City of Danville City Council met June 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
#1. THE REGULAR MEETING of the City Council of the City of Danville was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, 17 W. Main Street, Danville, Illinois.
THE ROLL CALL was answered by Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr., Vice Mayor Steve Nichols Duncheon, Steve Foster, Bob Iverson, Sharon McMahon, Michael O'Kane, Sherry Pickering, Mike Puhr, Tom Stone, Rick Strebing, and Aaron Troglia with one vacancy in Ward 1. Aldermen Brenda Brown and R.J. Davis were absent. A quorum was present.
Staff Members Present: City Clerk Lisa Monson, Corporation Counsel Dave Wesner, Human Relations Sandra Finch, Information Technology Administrator Agnel DSilva, Interim Fire Chief Don McMasters, Interim Police Chief Chris Yates, Public Transportation Director Lisa Beith, Public Works Director Carl Carpenter, and Risk Manager Kathy Courson. There were also 18 audience members and 5 news media in attendance.
#2.INVOCATION was given by Rev. Shanae Dowell, Co-Pastor, 21st Century Christian Church, followed by
#3. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderman Duncheon.
#4. THE MINUTES of the regular meeting held, May 21, 2019 having been published and distributed, were presented. Alderman Strebing moved for approval as presented, seconded by Alderman McMahon. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.
#5. THE AGENDA for the evening was presented. Mayor Williams announced the removal of Item 12-A, City Clerk's Report. Alderman Pickering moved for approval as amended, seconded by Alderman Puhr. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.
#6.MAYOR'S REPORT
#6-A. Proclamations - None
#6-B.Board/Committee Appointments - None
#6-C. Reports of Boards, Agencies, Commissions - None
#6-D.Items of Information
Mayor Williams announced Community Day will be held Sunday, July 14th at Lincoln Park from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mayor Williams announced there will be a Serve Together Vermilion County celebration service on Saturday, June 8th at 4:30 p.m. sponsored by Second Church of Christ at Lincoln Park following a work day in the community which begins at 8:00 a.m.
Mayor Williams stated he has been asked numerous times how the City will move forward with a casino once Governor Pritzker signs the bill after the Illinois Senate approved a gambling expansion bill that includes a casino for Danville. He is very excited about the economic opportunities a casino will provide the community, but also has concerns as he has personally seen an aunt struggle with gambling addiction. He stated he is looking forward to the jobs a casino will provide, but the community needs to do a better job of filling the positions that already exist. He also stated the additional revenue from a casino also will provide funds the City will not have to receive from taxes and fees and he has promised to be a good steward with the resources the casino provides. He has been asked about the casino location, but that will be driven by the developer and must meet zoning and infrastructure requirements. He also does not know the timeline for procuring the license, finding a site, and construction time. There is an opportunity for an interim casino, but Mayor Williams said he does not know if that will happen as it will be up to the developer as well.
Mayor Williams stated he has concerns about other passed legislative items such as the progressive income tax and the legalization of recreational use of marijuana, but there are still a lot of things "up in the air'.
#7.PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AUDIENCE COMMENTS
#7-A. Vermilion Advantage Update from Vicki Haugen, President & CEO Vicki Haugen, President and CEO of Vermilion Advantage, presented an economic development date of activity in the area and highlighted various activities and programs. She commented on the casino by stating nobody is going to turn down quality job opportunities for the City. President Haugen then handed out a packet, which included the following:
Current job openings on the Vermilion County Adult Job Board showing 61 job postings, which is an employment search website.
The Youth Job Board Listings was handed out showing 13 available job postings from Vermilion County employers
Mrs. Haugen also spoke on the following:
There are 18 active projects which breakdown into six office professional which include one carryover from 2018, four manufacturing which includes two carryovers from 2018, two commercial, and five different retail projects which started in 2018, and one agricultural related project so of those nine of the 18 are actually looking at existing buildings, eight are looking at new construction, and one is a service project involving the business so they can grow.
Vermilion Advantage has also assisted various employers with professional recruits with hopes of selling the community to the candidates.
Other Audience Comments
Bob Ervin of Danville, Area Manager with Aqua Illinois Water spoke regarding the solar project and asked the Council to reconsider the vote from May 21st for the special use permit. He mentioned the following has been done to work with the nearby residents: moving the project more south and west to the river to provide a bigger buffer zone and almost 200 feet of setback and wooded property and visual barrier, earth tone colored slats in fencing, and plant more evergreens and trees. He stated Aqua is trying to find a good balance with the neighbors.
Jerry Hawker of Danville voiced appreciation to former Mayor Eisenhauer for his efforts in gambling expansion in the State to include a casino for Danville and expressed appreciation to Mayor Williams for appointing an Interim Police Chief and Interim Fire Chief.
Lisa Hunt of Danville and licensed plumber spoke concern of landlords not pulling proper permits or having licensed individuals to do the work in the City. She would like for there to be a way for those individuals who have rental properties are responsible to the homeowners and the business owners see that property values are kept up to par and that no one is doing anything else that no one else can do.
Linda Jones of Danville expressed concern of a casino in Danville and feels it will end up similar to the off track betting that she feels was not good for the City.
#8.ZONING PETITIONS - None
#9.PAYROLL
Mayor Williams presented Payrolls for May 24, 2019, of $565,222.51, and for May 31, 2019, of $72,461.88. Alderman Strebing moved to dispense with the readings and asked for approval as presented, seconded by Alderman Puhr. There being no questions, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen O'Kane, Iverson, Strebing, Puhr, Foster, McMahon, Duncheon, Nichols, Stone, Troglia, Pickering
Nays: None
Absent: Aldermen Brown, Davis
Motion carried 11 to 0 with 2 absent and one vacancy.
#10. SCHEDULE OF VOUCHERS PAYABLE
Mayor Williams presented the Schedule of Vouchers Payable, having been published, posted, and distributed, for May 28, 2019, of $1,213,681.45, and for June 4, 2019, of $492,206.23. Alderman e with the readings and asked for approval as presented, seconded by Alderman Pickering. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen Iverson, Strebing, Puhr, Foster, McMahon, Duncheon, Nichols, Stone, Troglia, Pickering, O'Kane
Nays: None
Absent: Aldermen Brown, Davis
Motion carried 11 to 0 with 2 absent and one vacancy.
#11. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT
#11-A. Items of Information
• Chairman Puhr announced the next Public Works Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at 6:00 pm Director Carpenter reported staff has been busy picking up the remains from several storms in the City. Citizens should call Public Works if they have any remaining large debris.
Director Carpenter stated the Street Division is continuing work on the sealcoat list of streets to repair before the sealcoat actually begins.
Yard Waste will now be picked up every other week for toters only.
Alderman Strebing thanked Public Works staff for a tree limb that was down in his ward.
Alderman Pickering also thanked the crews from Public Works for a great job on Columbus Street
Director Carpenter reported Alderman Pickering spoke concern of a couple of houses in disrepair on north State street and there are only a few things that can be done without a warrant and that has been successful as Mr. Wesner has obtained warrants. The best thing to do is get a hold of Inspections and they will get a hold of Mr. Wesner to put things in place such as windows boarded up, etc.
#12. PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT
#12-A. [previously removed.]
#12-B. Chairman Foster presented RESOLUTION NO. 2019-67 authorizing Agreement for an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for a one-year agreement with Perspectives Ltd. to provide six sessions per episode to full-time employees and their family members, at a cost to the City of Danville$1.90 per full-time employee per month for the period of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, moved to dispense with the reading without recommendation by Committee, but was discussed by Committee, seconded by Alderman Strebing. Manager Courson explained Perspectives Ltd. is equipped to work with first responders to help them deal with specific issues they deal with, whether it is a one-time episode or a culmination of events. Perspectives also specializes and provides help and information with mental and physical health and wellness, child, elder and family care, legal and financial help, emotional well-being, workplace stressors, and substance abuse. Employees call or use an online service to speak with a Perspectives Ltd. employee for an assessment. The employee is then directed to someone who specializes in the services the employee needs. If the employee's problem is extensive, the employee is referred to a treatment facility or provider covered by the City's health insurance provider for long-term help. Perspectives will provide the City with a utilization report indicating many people have utilized the program and for what specific issue. Employee anonymity is paramount, and the City is only notified if an employee is deemed a threat to themselves or other employees. After all questions were addressed, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen Strebing, Puhr, Foster, McMahon, Duncheon, Nichols, Stone, Troglia, Pickering, O'Kane, Iverson
Nays: None
Absent: Aldermen Brown, Davis
Motion carried 11 to 0 with 2 absent and one vacancy.
#12-C. Chairman Foster presented RESOLUTION NO. 2019-68 approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Alvin to utilize the City's Administrative Adjudication System for prosecution of their ordinance violations, moved to dispense with the reading as recommended by Committee, seconded by Alderman Strebing. After all questions were addressed, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen Puhr, Foster, McMahon, Duncheon, Nichols, Stone, Troglia, Pickering, O'Kane, Iverson, Strebing
Nays: None
Absent: Aldermen Brown, Davis
Motion carried 11 to 0 with 2 absent and one vacancy.
#12-D. Chairman Foster presented RESOLUTION NO. 2019-69 authorizing Lease Extension for Advantage for Office Space at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, with a monthly rent amount of $300.00 for a five year period beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2024, the first of two five-year extension provided for in Article Il of the Lease, moved to dispense with the reading as recommended by Committee, seconded by Alderman Strebing. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen Foster, McMahon, Duncheon, Nichols, Stone, Troglia, Pickering, O'Kane, Iverson, Strebing, Puhr
Nays: None
Absent: Aldermen Brown, Davis
Motion carried 11 to 0 with 2 absent and one vacancy.
#12-E.Items of Information Chairman Foster announced the next Public Services Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
#13.ITEMS OF INFORMATION
Alderman Foster stated there is still some confusion regarding the vote for the Special Use Permit #237 from the May 21st City Council meeting and he asked for clarification regarding reconsideration. The way he understands it to bring the item back someone that voted no would have to ask to bring it back and Mayor Williams stated that is correct. Alderman Foster asked what is majority when we only have 13 legitimate Aldermen, seven votes. Counsel Wesner responded it always comes down to a majority and it that particular situation, given the dynamic of the vote, it is a majority of those present so it would be seven if there are thirteen present. Mayor Williams stated the vote on May 21st would have required 7 yes votes to be approved. Alderman O'Kane asked for the Ordinance to be ressed for the mandatory eight votes and asked if the Mayor is allowed to vote on a simple majority or does he have to wait until it is eight and Counsel Wesner responded the Mayor is allowed to vote when there is a tie or if there were seven in the affirmative, then the Mayor can cast the eighth vote. Alderman Foster asked for the Ordinance for the Special Use Permit #237 be placed on the June 18th Council agenda as he is one that voted no at the May 21st meeting. Alderman Duncheon asked Mr. Ervin if Sol Systems would be in a position to reapply or continue the process and Mr Ervin stated Sol Systems has made a payment to extend the time period for the project and state tax credits so it is still pending. Alderman McMahon visited the Aqua site today where the solar panels would be placed and had a completely different picture in her mind on May 21st as she was one of the no votes than is what is actually going to be going on. She walked the 10 acres and got a completely different picture of where the project is going to be, what the project is going to be, and how it is going to affect the neighbors and she urges anyone with questions to contact Mr. Ervin. Mayor Williams asked Clerk Monson to make sure notices are sent to the neighbors regarding the reconsideration.
#14. CLOSED SESSION was not needed
#15.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 6:58 p.m. following a motion by Alderman Duncheon and a second by Alderman McMahon.
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