Good evening everyone! There were a number of proclamations tonight, but we’re finally underway at 6:50 p.m. Not a lot of people are here in the chamber, and there’s plenty of parking; must not be anything controversial on the agenda, and no other events going on downtown. All the council members and mayor are here with one exception: George Jacob. Mayor Ardis gave an update on Councilman Jacob, stating that he is “stable” and that “stable is good” at this point. We will continue to pray for his recovery.

On to business. I’ll be updating this post throughout the meeting, so if you’re following live, be sure to refresh your browser often. Here’s the agenda for tonight:

PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS CITY OF PEORIA

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

A.            NOTICE of LAWSUIT Filed by OSF HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, an Illinois Not for Profit Corporation d/b/a SAINT FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER Regarding a Complaint against Kenneth Flint, City of Washington, County of Peoria, and City of Peoria Claiming Reimbursement from the City of Peoria for Medical Bills Accumulated on May 17 – 19, 2010, with Request to Receive for Information and Refer to Legal Department.
 
B.            Communication from the City Manager and Communications Manager Requesting Approval of the LOW BID of GPS-TV and FOCAL POINT VIDEO to Operate the City’s Public Access Television Station Channels Twenty and Twenty-Two, and Production of Two Monthly Meetings of Peoria City Council for a Period of Two Years.
 
C.           Communication from the City Manager and Police Chief Requesting Approval of a SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE of ADVANCED CRIME ANALYSIS SOFTWARE from the OMEGA GROUP (Crimeview), in the Amount of $16,172.00, to be Entirely Funded by Police Department Asset Forfeiture Federal.
 
D.           Communication from the City Manager and Police Chief Requesting Approval for the PURCHASE of ONE (1) NEW BREATH ALCOHOL INTOXIMETER, MODEL: INTOX EC/IR II from INTOXIMETERS, INC., in the Amount of $5,795.00, and Purchased through the Illinois State Contract.
 
E.            Communication from the City Manager Requesting Approval to SELL a VACANT LOT Located at 1810 N. E. MADISON STREET, in the Amount of $100.00 Plus Closing Costs, and Requesting Authorization for the City Manager to Execute the Necessary Documents.
 
F.            Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of the Developer’s Request to OPEN CUT GRANITE STREET in the WYNNCREST SUBDIVISION for NEW SANITARY SEWER CONNECTIONS.
 
G.           Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval to PURCHASE REAL ESTATE Located at 1500 WEST DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DRIVE, in the Amount of $35,000.00, as an Opportunity Acquisition for Future Widening of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
 
H.           Communication from the City Manager Requesting Approval to REIMBURSE MARK TWAIN HOTEL, in the Amount of $16,991.65 from their 1% HOTEL TAX Collected Within the BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT for Capital Improvements to their Facility.
 
I.              Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of an INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT with PEORIA SCHOOL DISTRICT #150 Regarding WASTE COLLECTION.
 
J.            Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of an INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT by and Between the BOARD OF EDUCATION PEORIA SCHOOL DISTRICT #150 and the CITY OF PEORIA Regarding JOINT PURCHASING, and Requesting Authorization for the Mayor to sign the Agreement.
 
K.            Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of a JOINT AGREEMENT with IDOT for RESURFACING IL 40 from MERLE LANE to CORRINGTON AVENUE and INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS/SIGNAL MODERNIZATION at FORREST HILL, and Requesting Approval of the EXPENDITURE of Up to $29,511.25 for the City’s Portion of the Project.
 
L.            Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of the AGREEMENT with ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT of TRANSPORTATION for the FUNDING of PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING, and the CONSTRUCTION of the ALTA LANE and RADNOR ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT.
 
M.           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 Resolution No. 05-557, the PRELIMINARY PLAT for WILHELM RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION, to Establish 245 Single-Family Lots, Remove the Designated Duplex Lots, and Request a WAIVER to Allow CUL-DE-SACS Longer than 400 Feet for the Residential Development Located North of TRAILS EDGE SUBDIVISION, SOUTH of HICKORY GROVE ROAD, Along the West Side of ALLEN ROAD, with Conditions.
 
N.           Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Requesting Adoption of an ORDINANCE Amending the CITY of PEORIA BUDGET for Fiscal Year 2010 Relating to the Use of NORTHSIDE RIVERFRONT TIF FUNDS, in the Amount of $10,500.00, for Payment of Awarded CONTRACT with AUSTIN ENGINEERING to Conduct an ALTA SURVEY of CITY-OWNED Property Along the ILLINOIS RIVER.
 
O.           Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval for a CLASS “H” (Temporary Outdoor) LIQUOR LICENSE at 7800 SOMMER, for a Fundraiser on SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010, for the PEORIA YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.
 
P.            REPORT of the CITY TREASURER, PATRICK A. NICHTING, for the MONTH of MARCH 2010, with Request to Receive and File.
 
Q.           REPORT of the CITY TREASURER, PATRICK A. NICHTING, for the MONTH of APRIL 2010, with Request to Receive and File.

Items removed from consent agenda: Items B, H, and L (Sandberg). Van Auken/Turner move to approve remaining items, and that passes unanimously.

• Item B — Sandberg wants to know where the studio will be that’s required as part of the contract. Answer from Alma Brown: They have two locations: either the Dream Center or their studio in Washington, Illinois. Sandberg objects to sending people to Washington for public access studio usage. He believes it seems burdensome. He also doesn’t know what facilities they have at the Dream Center. Van Auken/Turner move to approve. Mayor Ardis says the city has a comfort level with the provider. George Bean from Focal Point Video says that the bid documents weren’t specific about requesting a studio, but they are providing one. They can pursue having a studio at the Dream Center if the council prefers.

  Sandberg also says that the council communication says the “impact if denied” would be no further broadcasting of the city council meetings, but a previous council communication said the city could provide that service itself. Randy Ray affirmed that the recent communication was incorrect.

  Spain wants to amend the motion to stipulate a Peoria facility, and so moves; seconded by Councilman Sandberg. Motion passes unanimously.

  In a reversal of fortune, George Bean, who was laid off by Comcast as their Public Access Manager, will now be in charge of broadcasting the council meetings for Comcast, and getting paid by the City to do it.

• Item H — Sandberg is voting against. Gulley/Van Auken move to approve. Motion passes 9-1 (Sandberg).
• Item L — Sandberg wants to know if we’re going to put in a traditional solution (turn lanes, traffic signals), or if they’ve considered putting in a roundabout instead. Public Works Director Barber said they will look at that option. Motion to approve by Sandberg/Irving; passes unanimously.

 

ITEM NO. 2 PRESENTATION by the UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS at CHAMPAIGN URBANA SCHOOL of ARCHITECTURE MASTERPLAN CONCEPT to REDEFINE the WAREHOUSE DISTRICT, with Request to Receive and File.

This is apparently done for class credit. Not sure what other point there is to this exercise. We already have a plan for the Warehouse District. I’m sure this project is very valuable experience for the students, but frankly, the City has ignored bigger and more expensive urban planners (regrettably). Their ideas aren’t bad. But what’s the point? Is the City seriously going to consider taking action on this? No. Most of the council members aren’t even paying attention. Now Ray Lees, Chairman of the Planning Commission, is giving accolades to the students. And a round of applause for the students! Councilman Turner added his thanks, and now so does Councilman Spain. Spain asks a question about transect planning which is quickly dispatched by one of the students.

Motion to receive and file by Spain/Gulley; passes unanimously.
 

ITEM NO. 3 Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of an INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSIT VEHICLE AGREEMENT Among the CITY, VILLAGE of PEORIA HEIGHTS, and GREATER PEORIA MASS TRANSIT DISTRICT, and the NEW JUNCTION VENTURES TROLLEY AGREEMENT, and Requesting Authorization for the City Manager to Execute the Documents.

Turner/Van Auken move to approve; passes unanimously. No real discussion; Turner just thanked the mayor for coming up with this idea.

ITEM NO. 4 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting the Acceptance of the REPORT BACK Prepared by apaceDESIGN Concerning a Review of ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS for the REPAIR of the STAIRS, AND Award the CONTRACT for the RECONSTRUCTION of the RIVERFRONT VILLAGE STAIRS to the LOWEST BIDDER, WILLIAM AUPPERLE AND SONS, in the Amount of $265,617.00 or Take Such Action as the City Council May Deem Appropriate. (Refer to Item No. 10-186)

Spain is abstaining since his business is locate in Riverfront Village. Turner moves to approve option 3. Sandberg says there are actually three sets of stairs on the platform. However, the third set of stairs is always locked (and have been for 12 years), with a sign saying it’s for employee use only. Sandberg asks, do we really need all the stairs repaired? Answer: no. “It’s fixing the wrong problem.” The stair capacity is for 2300 people, and they never have 2300 people up there. You can’t legally have more than 1000 people up there. And you don’t need four sets of stairs for less than 1000 people. “You’re spending money on things that look nice, but are not necessary.”

Turner says on the Fourth of July there are “way more than 1000 people up there.” It’s a part of the city’s maintenance agreement to fix the stairs. “They look like the dickens and need to be fixed.” “You weren’t going to vote for it anyway,” he said to Sandberg. That’s against the code of conduct, isn’t it? Funny, the mayor didn’t say anything about it….

Montelongo agrees with Turner and speaks in favor of option 3. Sandberg says option 5 or 6 would be better, provided we only repair two sets of stairs, not all four. What option 3 does is reuse the existing stringers — instead of fixing the design flaw. It’s not a long-term solution. He also says that option 3 is the option recommended by staff — the staff that didn’t act to correct the problem when they were still within the statute of limitations and could have gone back to the developer and require them to fix it. So now the taxpayers have to pick up the tab.

Irving asks Director Barber what the lifespan is of the stringers that are being reused. Answer: 18-20 years. Next question: where is the money coming from? Answer: From the TIF funds for that area, not the general fund.

Turner asks Barber if the City can specify the use of ice melt instead of salt. Barber says the City will be using an ice melt product in the future. Van Auken asks Kent Tomblin, the fire chief, if his department requires the four stairs. Answer: nope. His department deals with the inside of buildings, not outdoor areas. Director Kunski’s department requires the extra stairs, and recommends the occupancy on the platform be limited to 1000 unless the other stairwells were unlocked. Kunski says he was not aware that the stairwells were locked in the past. The past 12 years. If we limit occupancy to 1000, we would need all four sets of stairs, according to Kunski. Van Auken confirms that we’re repairing four sets of stairs.

Gulley says he favors option 6. He asks Barber how long the repairs from option 6 would last versus option 3. Answer: they both would have the same lifespan. Gulley now asks Barber if they looked at putting two stairs in instead of four. Answer: No. It would mean redesigning the whole thing. Also, we would have to limit the number of people on the deck if we lowered the capacity of the stairs. Gulley now favors option 3.

Sandberg states that you are limited right now to 1000 because you don’t have a third exit. If you take one stair down at each end, that gives you a capacity of 890. If you open up the stairwells that are locked, you can get back up to 1000. Furthermore, Old Chicago has permanent tables outside which limits the open area on the platform. You’re not going to have 1000 people in that open area. Reiterates that option 5 or 6 is a better long-term solution.

Motion passes 8-2 (Sandberg, Spears).

ITEM NO. 5 Communication from the City Manager and Acting Human Resources Director Requesting Approval to RENEW the CONTRACT for HEALTH CARE CONSULTING SERVICES with GALLAGHER BENEFIT SERVICES, INC. on a Month-to-Month Basis, Effective from 7/1/2010 through 6/30/2011, at a Cost Not to Exceed $96,000.00 per Year, with Request to Receive and File the ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP REPORT.

Van Auken/Gulley move to approve. Irving asks staff how much the consultant had saved the City. Answer: We don’t know. No way to measure it.

Motion passes unanimously.

ITEM NO. 6 Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Requesting Adoption of an ORDINANCE Amending the CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET for Fiscal Year 2010 for ADDRESSING the POTENTIAL 2010 BUDGET DEFICIT of $826,000.00.

Van Auken/Riggenbach move to approve. No discussion. Passes unanimously.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MOTIONS TO RECONSIDER ITEMS, IF ANY, FROM THE PREVIOUS REGULAR MEETING)
 
(10-057) Communication from Council Member Barbara Van Auken with Request to Amend Something Previously Adopted to CHANGE THE DATE OF DEFERRAL on ITEM NO. 10-057, Communication from the City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management with Recommendation to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending CHAPTER 16 of the Code of the City of Peoria Related to the DESIGNATION PROCESS and the CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS PROCESS, from August 10, 2010, to June 22, 2010, on a Portion of the Document.

Van Auken/Riggenbach move to approve; passes unanimously. No discussion.

(10-191) Communication from the City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management with Recommendation from the Zoning Commission to APPROVE, or Recommendation from Staff to DENY an ORDINANCE Amending APPENDIX B of the Code of the City of Peoria, and an ORDINANCE Amending APPENDIX C of the Code of the City of Peoria Relating to OFF-PREMISE SIGN EXTENSIONS.

Turner says “one of our local businesses asked for a change in our sign ordinance” to allow extensions on billboards. Turner wants to temporarily approve extensions while the sign committee conducts its review of the sign ordinance. It would temporarily allow the construction of signs with extensions until January 25, 2011. By that time, the sign review committee would be done with their work and public hearings will have been completed. Turner/Montelongo move to approve.

Sandberg asks, “Why 20%? Why not 80%? Why not 150%?” “Mom and Pops” can’t afford off-premise billboards; it’s national chains that advertise on these. Why are we allowing these signs to be bigger? “You’ve heard from citizens who don’t want it.” We don’t need it, and citizens don’t want it. He urges the council to vote against the temporary approval.

Van Auken says “less is more” for signs. But she thinks this is a good compromise to let people express their opinion to council people about how they feel about these signs. Basically, she says she’s personally against larger signs, but she’ll be voting for allowing them temporarily.

Spears has a message for the sign committee. He said he just heard on the radio that there’s a billboard that puts out the smell of sizzling steaks. The sign companies and businesses are going to keep pushing the envelope. His point is that we should just give up, allow them, and collect big fees for them. That way they can encourage smaller signs with lower fees, and collect big fees from those who insist on big signs.

Riggenbach is supporting the motion because of its sunset provision, and he agrees with Spears.

Motion passes 9-1 (Sandberg).

(10-249) Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management with Recommendation from the Zoning Commission and Staff to DENY a REQUEST to AMEND a PREVIOUS USE WITH APPROVAL, with a REQUEST for a SPECIAL USE, in a C2 (Large Scale Commercial) District for an EXISTING MOTEL to INCREASE the SIZE of a FREESTANDING SIGN from 150 Sq. Ft. to 204 Sq. Ft. for Property Known as BAYMONT INN & SUITES, Located at 2002 W. WAR MEMORIAL DRIVE.

Spears/Sandberg move to approve recommendation of Zoning Commission; passes unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

• Turner says he’s on the planning committee for the “RNNC” (whatever that is) and recently traveled to Dayton, Ohio. Many neighbors will be going to this event. So now we know that “RNNC” is an event. I might go if I can figure out what it is.
• Gulley verifies that this Saturday at 11:00 at Harrison School, there will be a Call to Action to complete a survey for the Harrison Impact Zone.
• Mayor Ardis announced there will be a blood drive at Brewers Distributing on June 10 from 2-6 p.m. to benefit George Jacob.

CITIZEN REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL

• Mr. Siebold complains about excessive noise from motorcycles.
• Savino Sierra has some general comments for the council. Thanks those council members who voted against the new hotel (you know, the “Wonderful Development”!). He objects to the developer’s fee. “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.” Reminisces about the good old days on the South Side; decries the shape the South Side is in today. More general comments. Complaints about people throwing lit cigarettes out of automobiles. Complaints about people not showing more patriotism by going to Memorial Day events. Complains about illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July. Complaints about the city “going in cahoots with the school district for purchasing.” He thinks it’s too political.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURNMENT

Well, that wasn’t too long of a meeting tonight. It’s only 8:32. There’s an executive session for the council members. Everyone else gets to go home.

Farewell, Peorians! I won’t be attending the June 22 meeting as that’s my daughter’s tenth birthday. Maybe some other local blogger (*cough*BillyDennis*cough*) will step up to the plate and liveblog that one. Good night!