Council approves TIF grant, hears audit report

Jennifer Bailey, Commercial-News, Danville, Ill.
·3 min read

Sep. 21—DANVILLE — The Danville City Council Tuesday night approved a Midtown Tax Increment Financing District Redevelopment Incentive Program grant for facade and other improvements at the building that houses Aunt Martha's on Gilbert Street.

The $50,000 grant will go toward the approximately $257,000 project by Stadium Club Joliet, LLC, Mel Yarmat, for rehabilitation costs at 610-622 N. Gilbert St.

Tenants in the 32,000 square feet retail strip center are Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center, Rent-A-Center and Industry Labs.

In other business, two Danville Fire Department firefighters were promoted: Lt. Ryan Allison to captain and Tom Darby to assistant chief to take the place of Brian Smith who retired.

Also Tuesday, the council heard from Corp. Counsel James Simon that the lawsuit regarding the casino is over, with the city winning.

Simon said there's been no appeal nor request for reconsideration by the Mervis family, the time has run, he said. He also said the judge's opinion noted the aldermen depositions in the case, appreciating their candor, knowledge of the situation and dedication in bringing a casino to Danville.

"I guarantee you your depositions, and some others, carried the day," Simon said, about the depositions and documents in the case.

The aldermen also heard an audit report that included a 21 percent sales tax increase from the previous year as part of increased revenues, that didn't yet include casino revenue but did include cannabis sales revenue; and also public safety pension payment headway. All the cannabis revenue goes to the pensions.

Aldermen also heard about the Oct. 6 First Friday Spooky Glow 5K Run and Walk downtown. More information can be found on the city's website.

The council also approved:

* Authorizing changes in auditing service fees and approving the master services agreement and statement of work for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 financial statement audit with Clifton Larson Allen. The city is seeing a $43,500 increase in auditing services going up to $102,500 partly due to city delays with bank reconciliations, and the city's utility billing.

* An update to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (including more minority, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses in purchasing) for the city in connection with the Federal Transit Administration grants, extending the ADA Paratransit service agreement with CRIS Rural Mass Transit, and authorizing execution and amendment of the downstate operating assistance grant agreement.

* Authorizing vacation of an alley at 433 and 435 N. Gilbert St. for Heartland Properties.

* Purchasing a tandem dump truck complete with plow and spreader, delivery included, for an amount not to exceed $275,000 through a government cooperative purchasing contract.

* Authorizing a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for Harrison Park Golf Course merchandise for resale and concessions.

* A $19,254 contract with R.C. Electric & Communications Inc. for Community Development Block Grant homelessness project at the Danville Rescue Mission, 834 N. Bowman Ave. This was the third time bidding on the project. City officials have been working with the mission to get the building up to code and rehabilitate its inefficient heating and air conditioning.

* Authorizing payments to Hoerr Construction Inc. for $52,554 for the sanitary sewer cured in place lining and $38,226 to Stark Excavating Inc. for sanitary manhole removal and storm sewer re-routing for emergency sanitary sewer lining and storm sewer rerouting at Mer Che Manor, 723 N. Oak St., and along Myrtle Drive.

* Amending the fiscal year 2023-2024 brownfield fund budget to start spending cleanup grant funding at the southeast corner of Vermilion and Fairchild streets.