TERRY BIBO
A $100,000 grant was approved to Peoria Opportunities Foundation to cover sewer expense overage, with additional funding from Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). The grant was approved, with Councilor John Kelly opposed.
Councilor Tim Riggenbach explained a professional service agreement for Keller Station Business Development District, saying this is for legal fees and will be handled by the Kim Development Group. Councilor Beth Jensen questioned it not being set up as a special service area, as well as the 1% sales tax to developer with no defined end. Chrissie Kapustka, Corporation Counsel, said agreements would be initiated at completion of project. A sunset clause for developer would be brought to council for review. Item passed with Councilor Denis Cyr dissenting.
Under new business, Cyr requested a review of fees incurred by small businesses as at least 50 fees are not relatable or are outdated.
Peoria County Board met Sept. 9, with all members present.
Trefzger’s Bakery representatives thanked the board for a $589,000 Keystone Fund loan that partially enabled their building renovation in Peoria Heights. Trefzger’s was able to repay the loan in full with interest ahead of schedule. Board members called it an excellent use of funds.
Two items were pulled from the consent agenda for discussion: approval of the Farnsworth Group and River City Construction for preliminary consultation on the Health and Human Service Campus project. The county is exploring consolidation of services at the health department site on Sheridan Road, relocation of services to another site or construction of a new facility. After discussion, the measures passed 17-1 and 16-2, respectively.
On a 17-1 vote, the board accepted a grant agreement for independent attorneys appointed guardians ad litem in juvenile and neglect court. A collective bargaining agreement between the county and the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council-Corrections unit also passed 17-1.
Peoria County Election Commission met Sept. 14 with all present.
The commission approved a three-year contract with SOE Software for online election judge training. There will still be in-person training, but the additional online feature will aid with training on the new voting system.
Two proposals were received for a new voting system: Election Systems & Software (ES&S), the nation’s largest vendor, and Hart InterCivic. Director Tom Bride wanted the vendors to visit in October so the evaluation committee could present their choice in November. The decision goes to a county committee in December and the full Peoria County Board in January.
Discussion included new mail drop boxes. Political party leaders were concerned about security. Director Bride wants to procure boxes through this year’s budget; number and placement can be discussed next month.
Also discussed was return postage for Vote by Mail. If a ballot comes back with inadequate postage, the Commission is required to pay it. However, 40% of mail-in ballots in the last election were returned through the drop boxes, so there was no charge. The Post Office will be reminded to put a postmark on those envelopes, even though they have postage paid printed on them.
The Board of Commissioners of Peoria Housing Authority met Sept. 7, with a quorum present. Several members of the public expressed concerns regarding conditions of PHA housing.
The Gardner family of seven was assigned to Taft temporary housing with conditions including mold, water damage and uncovered electrical outlets. Mrs. Gardner was present, in addition to Karrie Alms, Elaine Hopkins, Lawrence Maushard and Allison Galvan.
Community members spent 30 minutes discussing a lack of communication to the Gardners about availability, the checklist to ensure repairs completed and perceived lack of respect from PHA staff. Maushard called for dismissal of Chairman Carl Cannon and CEO Jackie Newman.
Cannon expressed appreciation for comments and told the group issues would be addressed.
League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. Check https://www.lwvgp.org/news/category/observer-reports-logo.