The Watch: Social equity pot dispensaries under review; rail line gets funds; booths, ballots ready for big day

TERRY BIBO

Cannabis, trains and upcoming budgets dominate government agendas this fall.

Peoria City Council

On Aug. 23, councilors reviewed an ordinance about recreational cannabis businesses.
Changes relate to social equity applicants, meaning those who have convictions for cannabis possession and are eligible for expungement. These individuals may apply for a dispensary license and are not restricted from being within 1,500 feet of another cannabis store. These businesses are not eligible for sale or transfer, which has been an issue in Illinois. Annual license renewal is required, as with non-social equity dispensaries. Currently, there is one social equity license pending in Peoria.
Interim Corporation Counsel Chrissie Kapustka explained changes are necessary to define eligibility as social equity applicant, prevent sale or lease to non-social equity applicant and clarify 1,500-foot rule. Councilor Andre Allen reminded the council of the need to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as ensuring social equity applicants are in compliance.
Councilors expressed concerns regarding the number of dispensaries in the area and how to plan ahead for new dispensaries. The original lottery of social equity dispensaries in Illinois was 185 and 177 licenses have been issued.
The Council discussed feasibility of red light cameras to control drivers running traffic lights. In 2006, eight counties in Illinois were approved for this. The council will request state legislators sponsor amendment to automated traffic law enforcement system. Speed-lite cameras were also discussed, but require population of one million or more; they are used by state police and on tollways.
On Sept. 13, councilors deferred the issue of cannabis licenses and miscellaneous business regulations for social equity owners.
On a 10-1 vote, they allocated up to $100,000 from the general fund for the passenger rail Corridor Identification and Development program; remaining funds to come from Tri-County Planning Commission and North Central Illinois Council of Governments. Councilor John Kelly voted nay.
Community Development Director Joe Dulin explained the 2022 Utility Assistance Program. From November through February, the program will cover up to $150 per month for qualified applicants — those below 80% median income.
The 2021 financial audit by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP was deemed clean/unmodified and included federal grant funds and pensions. Councilor Denis Cyr addressed Finance Director Kyle Cratty about taking on new debt vs. living within city’s means. City issued $12 million in new debt in 2021. Cyr noted council will be going into budget sessions in near future.
See https://peoriail.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

Peoria County Board

All members were present when the board held its regular meeting Sept. 8.
Voting 13-5, board members approved a budget amendment to permit a $50,000 contribution toward the Corridor Identification and Development Program application process that could within a decade bring passenger rail service back to Peoria.
The consent agenda passed unanimously. Among items approved:\

Peoria County Sheriff’s annual salary of $151,008.
“As-needed” media buying and advertising services.
Animal control services for Princeville through 2024.
Guard rail repair and installation throughout the county.
Single Bidder rule for the Annual Tax Sale.

The regular agenda also contained:

Approval of a zoning request in Chillicothe Township.
A proclamation extending the Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19. This proclamation is required every 30 days to ensure that the county is reimbursed for pandemic expenses. Since its inception in March 2020 the proclamation has made more than $35 million dollars available to the county.

You can link to the agenda and video here: https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter

Election Commission

After a few public comments, Peoria Election Commission Executive Director Elizabeth Gannon reported on progress toward the November general election at the regular Sept. 13 board meeting.
New voting booths are similar to the ones used in June, which were borrowed due to supply chain issues.
Sample ballots are ready. Overseas and military voters were to have ballots mailed Sept. 16.
Early voting began Sept. 29.
Some citizens had asked for live feeds from the drop boxes. North Branch Library nixed that idea for privacy issues; Peoria Civic Center would need a live feed to fit its security system. The bigger question is who would monitor them?
The Board voted to move Peoria Precinct 06 from Proctor Center across the street to Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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

Too bad we have that debt, but cheers to the Peoria County Board for saving between
$20 million and $25 million by refinancing Heddington Oaks.
Peoria City Council
On July 26, the council approved a request from City Manager Patrick Urich and Chief of Police Eric Echevarria to purchase four solar-powered camera surveillance trailers for $91,230. It approved an upgrade to existing crime view analytics software for $17,550. An intergovernmental agreement was approved to employ off-duty PPS safety employees during special events.
Councilors voted to approve the Peoria Equity Accountability Program to establish the first city of Peoria Minority Business Certification and build a business directory.
Director of Public Works Rick Powers’ request to add 10 full-time maintenance workers was approved, bringing full-time maintenance staff to 41 employees. Reducing temporary staff will improve productivity and save $50,000, he said.
On Aug. 9, councilors discussed negative line-item balances, prompted by Councilor Denis Cyr, who recommended opportunities to pay down unfunded pension liability.
Finance Director Kyle Cratty said personal property tax receipts have grown, but he does not think this will be recurring. Urich and Cratty will bring recommendations to Council in budget sessions. Mayor Rita Ali supported Cyr; Urich affirmed the Council could set policy to stop negative account balances.
Joe Dulin, Community Development Director, discussed a plan for violence reduction funding which would be administered by the Peoria Police Department. The minimum award would be $50,000 and maximum award would be $250,000.
Interim Corporation Counsel Chrissie Kapustka said current legislation may allow the city to use red light cameras. At-large Councilor Charles Grayeb said cameras could be used to impact speeding. Council asked for more feedback and community input.
Peoria County Board
The Peoria County Board met Aug. 11 with all members present but Junior Watkins.
On a 15-2 vote the board approved placing a citizen’s referendum on the Nov. 8 general election ballot seeking to eliminate the Office of County Auditor. Auditor Jessica Thomas and another citizen spoke against this move during Citizen’s Remarks.
Approved language for the referendum is: “Shall Peoria County eliminate the internal Office of County Auditor when Peoria County already has an external Auditor as required by state law? This would be a cost savings of approximately $150,000 annually.”
After a lottery on redistricting, board members in even-numbered districts will serve an initial two-year term and those in odd-numbered districts will serve an initial four-year term.
The county’s external auditor, Sikich, highlighted a clean audit and commented positively on the county’s ability to prepare its own financial statements. Only 5% of Illinois counties have expertise in place to accomplish this.
The county refinanced the Heddington Oaks debt, saving an estimated $22-$25 million in interest over the loan term.
Board members approved budget revisions for PCAPS and the Peoria County Election Commission; engineering and repairs for the Heddington Oaks detention basin outflow; zoning in Princeville Township, an IDHS grant and the Peoria County Public Defender’s salary.
Member Sharon K. Williams announced a survey on waste removal and recycling for unincorporated Peoria County, available at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uirPzcKDBU24y_DgAATkBS5Zf4IWH5dIt6mObBhSKxRUMDVWM0ZCVzczQUJRQlk2NzEyRTVLT0c2Ri4u

ELECTION COMMISSION
Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners held two meetings Aug. 16.
The first was a special meeting where Elizabeth Gannon was chosen to be the new Executive Director after the resignation of Tom Bride.
The second, the Annual Meeting, started with swearing in new Commissioners Ryan Brady and Valerie Timms. Election of officers included Jim Manning retaining the chairmanship, with Matt Bartolo elected vice-chairman, Valerie Timms as treasurer, and Jeanne Williamson as secretary.
The commission anticipates 20,000 vote by mail ballots for the Nov. 8 election. This mailing will be done by Runbeck because the number is too large to handle in-house.
As of the board meeting, there were two referenda listed: 1) Dissolution of the Tuscarora Fire Department and its consolidation into an adjoining fire protection district and 2) a Fair Map question.

PEORIA PARK DISTRICT
On Aug. 10, Director Emily Cahill reported 12,000 Summer of Fun redemptions were made by Peoria students this summer.
She said the budgeting process has begun, with presentations scheduled for Nov. 2 and 9.
The Contributions Committee reported six students, children of PPD employees, were awarded a total of $4,500 in college scholarships.

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.