Welcome to room 400 of Peoria City Hall. Once again, I’ll be providing live news and comment on tonight’s City Council meeting. The agenda is below. I’ll be updating this post with my comments throughout the evening, so refresh often.

The mayor and all council members are present.

Here’s the agenda:

ITEM NO. 1 PUBLIC HEARING Regarding a PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX LEVY INCREASE for the City of Peoria for 2009.

This is a formality whenever there’s a possibility the property rate could increase. Tax rate will not be set tonight. No one chooses to speak. Public hearing closed.

ITEM NO. 2 CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIBUS VOTE, for the City of Peoria, with Recommendations as Outlined:

A. NOTICE of LAWSUIT on Behalf of KATHRINE BAER BURWELL Regarding a Complaint Against the City of Peoria and Various Members of the Police Department Claiming Hostile Work Environment and Discrimination Based on Gender and Retaliation, with Request to Receive for Information and Refer to the Legal Department.

B. NOTICE of LAWSUIT Filed by PAUL G. BRADSHAW Regarding a Complaint of a Violation of his Constitutional Rights Arising out of an Inspection of His Property Located at 1811 W. Kingsway on March 18, 2009, with Request to Receive for Information and Refer to the Legal Department.

C. Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval to PURCHASE ONE (1) 2009 FORD E-150 VAN from LANDMARK in SPRINGFIELD, in an Amount Not to Exceed $16,452.00, Utilizing the State Contract Bidding Process.

D. Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting to AWARD the CONTRACT for PARKING LOT SEALANT Behind the MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING to TAZEWELL COUNTY ASPHALT, in the Amount of $15,820.00.

E. Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Requesting Approval of the ESTIMATE OF TAXES to be LEVIED, in the Amount of $28,845,517, at a Rate Not to Exceed $1.40990, Pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/18-60.

F. Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Adoption of an ORDINANCE Amending CHAPTER 31, SCHEDULE A, Prohibiting the USE OF GROUNDWATER as a POTABLE WATER SUPPLY by the INSTALLATION or USE of POTABLE WATER SUPPLY WELLS or By Any Other Method Located at 3623 N. UNIVERSITY STREET.

G. Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of a SITE APPLICATION for a CLASS D (Hotel) LIQUOR LICENSE at 9106 N. LINDBERGH DRIVE, with Recommendation from the Liquor Commission to Approve.

H. Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of a SITE APPLICATION for a CLASS D (Hotel) LIQUOR LICENSE at 7806 N. ROUTE 91, with Recommendation from the Liquor Commission to Approve.

I. Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of a SITE APPLICATION for a CLASS B (Restaurant, Full Service Bar) LIQUOR LICENSE at 8305 N. ALLEN ROAD, with Recommendation from the Liquor Commission to Approve.

J. Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Regarding the CITY OF PEORIA FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION FUND and the CITY OF PEORIA POLICE PENSION FUND ACTUARIAL REPORTS as of JANUARY 1, 2009, with Request to Receive and File.

K. Communication from the City Treasurer Regarding a REPORT of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the CITY OF PEORIA POLICE PENSION FUND, with Request to Receive and File.

L. Communication from the City Treasurer Regarding a REPORT of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the CITY OF PEORIA FIREFIGHTER’S PENSION FUND, with Request to Receive and File.

M. Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Regarding a REPORT BACK Relating to the CITY ASSISTING COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS with ASPHALT COSTS for REPAIRING PARKING LOTS Adjacent to CITY PAVING PROJECTS to Help with Cost Savings for Property Owners, with Request to Receive and File. (Refer to Item No. 09-498)

N. REPORT of the CITY TREASURER PATRICK A. NICHTING for the Month of SEPTEMBER 2009, with Request to Receive and File.

Sandberg asks that Item D be removed from the consent agenda. Irving removes Item C. Montelongo also wants to remove Item D, and Item E. Sandberg is abstaining from Item B because he’s done work for the petitioner. Jacob is abstaining from Items G, H, and I.

Motion to approve remaining items by Spain, seconded by Riggenbach. Motion passes unanimously.

• Item C. Irving asks if the City went to any Ford dealers in Peoria to see if they could compete in price. Answer: Not this time, but we have in the past and have never received a response. Just went to state bid, not local. Question: Can current vehicle last another year or two? Answer: Vehicle being replaced has over 90,000 miles on it and is due for major overhaul; already two years past replacement schedule. Vehicle is 12 years old. Irving moves to deny purchase of van; seconded by Sandberg. City Manager reiterates that we will incur maintenance costs if we keep it for another year. Motion passes 9-2; voting nay: Ardis, Van Auken.
• Item D. Sandberg asks, Why did we only get one bid back from seven sent out? Answer: We don’t know. Sandberg: In this economy, when people need work, there’s something odd that no one wants to bid. Perhaps there’s something wrong with our specifications. Has anyone asked contractors why they didn’t bid on this? Answer: No. Sandberg is concerned that we should get competitive bids to make sure we’re getting the best value for our dollar. Sandberg moves to defer this item one month and direct staff to report back the reason why other contractors didn’t bid; seconded by Jacob. Motion passes unanimously.
• Item E. Montelongo asks Finance Director Scroggins to explain what we’re voting on for the sake of “those listening at home.” Scroggins gave a brief explanation. Sandberg moves to approve; seconded by Van Auken. Motion passes 10-1; Montelongo voting nay. Montelongo didn’t explain why he was against it.

ITEM NO. 3 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting REALLOCATION of CDBG and HOME FUNDS, as Outlined in the Communication, in Order to Provide a Continuity of Customer Service to Peoria Residents.

Move to approve by Van Auken; seconded by Riggenbach. Motion passes unanimously. No discussion.

ITEM NO. 4 Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Authorization for the City Manager to Execute an AGREEMENT with COMCAST to EXTEND the CURRENT CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT Until JANUARY 31, 2010. (Extends Item No. 09-111)

Turner moves to approve; seconded by Jacob. Jacob would like staff (Legal Counsel Ray in particular) to bring back a report on what we can require of Comcast. Sandberg is not going to support another deferral. The citizens don’t want the City to enter into an agreement with Comcast, and he’s prepared to give the citizens what they want. Sandberg reminds everyone that turning this down will not change anything; Comcast will still be here and will simply negotiate a franchise agreement with the state. We’re just spinning our wheels. Spain also not supporting the extension for similar if not the same reasons as Sandberg (he attempted to make a distinction, but it was a distinction without a difference). Legal Counsel Randy Ray explained that it is his intention that this would be the last extension; there was a meeting scheduled for last Friday, but he was sick, which is why this extension is being requested. Turner asks council to support this “short” extension. Motion passes 9-2; Sandberg and Spain voting nay.

ITEM NO. 5 Communication from the City Manager and Acting Director of Human Resources Requesting Approval to Enter into a ONE YEAR CONTRACT for STOP LOSS COVERAGE to the CITY’S HEALTH CARE PLAN with HUMANA, the Lowest Qualified Bidder, for the Year 2010 at an Annual Estimated Cost of $645,064.00.

Van Auken moves to approve; seconded by Turner. Motion passes unanimously. No discussion.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

(09-453) Communication from the City Manager and Police Chief Requesting Approval of a THREE-YEAR CONTRACT with HARRIS S. UNIFORMS (Sam Harris) for the ANNUAL PURCHASE of UNIFORMS for COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, CIVILIAN PERSONNEL, and PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS for a Total Amount of $253,000.00.

MOTION ON THE FLOOR: To Deny.

Van Auken moves to defer; seconded by Turner. The deferral is to give the Chief time to review information. Motion passes unanimously.

(09-277) CONTINUED DISCUSSION Regarding the FY 2010 CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET with POSSIBLE ADVISORY ACTION and PUBLIC COMMENTS.

No updates from City Manager. Special council meeting next Tuesday. No one takes opportunity to make comments about 2010 budget.

PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS — TOWN OF THE CITY OF PEORIA

ITEM NO. 1 Communication from the Town Officials Budget Committee with Request to Approve the Proposed ESTIMATE OF TAXES to be LEVIED for the Town of the City of Peoria Pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/18-60, in the Amount of $2,125,824.00, which represents a 2.5% Increase in the Aggregate Levy over Last Year’s Tax Extension, and to Enter into the Permanent Record.

Spain moves to approve; seconded by Turner. Passes unanimously. No discussion.

NEW BUSINESS

• Jacob asks for report back from Director Kunski regarding Landlord Registration program in 30 days first meeting in January. So moved by Jacob; seconded by Spain. Sandberg suggests we wait until January instead of reporting back in the middle of December. Jacob amends motion. Vote will occur at the next meeting.
• Van Auken talks about the proliferation of “stick-in-the-ground signs” and the nuisance and eyesore they are. Planning and Growth regulates signs on private property; Public Works regulates signs on public property. Van Auken would like to see one department handle all sign ordinance violations. Discussion ensues regarding enforcement/removal of signs in the public right-of-way. Van Auken requests report back by City Manager.
• Ardis recognizes cameraman Harry Block’s birthday.
• City Manager Moore distributed the state’s 2010 legislative agenda and asks for feedback from council; suggestions for additions, etc.

CITIZEN REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL

No citizens to address tonight.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

There is an executive session. Moved by Van Auken; seconded by Riggenbach. Passes unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

Sandberg moves, Irving seconds to adjourn. Passes unanimously.

Short meeting tonight. It’s only 7:18 p.m. Have a nice evening everyone!