Chambana Sun

City of Danville Public Services Committee met Aug. 26

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

#1 CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Strebing called the Public Services Committee meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, 17 W. Main Street, Danville, Illinois 61832.

Roll Call was answered by Chairman Rick Strebing, Vice Chairman Sherry Pickering, Aldermen Doug Ahrens, Jon Cooper, Jaleel Jones, Eve Ludwig, Sherry Pickering, and Tricia Teague. A quorum was present.

Others in Attendance: Mayor Ricky Williams, Alderman Ed Butler, Carolyn DeToye, and Barry Johnson, City Clerk Rachel Haun, Community Relations Administrator Rheanna Ollis, Comptroller Alyssa Sweeten, Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Dahlenburg, Fire Chief Aaron Marcott, Human Relations Administrator Tasha Davis, IT Chief Technology Officer Agnel DSilva, IT Assistant Cody Shadley, Police Chief Chris Yates, and Treasurer Chris Heeren.

There were 11 audience members and 2 news media in attendance.

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Strebing presented the minutes of the regular meeting of July 22, 2025. Alderman Pickering moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval as presented, seconded by Alderman Ahrens. On the voice vote, all ayes; the motion so ordered.

#3 APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Chairman Strebing presented the agenda. Alderman Teague moved for approval, seconded by Alderman Ludwig. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.

#4 AUDIENCE COMMENTS

- PJ Bourn of Danville spoke regarding the request to change her street name.

#5 CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – None Reported

#6 APPROVAL OF PAYROLLS

Chairman Strebing presented Payrolls for August 22, 2025, of $746,165.21. Vice-Chairman Pickering moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Ludwig. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Teague, Ludwig, Jones, Ahrens, Cooper, Strebing, Pickering

Nays: None

Motion carried 7 to 0.

#7 APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS PAYABLE

Chairman Strebing presented the Schedule of Vouchers Payable for the run of August 26, 2025, of $452,053.05. Alderman Ahrens moved to dispense with the readings and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Ludwig. Alderman Teague questioned if for the Fall Festival is there a process to select local vendors. Administrator Ollis shared that local vendors are used first when possible. Mayor Williams shared that the budget was increased to $24,000 for the Fall Festival as this is the 50th anniversary of the festival and this is not a revenue event but a community event. There being no further questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Ludwig, Ahrens, Cooper, Pickering, Teague, Jones, Strebing

Nays: None

Motion carried 7 to 0.

#8 CITY CLERK’S REPORT – Rachel Haun, City Clerk

#8-A) Items of Information

Clerk Haun reported on the following:

- The new Citizenserve licensing portal has been added to the City Clerk’s webpage. Licensees and applicants can now apply and pay online through the portal. The traditional license option is still available.

- For the dates of July 30, 2025 to August 21, 2025 the city clerk’s office:

Received 32 FOIA requests

Received/Completed 11 Permits/Licenses

Processed 10 Resolutions and 3 Ordinances

- The records disposal shred day was held on August 13 for the Treasurer’s, Clerk’s, and Fire office records.

#9 COMMUNITY RELATIONS – Rheanna Ollis, Community Relations Administrator

#9-A) Items of Information

- The Fall Festival vendor tents are full.

- The First Friday’s Discover Danville Cultural Event will be held on September 5 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

#10) FINANCE – Alyssa Sweeten, Comptroller

#10-A) Chairman Strebing presented a Resolution Approving a Sublease for Operations and Maintenance of the Public Safety Building between the City of Danville, County of Vermilion, and the Danville Public Building Commission for a 3-year term of November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2028, moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Ahrens. Alderman Teague questioned the bond payment liability with Mayor Williams sharing that the City of Danville paid the city’s portion of this responsibility off early.

Alderman Teague questioned why it is a sublease with Comptroller Sweeten sharing that the city is a leasee of the building and we are required to sublease the operations. There being no further questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Jones, Ahrens, Cooper, Strebing, Pickering, Teague, Ludwig

Nays: None

Motion carried 7 to 0.

#10-B-1) FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 CASH FLOW, BUDGET PERFORMANCE REPORT, FUND BALANCES

- Alderman Teague questioned if the revenue line for Personal Property Replacement Tax is at 40% and will this trend continue throughout the fiscal year. Comptroller Sweeten reported that we are projected to remain on trend to go higher than budgeted and for the State Use Tax that was projected at $36 per person this year and is coming in around $6 per person, so we will not catch up on that one. Alderman Teague questioned that the budget performance report and the budget in the revenue line item have a difference of $750,000.00. Comptroller Sweeten shared that the other revenue line on the budget includes other tax lines that cannot be reported out separately because there are less than two or three entities in that item.

- Alderman Ahrens questioned the number of 52 in the Fire Department on the Personnel Report and our budget shows 47. Chief Marcott shared that there are 2 individuals hired to replace upcoming retirements. Normal staffing is 45 normal suppression and 4 staff positions.

#10-B-2) RISK MANAGEMENT MONTHLY REPORT

The July 2025 Statistics for BC/BS & Health Alliance Insurance Premiums for employees, firefighter and police duty disabilities and health incentive retirees that totaled $421,679.00, for retirees $30,319.80, for Library Employees $28,135.00; July Worker’s Compensation totaled 1, with 1 Liability claim submitted. Health premiums in July 2024 totaled $374,210.30 compared to health premiums for July 2025 totaling $480,133.80.

#10-B-3) PERSONNEL MONTHLY REPORT

The monthly Personnel Report as of August 26, 2025, included 276 employees eligible for benefits and 66 part-time/seasonal/temporary/intern employees, with 5 new hire, 2 separations, and 2 transfer/promotion.

Applications are being accepted for City Engineer, Deputy Chief of Police, Engineer I, II, III, Engineering Technician, Engineering/Grants/Planning Administrative Secretary, Police Officers, Public Works Seasonal Laborers, and Extra Board Bus Drivers, which are on-going.

#11) FIRE – Aaron Marcott, Fire Chief

#11-A-1) Fire Chief Monthly Status Report

- Newly hired probationary firefighters are Anna Ames and Dawson Kay who will be heading to academy on September 8th.

- Upcoming retirements are 1 in September and 1 in November.

- Lieutenant David Jones was in attendance and recognized for all his work completing all the SPEC writing for all three apparatus that were purchased, coordinating with vendors and buyers and will be awarded an administrative commendation.

- Firefighter Devin Heinrichs was in attendance and recognized for all his work on the First Two software, working to research vendors and inputting data. Firefighter Heinrichs will receive an administrative commendation.

- The new Community Connect online program was introduced and has been launched. Residents or business owners can upload information about their home or business which if alarmed the fire department will have access to this information to better respond to the situation at the location.

#12) HUMAN RELATIONS – Tasha Davis, Administrator

- Alderman Teague questioned if the prior cases from January 2025 from previous Administrator Finch have been resolved with Mayor Williams stating he will check the status of those.

#13 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – Agnel DSilva, Chief Technology Officer

#13-A) Chairman Strebing presented a Resolution Authorizing a Three-Year Agreement with Kaseya for Network Equipment Purchase from Kaseya-Datto for $45,519.97, with one-time payment of $2,632 and annual payments of $14,295.99 to be paid from line item 001-020-00-55016 Other Capital Equipment, moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Ahrens. There being no questions of discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Ahrens, Cooper, Strebing, Pickering, Teague, Ludwig, Jones

Nays: None

Motion carried 7 to 0.

#13-B-1) Monthly Report

The monthly status report included the following items: GIS

• Accessibility research and development for GIS

• Modified the Report It script for more effective processing

• Designing the new private security camera registration system

• Migrated pavement condition rating to database

• Created pavement condition rating up application

• Completed private security camera registration form

• Consulting with Farnsworth Group to create a tree management map

• Investigating redeployment of GIS licenses through the organization

Others

• Working on Parks Camera configurations

• Working on network infrastructure upgrades

• Working on web browser security – Isolation and protection

• Implemented advanced AI detection for security threats

• Working on Phone system upgrades

• Implemented SEIM for endpoint telemetry

• Assisting various divisions with their technological needs

• Performed bi-weekly updates on IT systems

• Monitoring backup systems and Cyber Threats

• Working on datacenter migration project

• Working on MDT project for the Police department

- Technology Office Dsilva shared that they are currently looking at a replacement phone system which will save $180,000.00 over the next 5 years. Then new vendor is Intermedia, a cloud based system, with a flat monthly rate of $2,500.00 with no contracts.

#14 LEGAL – Rich Dahlenburg, Assistant Corporation Counsel

#14-A-1) Monthly Status report

Items of Information

- Alderman Teague questioned if the area is being covered by the open code inspector position and if the rental inspectors have a checklist that can be published. Assistant Counsel Dahlenburg shared that the current 3 inspectors are covering the 4th area. Alderman Teague shared a situation with her rental property and the need for notification to the landlord and the tenant prior to an inspection and that a checklist would be helpful for landlords to remediate issues prior to them becoming a problem.

Chairman Strebing shared a situation where he was struggling scheduling with a rental inspector.

#15 POLICE – Chris Yates, Police Chief

#15-A-1) Chairman Strebing presented an Ordinance Amending the Danville City Code of Ordinance, Section 103.1 Public Nuisance, Pertaining to Towing and Impounding Vehicles that are used in the Commission or Conjunction of an Offense, moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Pickering. Those changes being the addition of:

103.01(A)(14) The driver or any other person in possession of a motor vehicle commits a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code 625ILCS5/11-503 titled, Reckless Driving.

103.01(A)(15) The driver or any other person in possession of a motor vehicle commits a violation of Illinois Criminal Code 720ILCS5/16-25 titled Retail Theft or Danville City Code 132.20 titled Retail Theft.

Chief Yates shared that regarding retail theft it requires a vehicle to facilitate that crime and this would allow an interruption in that type of activity or a form of prevention of that activity. The purpose of these changes would be to take a proactive stance against those that victimize our retailers. Alderman Teague questioned if this could be modified to state, “commits a felony” as opposed to “any violation”? Chief Yates stated that retail theft at different dollar amounts still damages businesses and this is a tool to be used by officers depending on the crime. There being no further questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Pickering, Ludwig, Ahrens, Strebing

Nays: Alderman Cooper

Abstain: Aldermen Teague, Jones

Motion carried 4 to 1 with 2 abstaining.

#15-B) Chairman Strebing presented a Resolution Amending Police Secured Funds (606) to be made available for Specialized Training, Security Camera Installation and Command Staff Training to increase line item 606-606-00-54099 Police Secured Funds by $55,000.00 from the Police Secured Funds Account, moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Pickering. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Pickering, Teague, Ludwig, Jones, Ahrens, Cooper, Strebing

Nays: None

Motion carried 7 to 0.

#15-C) Chairman Strebing presented a Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the Danville Police Department, CRIS Healthy Aging, and Collaborative Partners, moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Ahrens. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Teague, Ludwig, Jones, Ahrens, Cooper, Strebing, Pickering

Nays: None

Motion carried 7 to 0.

#15-D) Chairman Strebing presented a Resolution Authorizing the Disposal of Two Unused Police Department Vehicles a 2018 Ford Explorer VIN: 1FM5K8AR1JGA58294 and 2019 Ford Explorer VIN: 1FM5K8AT1KGB15686, moved to dispense with the reading and asked for approval, seconded by Alderman Teague. There being no questions or discussion, the roll call vote being:

Ayes: Aldermen Ludwig, Jones, Ahrens, Cooper, Strebing, Pickering, Teague

Nays: None

Motion carried 7 to 0.

#15-E) Items of Information

1. Monthly Report – will be presented at the September 2, 2025 City Council meeting.

- Three officers were sworn in today, five officers have graduated from PTI, and one officer is in the shadow phase of training.

- The park video camera equipment is in, and complete installation is estimated for 6-8 weeks.

- Have been awarded a $27,000 retail crime grant to go towards camera systems around retail areas.

#16 TREASURER’S REPORT – Chris Heeren, Treasurer

#16-A) Treasurer’s Report & Bank Reconciliation

- Treasurer Heeren reported that work is being completed on the March and April 2025 bank reconciliations. The new utility account started in mid-February and those dollars for February, March and April 2025 are being deposited accordingly.

#16-B) Items of Information

- Treasurer Heeren shared that the rate of return on the accounts is 4.4%.

#18) CLOSED SESSION – not needed

#19) ITEMS OF INFORMATION – none reported

#20 COMMITTEE MEMBER’S COMMENTS – none reported

#21 ADJOURNMENT

There being no further items on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. by acclamation after a motion by Alderman Ludwig, seconded by Alderman Teague. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.

https://www.cityofdanville.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09232025-262