Peoria’s City Council changes. The late Peoria Mayor Richard Carver gets recognized. And the local construction season gets underway with new roads and sidewalks.

Peoria City Council

On April 25, councilors approved the 2023 Annual Action Plan for grant allocation of $2.8 million to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria gave an overview of the ShotSpotter program. (A link to his presentation can be found in meeting minutes.) Jacob Moushon, Network Management Analyst, discussed ability to scan shell casings to create ballistic fingerprints and link them to multiple shootings through data obtained in existing record management system. Using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), data can identify weapons used in other shootings, leading to identification of common suspects, vehicles and other information to provide investigative leads. Peoria Police have used ShotSpotter program since 2013. There is another program on the market, Flock Raven Safety. Chief Echevarria said Raven program technology was not as advanced as ShotSpotter. Three-year renewal of ShotSpotter contract at $300,984 per year passed unanimously.

PPD policies regarding this program are available: www.peoriagov.org/884/General-Orders-Policies-and-Procedures

Other items of interest:

• Approved resolution to name parcel at 3917 S.W. Adams Street to Freedom and Remembrance Memorial Park. This is the location of former Moffit Cemetery.

• Approved Ordinance B, Amending Appendix A related to Medical/Adult Cannabis Dispensaries, Cultivation Centers, Craft Grower, Infusers and Processors.

• Approved an agreement for federal participation with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to request 90% HSIP Federal funding not to exceed $1,804,551 regarding one-way to two-way conversion of Adams and Jefferson Streets. Also included is authorization of City’s estimated minimum local agency funding match, $9,195,449, subject to IDOT approval and state motor fuel tax of $3,200,000 for construction expense.

• Councilors Beth Jensen and Sid Ruckriegel were recognized for their service on the Council, as this was their last meeting at the half circle before new members were sworn in.

On May 9, Mayor Rita Ali recognized the accomplishments of former Mayor Richard Carver for his many years of public service locally and nationally and offered condolences to his family and friends. Carver died May 5.

Council deferred appointment of Evonne Fleming and Irene Lewis-Wimbley to the Decennial Committee on Local Government Efficiency as requested by Township Attorney John Redlingshafer until its May 23 meeting.

Regular business:

• Approved funding recommendations from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program approved by Council in January 2022. Joe Dulin, Director of Community Development, reported capital projects submitted by six nonprofit organizations were recommended to be funded by the nonprofit capital program.

• Purchased real estate from Downtown Development Corporation of Peoria to develop parking facilities on SW Washington St. for $250,000.

Mayor Ali announced the city would hold a two-day strategic planning process kickoff on June 1 and 2. Meetings were held at Peoria Civic Center.

Note: Council met May 2 to swear in At-large Councilors Bernice Gordon-Young, John Kelly, Zach Oyler, Kiran Velpula and Mike Vespa.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met May 11 with all present except for Members Steve Rieker and Brandy Bryant.

Regular business included approving zoning cases in Radnor and Rosefield townships, amending the Peoria Rural Enterprise Zone ordinance and agreement to cover a proposed Beck gas station on Kickapoo Edwards Road and a design variance for the same entity, and approving grants related to PCAPS and the Juvenile Redeploy program. The board also approved a construction variance for the City of Peoria as it converts a number of downtown one-way streets to two-way streets.

There were four citizens’ remarks. Two focused on encouraging a county-wide moratorium on C02 pipelines and promoting educational sessions focused on legislation pending before the Illinois General Assembly to limit such pipelines’ ability to use eminent domain. Another protested Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ visit to Peoria. One related to an ongoing personal dispute with State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos.

Among items unanimously approved on consent agenda:

• Commitment of local funds to match federal funds for sidewalks and multi-use paths on Maxwell and Middle Roads.

• A three-year investment by the County in the Minority Business Development Center at $50,000 per year.

• An agreement with Tyler Technologies to address new data collection requirements within the county probation office.