​The council approved a resolution Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Illinois being the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment Allowing Women to Vote for Elective Office. Councilwomen Jensen and Ali spoke to the motion.
There were a lot of questions about the Township report. Large Ameren expenses and legal expenses were questioned. Supervisor Abdnour responded.

                        http://www.peoriagov.org/city-council/meetings/
   Interesting, yet very long meetings! I admit that I do not attend all City Council meetings and so it is nice to have the podcast/video available. I was especially discouraged when I watched the December 4 meeting. At about 1 hour:25 minutes, the council’s frustration with the budget and with citizens/business groups’ input (criticism) was not well received. There were repeated comments about the small percentage (@11%) of our real estate tax bill going to the City, which is kind of true. Actually, it is @14% if you include the garbage fee which is the city’s. Also, when you look at all your utility bills with charges, fees or taxes- stormwater fee, electric/gas charge, cell phone fee/tax, water bill fee/tax, GPSD charge/fee, you understand that real estate taxes aren’t the only money the city collects from us. And, now a pension fee.   Please pay attention to the At-Large City Council candidates in the Primary Election on February 26. We need the ten best candidates to continue to the April election. Go to candidate forums. Ask the candidates for specifics –such as, what is the candidate’s specific solution for the budget? How will they work with other council persons to sell their solution?
Cheryl Budzinski, Observer

​The Nov 27 meeting continued the budget discussion. Of particular note, Councilman Montelongo had asked to look at specific parts of both expenses and revenue. Specifically, they looked at eight expenses that support other agencies: Springdale, Animal Control, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Civic Center, Debt Service, Downtown Development Comm, Peoria Area Economic Development Council, and Minority Employment Action Team. Representatives of most of those agencies answered questions from Council and presented their work. None were cut, but it was interesting to look at other areas besides cutting Public Safety.
Revenue items:

​Interesting that Councilman Cyr participated in meeting by phone. Mayor Ardis asked the Councilman if he had questions or what his vote was at the beginning of discussion or vote.
Consent Agenda item 18-236, which was "pulled," was a contract with Change and Innovation Agency, LLC  for a 3 day Innovation Academy Training. But the Peoria Innovation Team - which was financed by a grant from Bloomberg Foundation- has an uncertain future since the Bloomberg grant runs out of grant funding soon.
No discussion on CEO Council MOU or the Water Due Diligence -  holdup is from CEO Council.
No discussion on EPA feedback on the Combined Sewer Overflow.
Most discussion was about the budget hole. (See PJStar for more information on that.)
Cheryl Budzinski, Observer

The big item was Manager Urich announced they were looking for $600,000 in cuts to expenses.
Councilwoman Moore requested a deferral of regular business item 18-231 which was to amend the Biennial Budget to use the Storm Water Utility Fund to purchase the Simantel property at the foot of Spring Street for $159,000. This was interesting because exactly what is the City Council allowed to spend the Storm Water Utility money on??
​Cheryl Budzinski, Observer
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