Peoria City Council Observer Report

​On April 13, 2021, the Peoria City Council approved the following by Omnibus Vote: 

• recommendation from HOME FOR ALL CONTINUUM OF CARE for Funding allocation of EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT COVID FUNDING to Specified Agencies for $795,903.00;
• purchase of one Genesis Extraction Tool System for $27,400.00;
• purchase of nine complete self-contained breathing apparatus and twenty-nine air cylinders for $74,545.00;
• and contracted with REHIG PACIFIC COMPANY to purchase 702 New 95-gal. garbage carts for replacement and inventory, not to exceed $36,310.10.

After discussion, the following items were approved: 

• adopted ordinance to revise City of Peoria annual budget for 2021 to recognize grant from Illinois Housing Development Budget for $200,000.00 for Strong Communities Program and corresponding expenditures;
• amendment to 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan for submittal to Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD);
• reallocation of prior year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Fire Station 4;
• and adopted Ordinance to amend City 2021 Annual Budget to recognize Grant received from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for Program known as Business Recovery Grant Program for $1,385,000.

   In regular business, the council voted to approve zoning request for 1.5 acres of 4.5-acre parcel at University and War Memorial Drive for financial services.  Community Development Director, Ross Black, explained that a special use request is site specific and future development of remainder of the parcel would also require special use request and go through hearing process.   City staff and Councilperson Grayeb met with neighbors to agree on traffic flow from banking center via driveway access on Florence Ave.
   In unfinished business, the council adopted Ordinance updating the City Code for Short Term Rental Uses after many months of delay.  Currently, short term rentals through Airbnb, VRBO and other websites by owner of home are not been legal in Peoria.  Under this agreement, home owners wanting to rent room or single- family home would have to live in home in order to meet guidelines for rental.  Property not lived in by an owner would require a special use permit to rent out the home.   In addition, existing covenants or rules of neighborhood associations could prohibit rentals.  Currently, hotel taxes are not collected on rentals; Airbnb has reported it would collect hotel taxes from property owners if city required that, forwarding funds to the City.  In addition, Airbnb would work with Peoria Police Department through law enforcement portal for any issues on property rented through Airbnb.
   On a final note, Council Person Riggenbach questioned safety of panhandlers at busy intersections.  Interim Corporation Counsel, Chrissie Peterson, related that it is difficult to enforce limitations on this but that it should be done in safe manner.  She will provide report back at next meeting.  Ms. Peterson reported the ACLU has upheld protection for individuals holding a sign and soliciting money on public property and prohibits discrimination of these persons.  
Connie Romanus, Observer