TERRY BIBO
Your local representatives were writing public checks and checking public writing this summer.
Peoria County Board
The Peoria County Board met July 13 with all members present.
Regular business included a zoning request in Logan Township, approval of Amy McLaren for a third six-year term as county engineer, and a project management contract with R. J. Unes, Inc. All three passed unanimously.
McLaren is one of four female county engineers in Illinois and has the longest tenure among the four. County infrastructure committee members praised her professionalism and regular communication.
Unes was contracted to be the county’s “eyes and ears” while managing the many capital improvement projects underway.
Citizens’ remarks focused on a possible use for the former Hanna City detention facility and a request for the board to file as an intervenor in the recent CO2 pipeline application. Chairman James Dillon indicated the county would do so.
All 25 consent agenda items — a 10-year high — passed unanimously, including:
- Appropriation of $2 million from general fund surplus to the capital projects fund.
- Intergovernmental agreements between the Peoria Sheriff’s Office and Illini Bluffs school district, and with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
- Adoption of a new county highway access ordinance shifting responsibility for culvert installation to the property owner.
Election Commission
The Peoria County Election Commission met July 11, with all commissioners present. Matt Bartolo participated by phone.
Since the 2024 budget must be approved in August before going to the County Board, most of the meeting was spent discussing finances.
Director Elizabeth Gannon wants to purchase machinery to automatically open and extract vote-by-mail ballots. The cost is $44,570, but the estimated savings in personnel costs is $41,519 for 2024. The purchase was approved.
Commissioners approved a contract with ElectionStats for a user-friendly database enabling public access to past election results. Initial creation cost is $6,175 per year for the license and $3,000 to $5,000 to catch up on past results. It also extended the contract with SOE Software for one year for online poll worker training. After 2024, other training possibilities can be checked.
New business included purchasing the current building or leasing more space, decided by the county board.
Peoria City Council
On June 27, Councilors:
- Approved liquor licenses for Saffron Social and LeBakery Café.
- Approved appointments to 16 boards and commissions for the year 2024-25.
- Approved Downtown Wayfinding signs project for $620,830. Seventy-two signs with 11 designs will be installed; signs will have QR codes.
- Annexed property at 1602 E. Boy Scout Road, Chillicothe.
In new business:
- Councilor Denis Cyr requested monthly financial reports be in regular business.
- Councilor Chuck Grayeb asked Corporation Counsel Patrick Hayes for update on carbon dioxide pipeline in view of Wolf Carbon filing with Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Concerns regarding public safety with pipeline were discussed.
On July 11, Council members approved a 90-day moratorium on new tobacco licenses, excluding four licenses pending approval.
Finance Director Kyle Cratty discussed the budget through May. He mentioned a $5.2 million decline in personal property tax, although the overall budget is on pace. Cyr noted cash flow greater than $200,000 and asked for budget concerns over next two-to-four years. Cratty cited looming recession pension fund obligations. Councilor Andre Allen asked for clarity on the impact of debt service bond for Civic Center.
Community Development Director Joe Dulin announced recipients of Violence Prevention Program funding for 2023. A total of $1.4 million was awarded to six groups based on criteria developed by city staff and approved by council.
Twenty-six applications were received and reviewed.
Funds were approved on individual votes after concerns were raised regarding Peoria Public Schools and Peoria Health Department, which already receive funding. Mayor Rita Ali suggested a policy session to further discuss criteria.
Recipients are:
- Goodwill Services for Revive Youth Mental Health Support, $54,115.
- Peoria Family YMCA for teen outreach, $200,000.
- Friendship House for Pathway to the Future, $287,500.
- Peoria Regional of Office Education, Project S.T.A.R.T. to address truancy, $175,000.
- Health Department, Cure Violence at East Bluff and Southside neighborhoods, $400,000.
- PPS, Getting to the Roots reading program, $299,966.
Councilors also:
- Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Peoria Civic Center extending through 2028. City Manager Patrick Urich said 2023 has been good for Civic Center finances.
- Approved a $7 million grant from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for construction and pre-development work on MacArthur Hwy.
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