Peoria County Board Observer Report

Peoria County Board Chairman Andrew Rand opened the regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. 
Board members James Dillon, Barry Robinson and  Phillip Salzer were absent. 
Mr. Rand announced the agenda schedule would be adjusted so the meeting could begin with an update from Monica Hendrickson, Director, Peoria City/County Health Department. Ms. Henderson gave an overview of the current status of COVID-19 for the county, including the opening of a joint response center for Peoria City and County, ongoing work of a strong policy group addressing a wide range of issues and ongoing public information. She said the virus situation is fluid and evolving and while it will not be possible to stop all cases, the goal is to slow down the number of those infected and protect the public. She commented that this effort will be a marathon and reviewed recommended procedures. Chairman Rand urged everyone to follow guidelines for hand washing and other protective measures.
The Consent Agenda had nine items which were approved. Five items were on the Zoning Ordinance and Resolutions listings. The first was a variance request for a cell tower that would be 255 feet, which is above the County Unified Development Ordinance limit of 200 feet for a non-residential zoning district. This was approved. There were two other zoning cases. Two Resolutions were approved: 1) a cooperative research agreement between the County of Peoria and Bradley University regarding maintaining the Pavement Management Program; 2) a resolution from the Board Executive Committee recommending County Administrator Compensation. Information on this last item was contained in a separate Agenda Briefing blue page available on the public table containing print-outs of the meeting agenda and board packet. A 2.5% increase was approved based on the performance review, along with a one year extension to the Administrator's current employment agreement.                              

​Earlier, in the regular agenda, proclamations included recognizing Centre State International Trucks on their 40th business anniversary; and recognizing April & May as "Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration" months, with lunchtime events scheduled April 15 - May 15, 2020. At Citizen's Comments, Board member Brian Elsasser introduced Mark Douras, who showed a video and talked about the work he and his wife do at Refreshing Mercies Ministries, Dunlap. The last public comment was by Jon Carson, Trajectory Energy, who gave an update on what the solar company is doing since several locations in Peoria County received zoning approval. 
The meeting went into Executive Session regarding personnel matters to resume for adjournment after that. Chairman Rand urged everyone to be mindful of health and safety regarding COVID-19 and to keep informed.                                        Joyce Blumenshine, Observer