The January 25, 2022 Council meeting began with public hearing regarding creation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, to be known as University/War TIF.  There were no public comments, after three calls by Mayor Ali and the hearing closed with no discussion.
   Consent agenda approved by Council members.  The main topic of business for the evening was an update to the Council and public on status of passenger rail initiative (train speeds of 80-100 miles per hour), a priority of Mayor Ali.  She has been in discussion on high-speed rail with Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood over the past six months.  A committee has been formed with Councilor Ruckriegel and other local stakeholders, including state representatives, IDOT secretary Omer Osman, County Board Chair Andrew Rand, as well as labor and business leaders, and Bradley University.  City Manager Urich provided an overview of Committee, rationale for passenger rail system, IDOT Feasibility Study (to be completed in April) and available funding through Tri-County Regional Planning Commission.  A survey has been launched to get community input about the Passenger Rail Initiative. 
   The Council unanimously approved revisions to City Façade Improvement Program, which will be expanded to all businesses in Peoria with funds from American Rescue Plan.  Senior Economic Specialist Kevin Evans shared that proposed changes would expand eligibility for program, increase fund limit and reimbursement amount for distressed areas.  City Manger Urich will have administrative authority for this program.
 C, Observer

​The meeting was held both in person and through streaming ZOOM on the Peoria Park
District Facebook page. President Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00. All
Trustees were present, either in person or on ZOOM.
Superintendent of Recreational Services, Scott Loftus, discussed the Play Books (the
 guide to summer programs) and their distribution both as hard copies and online to all
 the students and home schoolers in Peoria.
Superintendent of Parks, Matt Freeman, reported that all projects are running on
 schedule.
All agenda items were approved.
Discussion was held about the fact that an all-out effort to recruit and train lifeguards has
 been unsuccessful but will continue. There is persistent dearth of lifeguard recruits
 across the country so this situation is not unique to Peoria.
Adjournment at 7:17 p.m.
MA, Observer

​On Friday, January 14, 2022, the Board of Elections voted to approve the precinct boundaries as presented on Tuesday.  Lines are drawn based on registered voters, not the census, but work had to wait for State and Federal districts to be drawn before finalizing the county.  Executive Director Tom Bride feels resources will be allocated better with fewer precincts.  Based on projected early and mail-in ballots, approximately 50% of voters will not be at polling places on election day.  Concern was expressed by Commissioner Williamson that there be enough equipment at the larger polling places to avoid long lines.  Precincts can be subdivided in the future if that proves necessary.
 Irene Pritzker, Observer

The Peoria County Board held its regular meeting January 13th with all present. There were no Citizen’s Remarks. 
The Consent agenda passed on a vote of 17-1 without discussion. Among items approved were:

• A budget amendment that funds two positions within county departments for two of the three employees who lost their positions with the County Auditor’s office.  The third employee chose not to accept another county position.
• Two grants to fund specific PCAPS services.
• PCAPS veterinary services contract extension.
• Approval of the Peoria City/County Landfill 2022 budget.
• Cedar Hills Drive engineering for resurfacing work.
• Dogtown Road bridge replacement. 

The regular agenda consisted of ten items and all were approved.  These include:

• Special use to permit short term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) on three properties on River Beach Road in Medina and Chillicothe townships.
• Rezoning request in Medina Township.
• Placement of temporary meteorological towers to record and measure wind data for up to three years in Millbrook, Princeville and Brimfield townships.
• Zoning two tracts on an island in the Illinois River adjacent to the town of Chillicothe as “A-2” Agricultural. (This island had been proposed as a barge depot in 2021, and this designation ensures that this use will not be permitted).
• After a presentation by Tom Bride, Election Commission Executive Director, several questions and some discussion; an amended budget amendment resolution permitting the purchase of a new paper ballot voting system and upgrades to the existing electronic pollbooks, and new label printers.
• A resolution to replace the current facilities housing a number of county services with a new health and human services campus.  All the services have not yet been determined however the Health Department, Coroner, Regional Superintendent of Schools, and Sustainability and Recycling Department will definitely be included. This permits the county to continue activities to replace the current Health Department facilities on Sheridan Road and the Coroner’s facility on Gift Ave. rather than renovating either.
• Suspension of the Rules to permit extension of the Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 in the county.

The board went into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.
Jim Runyon, Observer
Links to the meeting agenda and video are here:
Agenda
Video
​

The meeting was held both in person and through streaming Zoom on the Peoria Park
District Facebook page. President Johnson conducted the meeting via Zoom and called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 
Director Rebecca Shulman from The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum spoke about
the fact that the Museum has had to deal with a 15-month closure due to COVID and
laid out a strategic plan going forward. Priority items included the following:

• Identify and implement strategies for helping children become explorers and creators beyond the museum building
• Actively engage new participants through marketing partnerships and programming
• Clarify and leverage the role of the PlayHouse within the park district

 All agenda items were approved.
Trustee Jackie Petty was appointed Vice President of the Board 2022.
Director Cahill reiterated the policy of the park district agenda being posted online on
the Friday before the Wednesday meeting. This is more time than the legally required
48 hours before a scheduled meeting. There was some discussion whether or not the
notice could be expanded to 10 to 14 days because of future discussion of the possible
amphitheater construction project in Donovan Park. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 with the board going into executive session.
 MA, Observer

​The council members set dates for policy meetings to discuss redistricting of city of Peoria based on 2020 census results.  Meetings are  scheduled January 18, February 1 and 15, March 1, 15, and 29th.  Check www.peoriagov.org for more details on how to attend one of these virtual sessions.  The goal is for districts to be nearly equal in population, compact, contiguous, respect geographic boundaries and shared interests, and preserve incumbent districts.

Emily Cahill, Director of Peoria Park District, presented overview of $600,00.00 of updates scheduled for Trewyn Park to include playground, basketball court, and shelter to provide public space for quality social activity.
Consent Agenda was passed with one exception; one item deferred for two weeks for clarification prior to approving contract for demolition of properties.  Presentations from Peoria Police Department and Fire Department were received by Council.  Reports gave overview of department hiring, attrition and retention over past year, as well as diversity demographics.
Council members continue to discuss concerns regarding potential parking, noise levels and overcrowding, regarding approval of short-term rentals in Uplands neighborhood.  Mayor Ali reminded the councilors that policies have been developed to address saturation in neighborhoods and encouraged members to be consistent with this. 
Under new business, Councilman Kelly asked for report back on program requiring landlords to register rental property with focus on the impact of program on available, quality housing.  It was noted this program started twenty-five years ago.
Three citizens addressed council with complaints regarding condition of city streets after January 1 snowstorm and public safety issues.
 Connie Romanus, Observer

The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, with four members in person and Mark Keterer participating by phone.  Contract negotiations for the new voting system were almost complete.  The purchase passed two county committees unanimously, and the budget amendment allowing the purchase was to be voted on by the whole County Board on Thursday.
Most of the meeting was taken up by an explanation of the new County precinct boundaries.  State law requires precincts to have approximately 1200 registered voters per precinct.  This would result in a reduction from 169 precincts to 116 in the County.  In addition to other considerations, there can be no crossing of township lines.  Chillicothe and Elmwood will see no changes.
Staff was currently working on polling places, trying to make only small adjustments.  They considered how much parking and how much equipment would be needed at each polling place due to larger numbers of registered voters.
The proposed precinct lines can be found on line at the County website 2020 Peoria County Board Redistricting (2022 Election) | Peoria County GIS (arcgis.com)
​Irene Pritzker, Observer