TERRY BIBO

It’s summertime in these parts … but the public business around here ain’t necessarily too easy.

Peoria County Board:

The Peoria County Board met on May 9 with all members present but Brandy Bryant and Matt Windish.

In regular business the board unanimously approved a $3 million loan from the Keystone Fund to Natural Fiber Welding for equipment purchase and real estate acquisition. The 10-year 5.5% loan aids a $6.5 million expansion, with NFW providing the other $3.5 million. Over 48 months, the project should add 40 new jobs, with half of them open to low-income households.

The board unanimously approved two adjacent solar farms located between U.S. Route 150 and I-74 in Rosefield Township. Covering more than 55 acres, they should provide sufficient energy to power 2,920 homes. The board also approved five meteorological towers for wind data collection in Akron, Hallock and Princeville townships. Two zoning requests and crossing improvements for Maxwell Road were approved in Limestone Township.

The board also approved nearly $400,000 from the IT Services Fund for the new Health and Human Services building.

Action related to building Landfill #3, GFL and pending litigation was deferred.

Comcast was awarded three contracts totaling nearly $1.7 million to lay 562 miles of high-speed internet fiber-optic cable that should reach 2,300 households.

Bridge replacement on Princeville Cemetery Road and erosion control expenditures along Dry Run Creek in West Peoria were approved.

Peoria City Council

Council members passed the consent agenda without discussion on April 23. Councilors:

• Received and filed first reading for redevelopment plan for proposed Distillery Tax Increment Financing District (TIF). City Manager Patrick Urich discussed input that prompted revisions; Councilor Denise Jackson thanked members of Sierra Club and Southside Community United for Change, as well as city staff. Concerns were raised about carbon dioxide pipelines and protecting South Side citizens, as well as use of TIF funds for future CO2 pipelines.
• Received a presentation on FUSUS Real-Times Intelligence Software by Jack Howard of Axon Enterprises; approved agreement to purchase software with $120,000 in grant funds. Features aiding police include access to live video from incident locations, building floor plans and internal feed, and citizen doorbell cameras (with permission).
• Approved $100,000 in grant funds to purchase drones and drone equipment. Sgt. Sherrell Stinson, Drone Commander for Peoria Police Department, outlined use of drones, flight regulations, and how information is used, tracked and monitored.
• Approved $7.9 million request for Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control project in District 1 (Year 3). This is contingent on an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency loan.
• Approved agreement with Illinois American Water Company for reimbursement of work performed by city’s contractor for CSO, up to $1,333,928.

Corporation Counsel Patrick Hayes discussed proposed state legislation which could remove the ability to protect residential neighborhoods from addressing crime and nuisance property issues. Local state representatives have been contacted.

On May 14, Council members approved a consent agenda after brief discussion regarding increase in liability insurance fees.

• Approved purchase of cameras and other electronic equipment for video surveillance in neighborhoods with nuisance complaints. These will be similar to the “Armadillo” vehicles currently in use.
• Deferred for 30 days an item involving pending breach of landfill agreement with GFL Environmental and the process of developing new landfill. Urich said recent discussions have been promising. Current Landfill #2 is expected to be full by end of 2024.
• Mayor Rita Ali announced Peoria City Treasurer Stephen Morris resigned, effective immediately. Morris cited personal reasons. He has served three years of his term. A replacement who is not interested in running for the position will be appointed to fill the remainder of the term.

Dunlap District 323

School board members held a regular meeting May 16, with nine members present.

• There was a moment of silence for a senior girl killed in a car accident.
• Graduation ceremonies were discussed. It was reported that internet issues have been resolved and a Freedom of Information Act request was addressed.
• Retiring Ridgeview Elementary Principal Todd Jefferson was recognized.

There was a public comment from the mother of a 9-year-old child with autism, who said her daughter’s needs have not been met by the district. She maintains no aides, therapists, or teachers are adequately trained to deal with children with severe autistic behavior. She urges the district to apply for federal monies for special education employees, and to have area school districts cooperate in meeting needs of special education students.

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