As usual, I’ll be updating this post throughout the evening, so be sure to refresh if you’re following this live. Here’s tonight’s agenda for the Peoria City Council Meeting:

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

A. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Public Works Recommending Approval of the LOW BID of SOUTHEASTERN CONSTRUCTION, in the Amount of $91,940.10, with Authorization of up to $101,134.11 (Additional 10% for Contingencies) for SINR CONTRACT #36 for SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT on MILLMAN STREET from MacARTHUR HIGHWAY to LOUISA STREET.

B. Communication from Interim City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval to PURCHASE REAL ESTATE Located at 1301 N. SHERIDAN ROAD, in the Amount of $20,000.00, as an OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION for TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONSTRUCTION at SHERIDAN ROAD and COLUMBIA TERRACE.

C. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting that, due to a Delay in the City’s Receipt of the 2009 CDBG Agreement from HUD, the 2009 COMMON PLACE HIP AGREEMENT and the REBUILDING TOGETHER AGREEMENT for HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SERVICES be EXTENDED to JUNE 30, 2010.

D. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval for a CONTRACT EXTENSION for the MAINTENANCE of ELEVATORS with KONE ELEVATOR COMPANY, for an Annual Cost of $21,670.00, Until September 30, 2010. (Extends Item No. 06-530)

E. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of a CITY MANAGER AGREEMENT with L. SCOTT MOORE, and Requesting Authorization for the Mayor to Execute the Agreement.

F. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting Approval for $101,996.00 of UNALLOCATED HOME FUNDS to EXPAND the CITY DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

G. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Economic Development Requesting Approval of a Request for the CREATION of a RECOGNITION for GOVERNOR PAT QUINN and U. S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY RAY LAHOOD to be Located on the PEORIA RIVERFRONT at the GATEWAY BUILDING REAR PLAZA.

H. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Recommending Adoption of an ORDINANCE Amending a Previous Use with Approval by Amending Ordinance No. 13,825, in a Class R6 (Multi-Family Residential) District for a CHILDREN’S HOME to Allow for the EXPANSION of the PARKING LOT for Property Identified as Parcel ID No. 14-33-451-001 with an Address of 2130 N. KNOXVILLE AVENUE, with a Waiver and Conditions.

I. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Recommending Adoption of an ORDINANCE Amending a Previous Use with Approval, by Amending Ordinance No. 13,345, as Amended, for a Special Use in a Class O2 (Exclusive Office Park) District for an OFFICE DEVELOPMENT to Add a FREESTANDING SIGN for Property Commonly Known as GLEN PARK OFFICE PARK Located on Property Identified as Parcel ID No. 14-20-153-046, with an Address of 5114 N. GLEN PARK PLACE, with Conditions.

J. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting Adoption of an ORDINANCE Approving the FINAL PLAN of VILLAS at GRAND PRAIRIE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PHASE 1, which is Special Use Ordinance No. 16,376, for a PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT for Property Located at 5200 – 5300 Block of W. WOODSAGE ROAD and 8900 – 9000 Block of N. SCRIMSHAW DRIVE.

K. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of a SITE APPLICATION for a Class C-1 (Package Liquor) LIQUOR LICENSE at 7815 N. KNOXVILLE, SUITE 14, with Recommendation from the Liquor Commission to Approve with Conditions.

L. Communication from the Interim City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of an EXPANSION of a SITE APPLICATION for a SUBCLASS 1A (2:00 A.M. Closing) to be Added to Class E-1 (Private Club) LIQUOR LICENSE at 237 N. E. MONROE, with Recommendation from the Liquor Commission to Approve.

M. REAPPOINTMENTS by Mayor Jim Ardis to the ADVISORY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RESOURCES, with Recommendation to Concur:

James T. Hancock, Jr. (Voting) – Term Expires 6/30/2012
Chester Tomczyk (Voting) – Term Expires 6/30/2012

N. REAPPOINTMENTS by Mayor Jim Ardis to the FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING COMMISSION, with Recommendation to Concur:

Jannise Bush (Voting) – Term Expires 6/30/2012
Lori S. Luncsford (Voting) – Term Expires 6/30/2012

O. Communication from Interim City Manager and Director of Public Works Regarding the SUMMARY REPORT for the 2009 MAYOR’S SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, with Request to Receive and File.

P. Request for ADOPTION of COMMITTEE REPORT Regarding DISCUSSION and REVIEW of CITY’S SERVICES.

George Jacob (At-Large) abstained from items A and L due to having a liquor license. Items I and P were removed by councilmen Bill Spears (4th Dist.) and Ryan Spain (At-Large), respectively. Barbara Van Auken (2nd Dist.) moved and Tim Riggenbach (3rd Dist.) seconded to approve the remaining items. Passed unanimously.

Spears moved for approval of item “I” with an 8 foot sign, seconded by Eric Turner (At-Large). Passed unanimously.

Spain moved to receive and file item “P” with a minor correction (changing “350 sworn personnel” to “250 sworn personnel” on page 1); seconded by Van Auken. Passed unanimously.

ITEM NO. 2 Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of REVISIONS to the CITY’S GENERAL PROCEDURE for INSTALLATION of STREET and ALLEY LIGHTING (Refer to Item No. 09-022)

Van Auken moved to approve; Turner seconded. Some discussion for clarification. Passed unanimously.

ITEM NO. 3 Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting Adoption of ONE of the Following:

A. Concur with the Zoning Commission’s Recommendation to Adopt ORDINANCE “A” Amending Ordinance No. 14,889, as Amended, for a SPECIAL USE in a Class C2 (Large Scale Commercial) District for a SHOPPING CENTER for the DEVELOPMENT of a RESTAURANT for Property Commonly Known as NORTHWOODS MALL, with an Address of 2200 W. WAR MEMORIAL DRIVE, Including Waivers #1 and #2 and with Conditions; OR

B. Concur with the Staff Recommendation to Adopt ORDINANCE “B” Amending Ordinance No. 14,889, as Amended, for a SPECIAL USE in a Class C2 (Large Scale Commercial) District for a SHOPPING CENTER for the Development of a RESTAURANT for Property Commonly Known as NORTHWOODS MALL, with an Address of 2200 W. WAR MEMORIAL DRIVE, Subject to Conditions 1 through 5 and Including Waiver #1, and with an Additional Condition.

Spears moved to approve option A; seconded by Turner. Spears says that with option A, we’re giving up sidewalks, but it’s no big deal because nobody walks there anyway. And we’ll still have screening around dumpsters. No further discussion. Passes unanimously.

ITEM NO. 4 Communication from the Interim City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management with Recommendation from the Zoning Commission to DENY and with Recommendation from the Staff to Adopt an ORDINANCE Granting a SPECIAL USE in a Class C1 (General Commercial) District for a BEER GARDEN for Property Located at 1931 and 1933 W. FORREST HILL AVENUE and 3102 – 3120 N. GALE AVENUE, with a Waiver and Conditions. Location of the Proposed BEER GARDEN is FIREHOUSE PIZZA with an Address of 3110 N. GALE AVENUE.

Jacob abstaining. Motion to deny as recommended by zoning commission; passes unanimously. No discussion.

ITEM NO. 5 Communication from the Interim City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of a SITE APPLICATION for a CLASS G (Restaurant, Beer & Wine Only) LIQUOR LICENSE at 3110 N. GALE, with Recommendation from the Liquor Commission to Approve.

Jacob abstaining. Motion to approve; passes unanimously. No discussion.

ITEM NO. 6 Communication from the Interim City Manager and Corporation Counsel with Recommendation from the Liquor Commission to DENY the SITE APPLICATION for a Class C-1 (Package Liquor) LIQUOR LICENSE at 4931 N. HAMILTON ROAD.

Spears moves for approval of liquor commission’s recommendation to deny; seconded by Turner. Jacob abstains. Passes unanimously. No discussion.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

(09-111) Communication from the Interim 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 OCOTBER 31, 2009. (New Communication)

Van Auken moves to approve; seconded by Clyde Gulley (1st Dist.). Turner recommends that any new agreement shouldn’t be longer than seven years. Ardis wants performance indicators into the agreement. Spain agrees with Turner that “the shorter the better in terms of this agreement.” Passes unanimously.

(09-196) Communication from the Interim City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of an AMENDMENT to the 1996 INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT Between the CITY OF PEORIA and the PEORIA CIVIC CENTER AUTHORITY, and Requesting Authorization for the City Manager to Execute the Document.

Move to table by Spain; seconded by Jacob. Passes unanimously. No discussion.

(09-277) Communication from the Interim City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Requesting INITIAL DIRECTION ON STEPS TO REDUCE THE ANTICIPATED TY2010 BUDGET DEFICIT;

A. PRESENTATION by the PEORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY Regarding the IMPACTS of a POTENTIAL BUDGET REDUCTION, with Request to Receive and File;

Library trustee Brian Ruddell and library director Ed Szynaka are present to give presentation. They are proposing a salary freeze for 2010, a hiring freeze for 2010, reductions in acquisition of printed reference material, etc. [During this presentation, Gary Sandberg (At-Large) arrived to the council meeting.] Ruddell goes on to express that these concessions must be temporary; they cannot be sustained over the long term and still be able to provide high quality library services.

Evidently, a printed piece was handed out to council members tonight outlining the library’s cost reduction plan. Council is referring to it, but I don’t have a copy of it, and it’s not posted on the city’s website.

Gulley asked about the hiring freeze. Szynaka said they were able to absorb the freeze this year because there will be some disruption/reduction of service anyway while the building program is going on. Szynaka and Ruddell assured Gulley that there will be expanded, not reduced, service at the Lincoln branch when the upgrade is completed. Contrary to rumors, the Lincoln branch will not be closed if the hiring freeze is approved.

Jacob asked about building costs — does the updated budget reflect changes/reductions in operating costs? Szynaka says they have not seen a significant reduction in costs. Interestingly, he also says that the downtown facility is more efficient than the Lakeview facility, even though the downtown branch is larger in size. Jacob said his question was actually about capital costs. Ruddell says they don’t know yet if there are capital reductions because the bidding process isn’t complete. Jacob asks for a report back once the bids come in before any design changes are made.

Dan Irving (5th Dist.) asks about wage freeze and its estimated cost savings. How was the number derived? Is it a hard number? Ruddell says it’s an average based on historic trends.

Sandberg asks if the wage freeze includes step increases as well as cost-of-living increases. Szynaka: Yes.

Motion by Spain; seconded by Van Auken to receive and file. Motion passes unanimously.

B. REQUEST from STAFF for the Council to Provide DIRECTION Regarding the IMPLEMENTATION of a BUSINESS LICENSING PROGRAM;

Turner reports that the State of Illinois does not allow home-rule communities to license businesses for revenue purposes. Turner moves, Montelongo seconds to direct staff to develop a businesses license for restaurants that would recover lost sales tax and HRA revenue.

Sandberg tells story about Civic Center event where they sell low-priced electronics. He was charged sales tax from vendors when he paid via credit card, but not when he paid with cash. Then he asked Finance Director Scroggins to track whether those businesses ever remitted taxes to the state. It’s been over a year, and Scroggins has still been unable to find any evidence that they’ve paid anything. So, if we’re going to pass this ordinance for restaurants to make sure sales taxes are collected and remitted, he thinks the Civic Center should also be included in the ordinance.

Turner agrees generally, but doesn’t want it lumped into the same ordinance. He wants to keep this ordinance just for restaurants, and perhaps have a separate ordinance debated for the Civic Center and/or their vendors at a later date.

Spain, the Civic Center/Council liaison will take this issue to the Civic Center board.

Jacob says restaurant owners are concerned that this might turn into a revenue stream in the future under a different council. Ardis reiterates that the state doesn’t allow municipalities to do so, so it’s a moot point.

Motion passes 10-1; Spears voting nay.

C. PUBLIC COMMENTS Regarding the FY 2010 BUDGET.

No public comments.

(09-330) Communication from the Interim City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Adoption of an ORDINANCE Amending CHAPTER 1 of the Code of the City of Peoria Relating to GENERAL PROVISIONS and the GENERAL PENALTY and SETTLEMENT AMOUNTS.

Motion to table; passes unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

• Riggenbach recognizes today was the first day of school in District 150. Encourages participation in “1,000 Remarkable Guys” challenge from District 150 on Thursday.
• Van Auken will be an honorary “outstanding guy” at the Transition to Success school on Thursday.
• Spain makes plug for participation in the 2010 Census.
• Jacob reports that County has agreed to allow the ability in the future to do a dual bid for health care — pooling the city and county employees in order to get lower health care costs.

CITIZEN REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL

• LaVetta Ricca spoke in opposition of the City nixing $15,000 for the Harrison School Impact Zone last week.
• Ric Kearbey spoke on behalf of Firehouse Pizza. Disappointed no council members called him back. Upset his request for outdoor patio area for his business at Forrest Hill and Gale was denied (Item 4).
• Savino Sierra reminisced about the good old days of Peoria’s South Side and agreed with Ricca that the south side is neglected. Commented on various other items from tonight’s agenda.

No executive session. Motion to adjourn by Jacob; seconded by Irving. Passed unanimously. Adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

That’s all, folks!