Consultants and contracts dominated discussion at local governing bodies as spring approached.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met Feb. 8 with all members present except Brandy Bryant, Dan Kelch and Paul Rosenbohm. The agenda was again light, resulting in a 30-minute meeting.

In regular business the board unanimously approved a three-year $296,000 contract with Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies of Washington, D.C., to provide the county with representation on federal issues including possible earmark projects, grants and economic development. Former Congressman Rodney Davis will participate on the four-member Cozen O’Connor team. He will assist the county with relationship-building in Congress and among the various executive offices.

Approved 14-1 was the name “Peoria County Health & Human Services” for the facility being constructed at the site of the former health department.

Unanimously approved consent agenda items included a four-year collective bargaining agreement between Peoria County and AFSCME-Health Local 3665 resulting in 3% annual salary increases.

Also unanimously approved were bridge and road projects on Voorhees Road and Hanna City-Glasford Road between Smithville and Lancaster Roads.

Election Commission

Peoria County Election Commissioners held their regular monthly meeting on Feb. 13.

Two polling places were moved because they did not meet accessibility requirements.

Federal Companies won the contract for delivery and return of voting equipment to/from polling places for both 2024 elections. They had the winning bid of $11,600 and have done the work ably many times in the past.

Between the opening of early voting on the previous Thursday and the meeting, 100 voters had cast their ballots, and 10,000 vote-by-mail ballots had been sent out

Peoria City Council

On Jan. 24, Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Dunlap Community Unit School District regarding Medina Plains-Allen Road Business Park TIF district.

A two-year collective bargaining agreement was approved with AFSCME Local 3464. It requires staff to reside within city limits.

A presentation was given on Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project Year 1 and the plan for Year 2. This plan is the response to an unfunded federal mandate to meet Clean Water Act requirements. There is no sunset on the plan, which includes using a long-term Illinois Environmental Protection Agency loan at 1.34 % interest. Funding approved for 2023 is $7,854,859.

Council adopted rezoning and special-use provisions in District 1 for residential housing, a first step toward state funding. Peoria Opportunities Foundation Director Jane Genzel will be involved, as well as Pivotal Partners Development Company.

Comments included an individual seeking housing and a District 1 resident who objected to the housing development plan.

On Feb. 13, Councilors met with a quorum present.

Consent agenda passed without discussion, including:

• Recognition of long-time City Council member Lester Bergsten, who died Feb. 10. He served on the landfill commission for 44 years and oversaw three landfill operations.
• Intergovernmental agreements with Greater Peoria Sanitary District to clean and inspect selected city sewer segments in Council Districts 1, 2 and 3.
• The 2024 Utility Assistance Program using $153,000 of federal funds for low-income households.

Regular business of interest:

• Youth Violence Prevention Grants worth $250,000 were awarded to Boys and Girls Club, Dream Center, and Minority Contractors. Youth Micro Grants totaling $115,000 were awarded to nine programs.
• Over nearly three hours, 37 people addressed the Council on issues related to Gaza and Israeli war, at one point arguing and making insulting comments. Mayor Ali warned crowd members would be removed if they did not calm down.

The meeting was adjourned for executive session.

Dunlap District 323

Eight members were present for a regular meeting on Feb. 15, which ended in a closed session.

The superintendent reported four FOIA requests were submitted and are being prepared.

The eighth grade girls state championship basketball team was present for recognition.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Scott Adreon showed information about summer projects. Top priorities are the parking lot extension and rooftop. Total proposed cost is $1.6 million.

Assistant Superintendent Matt Andrews explained staffing requests for 2024-2025, based on current enrollment and matriculation and projected student course requests:

• Elementary schools: one ESL teacher and one literacy coach.
• Middle schools: one English/Language Arts/Social Studies teacher.
• High school: Wellness Counselor.
• Special ed: School social worker, school psychologist, and an assistive technology coordinator.

Total cost of $552,090 includes salary and benefits.
Purchase of district vehicles was tabled.

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