City Council - Regular Meeting

Williams Jr. present. Vice Mayor Eve Ledwick present. Alderman Ed Butler. Carolyn Deoy. James Pashard present. Tom High Totower. Barry Johnson present. Mike Okaine here. Mike Poor present. Rick Strebing. Sherry Pickering here. Trisha Teague present. Jalle Jones here. Doug Arn. John Cooper. Nine present. Nine present. We do have a quorum. Please note that we do have a number of aldermen out due to illness andor travel. So um at this time we will have the invocation led by Vice Mayor Lewig. Uh followed by the pledge of allegiance led by chairman floor. Please rise.

[laughter]

Heavenly Father, you have called us to be the light of the world and through your Holy Spirit to illuminate the darkness and to be an example of Christ's light. Help us to be like a city on a hill where our Christian example is public. And this public visibility is not for self-promotion, but directed solely for your glorification. Lord, we come to you as humble servants seeking your will for the city of Danville. Open our hearts to treat each other with compassion and respect. Help us to see the value of every life you have created through the lens of inherent dignity. Guide us away from biased judgments against our neighbors as we are equal in your eyes and made in your image and likeness. Lord, we give you thanks for those who courageously stand for justice and truth in your name. and for those who make our city safer and stronger and those who serve the marginalized in our community. Bless the work of this city council, the mayor and all city employees who give their time and talent to make Danville operate effectively and efficiently. May our decisions tonight reflect the needs of our community and the commitment we've made to the common good in accordance with your will. In Jesus's holy name we pray. Amen.

Amen. [snorts] I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Thank you both. [cough and clears throat] Have before you uh the minutes of the January 20th meeting. Is there a motion to approve those? So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion or debate? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. Any oppose? Same sign. Thank you very much. You also have an agenda for this evening. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? So move.

It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion or debate? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Any oppose? Same sign. Thank you very much. I do not have any proclamations or board committee or personnel appointments for you this evening. Are there any reports of boards, agencies, or commissions? [snorts]

Seeing none, a couple of items of information. Just a reminder, for the first time, First Fridays is is venturing out of downtown for uh for once. Uh we are going to be at the Ali Skate Land for a glow party, uh skating, laser tag, and all kinds of other fun activities. So, we hope to see you there. Um, as we as we embark on Black History Month, I just want to uh thank the families of those who are still here and those who have gone on of the seven plaintiffs as they hang on our wall. If it were not for them, our government, our form of government would not have changed. If it were not for them, many of us sitting around the table uh even uh you know, despite race or gender would not have been able to sit uh sit here at this day. So, just want to thank them for the sacrifices that they made and for the willingness that they they showed to put themselves on the line for the sake of not only their families but for everyone and for our future. Um, madame clerk, at this time are there any petitions, communications, or audience comments?

Yes, there is. When I call your name, please come to the podium. You'll have three minutes to speak. We have Eastston Hoskins regarding Danville firefighters.

Hi. Good evening. Good evening, mayor and members of the city council. My name is Eston Hoskins and I am the president of Naval Firefighters Local 429. I'm here tonight to speak on behalf of our firefighters regarding the proposed collective bargaining agreement. On December 19th, our membership voted to ratify in good faith. Since that vote, however, the agreement has seen no action by the city council. The CBA was scheduled to be considered at the January 6th city council meeting only to be only to be pulled from the agenda at the last minute. Since then, it has not appeared on the last two city council agendas, and no explanation has been provided to our members. Our firefighters upheld their end of the process. They participated, negotiated, and voted. Refusing to bring this agreement forward for a vote is unfair to our members and undermines the collective bargaining process. Tonight, I am respectfully asking Mayor Williams and the city council, why has there been no action taken on this collective bargaining agreement? and when can our firefighters expect this agreement to be brought forward for a vote? Our members deserve transparency, respect, and timely action. We are simply asking the city to do its part. Thank you for your time.

Thank you very much.

Uh PJ Bourne. Yes, I'm here again because um I put on the back of my well not on the back of my form but on my form Matthew 7:7. It says, "Ask and it shall be given. Seek and you shall find." I also want to acknowledge James 1:22 said, "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves." Why do I say that? I say that because during the time that we had the storm, the street next to me was clean, but not my street. Just the first two houses were clean. They stopped. uh my uh street is not a private street. It is a public street, but it was not cleaned as a public street. And I'm also asking and continue to ask for the street name change because I want to know whatever Mr. Harding did to make a street, build a house on the street, and then name the street after himself, why can it not be done now? So, I want to know what the ordinance is and why it hasn't been addressed in such a matter since I'm asking for the house, which is the only one on the cot area to be addressed. Can anyone tell me anything about that? Mrs. Bourne, now is not a time for feedback. I'd be happy to speak with you.

Okay. You and as well as the county as the city as well, city council as well or just you? They're welcome to speak to you as well. I appreciate that. Thank you. That's all I have. Is there anyone else who wishes to address the council this evening? Thank you. We do not have any zoning petitions this evening. However, you do have before you the payrolls of January 23rd and 30th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve those? So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion or debate? Roll call vote, please. Alderman Pashard, yes. Johnson, yes. Okaane, yes. Core, yes. Teague, yes. Ledwig, yes.

Jones, yes. Arns, yes. Cooper, yes. She missed Pickering. Yes. 10 yes. 10 yes. The motion carries. You also have before you the vouchers payable. Uh you have regular runs of January 27th and February 3rd, 2026, as well as a special run of January 29th. Is there a motion to approve those? So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion or debate? Seeing none, roll call vote, please. Alderman Johnson, yes. Okaane, yes. Poor, yes. Pickering, yes. Teague, yes. [clears throat] Ledwick, yes. Jones, yes. Lawrence, yes. Cooper,

yes. Pashard, yes. 10, yes. 10, yes. The motion carries. At this time, we'll receive the public services committee report. Vice Chairman Pickering. Thank you, mayor. Uh 11A is a resolution approving the Voya Financial as a 457B recordkeeper for the deferred compensation plan. At this time, I make a motion to dispense with the reading reading and ask for their approval. Is there a second? Second, uh questions or debate?

What is it? It wasn't on the public service agenda, so I don't Yes, we just it was on the agenda. Public service agenda. Was it I looked agenda and didn't see it. Okay. Yeah. So, what is it? The 457B is the deferred compensation and this was just putting uh Voya in charge of our account. It had has been for was nationwide. So, it was just changing who the uh holder is of our 457 B funds. Just changing the bookkeeper. Yeah. Any other questions? Roll call, please.

Alderman Okaane, yes. Yes. Teague, yes. Pickering, [clears throat] yes. Ledwig, yes. Jones, yes. Barren, yes. Cooper, yes. Pashard, yes. Johnson, yes. Ten, yes. 11B is a resolution approving an agreement between the city of Danville Fire Department and the Danville Area Community College DACC nursing program. At this time, I make a motion to dispense with the reading and ask for their approval. Is there a second? Second. Any questions or debate? Roll call, please. Alderman Teague, yes. Leadwick, yes. Jones, yes. Yes. Cooper, yes. Pashard,

yes. Johnson, yes. Okaane, yes. Poor, yes. Pickering, yes. Ten, yes. 11C is a resolution authorizing the budget amendment and application and acceptance of a DCEO grant for capital improvements. Uh, at this time, I make a motion to dispense with the reading and ask for their approval. Is there a second? Second. Any questions or debate? Roll call, please. Alderman Ledwig, yes. Jones, yes. Orange, yes. Cooper, yes. Pashard, yes. Johnson, yes. Okaane, yes. Poor, yes. Pickering, yes. Teague, yes.

10, yes. 11D is a resol resolution authorizing the disposal of a police department vehicle. At this time, I make a motion to dispense with a reading and ask for their approval. Is there a second? Second. Second. Any questions or debate? Roll call, please. Alderman Jones, yes. Orange, yes. Cooper, yes. [clears throat] Pashard, yes. Johnson, yes. Okaane, yes. Poor, yes. Pickering, yes. Teague, yes. Lewig, yes. Ten, yes.

Thank you. Uh 11E is a resolution authorizing the application of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board ILSB Law Enforcement Comr Camera Grant. At this time, I can make a motion and to dispense with the reading is uh and ask for their approval. Is there a second? Second. Any questions or debate? Roll call, please. Alderman Arn. Yes. Cooper, yes. Bashard, yes. Johnson, yes. Okaane, yes. Poor, yes. Pickering, yes. Teague, yes. Ledwig, yes. Jones, yes. 10, yes.

Thank you. 11F is an accept and place on file the treasures report for November 2025. Um, at this time, I make a motion to dispense with the reading and ask for their approval. Is there a second? Second. And this is a voice, so all in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Same sign. Motion carried. Uh, any items of information? Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Cooper. Answer Mr. Os question that was on the agenda a couple months ago was I know some type of information.

Yes, I'll be happy to speak with Mr. Hoskins after the meeting. Um uh I all I have is that our next public service meeting will be on February the 24th, 2026 in these chambers at 6 p.m. Thank you, Mayor. That concludes our report. Thank you, Vice Chairman. At this time, we will receive our public works committee report. Chairman Poor. Thank you, Mayor. Uh 12A is a resolution amending the resolution 2026-11 authorizing intergovernmental agreement between the city of Danville and Vermillion County for the lease of city parking. Move to dispense reading. ask for approval. Need a second. Second. Okay, questions.

Yeah, I can describe what happened here. [clears throat] So, uh first of all, just an answer to the uh what's up with the revised uh one of 23 date at the top. So, this is our this is our blanket um lease agreement for all of our parking leases. Uh and the form was updated in 2023. Uh so uh that's why that dates on there. Um so it's just this is our standard for all of our parking leases. Uh and the other thing is with the uh with the time frame. So that's what's basically the only thing changing here is uh the county reached out to us and asked that we uh switch it from a 5-year to a two-year uh due due to some of the standards that they have over there. Um it's been in the past it's always been a 5-year lease. However, they asked that be switched to a two-year. So, we just we're just bringing it here asking that you guys allow us to just revise it to a two-year at least for them.

Any questions? Roll call, please. Alderman Cooper, yes. Bashard, yes. Okain, yes. Johnson, yes. Poor, yes. Pickering, yes. Teague, yes. Lewig, yes. Jones. Yes. Lawrence, yes. 10. Yes. 10. Yes. Thank you. Um items of information. We will meet here in six days. [laughter] Uh not a week from today, six days from today, six o'clock in these chambers. Thank you, chairman. Are there any items of information for the good of the cause? Seems vice mayor T or Alderman T.

Um two things. one just a reminder that um I will be having a town hall on Saturday. All are welcome. It's at deck at 1 p.m. Um my second question actually is related to the firefighters um CBA because I also remember when it was pulled, but I also if I recall we were going to get a copy of it to review. Um yes, as I sent out to you in the in an email, there uh were some issues that need to be addressed and and uh we're working on correcting this.

Okay. Um that that was the other question which was just where what the status was and I didn't remember seeing a copy, but I must have missed that email. Thank you. No problem. All right. Uh I apologize. We do need to go into close session for hopefully a brief moment. Um, at this time I would entertain a motion to section 2C1 to discuss specific employees and section 2C2 to discuss collective bargaining matters and salary schedules. Is there a motion to do so? So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion or debate? Roll call vote, please. Alderman Pashard? Yes. Johnson? Yes. Okaane? Yes. Core?

Yes. Pickering? Yes. Teague. Yes. Lewig. Yes. Jones. Yes. Orange. Yes. Cooper. Nine. Yes. Nine. Yes. We are adjourned to close session. There will be no action taken afterwards.

and a motion to return to open session. Second. Move. It's been moved and seconded. Any uh discussion or debate? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Same sign. 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. Thank you. You got the app on your phone.