Spring cleaning begins with updated contracts, budgets, reports and ordinance tweaks.
Your representatives paved the way for a new hotel in Downtown Peoria and bridge projects in the county. And they heard concerns about a proposed CO2 pipeline that could span central Illinois.

Peoria County Board

Peoria County Board held its regular meeting Feb. 9 with all members present.

Regular business included approving a short-term rental home in rural Hallock Township and revisions to financial policies and the board’s Rules of Order.

Member Terry Ruhland will represent the board during construction of the Health and Human Services Campus. The board will end extensions to the Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 since both the federal and state governments will end it May 11.

Past board member Kate Pastucha, chair of the Springdale Historic Preservation Foundation, provided background on the cemetery and encouraged contributions to the foundation.

On behalf of the Sierra Club, Tracy Fox 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 short-term rentals in Hallock Township.

Agenda passed unanimously, including:

* 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

* Road and bridge projects on Pfeiffer and Duncan Roads, and within Millbrook and Hollis Townships

* Agreement for a County Transportation Equity Study

Peoria City Council

Council members approved the consent agenda on Feb. 14, with three items pulled for discussion. Items of interest include:

* Receive and file Springdale Cemetery Management Authority’s annual budget. Peoria County and Peoria Park District have an inter-governmental agreement with the City, providing $60,000 annually; city covers shortfalls to $250,000.

* Receive and file a potential new class of liquor license which would apply to small not-for-profit groups’ fund-raising events and require smaller fees than current ordinance.

* Approve 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 Niagara Parking Deck. No city funds would be used; no TIF funds distributed to owners until project completed and occupancy license in place.

* Amend budget for $50,000 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.

* Adopt ordinances to finalize Proposed Medina Plains-Allen Road Business Park TIF District. Councilor Denis Cyr was recognized for work on this, as well as staff, legal department, Dunlap School Board.

* Defer for 30 days amending operation of cannabis business regarding licensing of dispensaries.

During citizens’ comments, several people supported keeping the Rivermen hockey team in Peoria and funds to replace the current ice plant at Peoria Civic Center. Jesse McGowan disagreed with staff regarding TIF reimbursements for contractors.

Election Commission

Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met Feb. 14 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 ensure they are ready for the April 4 election.

Executive Director Elizabeth Gannon reported ballots were to be sent to overseas voters starting Feb. 17; 15,337 vote-by-mail ballots would go out Feb. 23.

Early voting was to start Feb. 23 at the Election Commission office. Training of election judges was to begin March 9.

Housing Authority

PHA Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting in person and online on Feb. 23. There were no public comments. The consent agenda was 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 U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s required Section Eight Management Assessment certification. It evaluates PHA programs, certifications and reports.

Some education opportunities for PHA residents are adopt-a-teen service program, advance directives for seniors and minority business entrepreneurial training.
Board adjourned for closed session meeting.

League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. For more information, check https://www.lwvgp.org/news/category/observer-reports-logo.