​The Council met for a marathon session of over four hours.  Some of highlights:

• Public Hearing regarding annexation of land parcel in Medina Township with several citizens expressing concerns.  Later in meeting, this item was approved by councilors.  It will allow property owner to access sewer services to subdivide land for four residential properties.
• Fire Chief Sollberger and City Manager Urich presented overview of program establishing process to work with insurance companies to collect fire recovery fees for services provided by Peoria Fire Department.  This will apply to non-residents of the city of Peoria.  Any funds recovered will go to the city’s general funds.
• Voted to direct city staff to draft ordinance to issue $20,000,000 bond to fund remaining capital expenses needed for Civic Center operations, including new ice plant.  City Manager Urich explained debt service plan to include interest payments through 2028.  A portion of Hotel-Restaurant-Amusement (HRA)taxes will be used. 
• Community Development Director Dulen presented a thorough report to Council on city efforts related to housing quality and affordable housing.  Councilors commended Director Dulen on the scope and innovative methods city is implementing for quality and affordable housing, including development of Land Bank with Peoria County. 
• Approved real estate transfer for 3917 S.W. Adams and inter-government agreement between City of Peoria, Pleasure Driveway, and Peoria Park District to establish a Freedom and Remembrance memorial to recognize over 2,600 citizens buried in area near Griswold and Adams streets, including Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers, the first black person freed by attorney Abraham Lincoln, Nance Legins-Costley,  and members of the Moffit family to name a few.  Historical signage and markers will be installed.

As always, you can access meeting agendas, minutes and video on website:  www.peoriagov.org

- Connie Romanus, Observer

Regular meeting of Board of Commissioner of PHA met in person and online.  There were no public comments.  Consent agenda approved without discussion.  Items approved:

• Three-year trade union contract through 2025
• Proposed  2023 utility allowance schedule for housing choice voucher program
• Proposed 2023 utility allowance schedule for public housing
• Contract for real estate management and development services
• Submit HUD-required SEMAP certification.  Section Eight Management Assessment Score assesses housing choice voucher program looks at PHA certifications, field office review, audit reports and multifamily tenant characteristic system (MTCS).

Some education opportunities for PHA residents are adopt-a-teen service program, advance directives for seniors and minority business entrepreneurial training.
Date of annual PHA meeting to be announced.  Board adjourned for closed session meeting.
Next meeting scheduled for March 23, 2023 at 4:30 P.M.  You can review agendas and minutes at website: https://www.peoriahousing.org/about.aspx
 
Connie Romanus, Observer

The council members approved Consent Agenda with 3 items pulled for discussion.   Other item of interest include:

• Receive and file of Springdale Cemetery Management Authority Annual Budget.  City, County and Park District have inter-government agreement with City providing $60,000 annually; city covers shortfall up to total $250,000.00.
• Receive and file First reading on ordinance amending code to create class NP Liquor License.  This would apply to small not-for-profit groups requesting liquor license for fund raising events and would require smaller lesser fee than current ordinance.
• Approved redevelopment agreement with Fulton Hotel Development, LLC in space formerly occupied by Sully’s on Adams and ICC Perley Building as Tax Increment Financing (TIF)District.  In addition to hotel rooms, space would include rental units and utilization of Niagara Parking Deck.  No city funds would be used for project; no TIF funds distributed to owners until project completed and occupancy license in place.
• Amended budget in amount of $50,000.00 for matching city funds for Bloomberg Public Art Challenge, a two-year initiative. “City of Gratitude” is the theme built around supporting mental illness through the arts.  Matching grant in kind from Peoria Riverfront Museum also received.
• Adopted ordinances to finalize Proposed Medina Plains-Allen Road Business Park TIF District.  Councilor Cyr was recognized for his work on this, as well as City staff, legal department, Dunlap School Board.
• Deferred for 30 days adoption of ordinance amending operation of cannabis business regarding licensing of dispensaries.
• During citizens opportunity to speak: several people spoke in support for keeping Rivermen hockey team in Peoria and funds to replace current ice plant at Peoria Civic Center.  Jesse McGowan also spoke in disagreement with city staff regarding TIF reimbursements for contractors.

As always, you can review agenda, minutes and video at city website:  https://peoriail.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Connie Romanus, Observer

The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting.  The only unusual thing on the list of expenditures was the cost of a new stylus to test out on scanners, etc. to be sure they are ready for the April election. 
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Executive Director Elizabeth Gannon reported that ballots are completed.  They will be sent to overseas voters starting the following Friday (February 17).  Next Thursday (February 23) 15,337 ballots will be sent to those who have asked for Vote By Mail.  Early voting will begin February 23 at the Election Commission office.  Other dates and locations can be found on the Election Commission website.  Training of election judges will begin on March 9.
 
- Irene Pritzker, observer

The Peoria County Board held its regular meeting on February 9th with all members present.

Regular business included approving a short-term rental home in rural Hallock Township, and revisions to the county’s financial policies and the board’s Rules of Order.  Member Terry Ruhland was selected by the board as their representative during the construction of the Health and Human Services Campus. The board will also end their extensions to the Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 in May since both the federal and state governments will end the same on May 11.

Proclamations were read recognizing the 70th anniversary of WEEK-TV, the 75th anniversary of the JT Fennell Corporation in Chillicothe, and the 125th anniversary of the County Club of Peoria.

There were five citizen’s remarks:

• Kate Pastucha, chair of the Springdale Historic Preservation Foundation, provided background on the cemetery and encouraged contributions to the foundation.
• Tracy Fox, on behalf of the Sierra Club, spoke in opposition to the planned ADM/Wolf CO2 pipeline that would cross the county and include a branch into the City of Peoria.
• Three individuals spoke regarding the short-term rental in Hallock Township.

 
Consent Agenda passed unanimously.  Among items approved/accepted:

• An amendment to the Peoria Urban Enterprise Zone Intergovernmental Agreement,
• Funding for a county-wide Broadband Needs Assessment and Feasibility study,
• Police and dispatch services for Bellevue, Princeville, Elmwood and Medina Township,
• A PCAPS grant for microchips, and
• Road and bridge projects on Pfeiffer and Duncan Roads, and within Millbrook and Hollis Townships.

 
Links to the meeting agenda and video are here:
Agenda
Video

- Jim Runyon, Observer