City Council - Regular Meeting

It tastes so good. [laughter] That's not saying Milwaukee. What did you make? Banana pudding. Yeah. I never made it before. It's like then I like did my own thing with the wafers. I like broke them up and put them all through it. It's layered, you know, that's one of those few desserts I've never made before, but I love the first time like I really never ate it because I never like how it looked bananas. Not a lot of bananas, but like I covered the top and I covered it with wafers and I covered it with [laughter]

work out very well have bananas and that's just it seems banana pudding. You need at least a little bit. Even if you don't like it, you need a little bit. Oh, theoretically, that's Why don't they want it in there? Does it turn brown? I would like to call to order the Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 meeting of the Danville City Council. Madame Clerk, roll call to establish a quorum, please. Mayor Ricky Williams, Jr., present. Vice Mayor Eve Lewick, present. Alderman John Cooper, here. Doug Arn, present. Jalle Jones, here. Sher Pickering, here. Trisha Teague, present. Rick Striebing here. Mike Poor present. Mike Okaine here. Barry Johnson present. Tom High Tower here. James Pashard

present. Carolyn Doy present. Ed Betler here. 14 present. 14 present. We do have a quorum at this time. We will have uh the invocation led by Alderman Carolyn Deoy and followed by the pledge of allegiance uh led by Vice Mayor Ledig. Please rise. Heavenly Father, we come to you tonight asking you that you might bless this meeting. Yes. We thank you for today. We thank you for each day that you give us of life. Sure.

Lord, as we had just celebrated a day of thanks, I just pray Lord that we might look at each day and thank you for life. Thank you for all the blessings that you give to us, Lord. We thank you for our mayor. We thank you for our department heads, our police department, the fire department, just so many people that make Danville [clears throat] um Danville. We thank you for each citizen. Yes, Lord. Lord, we just pray that we remember that our calling as alderman is to serve our people. Yes. Yes. Lord, just take our eyes off of self, off of agendas. Yes.

Off of anything that hampers us from from doing your will and doing the will of the people. Yes, Lord. Thank you, Lord. I thank you that um you have given us so many things um that [snorts] we are even unaware of that we just take for granted. Mhm. [clears throat] But tonight, Lord, I want uh to ask you to help our decisions. Yes, Lord. Guide us in the things that we should do and the way that you would have us to go. Yes, Lord. For it's in your name I pray. Amen. Amen.

Amen. I pledge allegiance 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. Ladies, [clears throat] you have before you the minutes of the the uh November 18th, 2025 meeting. Is there a motion to approve those? So move. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion or debate? All those in favor, please signify by saying I.

Any oppose? Same sign. Thank you very much. Um, we also have an agenda before you. There is the removal of one item. Uh, that's going to be item 6D3. We will not have a presentation from Director Goodner this tonight, but he will be here to answer questions and we're voting on the items if you should need him. Is there a motion to approve the agenda as amended? So move. Second. Second. All All those in favor, I'm sorry. Um, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I. Any oppose? Same sign. Thank you very much.

I do not have any proclamations, board, committee, or personnel appointments, although I do hope to have a couple of those for you next time. Are there any reports of boards, agencies, or commissions this evening? Seeing none, um I do have an uh several items of information, but the first and most pressing one is the presentation from Clifton Larson Allen for the fiscal year 202425 financial statement and audit. This time I'd like to introduce Sandy Cook, who will also introduce her team as well. [snorts]

All right. All right. Thank you so much. Um again, my name is Sandy Cook. I'm with Clifton Larson Allen. Um I also have Cave Kate Cummings with me. Um so what I'm going to do is um first appreciate the opportunity to get in front of everyone uh to go over the the results of the audit and then to open it up for any questions. What you have in front of you is a copy of the audited financial statements, the letters that are issued, but what I gave you tonight is a presentation. This is what I'm going to go over, and it's really just a very highlevel review of the audit results. So, if you look at page two, that uh looks at the the talking points that we're going to go over, the two letters I mentioned, the reports and those opinions, some financial data, as well as the findings. On page three is the required communication, the governance communication letter. Some of the talking points that are listed here, the significant accounting policies, any changes to accounting policies or new standards that are implemented are noted in the letter. There were actually two of them that impacted the financial statements for the [snorts] city in fiscal year 25. That's Gazsby 100, which was accounting changes and error corrections. It was really the accounting changes that impacted the city's financials and what that related to was there were some non- major funds, governmental funds that now are required to be reported as major funds. So the presentation of those had to be changed in accordance with that standard. The other one, Gazsby 101 compensated absences. That did result in a restatement of net position of about 709,000. Under the old standard, the [snorts]

um compensated absences, that liability, really looked at those benefits that are acred and then paid out upon termination or separation from the city. The new standard takes it a step further, encompasses [cough] those plus those benefits that maybe are acred but not necessarily paid out upon termination or separation, but then an estimate of the use of that life of that benefit. So that is what the change was. significant accounting estimates included in your financial statements really relate to the two pension trusts, your police and firefighter pension trust, as well as the other postemployment benefits, the OPED. All three of those there's an actuarial study that is completed and the actuary takes into account various trends as well as estimates such as life expectancy um inflation expected wage increases to come up with the liability portion of that calculation. uncorrected misstatements that is attached to the letter. Those really related to some leases and some subittas. That's subscriptionbased information technology arrangements as well as a couple minor um receipts that should have been picked up or recorded within the fiscical year 24 financial statements. They're flowing through the fiscal year 25 financial statements. The corrected misstatements relate to the um acrruel base the cash to acrruel base adjustments as well as some other correcting entries. There are no difficulties encountered during the audit process and no disagreements with management during the audit process. Page four looks at the management letter. Um this shows the trending of

the funding for the police and fire pensions. Um over the several years those uh both of those trusts were severely underfunded and you can see from the the graph here they're they are definitely trending in the right direction. Made some good improvements over the past 10 years. the police increased about 6% in the funding as well as the firefighters increased about 5% and we'll see the impact on the net um pension liability in [cough] just a few. So on page five goes over the various reports that are included as well as the opinions. The first being the independent auditor's report over the financial statements. It was a unmodified clean opinion and that's what you want to see. The other two reports that are listed here are included within the single audit reporting package. The first being the independent auditor's report on the financial over internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with the government auditing standards. Sometimes it's referred to as a gas report. There's no opinion uh expressed within that report and there was no instances of non-compliance noted. There were three findings that are included in that report. Um [snorts and clears throat] they relate to the similar findings of what you saw last year. The preparation of the financial statements as well as the necessary um audit adjustments for the reporting package, the lack of the timely bank reconciliations this year. Uh the April 2025 reconciliation we received in September. Great improvement on that uh basis. Um, you know, thank you to everybody involved in getting those um updated and up to date. Um, I truly do not expect to

see this uh finding in next year's financials based on um the timing of of where everything is is at at this time. So, um, thank you to everybody. Um, a lot of work has been put into those. The last finding really relates to the the uh Davo public library. As I've mentioned in the past, they are discreetly presented component unit of the city. Therefore, under the auditing under the standards, their finding is included within your financial statements. The last report relates to the compliance um for each major program under the uniform guidance. That's your single audit report. Again, it was an unmodified or clean opinion and happy to say there were no findings um that were noted during our testing of the single audit. The federal awards. In total, your federal award expenditures totaled about $8.5 million. There were two major programs that were tested this year. The first one being the homeowners assistance fund program. That's the halfer grant. It was totaled about $776,000 in expenditures. And then the other one was your state and local fiscal recovery funds, the ARPA money, and that was about $4.9 million. In total, between those two programs, we tested about 67% of your total federal expenditures. Starting on page [clears throat] six are some uh financial information. I'm not going to go over all of these. Um just going to touch on a few of the the high points or the more significant items. On page seven, really want to point out under the governmental activity column, you can see for 2023, [cough and clears throat] the net position for your governmental activities was a deficit of $19.6

million. For 2025, that net position was actually a positive $7.3 million. So, some great improvements there to note. The next few pages goes over the revenues and expenditures and brings it all together for your net position. Really nothing significant to discuss on those. Um, everything was pretty similar comparable to the prior years. Um on page 12 is your uh information on the city debt. The geo bonds for the governmental activities as well as the IEPA loans for the business type activities. Those are really just being paid down right now. The new debt that was added to the uh reports this year were the note payable uh related to the uh golf carts and that landed within the business type activities. on page 13, starting to look at some of the pension information, the IMRF pension. Again, I want to um note that the actuarial studies are done as of 1231. So, dece so the 2025 numbers are based off of December 31st, 2024 actuarial study. And you can see your IMRF the pension liability increased about 2.18 million. the pension assets, the plan fiduciary net position increased about 2.15 million. So it it actually resulted in a slight decrease in that net pension asset of about $22,000. Looking at the police pension plan again on page 14, you can see the pension liability increased about 1.9 million. The plan assets increased about 2.97 million. that resulted in a decrease in

your net pension liability of about a million dollars. That kind of correlates with the um strike or the positive results in that underfunding of your pension trust. And then the firefighters on page 15 again similar results that you um that the police trust um ended with [clears throat] the pension liability increase [laughter] 2.9 million. the plan assets about $4 million which resulted in that net pension liability decreasing a little over a million dollars. The next three pages um really go over the enterprise funds brings together your operating [clears throat] revenues expenses and how that correlates to the change in your net position. I did not include the the Garfield pool here. There's just not enough data. it is uh so new not enough data to really show any kind of trending information but you can take a look at those uh nothing really significant to discuss on on

[snorts]

uh any of those results on page 19 starts a little more in depth on the findings that I discussed uh the first one being the financial statement preparation the next page going into the bank reconciliations and then that last page really related It's relates to the uh Stamble Public Library. A couple things that I wanted to point out. Um I had mentioned that there were two new Gazsby standards that were implemented this year. Uh there's some coming down the road for next year in 2027. Just wanted to kind of uh put those out there so that they're on um that you're aware of them. aware of those. In fiscal year 2026 is Gazsby 102. That relates to certain risk disclosures. That could be anything really outside of the city's financial, but really within the community, significant changes [laughter] to uh businesses, employers, anything of that nature that could uh de be deemed as as a significant risk to the city's financials that would impact their revenue streams, any new debt, anything like that. uh will be a a new disclosure for fiscal year 26. And then looking ahead to fiscal year 27, there's a couple that will be impacted or uh implemented. Gazsby 103, the financial reporting model improvements. The big significant change there is going to be to the management discussion and analysis, some of your enterprise proprietary funds, the the the presentation of those financials as well as some of the budgetary uh reports that are included in the financial statements. Gazsby 104 again for fiscal year 27

relates to the disclosure of certain capital assets. uh that could impact any assets that are held for resale as well as some of your lease and submitted assets. Um how those are presented or determined. Last but not least, the last one is the GAS Gazsby implementation guide 2025-1. Again, it's really going to impact or could impact the presentation of some items in the within the financial statements. anything from the cash flow uh reporting as well as some lease terms and calculations within those leases that are included in the financial statements. Before I open it up for questions, I just want to take the opportunity to thank everybody involved in the audit process. Um Alyssa and her team, Chris and his team, all the outline departments. Um we request a lot of data reports and information in connection with the audit. Um once we receive that there is several follow-up requests um clarifications, inquiries, discussions. Uh really want to thank everybody involved in that process for the um quick responses, quick turnaround on the requested information. With that being said, um any questions over any of the information I touched on or maybe uh information that I did not touch on within [clears throat] the audit?

Any questions for Miss Cook? Sandy, we just want to say thank you and your team again. We appreciate all of your um excellence, your professionalism, your patience, uh and the way that you work with our team. We appreciate it very much.

All right. Well, thank you so much everyone. Have a good evening. Thank you. I also want to thank our teams as as Sandy did, our finance team, our comproller and her team and our our treasur and his team. I just appreciate all the great work that you guys did. Um I think this is the earliest we've probably ever had the audit completed in a long time. So um we appreciate that. I think we're a little ahead of schedule and hopefully we'll continue on that path moving forward. So, [clears throat] at this time, I would entertain a motion to accept and place on file fiscal year 2024 2025 financial statement and audit. Motion second. Second. It's been [laughter] either way. We got you either way. That's good. Uh, all those in favor, please signify by saying I.

I.

Any oppose? Same sign. The [clears throat] eyes have it. Thank you. I do have a couple more items of information. Um, first of all, I want to send out a a huge thank you and commendation to uh especially our fire department. Uh, for those of you who don't know, we had a major fire here downtown just the other day. They literally were rescuing people from the windows on the fourth and fifth floor. Um, but not only them, our police department um, show came in and shepherded folks out and we had DMT show up with buses. all of our managers came on their own time and volunteered to bring buses so that folks could be warmed and have a place to go in the chaos. So, I just want to thank all of them and all the um the other departments that assisted in any way. And I also want to thank our partners, the other fire uh departments, housing authority uh for everything that you did to make sure that we save lives. There was only one individual that was in serious condition. We don't have any updates on that as of yet. Um but uh everyone else is in is in good shape. So, thanks be to God and to all of you for that good work. Uh, the other thing that I want to do is remind everyone that this Friday we have our Night of Lights parade. We will be kicking off at 6 o'clock promptly. It's going to be nice and cold, so make sure you dress warm. U, but we would love to see y'all there.

Um, next up we have the public hearing on the 2025 proposed tax levy. At this time, I will open the hearing. Is there anyone who wishes to speak on the levy either for or against it? Seeing none, I will close the hearing at this time. Madam clerk, at this time, do we have any petitions, communications, or audience comments? We do. Um, when I call your name, please come to the microphone. You'll have three minutes to speak. I have Sabrina Kelly uh regarding gun violence. [cough] [clears throat]

[clears throat and cough]

Good evening. As usual, I'm here representing myself and no one else. In August of this year, when speaking about police brutality and gun violence, I was told to let actual black people handle black people's problems. For the record, I'm aware that I'm a very fair-skinned Caucasian female, and I have seen when a black person tries to discuss black issues on this council and he was told, "Well, you've never been female." Which is highly offensive and atrocious. So, I guess it doesn't matter who is concerned, we are all being silenced. What you don't know about me is that half of my family is biracial. The gun violence and police brutality happening in our community just could just as easily be someone who is kin to me. And quite frankly, I shouldn't have to justify my reasoning for caring about other humans. As that is what we are, humans and members of humanity, God's children for the people who are religious. The same people I served seven years in the active duty army for them to live and be free. Just before Thanksgiving, a young man I know was slammed on the street for a suspected weapon because he didn't he had his hands in his pockets. It turned out he didn't have a weapon at all. In 2020, someone close to me was shot 18 times on Hazel Street. He was transported to Champagne since we had no trauma doctors here then, nor do we now in Danville. That transfer was a matter of life and death, and most transfers would be. Fortunately, this man survived. I was able to see him relearn to walk, relearned to function, and still hear his voice. I was able to take him home to his mother alive. Not all the families those loved ones not all the families whose loved ones were killed have that privilege. And here yet again, another victim of gun violence at Scooters Bar here in Danville that didn't make it. I hear

almost monthly the city mentioning folks who have passed, but none of those people were victims of gun violence. They just get swept under the rug and we are told violence and crime is down without actual facts or numbers to back those statements. I guess since those gun violence victims didn't make a difference in the community, like the family that isn't allowed to have a street named after their stillborn grandchild, they don't get mentioned. But that's where you're wrong. They are people who did make a difference in this community just by being here. Those victims were people and they live on through their family's memories. But I guess since it hasn't hit close to home, these people don't matter. Hopefully those who have fallen due to gun violence will be honored just as any kind other community member that passes is and that their sub their families also get the same report support. They're the community too. And just for the record, before I spoke, I spoke to each of these families before I spoke about their issues. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Kelly. Deianne Ryan.

Hello, I'm Deianne Ryan and I'm here to talk about our bed bill on Saturday. I think Mr. Butler talked about it at the last meeting. I wasn't able to attend but um I we kind of I'm working with three kings and have been for several months on a project called sleep in heavenly peace and we kind of fell into it by um invitation from the Muhammad chapter which is we're a hub of now and they're helping us to become our own chapter of um under the three kings. Um, we've already we had one bed build where we made 20 beds and we've already delivered over 40 thanks to Mohammed Chapter and they are coming again to help us on [clears throat] Saturday and we're going to build 80 beds. Um, that seems like a lot, but we have 160 kids on our list waiting and I'm sure after all the publicity that's out um now for the bed build, we're going to probably have twice that. So, you know, I'm a CASAC and I worked in child welfare and I know how living situations are for people, but even I was shocked at the number of kids sleeping on the floor. And most of these houses we go in have no furniture at all. So, um just want to invite you if you have time to come out on Saturday. We're working from 8 to 4 at Work Source. They've opened up their facility for us to do this build. We're also collecting um bedding sheets, twin twin have to be new twin sheets and pillows and comforters. And we're going to have a quilting club that's going to be making quilts for all these beds in the near future. So, um come out and just if you can only come out for a little bit, come and see. It's an amazing operation. Alderman Teague was there last time, I think. Um, it's just,

everybody was just talking about the assembly line nature [snorts] of this and how quick they turn these out. And our three kings can put a bed together in five minutes now. So at the at the homes. So love to see you on Saturday. Deian, thank you. Mrs. Ryan, Dean, and there's two shifts in there, 8 to 12 and 12 to 4 something. Sure. You can sign up from 8 to noon or from or and or noon to 4. Yeah. And if you want to stay all day and see if we can make it that long. [laughter] I don't know. It's going to be tough, but we're going to get them done because we have all everything donated. And lunch will be served. The what? Lunch.

And we are having lunch for anybody that wants to stay. Thank you, Mrs. Ryan. [snorts] That's all I have. Is there anyone else who wishes to address the council this evening? [laughter] All right, seeing none, uh, we do not have any zoning petitions this evening. However, we do have the payrolls of November 21st and 26 of 2025. Is there a motion to approve those? So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion or debate? Roll call vote, please. Alderman Cooper, yes. Butler, yes. Detoy, yes. Pashard, yes. High Tower, yes. Johnson, yes. Kain, [clears throat] yes. Core, yes. Strebing, yes. Pickering, yes. Teague, yes.

Lewig, yes. Jones, yes. Arns, yes. 14, yes. 14, yes. The motion carries. You also have before you the vouchers payable of November 25th and December 2nd, 2025. Is there a motion to approve those? So move. So move. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion or debate? [cough] [clears throat] Roll call vote, please. Alderman Arns, yes. Cooper, yes. Butler, yes. Doy, yes. Pashard, yes. High Tower, yes. Johnson, yes. Okaane, yes. Poor, yes. Streing, yes. Pickering, yes. Teague, yes. Leadwick, yes. Jones, yes. 14, yes.

14, yes. The motion carries. At this time, I'll receive our public services committee report. Chairman Shing. Good evening. 12A. We have an ordinance enacting and adopting supplemental S62 to the code of ordinances. I make the motion to approve and dispense with the reading and ask for approval. I'll need a second, please. Second. Is there any questions on 12A's ordinance? If not, roll call, please. Alderman Jones, yes. Arns, yes. Cooper, yes. Butler, yes. Doy, yes. Pashard, yes. High Totower, yes. Johnson, yes. Okine, yes. Poor, yes. Streing, yes. Pickering, yes. Teague, yes. Leadwick, yes. 14. Yes.

14. Yes. Thank you. The motion carries. Pushes 12B. We have a resolution authorizing an agreement for flexible spending, dependent care assistance, and COBRA compliance administration with a difference card through Epic Insurance Brokers and Consultants. I make the motion to approve and dispense with the reading and ask approval. [cough] I will need a [clears throat] second. Please second. Is there any questions on 12B's resolution? If not, roll call. Alderman Lewig, yes. Jones, yes. Arns, yes. Cooper, yes. Butler, yes. The Toyo, yes. Pashard, yes. High Tower, yes. Johnson, yes. Okaane, yes. Poor,

yes. Streing, yes. Pickering, yes. Teague, yes. 14, yes. 14, yes. Thank you. The motion carries. Miss Corson, did you want to talk to us this evening or say anything? [laughter] So they get me in trouble. [laughter]

No, we were just kind of talking um about this the uh difference card. One of the reasons that we switched to them because we were we just switched to Isol as of 2025 to do this, but we made the choice to switch to the difference card. So that way when the employees uh because of the difference card that we're also providing with the medical reimbursement, they actually can use the exact same card. So it will know what pool it will be taking money out of, whether it's a flexible spending purchase, whether it's a doctor's visit, that type of thing. So that card will be able to distinguish and the employees will be able to go to one website, see what bucket of money they have, you know, what they have left in, you know, the FSA bucket, what they have left in the dependent spending if they choose to opt um enroll in it, and also then the amount of money that the city is is providing for the medical reimbursement.

Is there any questions for Miss Corson? I I'm going to ask you how how you doing on the uh re people deciding where they want to go for insurance or is that going good? Open enrollment. Enrollment. I'm sorry.

That's okay. Um yeah, that has closed. So, uh I've just got a couple of retirees that I'm still kind of waiting on. Uh but they are with the Medicare Advantage one already sent off the file feed for that. So, those retirees should have their cards by January 1st without any issues or problem. But we did see quite a shift back to the blue choice select. So that is going to help by not offering the spousal incentive this year. We chose not to just because of the fact there's so much turmoil right now with other employers and I'd already been getting feedback from a lot of employees that they were having to move people back onto their plan because of changes to that that their spouse's employer's plan. So, we have a few that would have still qualified, but with just kind of the upheaval that we have, we have seen where we've had to they a lot of people have kind of changed their uh demographic that they were. So, they're no longer maybe just employee and children, now they're family again, but that's just because of, like I said, other employers in their insuranceances. So,

well, thank you for everything you've done on this. I know it's a lot of a lot of work there towards towards the end. So, [laughter] thank you again. Thank you. [clears throat] Put this item 12 C. We have a resolution approving a memorandum of understanding [cough] with Chris Healthy Aging. I make the motion to approve and is finished with the reading and ask for approval. I'll need a second. Please. Second. Second. Is there any questions on 12C's resolution? If not, roll call, please. Alderman Teague, yes. Ledwig, yes. Jones, yes. Arns, yes. Cooper, yes. Butler, yes. Detoy, [clears throat] yes. Pashard, yes. High Tower, yes.

Johnson, yes. Okaane, yes. Hor, yes. Strebing, yes. Pickering, yes. 14, yes. 14, yes. The motion carries. Question is 12D. We have an accept and place on file the treasury report for July, August, and September of 2025. Um, I guess I'll need a motion and a second to approve this. So move second. There any questions on 12Ds? If not, all those in favor signify by saying I.

I opposed. The eyes have it. Items from information 12E. I don't have any. Does anybody on on have anything for us? And then we go we'll go to bank reconciliation recap by Chris Herren, our treasur. Chris, [cough] [clears throat] thank you chairman. Good evening, mayor, city council. Good evening. Good evening. With [clears throat] the presentation of these three months of bank reconciliation, we are proud to say that we are current. Yay.

Yay. [laughter] I'd like to clarify that current means all 14 bank accounts are fully reconciled to the bank statements general ledger in our software. I'd like to take a few minutes to recap the situation that goes back as far as 2017. [snorts] I'd also like to acknowledge and recognize the team effort that went into getting us here. I took office in May of 23 and many of you here now were not on the council at that time. So, I'd like to start at the beginning. It came to my attention just days after the election that the main priority of the office at that time would be to tackle the bank reconciliation problem with the help of former comproller Ashlin Massie and the finance team. It seems the city adopted new software which we are still currently using back in 2017. At that time, bank reconciliation was being done off an off an Excel spreadsheet and did not get done through the new software. This practice was still able to serve the accounting firm for audited purposes, but was not best practice. After a few years passed around 2021, the bank reconciliation was not completed at all. When comproller Asha Massie became aware, she adopted the responsibility and started to solve the problem on her own with her team. It's worth noting here that bank reconciliation falls under the responsibility of the treasur's office and not the finance department. Miss Massie started by doing a gap reconciliation including the years of 2017 through 2021 and getting them into the software. This action got the ball rolling. Next, Miss Massie took on the responsibility of starting Bank Wreck, which had stopped in 2021. This is virtually impossible due to the

volume of transactions and multiple accounts going back a couple of years. Also, Miss Massie took on this responsibility on top of her comproller duties. I'd like to thank Ashlin Massie for her dedication to the city of Danville. As progress was slow, I came into office, but I lacked the skills to resolve the issue. The assistant to the treasur, Amy Schaeiser, had been working with the finance team for several months, working with certain accounts and making break great progress on them. Still, we could not make any progress with the general operating account, which included the utility billing. The council then decided to hire Martin Hood's accounting services. We worked with Martin Hood for roughly one year. During this time, Alyssa Sweden took over as the role of city comproller. We had hoped that Martin Hood could get us current, but that was not the case, and it was not feasible or affordable to continue with their services. At this time, we were put on the no pay list for the state of Illinois. The turning point came when we decided to reach out for a bank wreck specialist position. We interviewed a few candidates, but none had the knowledge or experience to fill a position. We decided to reach out directly to a certified public accountant, Pat Owens, who had recently retired from Clifton Larson Allen after 25 years and 32 years of accounting experience. Not only is Pat Owens known for her counting expertise, but she's also very involved with community service. You will see her on the accounting side of Festival of Trees, Balloons Over Vermillion, as well as many other organizations in Danville. I stated before that Pat's willingness to come aboard with our team is nothing less than added community service. Thank

you, Pat Owens, for your service. [applause] It was a very messy for a few months, but after many discussions, comproller Sweden started to change processes within the city to separate transactions into additional appropriate accounts to make bank wreck easier to navigate. For example, opening a new bank account for utility billing only. putting credit card processors with individual accounts in every division in the city that takes payments. There's currently 11 of those. I'd like to thank Chief Technology Officer Agnel Dilva and his team for working together with finance to make these changes. [clears throat] Processes had to be changed in the finance office, city clerk's office, DMT, public works, legal, community relations, Harrison Park Golf Course, and the pool. Every department had to adopt the proper controls and systems to efficiently operate and oversee the city finances. I'd like to thank all these division heads that only encouraged us with no resistance. These changes made more work initially to the finance department and to the treasur's office, but in the long term will only bring more ease and transparency to all of our departments as well as our yearly audit. I'd like to thank Comproller Sweden for her hard work and progressive thinking along with her staff that made these changes possible. Thank [clears throat] you, Deputy Controller Kristen Landis. Miss Landis is instrumental every month gathering needed information for missing pieces in bank wreck in the bank wreck process. Thank you, finance manager Denise Arms. Denise adapted to all the process changes and put her office in good hands

before her retirement just months ago. I'd like to thank our staff accountant, Christina Turner. Christina has brought her accounting expertise and experience to comply timely with all the needs within these processes. I'd like to thank Anton Dylan, our accounts receivable specialist, who also has an accounting degree. We have four accountants in our uh in our two offices. I'd like to thank Megan Mud, our accounts payable specialist. Accounts receivables and accounts payable are very specific in nature to a successful to all successful businesses. I'd like to thank our billing and collection specialists Josh Gary and Kelly Ed

Edinoski.

Edinoski [laughter] like to thank Jamie White and payroll, Kathy Corson, risk manager, Kaylee Sanchez, grants manager. All these people have been impacted by changes we've made and adapted professionally and eagerly. I'd like to thank Sandy Cook from CLA and her staff for all the recommendations, advice, and patience that they gave us during this process and always through their services. And as you heard from tonight, the audit that happened now wouldn't have happened if all these people wouldn't have com combined their efforts to get us where we're at. I'd like to thank my assistant, Amy Schweiser. I cannot state this any more clearly. We simply would not be where we are without her. Amy's attention to detail and her professionalism, work ethic will continue to lead the way each month keeping Bank Wreck current. I'd like to thank Mayor Williams, the former council, and the current council for the support, understanding, patience, and willingness to stay on the course as we are able to get current. I'd like to close with a personal testimony. Two and a half years ago, I had absolutely no idea how I was going to navigate through this insurmountable obstacle. I prayed every night for strength and wisdom and for the right people to be placed in my life at the right time. As the days, weeks, and months passed, that's exactly what God provided. I have experienced an incredible accomplishment that was beyond any ability that I possess. God made this possible, and he's doing the same for our city currently and for our future. Thank you.

[snorts] Thank you. [applause]

Any questions? I think we need to let's thank many hands make light works what the Bible says. And I can see there's so many people that's been involved in this. A simple thank you is really not enough. But I appreciate your hard work. I know where you came from and where you are today. Thank you all. Appreciate it. Appreciate it. Thank you. I'd like to thank you personally because I'm the one who threw this mess at you. So, [laughter] I'm sorry, but I'm thankful it's done. We're good. Thank you, Treasurer. Uh, I believe that's all we have on uh concludes your report. Mayor, thank you, Chairman Scheing. At this time, we'll receive our public works committee report. Chairman Poor,

thank you, Mayor. Uh 13A is an establishing the updated rates for the Vermillion County or Department of Animal Regulation. Uh moves to dispense the reading. Ask for approval and I'll need a second. Second. Okay. Any questions for Ryan? Anybody have any questions? No questions. That's easy. Ryan, [laughter] I want to thank you all. Thank you. Okay, see no questions. Roll call, please. Alderman Pickering, yes. Teague, yes. Ledwig, yes. Jones, yes. Arns, yes.

Cooper, after talking to Director Ruy, I'm going to change my vote to a yes. Butler, yes. Doy, yes. Pashard, [clears throat] yes. High Totower, yes. Johnson, yes. Yes. Poor. Yes. Streaming. Yes. 14. Yes. 14. Yes. Thank you. And we do have uh for information. Yeah. Logan,

I'll keep the good news rolling then. [laughter] Um, we received notification from the Illinois Housing and Development Authority two days ago that the city of Danville has been awarded in yet an additional $483,000 through the IDA halfh rehabilit rehabilitation program. That brings our total amount in roughly a little shy of two years up to $2.59 million in just this program alone. So, [applause] yeah, this is, if you keep wondering where this money comes from, comes from our our great team. You've heard her name once tonight. I'll give props again to our former community development um specialist, Christina Turner, and our new community development specialist, Tess Refett. Um our new hire, John Foley. And of course, Mumachu Gurong, who you're very familiar with. uh kind of leads the ship for these programs as well. So huge thank you to them. They're the reason these programs get done to be honest with you. So yeah. [snorts]

And Logan, with that money, that means at least another 10 or so houses will be able to help folks rehabilitate. Correct. Yeah, that's correct. This is the program. I know we have three active rehab programs right now. This one is a maximum of $60,000 for a whole home rehabilitation. Oh wow. The uh waiting list will stay the same. It will not be a a new application process. It's the original waiting list we did a year and a half ago. Yeah. Great job, everyone. Thank you. Um I have a question. Alderman D. Have those homeowners already been notified?

No. Uh I I we received this about 48 hours ago. Um this will be coming back to city council for contractual amendments before we can do so. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Mayor, I believe that concludes our report. Thank you, chairman for uh you'll be glad to know we do not have need to close session uh this evening. Um item 15 is review of draft of 2025 tax levy and fiscal year 2026 budget. Uh does anyone have any questions or comments? Alderman,

mayor, was there clarification or I think you were going to forward us the [clears throat] information indicating that the budget could not be separated and and moved to later. I I did I did not I apologize. Uh we will get that sent out to you tomorrow. Uh but it it is uh controller do what you want to [cough] we can send the state statute. Yes, we'll send I've looked at it. Leon's looked at it. So the state statute's clear on it. So we can send that information out. Yes. We'll make sure we get that. Is there a local local budget ordinance that supersedes the state statute? Do we have a local budget ordinance still in place? No, I don't think so. Was that reviewed or

I've never I'm not aware of a local budget ordinance. We've never I I mean during my time on council, I don't ever recall that being uh Well, I just know that home rule authorities, home rule units have authorities uh beyond state statute and they supersede state statute if they are in the ordinance. And so I was curious if that's what we were functioning under previously. Uh you know, or per perhaps that changed. I don't know. You know, I was I've been out for a little while. So, but yeah, if you can forward the thing, but I didn't know if we got an opinion from municipal league or anybody else.

There's actually IML has a whole statement on their website about the budget being required before the levy and tenative budgets are not acceptable. Correct. It has to be an approved budget, but you can approve a tenative budget. It's it's a it has to be an approved budget that verifies the spending that the levy will it has to support the levy. Mhm. Okay. I I'll review the statute. We we we will also look into that that as well. Alderman, any further discussion or debate, regarding the tax levy, you uh the the budget or tax levy? Yes, sir.

Uh well, certainly uh I think everybody's heard me in my position and hopefully others as well regarding the library. Um, you know, I I don't want to get into who who does what over there or all that for for further discussion. Uh, I just think that uh with the the the factors that we have in the community, the the the need for education in our youth and the ability to have an impact with that type of facil facility with a new director coming in. I just think the timing is poor and it'd be uh best to keep them closer to a status quo, which uh I intend a motion as a 2.1 million as opposed to the 2.134. It would still be a 1% reduction uh which is a little little more than 1% which is consistent with what the city has indicated it cut during the same period or actually this year I guess it is. So, we cut 1%, they cut 1%, new director comes in, we ask him for a report in six months. I think we'll have a better situation.

Thank you, Alderman.

Thank you. And that's on the tax levy. Regarding the budget, some of you were not able to make it yesterday. I I do appreciate all that did. Uh I did and thank you uh clerk H to uh providing copies of those. Some of that has changed a little bit. Uh and so um some funds were reallocated uh to a project uh or I don't know we're going to hear about that project at some point or or what the status of that is. Um but as far as the budget um you know as we've stated uh previously uh there's been a lot of great things accomplished that was covered uh earlier this evening with the uh attention to the pensions that has been given and the progress that has been made on those. Certainly do not want to diminish that in any [clears throat] capacity. Uh but based on some of the uh the discussions that did take place yesterday, I do believe that a uh analysis by an actuarial for our large group employees over a period of time is appropriate so that we can have accurate information of what is the difference over a 20 30 year cycle. And so obviously that's not anything I don't think we're capable of doing internally, but we would need to solicit an actuarial firm to do that. And you know, uh there was suggestion last yesterday that I, you know, be more clear on what the cuts are. Uh I'm not going to sit here and name positions. I don't believe that's appropriate. I don't believe it's professional. I think if there's a desire to know what could be considered by anybody for that matter, uh that should be done in close session or in some fashion that does not negatively impact the morale or the uh belief of the employees who are in said positions.

And so obviously reductions can be done uh as we discussed over the years that was it's been discussed for quite a few years and many reductions were done uh in prior years. Um but to me business is the focus. We just saw an example of where the administration needed to come up with a close to a half a million dollars for uh a project. I hope that was enough. If they needed more, do we have it? And wouldn't it be nice to have $2 million in a fund where we can focus on businesses, focus on community improvements like getting hooked up to the rail trail, getting other things done throughout the community uh that currently we do not have funding set aside for? And I guess I would then follow that up with uh uh is is the administration going to put together some type [laughter] of a guidance for the demolition similar to what I laid out so that we can see what the backlog looks like and how that's going to move forward.

That's something we can consider. It'd be critical information. any any other discussion or debate on the budget and tax levy? Yes, Alderman Butler. Uh yes. [clears throat] Uh yes, I feel the same same way in dealing with the tax levy uh in dealing with the library as well. [clears throat]

I've talked with the uh director intensively and uh and I didn't know it at the time that until yesterday that uh they used to have a teen room to where that the teenagers would come and study and uh you know and learn and read the books and and stuff and so it was eliminated for some reason because we didn't go through any big details but he wants to reimplement that and I kind of think that well I know that the funding uh you know needs to continue to stay there uh so that he'll be able to uh to do what he needs to do to bring that back is very vital to our young people. Uh young people just don't have nowhere to go and you know this is one of one of his goals to to [snorts] make this exciting for for our young people in the city. He's he's going around in our buildings and the neighborhoods and and seeing the needs of our young people. And I believe uh and I know that this would this is a injustice uh you know to take his funding. Uh he's going to the bathrooms and uh the restrooms that need some some renovation. Some stalls is not working or urinal's not working or what have you. and he has some good ideas. I kind of think I believe the mayor need to sit down and talk to him uh more in depth about the needs of the the library because this young man, he has a a plan for Danville and I would like to have him to stay. He's a young man, young black man.

Yes. One that we have we've never had, I don't think, at the library. And so I believe that we need to help this young man to make uh this library uh a better library there here within the state of Illinois. Uh thank you. Thank you, Alderman. [snorts] Alderman Teague,

I'd like to um again express my support for increasing the amount that the library receives. Um I'll also like to um add context to what Alderman Butler just brought up as it relates to the teens at the library cuz I was not aware until yesterday until our conversation yesterday that the program had been cut. Um, when I served on the library board, uh, we had a team pro, there was a teen program at the time that was growing. And at the time that I served on the library board, they kind of just carved out space wherever they could to um to figure out a space for them to be in the library. But it was well attended. Um it was something that the um that kind of I think grew organically and at the time before I left the library board we had approved making changes to the uh building the structure of the building so that the teens would have actually have their own space in the library. So that room that is downstairs on the first floor that is all glass, that room was originally built to be the teen space because at the time that I served on the library board, they were meeting upstairs on the second floor. Some stacks had been moved for them to actually carve out space. But expecting a group of teens who are together after school to be quiet in a library amongst the stacks is not necessarily realistic. Um, so there there was a capital um plan that was approved prior to my leaving the library board and it took it took a great deal of time because it was also having to then restructure the entire building. If you all recall, the magazines used to be on the first floor so they had to be moved from the area

they were and so the entire building had to be reorganized. Um, I say all that to say it's very disappointing to me that the program was cut. And I believe that one of the reasons that the program was cut. I have not confirmed this yet.

Key word being yet. I believe that one of the key reasons why the program was cut was because of attrition that the uh person left and therefore one of the ways in which that the library maintained its budget and never increased its levy is because they because of attrition uh they kept certain positions open and never replaced them to to then require additional cuts when they actually had been good stewards over their monies. I've said this before and I say this again to me is a disservice to them. Um, and I would like for the new director to have the flexibility to be able to do what he needs to do within the budget that he has to repurpose the positions that he does have as as opposed to [gasps] coming in and then cutting down to bare bones.

So, one of the things to me there's some things that tie together cuz all of these things work together. We have a situation in our city that we have had for a number of years and providing our teens with activities. And although that there are already organizations who provide services to teenage populations, we all know that no one organization or even a couple of organization can organizations can serve every teenager in this city. Therefore, we need to be able to provide teens with a variety of activities so that m of them can be served and not just a handful. So, it would be a disservice to cut their money because it basically then puts a tombstone on the teen program.

Mhm. There would not be an opportunity to bring it back if we continue to force the library to make even more even further cuts. So for that reason and many others, I would support giving the library the funds that they have already received previously and letting the new director at least have another year to be able to determine what he needs to do. And I would concur with what Alderman Arn said, give him the opportunity to come back to us in 6 months and identify where he might feel that cuts can be made in his organization so that then he can be able to move the organization forward in the direction that he wants it to go.

Correct. Good. Thank you. Any further comments? Are there any items of information for the good of the cause? Yes. Chairman Poor Dick Van Dijk's 100th birthday this weekend. celebration Fisher, right? All all weekend. It's going to be great. Yeah,

there are so many things going on in the community this weekend. And anytime that I hear folks say that there's nothing to do, that's just not true. But, um, there's a ton of stuff. If you want to be involved in giving and helping out the community, you can do that in multiple ways this weekend, including building the beds as as Mrs. Ryan spoke about and Alderman Butler. You know, there are other ways to volunteer and serve as well. There are lots of programs and activities who've got the parade. I mean, we always have around 5,000 people at that. Um, so I just uh you're absolutely right. We need to honor our our sons who have done so so much for the world and brought so much joy for the world and and our daughters, too. So, yes, Sherman Streman.

Well, I know you mentioned what's happening on Friday night, but how about Friday afternoon? And uh we're going to have the horse and buggy rides downtown between 1 and 5 before the parade starts. So you always remind me. And it it's free. The Vermillion County Conservation Foundation paid for it. I'd like to see a whole lot of people out there enjoying the rides. Bring a blanket. Bring a blanket. La last last year they had to cut the line off because we had so many people waiting. So hopefully we'll have that problem again. What's the time for that? 1 to 5. 1 to 5. And it'll be down by the Fiser Theater. They'll they'll pick up alderman in the where the bus parking is on that on the north side by Harrison on Harrison Street. Go down about two blocks over two blocks.

I don't know if we'll have two or three carriages, but at least two. At least two. How many people do we carry? 10. 12. Oh, god damn it. Not many. Maybe five. Four or five. I think all got some small kids. It's a two wheel car or a four-wheel. [laughter] I was going to say it also depends on if you're on if you're if you're grande or you know challenged it might [laughter] you might want to fit more on there if it's cold. But I I watched I watched I watched a lot of them last year when they'd get off the kids get back in line so they could do it again. So hey, it's there. It's free. Do it. Enjoy yourselves.

Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Chairman was I have one also. Uh, I'd like to thank uh uh Chris uh hearing and his committee as well as controll as well. Uh I enjoy seeing you know in his busy schedule. Uh it's good to see him take time out uh you know I'll meet him at at North Ridge sometime and Mr. and uh you know uh roaming the halls and I would like to also commend them but a job well done on managing uh the city's finances. uh it really enlightens me and and I kind of you know trying to learn more and more like uh uh brother Johnson said Alderman John said that I'm still learning and so the more and more I hear about what he's doing and how he's doing it and and I'm kind of liking it. Yeah. So thanks Chris and uh and I comroll him. appreciate you

as well as Logan and you know without Logan uh I mean uh you know these houses uh would wouldn't get renovated. Uh one of my neighbors I mean Logan uh uh say she is ecstatic. uh you know I usually try to go over to the house and kind of do some repairs on her house and and everything and you it was just so much my money was getting low because because I didn't want to charge her or you know I bought the material myself. So, I'm glad that she got uh was a part of that program and uh she got a new ramp and uh you know, new doors and windows, roofs and and uh furnaces and everything. And she's ecstatic and she really appreciate uh what we have done for her and you know, she fixed me up some greens. I said, "Well, I'm part of the council there. You know, fix me some greens. You know, come get your greens."

Yeah. Appreciate it. Thank you, Alderman. Alderman, just a couple items, mayor. First, uh kudos again to the uh police department, fire department, and everybody that responded to the fire. Uh good work on uh the roadways. I seemed like considering what they got hit with, I thought everything was in in really good shape. And thanks and kudos again to our treasurer, Mr. Heron, and thank you for stepping up and taking the lead as you came into the office. And thankfully, we we got here. It was a mess when I left 10 years ago. So, it's been a mess for quite some time. Great work by everyone. Thank you. Thank [clears throat] you, Alderman. Uh, Vice Chairman Pick,

I guess this is a night for thanking, but because I want to thank the engineering department. If anybody wants to come to Cleveland Street, it's the best street in Danville. I mean to tell you, it's wonderful. So, thank you engineer department and the company that did that. I think it was uh Ross. Cross. Yes. Thank you. They did that when we had the open house for the park. Yeah, for the park. [laughter] Fixing it. 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.