Regular meeting of Board of Commissioner of PHA met in person and online.  There were no public comments.  Consent agenda approved without discussion.  Items approved:

• Three-year trade union contract through 2025
• Proposed  2023 utility allowance schedule for housing choice voucher program
• Proposed 2023 utility allowance schedule for public housing
• Contract for real estate management and development services
• Submit HUD-required SEMAP certification.  Section Eight Management Assessment Score assesses housing choice voucher program looks at PHA certifications, field office review, audit reports and multifamily tenant characteristic system (MTCS).

Some education opportunities for PHA residents are adopt-a-teen service program, advance directives for seniors and minority business entrepreneurial training.
Date of annual PHA meeting to be announced.  Board adjourned for closed session meeting.
Next meeting scheduled for March 23, 2023 at 4:30 P.M.  You can review agendas and minutes at website: https://www.peoriahousing.org/about.aspx
 
Connie Romanus, Observer

The council members approved Consent Agenda with 3 items pulled for discussion.   Other item of interest include:

• Receive and file of Springdale Cemetery Management Authority Annual Budget.  City, County and Park District have inter-government agreement with City providing $60,000 annually; city covers shortfall up to total $250,000.00.
• Receive and file First reading on ordinance amending code to create class NP Liquor License.  This would apply to small not-for-profit groups requesting liquor license for fund raising events and would require smaller lesser fee than current ordinance.
• Approved redevelopment agreement with Fulton Hotel Development, LLC in space formerly occupied by Sully’s on Adams and ICC Perley Building as Tax Increment Financing (TIF)District.  In addition to hotel rooms, space would include rental units and utilization of Niagara Parking Deck.  No city funds would be used for project; no TIF funds distributed to owners until project completed and occupancy license in place.
• Amended budget in amount of $50,000.00 for matching city funds for Bloomberg Public Art Challenge, a two-year initiative. “City of Gratitude” is the theme built around supporting mental illness through the arts.  Matching grant in kind from Peoria Riverfront Museum also received.
• Adopted ordinances to finalize Proposed Medina Plains-Allen Road Business Park TIF District.  Councilor Cyr was recognized for his work on this, as well as City staff, legal department, Dunlap School Board.
• Deferred for 30 days adoption of ordinance amending operation of cannabis business regarding licensing of dispensaries.
• During citizens opportunity to speak: several people spoke in support for keeping Rivermen hockey team in Peoria and funds to replace current ice plant at Peoria Civic Center.  Jesse McGowan also spoke in disagreement with city staff regarding TIF reimbursements for contractors.

As always, you can review agenda, minutes and video at city website:  https://peoriail.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Connie Romanus, Observer

The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting.  The only unusual thing on the list of expenditures was the cost of a new stylus to test out on scanners, etc. to be sure they are ready for the April election. 
​
Executive Director Elizabeth Gannon reported that ballots are completed.  They will be sent to overseas voters starting the following Friday (February 17).  Next Thursday (February 23) 15,337 ballots will be sent to those who have asked for Vote By Mail.  Early voting will begin February 23 at the Election Commission office.  Other dates and locations can be found on the Election Commission website.  Training of election judges will begin on March 9.
 
- Irene Pritzker, observer

The Peoria County Board held its regular meeting on February 9th with all members present.

Regular business included approving a short-term rental home in rural Hallock Township, and revisions to the county’s financial policies and the board’s Rules of Order.  Member Terry Ruhland was selected by the board as their representative during the construction of the Health and Human Services Campus. The board will also end their extensions to the Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 in May since both the federal and state governments will end the same on May 11.

Proclamations were read recognizing the 70th anniversary of WEEK-TV, the 75th anniversary of the JT Fennell Corporation in Chillicothe, and the 125th anniversary of the County Club of Peoria.

There were five citizen’s remarks:

• Kate Pastucha, chair of the Springdale Historic Preservation Foundation, provided background on the cemetery and encouraged contributions to the foundation.
• Tracy Fox, on behalf of the Sierra Club, spoke in opposition to the planned ADM/Wolf CO2 pipeline that would cross the county and include a branch into the City of Peoria.
• Three individuals spoke regarding the short-term rental in Hallock Township.

 
Consent Agenda passed unanimously.  Among items approved/accepted:

• An amendment to the Peoria Urban Enterprise Zone Intergovernmental Agreement,
• Funding for a county-wide Broadband Needs Assessment and Feasibility study,
• Police and dispatch services for Bellevue, Princeville, Elmwood and Medina Township,
• A PCAPS grant for microchips, and
• Road and bridge projects on Pfeiffer and Duncan Roads, and within Millbrook and Hollis Townships.

 
Links to the meeting agenda and video are here:
Agenda
Video

- Jim Runyon, Observer

Monthly meeting of PHA Board of Commissioners held in person and virtually.  Two residents from Sterling complex spoke during community comments; concerns centered on security issues on evenings and weekends, including lack cameras in elevators and lobby areas, trash and other waste materials not disposed of properly.  CEO Armica Crawford discussed resident council re-engagement, volunteer floor captains and working collaboratively with residents to resolve issues.

The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program celebrated four graduates who have reached goals for home ownership and finance and education.  

CEO Crawford reported on $1.5 million grant recently received.  She also discussed upcoming events at Sterling Towers and Harrison to assist residents with legal documents, such as healthcare power of attorney, wills and other documents.

Aldisa Jordan, Director of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, discussed focus on voucher issuance and relationships with landlords, as well as customer service.  She mentioned passage of HB2775 and fair income source in rental process.  

Meeting adjourned for closed session.  Meetings held 4th Thursday of month at 4:30 P.M.  As always, agendas and past minutes are available online: https://www.peoriahousing.org/about.aspx.

Connie Romanus, Observer

Council approved intergovernmental agreement between city of Peoria and Dunlap Community Unified School District regarding Medina Plains-Allen Road Business Park TIF district.  Councilman Cyr was recognized for his leadership on this well thought out agreement and revenue sharing with school district ; Councilors Oyler and Grayeb were recognized as well.

Collective bargaining agreement approved between city of Peoria and AFSCME, Local 3464 for two years ending December 31, 2025; requires staff to reside within limits of city of Peoria.  City staff and legal department were commended for work on this.    

A presentation was given on the scope of work done on Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project year one and  plan for year two (2023).  It was noted that CSO plan is city’s response to unfunded federal mandate to met clean water act.  There is no sunset on this plan which includes using long term loan with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) at 1.34 % interest.   The amount of funding approved for 2023 is $7,854,859.00.

Council adopted rezoning and special use provisions in District 1 for residential housing, including single family, multi-family and elderly.  This action is necessary as first step to apply for Illinois Housing Development (IHDA) funding for project.  Jane Genzel, Peoria Opportunities Foundation Director will be involved with these projects as well as Pivotal Partners Development Company. 

Two residents gave comments:  one individual and her family were seeking housing and have been evicted; another individual from District 1 was objecting to plan for housing development voted on southside that was voted on earlier in meeting.  

More information is available on city website on agenda, minutes and video:  www.peoriagov.org
- Connie Romanus, Observer

The Peoria County Board held its regular meeting on January 12th with all members present but with Members Elsasser and Blair participating by phone.  It was the first meeting where board members and the Clerk accessed information and voted via iPads and new software that consolidated a number of key functions. Even with training and earlier mock meeting run-throughs, the new system resulted in several meeting delays.

Regular business included approving several zoning changes, special uses and waivers in Hallock, Hollis, and Kickapoo townships. The board also approved construction and renovation services within the Peoria County courthouse not to exceed $1.325M for the IT and Public Defenders departments.  Also approved were an appropriation of $300K for supplies for local road districts, and the FY2023 Legislative Initiatives.

​Proclamations were read recognizing the Peoria Notre Dame boys’ soccer team’s recent Class 2A state championship, the Peoria High School second place finish in the 5A football state championship, and Randy Weber’s lifetime of public service as a correctional officer, county commissioner and township official.  Member Williams was recognized for her tenth anniversary on the board.

There were no citizen’s remarks and the Consent Agenda passed unanimously.  Among items approved/accepted:

• A three year agreement between the Illini Bluffs School District, the county and Sheriff for policing services,
• Two grants totaling over $600K for body-worn and in-car cameras,
• Agreements for preliminary engineering services leading to the rehabilitation of a bridge on Maxwell Road and safety improvements on the Hanna City-Glasford Road, and
• An agreement to conduct a Peoria County Transportation Equity Study.

 
Link to the meeting agenda is here:
Agenda

​- Jim Runyon, Observer

The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.  Public comments showed concern for the school board candidate petitions and the handling of the challenges. 

Under expenditures, $34,000 was left from the 2022 budget, but some of that money will pay for paper that has been ordered but has not yet been received.  Only one bid had been received for a Permanent Vote by Mail mass mailing.  Quick Silver’s bid of $10,000 was approved.  Approval was also granted for equipment delivery for the 2023 election cycle to Federal Warehouse for the sum of $5900.  They have been used in the past without any problems.

There will be no primary voting in Peoria County this year since it is not needed.  The printing of ballots could not be completed until January 26 because municipalities and libraries do not need to complete their lists until then.  First ballots will go to overseas and military voters on February 17.
The Board moved to executive session to discuss pending or anticipated litigation.
 
- Irene Pritzker, Observer

Meeting began with public hearing to annex 9601 N. Allen Road. Ron Holohan,
Treasurer of Dunlap Library Board spoke to concerns regarding Peoria annexation
of property parcels five times over past years, resulting in decrease revenue for
Library. Public hearing regarding proposed Medina Plains-Allen Road Business
Park Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District will be reconvened on January 24, 2023
at 6:00 P.M.

Consent agenda approved with little discussion: worker compensation
settlement for $140,000.00 to firefighter injured on two separate dates; adult use
cannabis dispensary located at 1210-1222 W. Glen Ave. and properties on N.
University, commonly known as Crossroads Center Shopping Center in District 3;
mixed use building approved for residential including short term rental in addition
to use for commercial (class C-N)at 331 NE Perry Ave. This was recognized as
creative use of space.

Community Development Director Dulen gave follow up on abandoned school
demolition scheduled for spring that will be using local labor and hiring of local
minority contractor.

Councilor Riggenbach gave update on Darwin Corp. housing issue on East Bluff.
Director Dulen was recognized for his efforts to get one month extension on order
to vacate; virtual town hall with Prairie State Legal on resident rights was held on
December 20, 2022, as well as a neighborhood meeting to clarify misinformation.

Council adjourned for closed session. Next meeting scheduled for January 24,
2023. Agenda, minutes and video of meeting available on city website:
https://www.peoriagov.org/731/City-Council-Meetings

- Connie Romanus, Observer

The monthly meeting of the Peoria County Election Commission was held with all commissioners present except for Sandra Burke.  The public comment portion included several people concerned about voter fraud and unfulfilled FOIA requests.  Also, the NAACP spoke in favor of keeping prepaid vote by mail envelopes.
Delivery of election equipment for both the primary and general elections will be done by Federal Warehouse.  They have done it well in the past and were the only bid this year.  The cost will be $14,100, up $3000 for the June election because it is their busy season for moving.
The Commission voted to use the 30,000 preprinted vote by mail envelopes already in house for the two 2022 elections, then remove the mailing permit in future elections.  The motion passed 3 to 1 with Commissioner Bartolo voting “no.” 
1850 vote-by-mail ballots had been sent out by the time of the meeting, with two-thirds already returned.  Director Tom Bride thinks early voting will surpass totals from 2018.  Unfortunately, the two new drop boxes will not be installed in time for the June 28 primary due to issues with an intergovernmental agreement.  They should be available for the general election in November.  The Commission is still short of judges, especially Republican judges.  One reason is the lack of student judges at this time. 
The federal government’s security grant money was used to build a window overlooking the tabulation room and to purchase cameras and fire suppressant for the drop boxes.
 
Irene Pritzker, Observer