Council members approved consent agenda, after removing two items for discussion.  A Professional Services Agreement with Roadway Asset Services in the amount of $109,778 for pavement condition index update 2023 was deferred to April 11 to allow time for additional information to be presented.

Councilors approved an intergovernmental agreement between the city and Greater Peoria Sanitary District in support of Pringle technologies for Haven on Farm Development with two abstentions (At-large members Sid Ruckriegel and Kiran Velpula) for conflict of interest.

Members of the Greater Peoria Leadership Council gave a presentation on talent attraction strategy. Doug Oberhelman, Misty Dykema and Laura Cullinan spoke on mission and history of Gilmore Foundation, identifying community partners and focus on recruitment and retention of talent.  A website is being developed to communicate information and identify resources.

The 2022 annual report on Joint Commission on Racial Justice was presented by Chairman Tim Bertschy and Co-Chair Mary Peterson.  They identified need to accelerate efforts for racial justice and equity and cited data collected by members of commission in areas of economic development and jobs, quality of life issues and impact on the community, as well as environmental justice in 61602, 61603, and 61605 zip codes.  Plan for 2023 is to create historical record key indicators, Racial Equity Impact Assessment tool (REIA), collaborate with community partners, develop data driven strategic plan.  A website is being developed to post information.

Director of Community Development Joe Dulen and Peoria Park District Executive Director Emily Cahill gave a presentation on use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds for rehabilitation of Logan Park and Morton Square Park to provide more accessible playground area, basketball hoops, as well as access to free activities for qualified families for summer fun passes to Zoo, Children’s Museum, and Aquatic Center.  Focus is improving quality of life in these neighborhoods.  Council approved $875,000 in CBGB funds for these two projects. 

Public Works Director Rick Powers requested approval of a professional services agreement with Cloudpoint Geospatial, Inc. for assessment management system to provide a holistic approach to planning infrastructure priorities over three-year period.  Presentation made by Jonathon Hodel, representative of Cloudpoint Geospatial.  Council approved funding in amount of $78,000 for 2023, $134,000 for 2024 and $13,000 for 2025.

Council approved temporary amendments to reduce fees and allow additional locations for mobile food vehicles and street and sidewalk vendors.  Vote was 8-3, with Councilors Denis Cyr, Zach Oyler and Ruckriegel against.

In new business, Councilor Beth Jensen asked city staff to prepare resolution with opposition, as well as moratorium on proposed CO2 pipeline near southside of city.  Councilor Denise Jackson expressed her concerns on this issue, as well, and asked for due diligence before any decisions made.

The Peoria City Council meets at 6 p.m. on second and fourth Tuesdays at City Hall.  Meeting can also be viewed on Channel 22 cable access and video available online at city website.
For more information, check  www.peoriagov.org

—— Connie Romanus, Observer

​The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met on Tuesday, March 14, with Commissioners Williamson and Timmes absent. During Public Comments, questions were raised about proof of address for college students and possible problems arising from the use of a stylus for signature identification.

The only unusual expenditure was the purchase of several printers for use on election day. Several broke after the November election when they fell in the truck returning them to the Election Commission.

The general election is moving along smoothly. Judge training is almost completed. There have already been over 200 early voters, which matches the 2019 election, and over 3000 mail in ballots have already been received. 

Peoria County is looking into purchasing the building that houses the Election Commission.

​- Irene Pritzker, Observer

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

Regular business focused on approval of solar project developments and power purchase agreements between Peoria County and Hawk-Attollo, LLC.  If proposed federal and state tax credit applications are approved, Hawk-Attollo would build, operate and maintain solar arrays at the County Highway

Department site and the Juvenile Detention Center.  The county would buy electrical power back at a greatly reduced rate, and have options to purchase the arrays at specified times if desired.  The tax credits are specific to projects located within designated environmental justice communities which if true of the juvenile center and highway department.  These projects are aligned with the county’s efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Future projects are also envisioned for the jail and the yet-to-be constructed health and human service campus roof. 

Proclamations were read recognizing the 125th anniversary of Bradley University and recognizing March 12th-18th as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

There were three citizen’ remark’s all critical of an exclusion within the county employee health plan that excludes gender affirming care from coverage within the plan.  All urged the board to learn more about gender-affirming care and to remove this exclusion in future health plans.
 
Among items approved/accepted from the Consent Agenda:

• A grant agreement with the Illinois Department of Human Service to improve residential lighting on Glen Ave between Sheridan and Knoxville,
• The 2023 Landfill budget,
• Road and bridge projects on Pulsifer and Old Galena roads,
• Sealcoating and tilling work on roads within a number of rural townships,
• 60 new radios for the Highway Department, and
• An extension of the Pavement Management Program between Bradley University and the county.

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

Jim Runyon, Observer

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