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Public hearing was held regarding disconnection of property Parcel ID 13-23-326-005.  Michael Fleming, attorney for property owners, spoke to council requesting property be disconnected from city of Peoria.   Property annexed to city in 1993 with Charter Oak development.  Adjacent parcels known as Ravina.  Property owners asking for parcels that remain undeveloped and without access to roads be disconnected from city of Peoria and allow land to fall under county authorization.   City staff have recommended to deny this request.  After discussion, Council members voted to defer to January 11, 2022 meeting.
Communication from City Manager and Corporation Counsel with a first reading of request new ordinance amending City code regarding automated traffic violations.  This is prompted by request from Peoria Public Schools who have seen an increase in motorists driving around school buses when stopped with their stop arm out.  Buses can be equipped with a camera on their stop arm; photos can be shared with Peoria Police Department and violation ticket issued. 
Councilors voted 9 to 2 to remove four am liquor license zone in Warehouse District, with exception of existing license for Status night club.  Councilor Jackson expressed concern regarding the checkered past of this business with fights and shooting; she requested background information from Legal Counsel on this issue.
It was noted that: $4,038,664.00 for Pension Obligation funding; and  assignment of $500,000.00 from the General Fund for 2022 and 2023 was identified for potential due diligence on the purchase of the local water system.
Under new business, Councilor Riggenbach commended Mayor Ali for her leadership in reaching out to Representatives Gordon-Booth and Ryan Spain to engage in discussion on Public Safety Pension System in Illinois.  This would include reaching out to cities, such as Rockford, Springfield and Bloomington to unite to encourage state to modify the current structure.
December 28 meeting was canceled; next Council meeting January 11,2022. Minutes and video of meeting available at www.peoriagov.org
Connie Romanus, Observer

The Peoria County Election Commissioners held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, with Mark Ketterer sitting in for Chairman Jim Manning, who was absent.  There were a few public comments covering some of the topics that were later discussed.
The Board voted to approve the ability of the Executive Director to negotiate and enter a contract, with the advice of the State’s Attorney’s Office, on updates to the ePollbook system.  This would include services, license and support, warranty, and maintenance.  The contract would include 130 pollbooks, 120 printers, and ten years of support for the Microsoft software.  Costs would be $326,734 for the first year and $26,700-30,000 for the next nine years.  According to Director Bride, It would be cheaper to do “on demand” ballots rather than printing many (differing) preprinted paper ballots.  The new system will also make set up much easier.  This expenditure should be approved by the County Board at their January meeting.
Director Bride presented two bids for the purchase of Voting Booths.  One from Elite for $41,697, but they would have to build a sample, since they do not have any in stock that meet the Commission’s specs.  They projected 90 to 120 days until delivery, but their booths are made overseas.  This could be a problem if there is any delay in delivery.  A second bid came from Election Source for $58,618.41, but it included freight.  Their projected delivery was 24 weeks, but every thing is made in the U.S.  The Board chose the bid from Election Source, but requested any contract include possible penalties if there is late delivery.  A back up plan for the June election is in the works.
Staff is working on creating new precincts.  The State passed a law in November requiring precincts to contain approximately 1200 voters each.  This will mean a number of current precincts will be combined and others will be made smaller.
The question of whether the Commission should pay return postage for Vote by Mail was tabled until all members of the Commission are present.
 Irene Pritzker, Observer

​The Peoria County Board held its regular meeting December 9 with all present except Chairman Rand and Member Reliford.
During Citizen’s Remarks, Tim Howard, LVWGP Vice President and Board member, read a letter on behalf of the League of Women Voters Greater Peoria thanking the County Board, its Redistricting Committee, and past board members Allen Mayer and Stephen Morris for their excellent redistricting process and resulting districts map. 
The Consent agenda passed without discussion. Among items approved were:

• Appropriation to cover unanticipated expenses related to COVID-19 in the amount of $95,000 to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
• Transfer of $45,000 to the PCAPS budget for replacement of one Animal Control Vehicle.
• Approval of two bids to cash rent Peoria County owned farms for the next three growing seasons.
• Appropriations and expenditures associated with commercial kitchen equipment for the Juvenile Detention Center.

The regular agenda consisted of only five items and all were approved:

• Special use in a zoning case related to subdividing a parcel in Logan Township.
• Quotations for County Highway Maintenance materials for 2022.
• Review of Executive Minutes
• Suspension of the Rules to permit extension of the Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 in the county.

Jim Runyon, Observer

​Peoria Housing Authority (PHA) Board met electronically December 6, 2021 with all Commissioners present. 
Three residents graduated from the PHA Family Self Sufficiency program.  This program has allowed the three women to complete educational and financial goals, as well as, become home owners.  This program can take up to five years for an individual to complete. 
Minutes of November regular meeting and special meeting were approved.  Reports were approved by consent agenda.  Resolutions were approved to submit FY2022 Public Housing Budget, as well as, Operating Budgets for Housing Choice Voucher Program and Mainstream Voucher Budget to Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The Board also voted to appoint additional board members  to the Committee to select Chief Executive Officer.  Board approved 3-year collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME membership.
The PHA Board of Commissioners meets the first Monday of each month electronically.  Information available at www.peoriahousingauthority.com
Connie Romanus, Observer