The Public Services Committee of the Danville City Council is recommending the full council approve some intergovernmental agreements. One would renew agreements with Danville School District 118 for police and fire emergency access to security video feeds and the District’s radio frequencies. Another is an agreement with District 118 for reciprocal reporting, and the committee is also recommending renewal of an agreement providing three School Resource Officers for Danville’s Public Schools. One of the officers would be assigned to North Ridge Middle School. The other two would be assigned to Danville High School with one of them spending some time at the Kenneth D. Bailey Academy. The officers could also be assigned to work at District 118’s elementary schools on occasion.
The city council committee also recommended last night approval of a memorandum of understanding with Vermilion Housing Authority. It is an agreement for Danville Police to provide additional services – in addition to the normal base services – at Danville public housing.
Police Chief Chris Yates also announced that local crime statistics show crime is trending in a way he feels is encouraging. And he says if six slots are filled early next year, the police force will be at 100-percent staffing. But even though most Danville Police officers are young, Chief Yates told the City Council’s Public Service’s Committee that he is concerned about burnout.
Also during the meeting:
- It was announced that attorney Tim Palen has been hired as a new Assistant Corporation Counsel. He will start November 7th.
- Committee members were told preparations continue for Danville’s upcoming Martin Luther King Celebration. But this year the MLK Banquet may not be held because of continued concern over COVID.
- Resolutions involving health insurance coverage for city employees and their spouse were forwarded to the full city council for consideration.
- A proposed change in Danville’s liquor license ordinance was discussed. The change would make it so liquor licenses could possibly be issued to a business owner who lives outside of Danville. Current rules prohibit the city’s liquor commissioner from granting a license to a person who does not live within the city limits.
