Today at 3:00, the Joint Review Board (JRB) approved the East Village Growth Cell (EVGC) TIF unanimously with no discussion. Dr. David Kinney, representing Peoria Public Schools District 150, voted “present.” The meeting lasted three minutes. A presentation on the EVGC TIF was given to the JRB at the last meeting on December 10, but according to the minutes of that meeting, there was “a desire to continue discussion between Peoria Public School District 150 and the City of Peoria[;] therefore, a motion to defer was requested.”
Any further discussion that took place apparently happened in private, because no public discussion was held. I asked Dr. Kinney afterward what message District 150 was wanting to send by voting “present” instead of coming out for or against the TIF. He replied that TIF districts are generally not good for school districts, and a residential TIF in particular is a “double whammy.” Nevertheless, the district wants to maintain a positive relationship with the City and try to work out an agreement where the school district can share in the TIF revenue.
Present at the meeting in addition to Kinney were Robert Gates (District 150 legal counsel), Stan Browning (Sanitary District), Jim Scroggins (Finance Director, City of Peoria), Patrick Nichting (Treasurer, City of Peoria), Scott Sorrel (Peoria County), Tim Riggenbach (3rd District, City Council Representative), Bobby Gray and Stephanie Doss (both Economic Development, City of Peoria).
Joint Review Board members who were absent included Debbie Ritschel (General Manager of the Civic Center, but officially representing the general public on the JRB), John Stokowski (Greater Peoria Mass Transit/CityLink), Edward Szynaka (Peoria Public Library), and Glen Olson (Airport Authority). These members were also absent from the previous JRB meeting on December 10.
According to the City of Peoria website, “The Joint Review Board (JRB) is made up of one representative from each taxing authority affected by a TIF (i.e. school district, park district, etc.) The JRB also includes at least one member of the general public. The JRB must meet at least annually to review the progress of each TIF. Also, before a TIF is created, the JRB must review the plan for redevelopment for the area.”
There was no other business discussed at today’s meeting, and no citizens addressed the board. No date was set for the next JRB meeting.
Hat tip: Martin Palmer for alerting me that this meeting was taking place today.
Not one person from the neighborhoods which are going to bear the burden of these taxes is on this board. That speaks volumes. Good representation from the 3rd distrcit councilman. They are going to ram this through like everything else regardless. This is a way for OSF to utilize tax money for expansion, infastructure, dorms, etc. on the backs of the already burdened poor and struggling families of the East Bluff. Why is there always so opposition to projects. THIS IS WHY! The government reps continue to do business as usual and not include the voice of the public. Who picks the general manager of the Civic Center. Does she live in the bluff?
I was going to go to this meeting but why? 3 minuets, wow. What a joke. Paul, to the best of my knowlege no one lives in the hood that is on this board. The city is puting there “cow up for sale again for the hope for magic beans” This TIF is on the fast track and OSF wants it so it will be approved before to long. Why in the world would you (the city) grant a Tax increment fimace district for a non taxpaying property? Must be a cash cow for OSF. Could the East village TIF also used to bail out the failed Midtown TIF?(shell game?)
I encourage the affected East Bluff Neighborhood Assocations to forumulate offical positions on this proposed TIF and inform the City Council. Otherwise, resident support will just be “assumed.”
District 150 complains about TIFS and their financial impact, then Kinney votes present when he has a chance to vote NO.
If the city was concern about a positive relationship with 150 it would refrain from complaining about the School Districts property tax increase.
The Midtown TIF curently does not abut another TIF, when the East Villige TIF starts (for a 23 year run) it will abut 2 other TIF’s and funds will be able to move between all of the TIF’s so this TIF could “prop up” Midtown. Also where will the increment increase come from? Not OSF main campus. Non taxed. So if the TIF is dependent on the incremtal rise in tax it will take a long tiome to generate funds since the COP is “broke” and can’t up front costs. Also since there is no devloper pending for this TIF where will the investment come from?
If there is a home owner fix up program will it be a grant? or a loan? will landlords be allowed to be a part of this? If it is a loan will the homowner be governed by the COP as to the contractor and EEO? Prevailing wage paid? or could a homeowner get a loan for a do-it-your-self project?
If we as residents pay a tax now for the same programs by the EBNHS why have 2 duplicate programs?
This TIF is a deal for OSF to further there stradgy as to expansion and sewer problems under the Gerlach Bld. This TIF will be shoved in by the current council and the new councils will have this on there plate for 23 years.
Marty.
remember the East Bluff Housing services receives special assessment tax dollars in part to make loans to residents, that it in fact does not make. The house services is now about owning and increasing rental property. They have $3000 to spend in tax dollars for curtains and shades, but no money to lend a resident for a roof or a furnace. No funding left over to spur property owners to remain in the East Bluff, but can buy up rental property and invest tax dollars in rentals paying a rehab company owned by a now former board member to fix up. Despite numbers concerns voiced by those paying the special assessement, the council believes this is the best use of your tax dollars, you have no say, and they will look at using more of your tax dollars to supposedly do what the housing services is supposed to. The TIF will pass despite anyone’s concerns. My guess the council communication will list “no impact” in the neighborhood section and you will be asked to vote for your council reps as they pat themselves on the backs for what a great job they have done for you. OSF will utilize the tax dollars to expand and other projects will wait for the TIF to develop funds or be shuffled to pay for other pet projects aka Warehouse TIF or business TIF (downtown hotel). Why do people feel like this, the complete lack of trust for certain representatives who report supporting residents then voting to actually support the corporate $ or buddies. Voter turn out will be so low that no one is concerned about being held accountable.