Chambana Sun

City of Danville Public Works Committee met June 10

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

#1) CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Mike Puhr called the meeting of the Public Works Committee to order at 6:02 p.m. at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, 17 W. Main Street, Danville, Illinois 61832.

Roll Call was answered by Chairman Mike Puhr, Aldermen Ed Butler, Tom Hightower, Mike O’Kane, and Carolyn Wands. Alderman Jim Poshard was absent and with 1 vacancy due to the death of Vice-Chairman Iverson. Chairman Puhr shared that Mayor William’s uncle Eric Williams had to be airlifted to Champaign due to illness. A quorum was present.

Others in Attendance: Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr., Vice Mayor Eve Ludwig, City Clerk Lisa Monson, City Comptroller Alyssa Sweeten, Acting Engineer Eric Childers, Chief of Police Chris Yates, Community Development Administrator Logan Cronk, Community Development Planner II Mumuchhu Gurung, Community Relations Administrator Rheanna Ollis, Corporation Counsel Leon Parker, Fire Chief Aaron Marcott, IT Specialist Suheel Rather, Public Transportation Director Steve White, Public Works Director Dave Ruwe, and Treasurer Chris Heeren.

There were seven audience members and one news media in attendance.

#2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Puhr presented Minutes of the regular meeting of May 13, 2025. Alderman Butler moved for approval as presented, seconded by Alderman Wands. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays with 1 absent and 1 vacancy; the motion so ordered.

#3) APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Chairman Puhr presented the agenda as presented. Alderman Wands moved for approval, seconded by Alderman Butler. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays with 1 absent and 1 vacancy; the motion so ordered.

#4) AUDIENCE COMMENTS

#4-A) The Public Hearing for Petition to Vacate an Alley near 419 Bensyl Avenue and 501 Bensyl Avenue for Petitioner, City of Danville, on behalf of James Osterbur and George A. and Patricia A. Vecillio was opened at 6:04 p.m. Petitioner James Osterbur questioned how the alley would be divided with Administrator Cronk confirming it would be split down the middle. Administrator Cronk shared that this alley vacation was instigated by the City of Danville after the vacation of the top lot so the fee per ordinance will be waived. Mr. Osterbur questioned the sidewalk that is on the edge of the park and his property with Administrator Cronk stating that it will be investigated and that question will be answered. Mr. Osterbur requested that the trees be trimmed.

There being no one speaking in opposition, the hearing was closed at 6:06 p.m.

#4-B) The Public Hearing for Petition to Vacate an Alley near 110 Orchard Street for Petitioner Kenneth W. Kuchefski was opened at 6:06 p.m. Mr. Kuchefski shared this will clean up the property line and to prevent people driving down the middle of the property. There being no one speaking in opposition, the hearing closed at 6:07 p.m.

#4-C) The Public Hearing for 2025-2029 CDBG Draft Consolidated Plan and 2025 Draft Annual Action Plan was opened at 6:07 p.m. Administrator Cronk shared this is a 5-year plan for CDBG – Community Development Block Grant funding and it is a mandate by the grant source, which is HUD, that the City of Danville hold at least 6 public hearings. The way the 5-year plan works is an action plan is derived each year and submitted to HUD. The City of Danville is receiving an allocation of $946,586 that will slightly fluctuate each year. Each year it is mandated to pass a different budget, but it has to be derived out of the five-year consolidated plan. For the proposed annual budget, through public feedback, are the following budgeted items: for Public Improvements and Infrastructure $226,586; for Rehabs $350,000 which is an increase from last year of $100,000; for Blight Removal or Demolitions $150,000; Homelessness Support $15,000; and for Administration Expenses $175,000. Due to time constraints a plan has to be in place to allocate more dollars to homelessness. Previous projects assisted with homelessness dollars were to the Dwelling Place to provide necessities when they first opened. The second Dwelling Place project is currently ongoing and is the rehabilitation of the home on Payne Street that’s about $100,000. Alderman Butler questioned if the dollars could be used to rehabilitate city owned homes. Administrator Cronk shared that it is easier to assist with dollars for property rehabilitation while the property is owner occupied through this program. There being no further discussion, the hearing closed at 6:16 p.m.

#5) CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – none reported

#6) PAYROLL

Chairman Puhr presented the Payroll for June 6, 2025 of $123,269.90. Alderman Butler moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Wands. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen O’Kane, Hightower, Wands, Butler, Puhr

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

#7) VOUCHERS PAYABLE

Chairman Puhr presented the Schedule of Vouchers Payable of run for June 10, 2025, of $990,575.32. Alderman Butler moved to dispense with the readings and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman O’Kane.

Alderman Butler asked what the Houck Transit advertising payment is for. Administrator Ollis shared this is bus advertising for one of the DMT buses. There being no further questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Hightower, Wands, Butler, Puhr, O’Kane

Nays: None

Absent: Aldermen Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

#8) COMMUNITY RELATIONS - Rheanna Ollis, Administrator

#8-A) Chairman Puhr presented a Resolution Approving Application to the Levitt Foundation for a Levitt Music Series Grant. Alderman Wands moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Butler. Administrator Ollis shared this is a traveling music series with the goal that it can go around to different neighborhood associations and also partner with Arts in the Park. There being no further questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Wands, Butler, Puhr, O’Kane, Hightower

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

#8-B) Items of Information

- Administrator Ollis shared that the First Friday’s Luau was great even with the rain with attendance of approximately 300 people.

- The next First Friday event will be the Downtown Carnival to be held Friday, July 4th.

#9) POLICE – Chris Yates, Police Chief

#9-A) Chairman Puhr presented a Resolution Approving the Purchase of Police Radios from Mobile Communications America in the amount of $111,400.65 for purchase of 85 new Motorola Two Way Radios, chargers, remote speakers, clips, and back-up batteries to be paid from line item 001-021-00-54099 – Police, Non-Specific- Other Expenditures. Alderman Wands moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman O’Kane. Chief Yates reported that they will see approximately $20,000 in savings on the purchase of these radios. There being no further questions of discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Butler, Puhr, O’Kane, Hightower, Wands

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

#9-B) Items of Information

- The candidates at academy or PTI are doing well.

- The two officers in field training are close to moving to step two.

- Alderman Butler asked how the police department is doing on the body worn cameras. Chief Yates reported that different options are being looked at with the current contract in year 3 of 5 years. Currently IT invests a lot of extra time making sure everything’s downloaded and available. Potentially a new system would relieve this issue. Alderman Butler inquired on the length videos are kept and Chief Yates explained the system will purge itself if it’s not claimed as evidence but if claimed as evidence it is kept for the duration of the case. Alderman Butler questioned if someone felt they were wrongly stopped how they would get those videos. Chief Yates shared that they may have up to 60 days to file a formal complaint.

#10) PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION – Steven White, Director

#10-A-1) Monthly Report

The Danville Mass Transit Monthly Recap for May 2025, which included Ridership Reports, Monthly Revenue Record, and Ridership History. The total ridership for the month of May was 42,184 and the total revenue for the month of May 2025 was $34,296.66.

- Director White shared that in the report under advertising for the month of May 2025 we received $6,140. Different advertisers included District #118, the Law office of Patel, Golden Nugget Casino, and State Farm Insurance.

- The FY26 budget has been finalized through IDOT and hope to have those papers back within a month which is roughly $3.9 million.

#11) PUBLIC WORKS – Dave Ruwe, Director

#11-A) Chairman Puhr presented an Ordinance Vacating an Alley, or Part Thereof, Pursuant to Chapter 30 of the City Code for Alley near 419 Bensyl Avenue and 501 Bensyl Avenue for Petitioner, City of Danville, on behalf of James Osterbur and George A. and Patricia A. Vecillio. Alderman Butler moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Wands. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen O’Kane, Hightower, Wands, Butler, Puhr

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

#11-B) Chairman Puhr presented an Ordinance Vacating an Alley, or Part Thereof, Pursuant to Chapter 30 of the City Code for Alley near 110 Orchard Street for Petitioner, Kenneth W. Kuchefski. Alderman Wands moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman O’Kane. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Hightower, Wands, Butler, Puhr, O’Kane

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

#11-C) Chairman Puhr presented an Ordinance Changing the Name of a Street within the Corporate Limits of Danville from Harding Place to Christian-Jhace Cove. Alderman Butler moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Hightower. Petitioner PJ Bourn shared that she would like to rename the street in honor of her grandson Christian Jhace, and that she is the only house on this street.

Administrator Cronk shared that this type of request does not happen very often and there are no policies or procedures in place for roadway name changes only for honorary naming, and did share his concern with setting a precedence of changing roadway names. Administrator Cronk shared that honorary naming of a roadway allows for the street name to remain with an honorary name also given to the street and the city has the authority for addresses and roadway names. Alderman Hightower questioned if it is listed as an alley and Administrator Cronk shared it is listed on the GIS as a roadway. Alderman Wands stated her concerns with setting the precedent of renaming a street as opposed to a memorial or honorary naming of a street. Alderman Butler stated that if no one has an issue with renaming the street, since it was previously named after Dr. Harding, that there should not be an issue renaming it now. Vice-Mayor Ludwig shared that the house was built by Dr. Harding in 1969, she lived in this house for 17 years prior to selling it to Ms. Bourn, and for this reason she will recuse herself from the vote at the council meeting. Administrator Cronk shared that an ordinance was never passed to take the name James Place and rename Harding Place, so the street has two names. Ms. Bourn requested to take the petition to the June 17, 2025, City Council meeting. There being no further questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen O’Kane, Hightower, Butler

Nays: Aldermen Wands, Puhr

Absent: Alderman Poshard

Motion failed 3 to 2 with and 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

#11-D) Chairman Puhr presented an Ordinance Changing the Name of a Street within the Corporate Limits of Danville from Walz Creek to Dynamic Place, moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Hightower. Administrator Cronk shared this is a half block roadway with the Thyssenkrupp Dynamic Components business at the end. For the roadway name change there would need to be in place an alleyway vacation, a required maintenance agreement, and an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Prior to the petition to vacate there would need to be an agreement in place with Blue Cross Blue Shield because there is a path of ingress and egress for Blue Cross Blue Shield. Administrator Cronk proposed to continue the name change request to City Council next week with the understanding he will speak with the Thyssenkrupp CEO on the alley vacation, maintenance agreement and Blue Cross Blue Shield agreement.

There being no further questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Butler, Puhr, O’Kane, Hightower, Wands

Nays: None

Absent: Aldermen Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

#11-E) Chairman Puhr presented a Resolution Approving the 2025-2029 CDBG Consolidated Plan and 2025 CDBG Annual Action Plan, Alderman Butler moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Hightower. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen O’Kane, Hightower, Wands, Butler, Puhr

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

#11-F) Chairman Puhr present a Resolution Amending FY2025-2026 Budget for the Community Development Block Grant Fund (106), Alderman Butler moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Hightower. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Hightower, Wands, Butler, Puhr, O’Kane

Nays: None

Absent: Aldermen Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

Chairman Puhr presented Items #11-G, #11-H, and #11-I together. There being no objections, Alderman Hightower moved to dispense with the readings and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Wands. Those items being:

#11-G) a Resolution Awarding the Contract for Bid #773 – 2025 Parking Lot Sealing and Pavement Marking to Provantage Systems, Inc for $39,505.80 from line item 302-55013; and

#11-H) a Resolution Awarding the Contract for Bid #775 Midtown TIF Sidewalk Improvements to Midwest Asphalt Company in the amount of $170,740.60 to be paid from line item 117-117-00-54046; and

#11-I) a Resolution Awarding the Contracts for Bid #777 Seal Coat and Bid #778 Cape Seal, with Bid #777 to Daniel L. Ribbe Trucking, Inc. in the amount of $512,959.18 from line item 103-600GM and Bid #778 to Microsurfacing Contractors, LLC in the amount of $567,322.96 from line item 103-600GM. Alderman Hightower asked if contracts are awarded to local contractors. Engineer Childers shared bids are located on  the city website, on the Quest website, and at the Public Works office. Engineer Childers shared the parking lot sealing and pavement marking is for four parking lots called C,D,G and the Palmer Arena lots. The Midtown TIF sidewalk improvements are for various sidewalks in that area. Administrator Cronk shared that businesses in the TIF district invest dollars in the district and per state statute the City of Danville must either plan, spend, or encumber TIF funds that have been brought in via revenue the prior year. Engineer Childers shared that the Seal Coat and Cape seal will be completing 20 lane miles of seal coat this year throughout various portions of the city and 6 ½ lane miles of cape sealing in various locations. Administrator Ollis shared that all the information has been posted on the city’s social media pages, emailed to city staff, and on the city website.

There being no further questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Wands, Butler, Puhr, O’Kane, Hightower

Nays: None

Absent: Aldermen Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

Chairman Puhr presented Items #11-J and #11-K together. There being no objections, Alderman O’Kane moved to dispense with the readings and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Hightower. Those items being:

#11-J) a Resolution Approving Professional Service Agreement for Bridge Roadway Design Engineering Services with Farnsworth Group, Inc in the amount of $129,000.00 to be paid from line-item Fund 107 (Infrastructure Development) 52022 (Engineering Services); and

#11-K) a Resolution Approving a Professional Service Agreement for Planning Services for the Grade Crossing and Rail Consolidation Study with SRF Consulting Group in the amount not to exceed $496,456.00 from line item 107-52022 (Engineering Services). Engineer Childers shared the three bridges identified by the consultant in need of repair are north Bowman over Stoney Creek, Fairchild Street over Stoney Creek and Stonegate over the CSX railroad. The agreement is to do the roadway design engineering, in conjunction with the repair to the bridges. The rail study will look at North Fork & Southern and CSX highlighting Bowman Avenue and Voorhees Street. This study will look at vehicles, train traffic, and pedestrians and the consultant will provide recommendations on the best option for an overpass or consolidation to eliminate some of the crossings. We have a $400,000 grant and the city will include $100,000 for the study. Administrator Cronk shared this is crucial information that will assist to apply for grant funds in the future. There being no further questions of discussion; roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Butler, Puhr, O’Kane, Hightower, Wands

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Poshard

Motion carried 5 to 0 with 1 absent and 1 vacancy.

#11-L) Items of Information

Director Ruwe reported:

- The work at the Danville Stadium is close to completion, possibly within a week. The completed work includes new offices, an updated visitors’ locker room, and completion of outside work. The Danville Dans honored workers at the opening night game. The work was completed utilizing a $100,000 grant.

- The seal coat preparations are being wrapped up, which is a month and a half earlier than it has been previously completed.

- For the MFT Funds that have been frozen, the audit is near completion, and we should begin to see the release of those funds. Thanks was given to Engineer Childers and his team and specifically Engineering Tech Marlys Sutton, Treasurer Heeren and staff, and the finance division for all the work researching old records and providing information needed to complete the MFT audit.

- Thanking Community Relations Administrator Ollis for all her great work getting city information out to the public.

#12) CLOSED SESSION – not needed

#13) ITEMS OF INFORMATION – none presented.

#14) COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ COMMENTS – none presented

#14) ADJOURNMENT

There being no further items on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m. by acclamation after a motion by Alderman Butler and a second by Alderman Wands.

https://www.cityofdanville.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07082025-244