Monthly meeting of PHA Board of Commissioners held in person and virtually.  Two residents from Sterling complex spoke during community comments; concerns centered on security issues on evenings and weekends, including lack cameras in elevators and lobby areas, trash and other waste materials not disposed of properly.  CEO Armica Crawford discussed resident council re-engagement, volunteer floor captains and working collaboratively with residents to resolve issues.

The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program celebrated four graduates who have reached goals for home ownership and finance and education.  

CEO Crawford reported on $1.5 million grant recently received.  She also discussed upcoming events at Sterling Towers and Harrison to assist residents with legal documents, such as healthcare power of attorney, wills and other documents.

Aldisa Jordan, Director of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, discussed focus on voucher issuance and relationships with landlords, as well as customer service.  She mentioned passage of HB2775 and fair income source in rental process.  

Meeting adjourned for closed session.  Meetings held 4th Thursday of month at 4:30 P.M.  As always, agendas and past minutes are available online: https://www.peoriahousing.org/about.aspx.

Connie Romanus, Observer

Council approved intergovernmental agreement between city of Peoria and Dunlap Community Unified School District regarding Medina Plains-Allen Road Business Park TIF district.  Councilman Cyr was recognized for his leadership on this well thought out agreement and revenue sharing with school district ; Councilors Oyler and Grayeb were recognized as well.

Collective bargaining agreement approved between city of Peoria and AFSCME, Local 3464 for two years ending December 31, 2025; requires staff to reside within limits of city of Peoria.  City staff and legal department were commended for work on this.    

A presentation was given on the scope of work done on Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project year one and  plan for year two (2023).  It was noted that CSO plan is city’s response to unfunded federal mandate to met clean water act.  There is no sunset on this plan which includes using long term loan with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) at 1.34 % interest.   The amount of funding approved for 2023 is $7,854,859.00.

Council adopted rezoning and special use provisions in District 1 for residential housing, including single family, multi-family and elderly.  This action is necessary as first step to apply for Illinois Housing Development (IHDA) funding for project.  Jane Genzel, Peoria Opportunities Foundation Director will be involved with these projects as well as Pivotal Partners Development Company. 

Two residents gave comments:  one individual and her family were seeking housing and have been evicted; another individual from District 1 was objecting to plan for housing development voted on southside that was voted on earlier in meeting.  

More information is available on city website on agenda, minutes and video:  www.peoriagov.org
- Connie Romanus, Observer

The Peoria County Board held its regular meeting on January 12th with all members present but with Members Elsasser and Blair participating by phone.  It was the first meeting where board members and the Clerk accessed information and voted via iPads and new software that consolidated a number of key functions. Even with training and earlier mock meeting run-throughs, the new system resulted in several meeting delays.

Regular business included approving several zoning changes, special uses and waivers in Hallock, Hollis, and Kickapoo townships. The board also approved construction and renovation services within the Peoria County courthouse not to exceed $1.325M for the IT and Public Defenders departments.  Also approved were an appropriation of $300K for supplies for local road districts, and the FY2023 Legislative Initiatives.

​Proclamations were read recognizing the Peoria Notre Dame boys’ soccer team’s recent Class 2A state championship, the Peoria High School second place finish in the 5A football state championship, and Randy Weber’s lifetime of public service as a correctional officer, county commissioner and township official.  Member Williams was recognized for her tenth anniversary on the board.

There were no citizen’s remarks and the Consent Agenda passed unanimously.  Among items approved/accepted:

• A three year agreement between the Illini Bluffs School District, the county and Sheriff for policing services,
• Two grants totaling over $600K for body-worn and in-car cameras,
• Agreements for preliminary engineering services leading to the rehabilitation of a bridge on Maxwell Road and safety improvements on the Hanna City-Glasford Road, and
• An agreement to conduct a Peoria County Transportation Equity Study.

 
Link to the meeting agenda is here:
Agenda

​- Jim Runyon, Observer

The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.  Public comments showed concern for the school board candidate petitions and the handling of the challenges. 

Under expenditures, $34,000 was left from the 2022 budget, but some of that money will pay for paper that has been ordered but has not yet been received.  Only one bid had been received for a Permanent Vote by Mail mass mailing.  Quick Silver’s bid of $10,000 was approved.  Approval was also granted for equipment delivery for the 2023 election cycle to Federal Warehouse for the sum of $5900.  They have been used in the past without any problems.

There will be no primary voting in Peoria County this year since it is not needed.  The printing of ballots could not be completed until January 26 because municipalities and libraries do not need to complete their lists until then.  First ballots will go to overseas and military voters on February 17.
The Board moved to executive session to discuss pending or anticipated litigation.
 
- Irene Pritzker, Observer

Meeting began with public hearing to annex 9601 N. Allen Road. Ron Holohan,
Treasurer of Dunlap Library Board spoke to concerns regarding Peoria annexation
of property parcels five times over past years, resulting in decrease revenue for
Library. Public hearing regarding proposed Medina Plains-Allen Road Business
Park Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District will be reconvened on January 24, 2023
at 6:00 P.M.

Consent agenda approved with little discussion: worker compensation
settlement for $140,000.00 to firefighter injured on two separate dates; adult use
cannabis dispensary located at 1210-1222 W. Glen Ave. and properties on N.
University, commonly known as Crossroads Center Shopping Center in District 3;
mixed use building approved for residential including short term rental in addition
to use for commercial (class C-N)at 331 NE Perry Ave. This was recognized as
creative use of space.

Community Development Director Dulen gave follow up on abandoned school
demolition scheduled for spring that will be using local labor and hiring of local
minority contractor.

Councilor Riggenbach gave update on Darwin Corp. housing issue on East Bluff.
Director Dulen was recognized for his efforts to get one month extension on order
to vacate; virtual town hall with Prairie State Legal on resident rights was held on
December 20, 2022, as well as a neighborhood meeting to clarify misinformation.

Council adjourned for closed session. Next meeting scheduled for January 24,
2023. Agenda, minutes and video of meeting available on city website:
https://www.peoriagov.org/731/City-Council-Meetings

- Connie Romanus, Observer