Peoria City Council Observer Report

​Highlights of the March 8 meeting:

• Lawsuit settled for Johnson v. City of Peoria for $415,000 in the shooting death of Eddie Russell. In 2017, Russell was involved in two-hour standoff with police after a bank robbery. The States Attorney at that time found excessive force was not used by law enforcement. The city found it preferable to settle the case rather than extend an adversarial lawsuit.
•  Kate Green, Executive Director for Home for All Continuum of Care, gave council update on local homeless community, as well as the affordability and availability of housing and scope of changes to mission of agency. A list of available community resources was presented. o Christine Kahl, President and CEO of Phoenix Community Development Set vices gave an overview of agency and current projects for housing and workforce development. She also presented current projects in development including Madison campus, the Phoenix Employment First center and housing rehabilitation efforts in partnership with the Community Development Department.
• Annual Township meeting is 6 p.m., Tues., April 12. Citizens living within Peoria Township are welcome to participate.
• The Consent agenda included, among other items: nine engineering service contracts, approval of $2,471,800 in state motor fuel taxes being used for Western Ave, and two West Glen projects; and public safety pension changes due to recent court decisions.
• After lengthy discussion regarding the Spirit of Peoria boat option to buy, the item was deferred.
• Voted to approve the Springdale Cemetery Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) which adds more representatives for the city on the Authority Board, includes Peoria County contributing up to double their annual operating money, and deeds The Savannah and its maintenance to Peoria Park District for $1 among other modifications.
• Created a special tax area for Peoria Keller Station.

 Connie Romanus & Cheryl Budzinski, Observers