Here are highlights from local boards … you might want to check the full reports. There’s a lot of solid waste going on.

Peoria County Board:

All members were present when the Peoria County Board met on April 11.

In regular business, the board amended the Peoria Urban Enterprise Zone Agreement, and approved zoning requests in Trivoli, Millbrook and Kickapoo townships.

Also unanimously approved were speed limit changes on Big Hollow Road and North Trivoli Road, a $39,000 worker’s compensation settlement, expenses for relocating the Veterans Assistance Commission, and a tool to assist county employees access student-loan forgiveness programs. Amy McLaren was reappointed to a third six-year term as County Engineer.

Six citizens (one from Peoria County and the other five from Cook, Grundy and Kane counties) spoke requesting the board approve their resolution on election integrity.

Election Commission

All Peoria County Election Commissioners were present for the regular meeting May 14, Ryan Brady by phone.

Much discussion involved the Commission’s wish to own the building they currently occupy. None of the other venues visited met their requirements. It was part of the due diligence required by the County. They will be speaking with the County about the possibilities of leasing their current building or purchasing it outright.

Director Elizabeth Gannon mentioned a program available to educate the public about elections. It has already been shown or made available to libraries around the County.

Peoria City Council

The March 26 Council meeting began on time with a quorum present. The consent agenda passed without discussion. Councilors approved terminating three tax increment financing districts: Northside, Central Business (Downtown) and Midtown Plaza.

Under regular business, Council:

• Approved an $83,950 sole-source contract with Dr. E. Anthony White under a federal policing innovation grant.
• Accepted a $675,000 grant from Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board. Management Analyst Jacob Moushon outlined the Peoria Police Department collaboration with Dr. White. Their findings identified issues to decrease habitual offender incidents; data showed the top 3% of offenders were responsible for 15% of crime. The team has been asked to present their findings to other agencies across the county.
•  Increased Peoria Combined and Sanitary Sewer District Lateral Fee from 1.3028/CCF to 1.3328/CCF as of May 1. Finance Director Kyle Cratty reported the increase will amount to an average of $0.52 per quarter and allow the city to meet obligations for sewer maintenance.

Landfill Committee

The Peoria City and County Solid Waste Disposal Committee met April 24 — a change from the originally scheduled April 17 meeting.

Foth Infrastructure and Environment reported leachate and condensate generation continue to outpace landfill systems, meaning more work to keep operating.

Additional work is anticipated due to the delay in constructing Landfill #3; Foth had no updates since March. [Note: GFL purchased the landfill in its buy-out of PDC in October, 2021; the contract for constructing the new landfill was part of that buy-out.]

A committee member asked when Waste Management (WM), the company under contract to operate Landfill #2, would have an updated assessment of the remaining capacity. Landfill #2 was expected to be full before the end of this year. A fly-over is anticipated in July or August to assess remaining space.

WM has offered to divert garbage from Landfill #2 to its Tazewell Transfer Station, giving more time while awaiting Landfill #3. Committee Chairman Stephen Morris noted Waste Management has already exceeded its contract annual minimum payment for 2024. Foth’s representative said extending Landfill #2 allows the free dumping load for residents to continue.

No report was received from GFL. Attorney Brian Meginnes said a special engineering firm has been hired to see if they can meet the requirements for Landfill #3.

Dunlap District 323

Nine members were present for the regular school board meeting April 18.

Nick Mueller was recognized for his state wrestling championship.

Information/discussion items: School activity account reports, board meeting schedule, budget update, administrator contract renewals, were presented.

As of April, this year’s budget is projected at $57,058,524.

Board members approved bills, treasurer’s report, investment report, bank statements, eighth grade Washington, D.C., trip, petition to intervene property tax appeal, English department textbook proposal, strategic plan goals, and facility rental agreement and fees. Open session adjourned at 6:20 p.m. followed by closed session.

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
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