The regular third Wednesday of each month Peoria City County Landfill Committee meeting began at 3 p.m. at Peoria City Hall Room 404 with Chairman Steve Morris presiding and member Zach Oyler absent.
During the Foth Engineering report, committee member Rick Fox asked for more information regarding one of the special waste products approved for disposal. Mr. Fox referred to several comments on the Material Data Safety Sheet regarding toxicity of manganese sulfate monohydrate. The substance was accepted at the landfill because it was not a RCRA hazardous waste. The Foth review will turn down substances that could be a risk and they can also bring items of concern to the committee.
The gate audit check showed all procedures in place and being followed.  Due to the cold weather only one load of landfill leachate was reported for the previous month. Waste tonnage receipts were up for January 2020 which have helped landfill revenues and 13,168.18 tons were recorded compared to January 2019 which was 12,199.75 tons. Waste Management staff could not be present for the meeting and had sent notification to the Chairman.

Bob Manning, Vice Chair, chaired the meeting which started at 4:00pm.  Chair, Linda Daley, was present by phone.

• Mr. Matusak introduced his new idea for the Memorial Day Celebration.  He wanted the Board to consider a Luminaria Event at Twilight on the Sunday before Memorial Day.  A number of smaller activities were discussed as possible enhancements for the evening.  The Board was very enthusiastic about the event and asked Mr. Matusak to move forward with his plans and keep them informed. 

 

• Goal Setting Meeting – Chair Linda Daley called the Special Goal Setting meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Springdale Cemetery meeting room in the Volunteer and Maintenance Building on Monday, January 27, 2020.  A quorum was present.  The Goal Setting Meeting was facilitated by Mr. Patrick Urich ending at 5:30 p.m.  Mr. Urich will put together a summary of the meeting.  A second Goal Setting Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 3 – 5 p.m. 

Executive Director Tom Bride gave an update on the primary election in March: 540 ballots have been mailed with 70 already returned, including the first one which came from Singapore!  He announced 150 early voters, but several more showed up during the board meeting.  He expects 20% of voters to vote by mail.
Director Bride would like to look into finding the best replacement for the current voting system.  The one in use now was purchased in 2005 and first used in March of 2006.  He is concerned that the vendor will stop supporting the current machines.  Machines would not be replaced until summer of 2021 so as not to interfere with this year's election cycle.  He is already holding discussions with the County and plans on sending out Requests for Information this summer so there would be plenty of time to make a decision.  Planning is difficult because the state could change to more vote by mail.  There is already discussion in the Legislature, and things can change very quickly.
Irene Pritzker, Observer
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​Recent HUD inspections of PHA properties included improved scores and ratings achieved with upward trends identified to meet HUD policies.  Director Newman and board recognized efforts of all staff in this achievement.

• Hired Program Integrity Specialist, Mr. Hudson.  This role is key to monitoring compliance to HUD policies
• Jackie Newman, Director, gave an update on Taft Redevelopment.  Preliminary proposal to HUD approved; next step to submit full application to HUD by March22, 2020.
  • PHA will be asking for official support of Peoria City Council at February 11 meeting.
• Minutes of January 6, 2020 board meeting approved, as well as December 12, 2019 closed session minutes.  Agenda available on site.  Board packet made available to this observer. There were no community comments
• Next Board of Commissioners meeting March 2, at 4:30 PM at 100 S Richard Pryor Place, Peoria.  

Connie Romanus, Observer