All posts by C. J. Summers

I am a fourth-generation Peorian, married with three children.
City Council, City of Peoria

Liveblogging the City Council 11/9/2010

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Hi everyone! Sorry I’m late tonight. However, you didn’t really miss anything. So far, everything has been sailing through the council with no opposition. The mayor and all council members are here except for George Jacob.

ITEM NO. 1 CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIBUS VOTE, for the City of Peoria, with Recommendations as Outlined:

A. NOTICE OF LAWSUIT on Behalf of LORRAINE SEPHUS Regarding a Claim Involving an Accident on October 2, 2009, which Occurred at the Intersection of Griswold and Antoinette Avenues, with Recommendation to Refer to the Legal Department.

B. Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of N. E. FINCH COMPANY and CARRI SCHARF TRUCKING as VENDORS for TRACTION SAND to MIX with ROCK SALT, as Outlined.

C. Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting Approval of a SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT to the CITY OF PEORIA’S HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION and RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM (HPRP) Expanding the UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM and? ADDING a RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, and with a Request to AMEND the EXISTING AGREEMENTS, as Outlined.

D. Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting Approval of the 2011 ANNUAL PLAN for SUBMISSION to the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT of HOUSING and URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

E. Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of the PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT with TERRA ENGINEERING, LTD., in an Amount Not to Exceed $58,825.19, for Preliminary Engineering Services for the GLEN AVENUE and UNIVERSITY STREET INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT.

F. Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management with Recommendation from the Planning Commission and Staff to Approve a RESOLUTION Amending the CITY OF PEORIA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN and FUTURE LAND USE PLAN (Map) to Change the Future Land Use Designation of Property Currently Designated High Density Residential to a Medium Density Residential Designation for Property Located at 824 W. MOSS AVENUE (Parcels 18-08-226-015 and 18-08-226-016).

G. Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management with Recommendation from the Zoning Commission and Staff to Adopt an ORDINANCE Rezoning Property Located at 824 W. MOSS AVENUE from the Present Class R-6 (Multi-Family Residential) District to a Class R-1 (Single Family Residential) District.

H. Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works with Recommendation from the Board of Local Improvements to Adopt an ORDINANCE Providing for the NORTH EASTON PLACE (from North Gale Avenue to West Forrest Hill Avenue) SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, the Net Length of 1,017 Feet or 0.19 Mile.

I. Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Requesting Adoption of an ORDINANCE Amending the CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET for FY 2010 Relating to the USE of NORTHSIDE RIVERFRONT TIF FUNDS, in the Amount of $15,000.00, to CONDUCT ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS of CITY-OWNED PROPERTY Along the ILLINOIS RIVER.

J. Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management Regarding the GLEN OAK IMPACT ZONE 2011 ACTION PLAN, with Request to Receive and File. (Refer to Item No. 10-373)

K. Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Regarding the CITY OF PEORIA FIREFIGHTER’S PENSION FUND and the CITY OF PEORIA POLICE PENSION FUND ACTUARIAL REPORTS as of JANUARY 1, 2010, with Request to Receive and File.

L. APPOINTMENT by Mayor Jim Ardis to the SPRINGDALE CEMETERY MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, with Request to Concur:

James E. Glazebrook (Voting) – Term Expires 6/30/2013

M. REPORT of CITY TREASURER PATRICK A. NICHTING for the MONTH of SEPTEMBER 2010, with Request to Receive and File.

N. PEORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL REPORT for Period Ending SEPTEMBER 30, 2010, with Request to Receive and File.

Riggenbach removed Item J just to sing its praises, and Gulley abstained from Item C due to being on the board of the organization. Other than that, everything passed unanimously.

ITEM NO. 2 Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management with Recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission to Adopt an ORDINANCE Approving the DESIGNATION of 1412 N. E. PERRY AVENUE, as a LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK.

Passed unanimously.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

(10-057) Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management with Request to DEFER the ORDINANCE Amending CHAPTER 16 of the Code of the City of Peoria Related to the HISTORIC DESIGNATION PROCESS until the DECEMBER 14, 2010, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

Changed to a deferral until second meeting in January 2011. Passed unanimously.

(10-391) Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management with Request to Adopt a REVISED ORDINANCE Amending APPENDIX B of the Code of the City of Peoria Relating to WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES, with a Request to Receive and File the SUPPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION. (Revised Ordinance)

Passed unanimously.

(10-458) Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of the PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT with HANSON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC., in an Amount Not to Exceed $950,000.00, for PHASE I ENGINEERING SERVICES for WASHINGTON STREET Between I-74 and MacARTHUR HIGHWAY. (New Communication and New Agreement)

Spears is giving a PowerPoint presentation on why this project is so important. He’s talking about the importance of “pedestrian-focused intimate setting[s],” “walkable streets,” urban living options, “safe and active shopping,” etc. He’s preaching to the choir here at the Chronicle. He’s talking about the importance of places being open after 6:00 because that’s when the majority of consumer spending happens. (Funny, that didn’t seem to be a concern when they were approving the museum block, which will close before 6.)

He says the designer is also working on the project in East Peoria, adding “across the river is our competition.” He also says the designer they want to hire is his brother-in-law (he also says this is not a conflict of interest — he checked with legal). He says this is “more than the Duany plan — it’s about economics.” (I’m not sure what that means exactly.) End of presentation.

Sandberg has a question about the scope of the design work — does it end at MacArthur or Edmund Street? Public Works Director Barber says the design work only goes to MacArthur, except that they will look at the intersection, which could impact the next block between MacArthur and Edmund. However, the streetscape and pedestrian-friendliness will stop at MacArthur. On the northern end, the streetscape work will effectively end at Hamilton Blvd., not I-74. Sandberg further points out that there’s not enough money available to complete Phase I at this time, which Barber verifies. Sandberg says, “We’re starting a process that isn’t fully funded” and “doesn’t include all the vision of a new Warehouse District.” Sandberg would like to see it be fully funded.

Spain says he agrees with Sandberg, but wants to “use available dollars” to get the project started. He says we can still do a lot with the dollars we have, even though we can’t do everything we want right now.

Mayor Ardis says he’s supporting the motion despite some reservations. Spears says once we have the right development in there, “we won’t have to worry about the dollars and cents” because the development will grow from one neighborhood to the next.

Motion passes 9-1 (Spears voting nay). I was distracted at the beginning of the presentation — why did Spears vote “nay”? I’ll try to get some clarification…. (Update: I’ve asked around, and others are also confused.)

(10-464) Communication from the City Manager Requesting for the City Council to Provide Direction to the Administration on the PRELIMINARY FY 2011 OPERATING BUDGET.

City Manager Scott Moore is giving a presentation on the budget. The elimination of 11 police officers, 15 firefighters, and three Public Works employees are still in the City Manager’s recommendation. The floor is now open for discussion.

Turner asks about parking enforcement officers (why cut them when they’re revenue generators?). Van Auken starts to ask questions about fees, but they are part of the next agenda item. All the council members are referring to a handout that I do not have and is apparently not posted with the agenda on the City’s website. Sandberg is now asking some questions about the use of TIF funds to pay for certain personnel. Apparently, one of the suggestions is to reimburse Economic Development salaries from TIF funds. Sandberg says “that’s like eating your own arm that’s trying to feed yourself.” He also complains that taking things out of next year’s budget and putting them in the following year’s budget artificially inflates the following year’s budget deficit.

Van Auken asks City Manager about the possibility of outsourcing Economic Development to, say, the EDC. Moore has a handout on that issue to which he directs Van Auken. Van Auken asks some follow-up questions, and Moore doesn’t really have an answer for them. Van Auken wants to know how much of the $360,000+ for Economic Development can be saved by partnering with EDC, and what it will take to get those numbers. Moore says he needs council direction on which operations they want to outsource. Van Auken says she wants the manager to come back with options, even the possibility of getting rid of the department completely. She doesn’t want the council to have to micromanage this effort, but have the manager step up and offer suggestions. Riggenbach says the same thing as Van Auken. Says not to limit himself to the EDC, but also consider ways we can partner with the County. Gulley says he’s uncomfortable talking about eliminating the department, but concurs that he would like to see options from the City Manager. Turner speaks in favor of Economic Development — it’s “vitally, vitally important,” he says. Business recruitment, retaining business, etc., are important activities for which we need a front-line person.

Montelongo asks if there are any assets we could sell off. [Ha! How about the $10 million Sears block they just gave away for a buck?!] Susan Schlupp says there are several vacant lots and some larger properties in Southtown they are trying to sell. Mayor Ardis, without actually saying it, basically says that public safety positions are more important than Economic Development positions. He also says that Economic Development isn’t doing much because they don’t have a department head.

Spain compliments the Mayor, then refers to the 10/29 Issues Update and asks about possible further reductions to training and travel. Moore says these line items have been cut every year. The amount we’re spending on travel/training per employee is only about $350. To cut it more, some departments would just have to cut travel/training completely. Spain compliments staff for their work in cutting this area. Now he asks about the report back regarding publications — are there ways we can use technology to reduce publication costs? Answer: more information to come after more discussions with staff. Next, he asks about internet-based payroll. Director Scroggins says they’re investigating it; apparently they had a meeting set up with a provider, but the rep had to cancel so the meeting was rescheduled.

[I have the new budget handouts now, thanks to Tanya Koonce from WCBU — Thanks, Tanya!]

Irving asks some questions for clarification, then states that in the private sector, during tough times, travel and training go way down. He acknowledges the cuts that have been made, but says they need to be reduced even more. Van Auken harps on travel and training as well, saying it needs to be looked at on a department-by-department basis because “some departments have done better than others” at cutting travel. She also seems to think that some staff members are passing up opportunities to get training in town, then taking the training out of town at greater cost to the City.

More questions for which there are no answers…. Ardis asks for motion to receive and file, and a request for the City Manager to bring back a plan next meeting to close the remaining budget gap.

Sandberg asks that all the departments’ information be presented in the same format. Apparently, Public Works’ information was not presented the same way as the other departments. Montelongo still wants to see what assets the City has that could possibly be sold.

Spain/Gulley move to close discussion and receive and file. Motion passes unanimously.

(10-465) Communication from the City Manager Requesting Direction to Staff Regarding POTENTIAL INCREASES to VARIOUS FEES and FINES.

Van Auken moves to accept fees/fines as recommended with the exception of historic designation and historic landmark designation fees; seconded by Turner. Motion passes 9-1 (Sandberg voting nay).

PUBLIC COMMENTS Regarding the FY 2011 CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET.

No one has any comments.

NEW BUSINESS

Ryan Spain thanks Councilman Jacob for the Nancy Brinker books he gave to each member of the council. Apparently, he bought the books in March (before his accident), but they were just delivered today.

PRESENTATION

ITEM NO. 1 PRESENTATION by ILLINOIS AMERICAN WATER COMPANY Regarding INVESTMENT at THEIR PLANT.

Short presentation with much technical talk not completely into the microphone.

PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS TOWN OF THE CITY OF PEORIA

ITEM NO. 1 Communication from the Town Officials Budget Committee Requesting Approval of the PROPOSED ESTIMATED TAX LEVY of $2,179,219.00 With an ESTIMATED TAX RATE of .13663 for the Town of the City of Peoria and Requesting to Enter This Action into the Permanent Record.

Trustee Irving says he accidentally threw his paper away. Joe Whalen has an extra copy he hurries to give Irving. Irving makes motion to approve the same levy amount as 2009/seconded by Sandberg. Motion passes unanimously.

ITEM NO. 2 TOWN OF THE CITY OF PEORIA FINANCIAL REPORT for Period Ending 9/30/2010, with Request to Receive and File.

Motion to approve by Irving/Spain. No discussion. Passes unanimously.

CITIZEN REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL

Savino Sierra is the only one. He complains about deteriorating sidewalks around schools.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

There is an executive session (poor souls, it’s already 8:58 p.m.), but the rest of us get to go home. Or, in my case, over to the Bullpen (in Landmark) for a late supper. Come on by and hang out if you want. Goodnight, all!

City of Peoria, Form-Based Code, Heart of Peoria Plan, Warehouse District

Warehouse District an example of good economic development

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In the Warehouse District, the City brought in a consultant (Farrell-Madden Associates) who met with stakeholders to develop a form-based code in keeping with the Heart of Peoria Plan. That code set specific requirements for the physical form new private development and redevelopment can take, but also loosened the restrictions on land use, allowing for a greater mixture of commercial and residential uses, as mentioned at many auctions where they have the newest porcelain signs for auctions.

The code also set out expectations for the public space within the Warehouse District — in particular the streets and sidewalks. In order to lure people back to the heart of the City, the transportation corridors would need to be improved and made more accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. The City is now poised to do just that.

Private developers such as Scott Roth and Pat Sullivan are already responding to the City’s progressive investment in fixing up Washington Street, as well as the City’s establishment of a tax-increment financing (TIF) district for the area in 2006.

And that’s the way things are supposed to work. The City sinks its investment into improving public infrastructure and that makes a more favorable investment climate for private developers. There is a stark contrast between this kind of economic development and the developer welfare of the Wonderful Development. Peoria needs more of the former and none of the latter.

City Council, City of Peoria, Taxes

Township property taxes are going up

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On the agenda for Tuesday’s City Council meeting is this item under Town business:

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Proposed Estimated Tax Levy of $2,179,219 with an estimated tax rate of .13663 for the Town of the City of Peoria and enter this action into the permanent record.

The item goes on to say that “the proposed estimated levy of $2,179,219, represents a 2.5% increase in the aggregate levy over last year’s tax extension.” Translation: taxes are going up. The tax rate itself may not be going up due to increases in home values (EAV), but don’t let that fool you. When a government body levies more money than the year before, that’s a tax increase.

Museum Block

New fiction section added to InterBusiness Issues

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I enjoyed reading Brad McMillan’s article in InterBusiness Issues this month. It was quite entertaining. I had no idea he was such a good fiction writer, or that IBI had added a fiction section. Check out some of these knee-slapping lines:

The notion that this [museum] project was elitist and was forced on the community from the top down is simply false. Instead, this grass-roots initiative included nine museum groups and hundreds of volunteers…

Grass-roots initiative? Yes, this little “grassroots initiative” was pushed along by common, everyday people like various CEOs of Caterpillar and other large corporations, U.S. Congressmen, State Senators, and local mayors — all of whom are chronicled in Mr. McMillan’s article, by the way. And that “grassroots” marketing campaign that cost almost a million dollars? It was nothing short of miraculous the way the common folks were able to come up with that kind of money. The whole project was a modern-day “Little Engine That Could” story.

Our legacy Build the Block project is funded 55 percent private and 45 percent public….

And if you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you. The County alone is pumping over $59 million (including bond interest) into the project, the City’s contribution is roughly $17 million (land, TIF proceeds through 2021, improvements to Water Street), we’re getting $9 million in public funds for the parking deck ($4 million in federal highway administration funds and $5 million in state capital funds) — what are we up to now? $85 million? That’s already over 60% of the $140 million project.

…it was the broad-based collaboration between labor groups, museum collaborators, families and business that helped pass a sales tax referendum during the worst part of our economic recession.

…by promising to build an IMAX theater, use 100% local union labor, not bond out more than $40 million, and not bond out until all the private funds were raised — all promises on which they’ve now reneged.

Mike Everett, president of the West Central Illinois Building Trades, tirelessly raised money and put up signs for the Build the Block campaign, knowing that it would provide 250 local construction jobs for his men and women over 25 months.

Except that, since this is a public project now, those construction jobs will have to go to the lowest bidder, and that’s not necessarily going to end up being local laborers. I’m sure the museum supporters are hoping it will end up being local labor, since they promised in their TV ads it would be built with “100% local union labor.”

Through the efforts of so many, the 15-year hole in the heart of Peoria will now be filled with one of the single most important cultural and economic developments in our region’s history.

Fifteen years ago was 1995. Sears was still open and doing business on the block then. They didn’t close the store and move to Northwoods until 1998, so the block hasn’t been a “15-year hole in the heart of Peoria.” But I’m quibbling. Why let facts get in the way of a good story, right?

Amtrak, City of Peoria, Illinois Dept. of Transportation

Amtrak study for Peoria delayed another year

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Since 2007, Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation have been studying the feasibility of reestablishing a Peoria-Chicago passenger rail route, but completion of the study has been delayed multiple times. IDOT Bureau Chief of Railroads George Weber now estimates the report will be released in late summer or early fall of 2011.

“Unfortunately, studies such as the Peoria one have had to be further delayed because of priorities with the FRA [Federal Railroad Administration] and projects that we (State of Illinois) have been awarded federal funds,” Weber said via e-mail. He added that railroad companies (which own the corridors and physical tracks and ties) are doing modeling and capacity studies for a number of similar projects nationwide, and that is also contributing to the delay.

Ridership on the Chicago to St. Louis Amtrak route continues to increase, up about 15% over last year according to IDOT statistics. Overall ridership in Illinois is up 8% from the same period last year.

2010 Election

Gordon uses Obama’s name to help her campaign

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Shortly before election day, some new signs started popping up all over the southern portion of Peoria. They said, “President Obama Needs You To Vote” in red, white and blue. At the bottom, it says in small letters, “Paid for by Friends of Jehan Gordon.” Interesting campaign strategy. She must feel that people who voted for Obama would naturally vote for her, too. But I’m still a little unclear on why Obama needs you to vote — “you” in this case being people who live in the southern part of Peoria and are voting for a state office.

General News

Old Jumer’s hotel to become supportive living facility

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From my in-box:
A press conference will be held on Tuesday, November 9th, to announce the purchase of the Peoria Castle Lodge, the former Jumer’s building on Western Avenue. Petersen Health Care will announce the opening of Courtyard Estates of Peoria, a supportive living facility like The Residences at Plainview.

“Supportive living” is an alternative to nursing home care, according to the Courtyard Estates website: “By combining apartment-style housing with personal care and other services, residents can live independently and take part in decision-making.” Amenities include “three family-style meals a day, daily medication reminders, in-room dining during minor illnesses, free transportation to and from medical appointments, weekly housekeeping and linen service, daily trash pickup and bathroom cleaning, and a 24-hour emergency call system.” If you noticed that there are Signs of Nursing Home Neglect in New Haven, Connecticut, contact a lawyer immediately. There are currently supportive living facilities in Canton, Sullivan, and Monmouth like Summerfield Of Redlands. Petersen Health Care is working on another facility in Peoria, too, according to July’s InterBusiness Issues:

Petersen Health Care is developing an upscale senior living facility, to be known as the Courtyard Estates at Junction City. The four-story building will add a residential component to the expanding center, which will complement the rest of the site nicely. Construction is set to begin in the spring of 2011.
Despite the similarity in names, the Junction City project will be an “independent living” facility. You can visit the Carlton Senior Living official website to get an idea of facilities.

I think they should just call the new place “Jumer’s Estates,” because the place will forever be known as Jumer’s anyway. It hasn’t had Jumer’s name on it for at least eight years, but even in today’s press release it’s identified as “the former Jumer’s building.”

2010 Election

Vote!

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It’s election day. I hope you’ll all get out and participate in government by voting. Whenever people want to know what we can do about what’s happening in Washington or Springfield or right here in Peoria, I always say the biggest thing we can do is elect good leaders. Here’s hoping you find a few leaders like that on the ballot today.

2010 Election, Peoria County

Peoria County Board, District 3: Karrie Alms

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I’ve known Karrie Alms for a few years now, and I can tell you this: when she tells you that she believes in transparency in government, following established processes, and giving citizens the opportunity to have meaningful input — she means it. She has worked harder than anyone I know to hold our government leaders accountable. That’s not always easy. It often involves making dozens of calls and requesting a lot of documents through the Freedom of Information Act. Once, it even required taking legal action against the Park District at her own personal expense.

Karrie makes decisions on principle, not out of political expediency. Those principles include common-sense positions such as taking care of needs before wants (a basic-services-first position), keeping our debt load as low as possible, and keeping citizens informed and engaged in the decision-making process. She’s an independent thinker who makes decisions based on facts, wherever those facts may lead. She’s relentless in her search for all the information she needs to make the best decision.

Accessible, responsible, transparent, principled — these are the kinds of attributes I think everyone wants in a representative, and Karrie Alms has them. She is endorsed.