Council recognizes Vermilion River cleanup volunteers; committee reports and park security discussed

The Pontiac City Council recognized volunteers from the Livingston County Environmental Association for multiple cleanups of the Vermilion River, where volunteers recovered more than 40 tires and hundreds of pounds of debris, city leaders said.

Mayor (presiding) read a list of volunteers provided by staff and thanked city crews and Illinois American Water for support; Jeff Utterback accepted the recognition on behalf of the group and described repeated efforts across multiple river sites. “We did a lot of wading and we pulled out tires… I think what I've heard is if you try to get rid of a tire it costs you 5 or $10 so people just throw them in the river,” Utterback said.

In committee reports, the Housing Study Special Committee said the city’s request for membership in the Central Illinois Land Bank was approved by the land bank board and the committee discussed setting a $150,000 per‑year TIF allocation for a housing program, a planned owner/realtor meeting on Dec. 2, and a roof‑repair initiative. The finance committee reported on a proposed assistant superintendent of building and zoning job description, TIF financial planning and possible bank consolidation; payroll processing and benefit software were discussed as items staff will pursue.

Council members raised concerns about vandalism at Riverside Park where seven pedestals were damaged; staff said IT is preparing proposals to move city cameras to cloud access and add hotspots to improve remote monitoring. City administrator Wolford said staff are working on payroll and benefits software and on property code enforcement follow-up behind businesses such as the lot behind Jimmy John’s.

In public comment, resident Jeff Utterback asked staff to correct confusing traffic signage near the library on Chicago Street.