. Unfortunately, the writing was on the wall. Uh, director White and I and uh, our chairman pleaded with them. I went personally to beg them to work with us to make this happen. And unfortunately, uh, for I believe political reasons, it was voted down. Um, and here we are today. So, you know, on the first day of the year, we get a call. Uh, we're they're closed. They didn't even call us. They didn't even have the decency or dignity to call us to give us a heads up so that we could try to put anything in place. But that's where I want to tell you that once again, I'm incredibly

proud of our team. Uh, Director White and his team um came together with a plan immediately. They called all of our dialysis centers in town. They made sure that they got um a list of those patients who would release it for us to go and pick them up. So all day Saturday, our team of uh Director White, um Robert McNeel, Petra Pulos, and then newcomer Jananisha Morris drove all day. Uh the first drop off is at 5:40 in the morning. So before we even start our transportation services, they got up every day. So that means if we have a person in Hoopton that needs services, you know, that's an hour round trip, right? So they're leaving here at 4:40, meaning that they've got to be here at 4:00. but they busted their hump to make sure that everybody could have their dialysis service. Um, and I'm very proud of that. Incredibly proud and thankful of them and their leadership. [applause] Behind behind the scenes, our comproller has helped a lot with working through financial issues, too. And so, I just want to say to them that we're incredibly proud we will continue to provide that service for dialysis. Uh, in the meantime, we were supposed to have a meeting with um the Department of Transportation Director um Schaefer yesterday. Unfortunately, things were so bad at Chris. Uh, they spent the entire day instead of a portion of the day doing inventory, etc. Uh, they found missing buses, buses that didn't work and a host of other issues. Thankfully, I think we've located nearly everything now. Uh, but that delayed our meeting with them until today. To make a long story short, we have a lot of details to work through, but with your support, I do believe that we can continue to help our brothers and sisters in Vermillion County and the private agencies as well. However, what is that going to take? A number of things. First and foremost, an updated contract, updated um intergovernmental agreement with uh the state of Illinois. Also, it's going to take equipment. Um, Director Schaefer

has indicated that he's willing to transfer all of their vehicles that are in good condition to us for to help us provide those services. Um, as well as getting folks hired and trained and everyone insured. That's going to take some time. I wish that I could do it tomorrow. Unfortunately, we can't and not be safe and not without, you know, subjecting ourselves to a lot of liability and and also our pe the people we serve into a lot of liability. I will be working with my team diligently uh to get that updated and to all of those things in place and to bring them to you as soon as possible. Uh but WorkSource, Community Action, um Cross Point, all of those people, we have people that can't get to their counseling appointments right now because they don't have transportation. So, we are busting hump to uh get that together a reasonable agreement. I've made it clear to Mr. Schaefer that while we want to help that unfortunately Danville doesn't have resources to subsidize provision of services outside of the county. Uh as a result they have agreed to reduce the state's portion of the funding from 65 to% to 80%. Um so that will be a huge uh increase and improvement for us and and allow us to be able to serve folks more. We will continue to work through those details. Um, there are a lot of questions that I can't answer for you yet because I don't have the answers myself, but I can assure you that we will get everything nailed down and bring that to you uh post haste because literally there are lives on the line. You know, think about it at Chris for example. All I I mean not at Chris at at um at work source all those folks that are not having that fellowship, that socialization, that are not getting that training, that life skills support. And not only that, but the people that are their family and loved ones that provide for them, right? That, you know, how long is it before someone's not able to go to work because they're not able to send their loved one to get that kind of service. So, we'll do everything that we can to get those in order. I have asked all those entities have been have started sending

me their contracts so that we can start reviewing language, making any additions or updates. Uh, our legal team is working uh diligently on that as well. Um, I wish that I had more information. I I don't have much information for you now, and I apologize uh that those parts of my report have been so long, but I think there are things that are important for the community. Yes, Alderman Arn, just one question. Mayor, you mentioned you referenced a county vote that did not go well, did not go for our approval. Are they out of it now that Chris went under or are is there still some level of approval? I wasn't aware they had any role in.

So according to state statute, the county board in each county can designate a rural mass transit. However, the state does have the authority to supersede that, but only in extreme circumstances and they have uh superseded that and made us the the fiscal agent for the state for the for county transportation. So they voted down us doing it, but they didn't have anybody else that they voted to do it. [cough] Chris, meet me rural Mass Transit District. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Okay. Um, but again, [clears throat] I just want to say to our team, thank you. Literally, y'all are heroes. Literally, you're stepping in to make sure that people can sustain their lives, and I I can't tell you how much we appreciate it. U, there are two more people that I want to make sure that I mention. Um, and that's Miss Nikia Boots at Dvita Dialysis Center and Diane Leka at Danville Dialysis. Those ladies have been angels underfoot. And how so? They've been helping us coordinate schedules. Okay? So, let's say that we had a patient in Georgetown that had a 8:00 appointment and one that had a 1:00 appointment. They've been helping us work with the patients to adjust those schedules. So, then we're only going down to Georgetown back and forth once or twice a day versus going down having to figure out how to coordinate that and get to Hoopton and get out to Catelyn and make sure that we're able to take care of our people. So, uh, Miss Boots and Miss Lechka, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you, uh, for everything that you all have done to help us.

Are the townships involved in any in any way? The townships have stepped up and helped, uh, some folks as well. Um, I don't think that they have the capacity to provide all of the transportation that is needed though, but they h that they have. So, I want to thank our partners and um, particularly in Newell and Danville Townships, they have stepped up as well. Okay. I've think that's the longest report I've ever given. So, I will forego any further comment for now. Madame Clerk, at this time, do we have any petitions, communications, or audience comments? Well, we do. Um, when I call your name, please come to the podium. You'll have three minutes to speak. Got PJ Bourne of Danville regarding culac.

All right. 2026. So, this is to our mayor and our city council. Um, I'm writing to formally request the review and correction action regarding uh the name of the street, which is the CODAC, as well as to address ongoing concern of unequal treatment, favoritism, and lack of consistency um and the services, municipal service at my place of residence. It is my understanding that the original owner of my property, Dr. Harding was granted special consideration by the city in and around 1966 when the house was built, including the [clears throat] name of the street after himself. As the current and lawful owner resident of this property, I'm requesting that an in uh privileges considerations and accommodations previously extended to him be equally extended to me. These considerations should further transfer with ownership and not be limited to a prior residence. Additionally, I am observing and experiencing what appears to have favoritism toward a neighborhood and the residents. Specifically, after neighbors contracted the city request street cleaning, the city cleaned only the two residents in front of mine while excluding the portion of the street directly adjacent to my property despite it being the same street and cotac. This is selective service and should be unacceptable and given the appearance of bias and prejudice. I am also concerned about a series of unusual and troubled incidents on and around the property. These include drones flying over my home, unidentified individuals presented present on the land, and men claiming various purposes for being in the area. One individual was dressed as a plumber and appeared to be assisting or observing the property uh on my side of the street. Uh around Thanksgiving, I encountered an individual identifying

himself as Carter and Carter stated he was arranging an AT&T internet service claiming to live in Chicago and had no clear reason for being or near the property. Furthermore, city official have come to my residence in city vehicles and stated that they were unaware anyone lived there. Regardless of that claim, the issue remains that I am entitled to the same city services, recognitions, and respect afford to and others uh residents. To be clear, my request is for the street changed and and is an independent street cleaning and it is also the municipal service. The name of the street should not be used as leverage or justification or excuse to deny routine city maintenance in the services. In summary, I requested a formal review and approval of the change to the name of the street, equal consistent services through the city, including street cleaning without favoritism, and investigating in the apparent bias or prejudice, unequal treatment, and also clarifying regardless unauthorized individuals surveillancing or activities occurring on or near the property. I respectful respectfully request a written response or address to these matters. and also for the city to intend to take and to resolve them promptly and as fair as possible. I'm only saying that because this is what has happened since I've been coming to these meetings. It is as if I've been uh can I say targeted and so I've taken pictures. I have uh pictures

I I apologize but your time has expired. Did you hear me ma'am? Oh did you hear me? Yes. Okay. All right. I look forward to hear from you as well. Thank you. That's all I have. Mayor, thank you. Is there anyone else who wishes to address the council this evening? All right. Thank you. We do not have any zoning petitions. However, you do have before you the payrolls of December 19th, December 26th, and uh January uh January second. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second.

It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion or debate? Al mayor on some of the overtime for uh sewer and solid waste. It shows higher amounts. I'm assuming maybe that's related to to plowing and I was surprised it was coming out of those. Does that get reimbursed by streets? Then at this point in time, no. That is something we're working on with our business plans, but since since I have been involved in the plowing budgets and everything, that's how it's been. Uh so that's something we intend to work through and and ensure gets uh gets looked at. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions, Alderman?

No. Any other questions or roll call vote, please? Alderman Cooper, yes. Arns, yes. Jones, yes. Leadwick, yes. Teague, yes. Pickering, yes. Streing, yes. Poor yes. Okaane yes Johnson yes Bashard yes doy yes butler yes 13 yes 13 yes the motion carries you also have before you the vouchers payable of 122325 as well as 1626 and special runs of 12225 and 123025. Is there a motion to approve those? So move second. [clears throat]

It's been moved and second. Is there any discussion or debate? Yes. Alderman, I just have a couple of questions. Um, on page 4 of the 122325, there was a voucher for a redevelopment plan for 125 North Vermillion. And my question is, will that plan be presented to the council?

All plans will be presented to the council once they have been reviewed and uh we have a path forward. Yes. Okay. And then um and do we have a um ETA on when we might see that particular plan? Yeah, I'm I'm hoping very soon. Okay.

Yeah. And then um the next question is on page four of the six vouchers which is um [clears throat] a voucher that says Chris purchase transportation um and it was for 896579. So my question is um I'm assuming it's obviously related to the situation with Chris. Are we purchasing or did we purchase buses or exactly what was that for

alderman? That was for the paratransit service that we discussed earlier. Unfortunately, they continue to be um delayed in their billing. So, it was a bill that was it was a normal routine bill that was sent to us late, not related to the num numerous ones. Yes, y [snorts] did you have any further questions? No, those were it. Thank you. Okay. Any uh anyone else? All right, roll call, please. Alderman Arns, yes. Jones, yes. Lewig, yes. Teague, yes. Pickering, yes. Streing, yes. Core, yes. Okaane, yes. Johnson, yes. Pashard, yes. Doy, yes. Butler, yes. Cooper, yes.

13, [clears throat] yes. 13, yes. The motion carries. At this time, we will receive our public services committee report. Chairman streaming. Yes. 11A is uh to accept and place on file a treasury report for October of 2025. I'll need a motion in a second, please. So moved. Second. Is there any questions on the treasures report this time? Chairman, I would just say I think in all of my years of involvement with city government, this is the first time that it's ever been provided in a timely manner. So a huge thank you, treasurer, uh comproller, and both of your teams. Outstanding work. I remember it was six and eight months before we get a report. So

10 and 12 and a [laughter] half. I'm trying to be kind. So if there's no other questions, uh, all those in favor signify by saying I I opposed. The eyes have it. Mayor, uh, items of information. I don't have anything. How about anybody else from the public services committee? Do you have anything? That concludes our report. Mayor, thank you, chairman. At this time, we'll receive our public works committee report. Chairman Poor. Thank you, Mayor. 12A is a resolution approving the purchase of playground equipment for Garfield Park. Uh, movement reading. Ask your approval. Need a second. Second. Questions. Do have a little picture of Yeah, this will be coming out of the OLAD grant.

The OSLAD grant. Yes. Uh in addition to what's shown in the picture, there are also uh you'll notice in the item or the uh supplemental documentation uh that there are field goss, a scoreboard um and pavilion uh oh and uh also a bag set that a cornhole set that stays in place like a concrete permanent cornhole set. Questions? Oliver Cooper. Who's going to use the football field? Just one, Chris? Is it just one team using it?

Uh, I think how we've been using the rest of the football fields, it tends to be uh specific teams that kind of have their areas. However, that's I mean, open for discussion. I think [laughter] primarily the primarily the Seahawks. That's the the home field for the Seahawks. Uh they're probably our our largest youth football program. They have several hundred who participate in football and cheerleading. Um, but others will be able to use it as well. Um, and the school has already, um, Mark Dman has already contacted us about using it for their field day and such as well. Alderman Arms.

The only followup to that, Mayor, you had indicated that your expectation of them is that that become a public entity.

They're football that the that the teams join together into a league that is ran jointly. That's my only problem. Right now, they're a privately held organization and we built them a facility. We didn't build facilities for any other privatelyowned organizations. And so while I recognize that's always been in existence, we've also been pro been trying for the better part of two dec decades to get them to give up their private franchise and form a league where everybody shares the revenues, everybody shares the work, and everybody shares the success. But uh anyway, I I I just think it's important to note this is not a typical youth league situation. All of our other youth leagues I'm aware of are all ran as an organization that benefit all of the youth equally. These are privatelyowned franchises unless that's changed.

So they do still own their franchises. However, they are out of a part of a league. The league is run out of Champagne Urbana. There are two two leagues over in Champ one in Champagne, one in Urbana. Decater and Ranul. That is the league that they play current in currently. Unfortunately, the Vermillion Count Valley League would not allow our teams to participate because they're afraid of superior participation by our our youth. Um, but that is something that I would like to work towards eventually, not for this year. That's impossible to accomplish on this timeline, but my hope is that by next year that we might be able to achieve our own league. I think we have enough young people that wish to participate that we could support it.

I don't know about our own league. I just think all the funding should not be going to private individuals. Well, unfortunately, and organizations that aren't not for profit. So, they do all of their own fundraising. And we have to realize that we didn't build this just for them. The the schools will use it. Boys and [clears throat] Girls Club will use it all quite regularly. So, this wasn't built for one entity. And the bottom line is if we have 3 to 500 youth that are using it on a regular basis, one of the things we've, you know, lamented about is that we don't have enough for our youth to do. I think that um it's it's a good thing that we that we're going to have it there for them. [clears throat] Um

maybe we maybe instead of just making it a Seahawks background for it, you know, we enhance it by putting every team um logos. Yeah. Like you know, little posters or whatever just so it doesn't seem as if it's one team's field.

Sure. So there will not be any kind of team branding on the field in terms of the the there won't be logos on the goalpost I mean on the field goal or sorry the scoreboard or anything like that so that way that it will be able to use be used by everyone. And here's the other thing that I would say alderman while I think your thought in an ideal world is incredible practically speaking for over 50 years and Mr. Butler knows this from the days back of the Cowboys and the Raiders and all of that. These folks have owned their own franchises and and and they the thing is they raise their own money as well. You know, the city doesn't provide them funding. And so, um I I I think it would be a difficult thing to get them to give up their franchises, but we can I think eventually get them to play by our rules and you play by our rules or you don't use the property. And that's the that's the I think where we have to get long term to make sure that we're successful. And the bottom line is if we didn't if they didn't have the franchises, we wouldn't have youth football. Some of you all remember about 16 17 years ago, you know, when I'm first home a couple of years, our our youth football league was struggling and nearly um nearly had gone away. So, you know, while there are still certainly things to improve upon and work out, I'm proud of them for keeping the alive and helping so many of our kids. Uh yes, I have a a statement as well. Uh I've noticed that too, like during the games and I noticed we just got bleaches on one side. I think it would be advisable to maybe have bleaches on both sides because uh you know some of the games that when you got both teams of parents is mainly parents on the same side. I

mean there's a big uh controversy and uh you know like the high school colleges uh you know oh well not colleges there but high schools so they got two sides and I kind of think uh you know we need to probably think about putting bleachers on the other side

and I tell you know to kind of keep down the controversies. So, the reason why we um one of the things that you all s along the way, we met with um the users of the B the the Seahawks, the other football teams, we met with um the Boys and Girls Club, we met with the schools, those who actively use that park, and especially with the football folks, uh Alderman Butler, their request was that we not have bleachers on the other side. I don't know if you've, you know, when you've grasp been to a game, but 90% of those who are sitting there, they set up their own tents. They set up their own they're grilling out. They're setting up their own chairs and stuff. So, they did not want bleachers around the whole thing or on both sides because they wanted room to be able to put their their tents and things like that as well. Yes, Alderman Jones.

You done? You done? Uh, no, not really. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead, Al. I apologize. Yes. Right. They did have tents and stuff at the parks, but you noticed that those tents was on both sides.

Mhm. They are. And so, uh, one team on the other side, one team on the other side. And so, I understand staying what you're saying. Of course, the home team is going to say, uh, you know, hey, there we want to make sure we want some some bleaches on our side. We ain't worried about the other side. [laughter] And so, I kind of think uh we need oursel need to make a decision uh to do that. If not, I mean, I I've done made my statement. Yes, sir. Thank you.

Alderman Jones. Uh I've had some um residents come to me about the field and they say that I and I've went look the field is not boxed off like uh I the the whole field is boxed off but the actual like football field it's like open. It's only like certain fence on one side and and another side but the parents and stuff could still get on the field. Get on the field. Right. And that was one of the complaints of keeping parents off of the field when kids are playing.

I know from years ago we always had like it'll get real packed up and kids are running into parents running kids over running parents over. So I feel like we need to fence it off more all the way around the field part. Exactly.

You know what I'm saying? I I I understand what you're saying. I would just I understand what you're saying. Again, what I would tell you is in the end, we went with what the those who use it recommended and requested. So, I would say that we give it a try for this season and see how things go and if we determine that we need to address any further issues that then we would try to make changes at such time. Okay. Other questions? Roll call, please. Alderman Jones, yes. Lewig, yes. Teague, yes. Pickering, yes. Strebing, yes. Poor, yes. Okaane, yes. Johnson, yes. Pashard, yes. Detoy, yes. Butler,

yes. Cooper, yes. Arns, no. 12. Yes.

12 yes. Motion passes. Uh, moving on. If there's no objection, since Logan's been getting so much money, [laughter] we have a bunch of resolution amendments. Um, I'd like to take 12 B, C, and D together. Um, B is a resolution amending the fiscal year 2526 budget to move fund 719 from fiscal year 2627 budget. C is a resolution amending the item half grant amount for additional funds. And D is a resolution amending the fiscal year 2526 budget to reflect the increase ite have for grant amounts. No objection. Take those three together and we'll need a second.

Second 79. So on C and D the budget line items are 713 and not 719. So, are these Yeah. related? Two separate grants. So, I think that B should be separate from C and D then. Okay, that's fine. Okay. So, we'll just do B. Still good with your second Butler. You still good with the second one? Just B. Uh, yes. Or is that Alman? Uh, no. I didn't say I'm sorry. You still okay with that? Alman, just doing B? Yeah, it's fine. Okay. Yes.

Questions on B. So since this is not related, what is this for?

Yeah, this is I believe I alluded uh before the end of the year uh the CPF funds we are getting started on the projects. Uh the the budget that was just passed uh we anticipated with the federal freeze and the administrative changes that were occurring to the programs. We had feared that it was either going to slow um drastically down. So we pushed the funds into the next fiscal year budget that was just approved. Thankfully, they did release the funds. They approved our plan and uh we have started the project essentially with asbestous abatement. So, bringing those funds out of the recently passed FY27 budget, bringing them forward into this current operating budget. Okay. Yep. Okay. Anything else? Aman Teague?

No, that's it. Okay. Uh roll call, please, on 12B. Alderman Lewig, yes. Teague, yes. Pickering? Yes. Streing? Yes. Poor? Yes. Ocane, yes. Johnson, yes. Pashard, yes. Doy, yes. Butler, yes. Cooper, yes. Arns, yes. Jones, yes. 13, yes. 13, yes. Resolution passes. Now, if there's no objection, take C and D together. Need a um move to dispense reading. Ask for your approval. Need a second. Second. Questions. Okay. Roll call, please. Alderman Teague, yes. Pickering, yes. Streing, yes. Poor,

yes. Okain, yes. Johnson, yes. Pashard, yes. Datoy, yes. Butler, yes. [clears throat] Cooper, yes. Arns, yes. Jones, yes. Lewig, yes. 13, yes. 13. Yes. Resolutions pass. And 12E. Items of information. Director Ruie.

Yeah. Uh, [clears throat] I'm going to update you guys on something that's come up in the last Well, we noticed it a couple months ago and we've kind of been monitoring it and, uh, we're going to need to take action on it. So, out at the Winter Avenue bridge over Stony Creek there just west of Winter Park. Uh, we had done a a a bridge, the city had done a bridge construction, I don't know, 15 years ago now, give or take. um some of the sheet piling on the north side of the bridge there that is intended to kind of solidify the embankment there of Stony Creek. Uh we we started to notice some settlement within the pavement and then we've got a structural engineer engaged to kind of take a look at it. Uh what's happening there is Stony Creek has uh slowly but surely over the last 15 years or so begun to uh erode away the bank which is part of the stabilization of those sheet piles. Um, that being said, there we're starting to see a drift there. We're tracking it and monitoring it, but we've got an engineer that we've got a proposal from to get engaged to uh restabilize the existing sheet piling. Probably have to do some pavement repairs there cuz we're guessing there there may be some settlement and things there that we've got to resolve. And then as well as doing some bank stabilization within Stony Creek to prevent uh this cutting from happening again in the future. Uh the initial estimates at least from the design engineering standpoint are a little less than $50,000. The construction we don't have an exact number on, but I would guesstimate based on some work we had done in my previous job with some bank stabilizations efforts. Uh we're probably looking at a few hundred,000 here um to stabilize this and get repairs made. Uh mostly just trying to let you guys know this uh in the event we have to act on this. Um we you know we'll be bringing things back but we are going to act on this because we don't want to

wait to get a goalie washer down there and have real problems. Anything else? Okay. Um mayor that concludes our report. Thank you chairman. I apologize but we do have a need for close session. At this time, I would entertain a motion to go into close session under section 2C1 of the open meetings act to approve close and me close session minutes. So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion or debate? Roll call vote, please. Alderman streaming? No. Poor? No. Okain, yes. Johnson, yes. Pashard, yes. Doy,

yes. Butler, no. Cooper, no. Barnes, yep. Jones, no. Lewig, yes. Teague, yes. Pickering, yes. How many nos? Eight. Yes. Eight. [laughter] Yes. The motion carries. We are adjourned to close session. Hopefully, it will be quick. There should be no there will be no there will there may be action taken after. You guys are getting close.

Ain a motion to return to open session. Yeah. So moved. Second. Do it. Moved by Alderman Pickering. Seconded by Chairman Poor. Any discussion or debate? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Same sign. Thank you very much. At this time, I would entertain a motion to uh item number 14, release certain close session minutes. Is there a motion in a second to do so? So moved. So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion or debate? Roll call vote, please. Alderman Poor, yes. Okaane, yes. Johnson, yes. Pashard, yes. Doy, yes.

Butler, yes. Cooper Horns, yes. Jones, yes. Lewig, yes. Teague, yes. Pickering, yes. Streing, 11, yes. 11, yes. The motion carries. Item 15 is a resolution authorizing the destruction of certain closed session tapes and audio recordings. Is there a motion and a second to do so? So moved. So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion or debate? Roll call vote, please. Alderman Okaane. Yes. Johnson. Yes. Pashard. Yes. The Toyo Toy. Yes. Butler. Yes. Cooper. Orange. Yes. Jones. Yes. Ledwig. Yes. Teague.

Yes. Pickering. Yes. Poor. Yes. 11. Yes. 11. Yes. The motion carries. Are there any items of information for the good of the cause? Um, when will we be going across the street? When is that? as soon as we can get designs ready and make sure that we have a designated funding source. Uh so hopefully hopefully design sometime in the next two months and then for and then move on forward from there. Having satisfied the agenda, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Any oppose? Same sign.

We are adjourned. Have a great night everyone. Be safe.