Council approved request for 2023 Annual Action Plan for grant allocation of $2.8 million to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 

Peoria Police Chief, Eric Echevarria, gave overview of presentation on ShotSpotter program.  Link to presentation can be found in meeting minutes.  Jacob Moushon, Network Management Analyst,  discussed ability to scan shell casings to create  ballistic fingerprint and link them to multiple shootings though data obtained in existing record management system.

Using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), data can identify if weapons used in other shootings, leading to identification of common suspects, vehicles and other information to provide investigative leads.  The Peoria Police have used ShotSpotter program since 2013.  There is another program on the market, Flock Raven Safety.  Chief Echavarria related Raven program technology was not as advanced as ShotSpotter.  Three-year renewal of ShotSpotter contract at $300,984.00 pr year passed unanimously.

PPD policies regarding this program are available:  www.peoriagov.org/884/General-Orders-Policies-and-Procedures

Other items of interest:

• Approved resolution to name parcel at 3917 S.W. Adams Street to :Freedom and Remembrance Memorial Park.  This is location of former Moffit Cemetery.
• Approved Ordinance B, Amending Appendix A related to Medical/Adult Cannabis Dispensaries, Cultivation Centers, Craft Grower. Infusers and Processors.
• Approved agreement for federal participation with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to request 90% HSIP Federal funding not to exceed $1,804,551.00 regarding one-way to two-way conversion of Adams and Jefferson Streets.  Also included is authorization of City’s estimated minimum local agency funding match, $9,195,449.00, subject to IDOT approval and state motor fuel tax of $3.200,000.00 for construction expense.
• Councilors Jensen and Ruckriegel were recognized for their service on the Council, as this was last meeting before new members sworn in.

- Connie Romanus, Observer
 
  

The Peoria County Board held a special meeting on  April 19 to amend its budget.  All members were present. 
 
A Health Committee meeting immediately preceded the full board meeting since the budget amendment was related to the construction of a new Health and Human Services Campus.   County Administrator Scott Sorrell and Public Health Administrator Monica Hendrickson led the board through a slide presentation reviewing the steps leading to the decision to build a new health and human service building at the current location on Sheridan Ave, and the need for a budget amendment to cover the higher than originally anticipated costs.  A link to the full presentation can be found here.

The anticipated full cost of the new building with all equipment and furnishings is $22,389,416.  More than $14 million is provided through federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds with the remainder provided primarily through Health Department funds and the General Funds.  A budget amendment was necessary due to increased costs associated with inflation.  The resolution asked for an additional $7.8 million above the previously budgeted amount.  There will be no need for the county to buy bonds to cover the construction costs.

The budget amendment passed in the 13 member Health Committee on a vote of 11-2 with members Rieker and Elsasser casting “no” votes.  With committee approval the amendment then went to the full board where a two-thirds vote — 12 “yes” votes — were necessary for passage.  Following board discussion and comments by Coroner Jamie Harwood and Regional Superintendent Beth Crider, the full board approved the budget amendment on a vote of 15-3 with Members Steven Rieker, Brian Elsasser and Paul Rosenbohm casting “no” votes.  The board thanked Member Terry Ruhland for acting as the board’s representative throughout the design phase, and he indicated he would remain in that role during the demolition and construction phases.
​
——— Jim Runyon, Observer

Peoria County Board met April 13 regular meeting with all members present except for Chairman James Dillon and Member Brian Elsasser.  Vice Chair Sharon Williams led the meeting.

Regular business included approval of revisions to the county’s zoning code related to solar and wind facilities.  A recently enacted state law requires that all counties bring their codes into alignment with the state code. Two zoning cases in Jubilee Township were also approved.  The final three items addressed PCAPS:

• Termination of a labor agreement with the Laborers’ International Union of North America.
• Acceptance of a $25,000 grant from the Humane Society for a spay/neuter unit.
•  Acceptance of a lowest bid for purchase of a mobile veterinary spay/neuter unit.

         
Proclamations were read recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Northwoods Mall, the 100th anniversary of the George Washington Carver Community Center, and the 125th anniversary of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. April was recognized as National County Government Month, and two weeks in May were recognized for Correctional Officers and for Police.  The Peoria County Farm Bureau recognized the county board with its “Allies in Agriculture” award.  The Gift of Hope award recognized the Coroner’s staff for their efforts to secure organ and tissue donations.

There was one citizen’ remark by Joyce Blumenshine on behalf of the Sierra Club recognizing the county’s intent to intervene in a proposed CO2 pipeline, and encouraging the board to consider a county-wide moratorium on C02 pipelines.

Among items unanimously approved on the Consent Agenda:

• A jurisdictional transfer of Glen Avenue between Sheridan Road and Illinois Route 40 (Knoxville Avenue) from the county to the City of Peoria.
• An improvement project on the Hanna City-Glasford Road between Smithville and Lancaster Roads.
• An amendment to the county code permitting trap/neuter/vaccinate/return (TNVR) within the county.
• Grants from Walmart ($250) and Best Friends Animal Society ($50,000) to PCAPS for the spay/neuter mobile vehicle mentioned previously and for related supplies.

 
You can link to the agenda and video here:   Agenda & Video
——— Jim Runyon, Observer

Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met for their regular monthly meeting on April 11.  During public comments, several citizens noted problems with the use of a stylus during the April 4 election.  Most of the speakers were either election judges or poll watchers.  They had trouble with verification of signatures and preferred the use of pen and paper.  The commission will be getting feedback from the judges in a presentation at a later date.

​There was an approximately 16% turnout for that election.  There were more ballots mailed than cast in person.  About 8,200 people voted on election day, and 2,800 voted early.  Certification was set for April 19, and Martha Ross is expected to win the District 1 School Board election in Peoria.
 
—— Irene Pritzker, Observer

Meeting opened with public hearing to approve 2023-2024 budget for town of City of Peoria, as well as appropriation ordinance for 2023-2024.  Township has reserves to cover 15 months expenses, slightly more than $3,000,000.00. 

Township provides General Assistance to sixty people and Emergency Services to 150-175 households.  A resolution was passed to make donations to Friendship House, Tri-County Urban League, Center for Prevention of Abuse and Heartland Clinic for specified services.

​Supervisor of assessments explained change in outside independent auditors due to favorable bid by Clifton, Larson, Allen, LLP.  2024 Annual meeting of Town of City of Peoria set or April 19, 2024.  Time and location to be determined. 

Other highlights of agenda:

• Presentation on ShotSpotter program was made by representatives of the company, which has recently rebranded as Sound Thinking.  Updates include sending data to communication center, officers, identifying schools and neighborhoods at risk, and gain insight to help develop strategies to reduce gun violence.  Consideration for one year contract to be discussed at next council meeting.  Note:  during citizen’s opportunity to comment, resident of East Bluff spoke in opposition of this program and its effectiveness.
• Adopted ordinance on cannabis business to limit dispensaries to six, with three being social equity licenses, prohibit onsite consumption and reduce wait time for application to one year. Social equity applicants need to provide annual proof of status, may not be located closer than 1500 ft. from another dispensary, and limits on transferal of license.
• Presentation on proposed carbon dioxide pipeline by City Corporation Counsel Hayes.  Detailed report on Item 23-128 available on Agenda link.  Mayor Ali, City Manager Urich, and  Councilors Jackson and Oyler met recently with Biourja to discuss CO2 pipeline.  Corporation Council Hayes presentation included Mount Simon pipeline hub north of Decatur, existing pipelines in Peoria County, pipeline safety and risks of concentrated CO2.  Council asked for additional information. 
• Updated University-War Memorial Drive TIF
• Approved agreement with Berry Dunn McNeil and Parker, LLC for development of strategic plan not to exceed $74,900 plus reimbursable expenses.

Peoria City Council meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:00 P.M. at Peoria City Hall; you can view at cable access channel 22, in person or view video online. 
Agenda available at:  https://peoriail.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

- Connie Romanus, Observer