Although the Danville City Council met before a packed house Tuesday evening (Sept 17), the issue of Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr’s dispute with DACC president now on administrative leave Dr. Stephen Nacco did not dominate. But it did come up. During public comment, a handful of speakers praised the mayor for the stand he took against bringing undocumented immigrants into Danville for assistance with items such as housing and job training. One speaker, however, Deonte Brooks, stated that bringing in immigrants could mean bringing in new skilled workers, which he feels in the long run could be beneficial to the entire area, increasing the overall skill level of Danville and Vermilion County workers.
AUDIO: If I’m a CEO looking at a town, the first thing I look at is the amount of skilled workers there. So it’s really a net win for everybody, if we can get skilled people in here. Because right now we have a gap, because we don’t have the skill.
After the meeting, Mayor Williams said Brooks may mean well with his idea. But the mayor also says it’s just not practical, when you consider the specific grant that he turned down.
AUDIO: Bringing skilled workers the lawful way is always helpful. It said specifically in the grant that these would be folks who would be receiving job training. If they’re going to be receiving job training, they’re not highly skilled workers. So, while his thought is very good, it did not apply to the individuals that this grant sought to bring to our community.
(1st Picture) Deonte Brooks expresses opinion that allowing undocumented immigrants into the area could raise the overall skill level of workers. (2nd Picture) Seven Point of Illinois dispensary CEO Brad Zerman shows relief after a cap on dispensaries in Danville passes 8-6. (3rd Picture) Danville Alderwoman Heidi Wilson engages in some debate with public comment speaker Pastor Randy Downing on immigrants issue.
In other action during Tuesday’s meeting, the proposed storage unit with solar power panels on the roof, for the production of electricity to the power grid, which Donato Solar wants to build at 3811 North Vermilion, was approved unanimously.
Also, the City Council just barely agreed with the Planning and Zoning Commission on capping cannabis dispensaries in Danville at three; which is what it will have pending the building of the approved Mariworks’ planned nuEra dispensary – truck stop combination south of I-74. It was a close vote, 8 to 6 in favor of the capping; with a couple aldermen leading towards the “no” side after hearing Vice-Mayor Tricia Teague say that it’s not the city’s job to protect already existing businesses, and the market should be allowed to work it out on its own. Seven Point of Illinois CEO Brad Zerman, who was in attendance, sees it differently. He says by the city keeping the dispensary market from oversaturating, his company can keep doing good for the city. And the 8-6 vote for the cap showed some appreciation.
AUDIO: It would be great if the city would support us, like they did tonight. Because we made a major investment in Danville. We have 35 employees making a living wage with benefits. Some of our employees have been to the Planning Commission and testified that they don’t want to lose their job, because they have a good job now. And before, they had two or three jobs.
Zerman says he will be in touch with the city on reconsideration of the consumption lounge he would like to have approved, to differentiate from the nearby Sunnyside dispensary along with Lynch Road corridor.
One final adjustment to the intergovernmental agreement with Vermilion County for the tear down of Bresee Tower and the County Court Annex Building was approved; taking away the $325 per day incentive for each day the project is completed before a 550 day window. Director of Public Works David Ruwe said a consultant advised that this would be the best approach, in order to guard against any unsafe measures during the tear down.
Mayor Williams says the next steps will be taken immediately.
AUDIO: Within the next month or so, we will have all contractors who are interested bidding. It will be a requirement for them to come through and do an assessment of the building, all in the same day. Maybe sometime in October or November, we will have received bids, and then maybe able to award them. It would be a great Thanksgiving or Christmas gift.
(1st Picture) Bresee Tower and the Court Annex Building continue to await tear down. (2nd Picture) Alderman Ed Butler speaks at end of Danville City Council meeting; calling for investigation of Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr’s actions during dispute with DACC’s President Dr. Stephen Nacco, in order to protect the city from any pending lawsuits from the matter.
The Williams – Nacco issue came up one final time during comments at the end of the meeting, with Alderman Ed Butler saying the city should conduct its own investigation of Mayor Williams’ actions during the dispute, in order to protect the city from any lawsuits that may be coming its way. No other aldermen responded to Butler’s suggestion.
