Welcome to Council Chambers at Peoria City Hall. Everyone appears to be in attendance except, of course, George Jacob. Councilman Sandberg arrived late. Councilman Turner appears to have someone job-shadowing him tonight. WCBU news director Tanya Koonce appears to have someone job-shadowing her as well. I’ll be updating this post throughout the evening, so refresh your browser frequently.

Here’s the agenda:

PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS

ITEM NO. 1 Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting the Following:

A. Adoption of an ORDINANCE Proposing the CREATION of WESTLAKE SPECIAL SERVICE AREA in the City of Peoria, Illinois, and Providing for a PUBLIC HEARING and Other Procedures in Connection Therewith;

B. HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING on the Proposed CREATION of WESTLAKE SPECIAL SERVICE AREA;

C. ADOPT an ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING the WESTLAKE SPECIAL SERVICE AREA in the City of Peoria, Illinois; and

D. APPROVE the AGREEMENT Between the CITY of PEORIA and WESTLAKE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the AGREEMENT upon the Effective Date of the SPECIAL SERVICE AREA ORDINANCES.

No one spoke during the hearing. There was no discussion by the Council. All parts of this item passed unanimously.

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

A.                  Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting to Award the CONTRACT for INSTALLATION of a HOT WATER BOILER SYSTEM at CITY HALL to the LOWEST BIDDER, GINGHER PROCESS PIPING, INC., in the Amount of $101,900.00. (Refer to Item No. 09-251)

B.                 Communication from the City Manager, Chief of Police and ECC Manager Requesting Approval of the SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE of INTEROPERABLE RADIOS and ACCESSORIES, for FULTON COUNTY ETSB, in the Total Amount of $12,081.75, from GALESBURG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ($9.660.00), and MOTOROLA ($2,421.75).

C.                 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of the PEORIA/PEKIN URBANIZED AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY (PPUATS) FISCAL YEAR 2011 AGREEMENT, in the Amount of $42,676.19.

D.                 Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of a REVISED INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSIT AGREEMENT Between GREATER PEORIA MASS TRANSIT DISTRICT and the City of Peoria, and Approval of the REVISED NEW JUNCTION VENTURES TROLLEY AGREEMENT, and Requesting Authorization for the City Manager to Execute the Documents. (Refer to Item No. 10-271)

E.                 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting Approval of $238,500.00 in HOME FUNDS to HAND UP DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CHDO for the CONSTRUCTION of THREE NEW AFFORDABLE, SINGLE-FAMILY, OWNER-OCCUPIED HOMES Located on a VACANT LOT in the 300 Block of EAST CORRINGTON AVENUE, 3502 SYLVAN LANE, and 2122 W. ALBANY AVENUE.

F.                  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 Additional Funds from Workforce Development for the Illinois Youth Employment Services (YES) Program, in the Amount of $186,900.00, for the MAYOR’S SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

G.                 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting to Adopt a CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY Related to FUNDS from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

H.                 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of a RESOLUTION in SUPPORT of an APPLICATION for the Current PPUATS FUNDING CYCLE of NORTHMOOR ROAD – STAGE 4 (University Street to Hamilton Road).

I.                     Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Approval of a RESOLUTION Regarding the RELEASE of EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES, and Finding the Need for Confidentiality for Other Executive Minutes, as Outlined.

J.                   Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel Requesting Adoption of an ORDINANCE Amending CHAPTER 5 of the Code of the City of Peoria Relating to BUILDINGS and BUILDING REGULATIONS Pertaining to the DEFINITION of a DWELLING OWNER and a PERSON.

K.                 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 2010 CDBG, HOME, and ESG BUDGET to Reflect the ACTUAL 2010 ALLOCATION.

L.                  Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of a REVOCABLE RIGHT-OF- WAY ENCROACHMENT Along Main Street, Bourland Street and the Public Alley for the MAIN STREET COMMONS DEVELOPMENT.

M.                 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting to Adopt a PROCUREMENT POLICY Related to FUNDS from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

N.                 Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Requesting Authorization to Hold an AUCTION in Conjunction with the COUNTY of PEORIA to be Held at the City of Peoria Operations and Maintenance Facility on Dries Lane on SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010.

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

The following items were removed from the consent agenda by the council member in parentheses: A (Spain). Van Auken abstaining from voting on item H. Riggenbach/Turner moved to approve the remaining items; passed unanimously.

• Item A: Spain asked Director Barber for an update on City efforts to be more energy efficient. Barber gives an update. Spain moves to approve, seconded by Turner; passes unanimously.

ITEM NO. 3 Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Regarding the 2009 AUDITED COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT by McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP, with Request to Receive and File.

Finance Director Scroggins introduces a representative from McGladrey & Pullen, who goes through a presentation she distributed to the council members. (During this presentation, Councilman Sandberg arrived.) The City received an “unqualified” audit opinion, which is the best opinion an organization can get on an audit. Van Auken/Riggenbach move to receive and file; passes unanimously.

ITEM NO. 4 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval to Award the CONTRACT to the LOWEST BIDDER, DU-MONT COMPANY, INC., in the Amount of $274,950.00, for the REPLACEMENT of ROOFTOP AIR HANDLING UNITS at POLICE HEADQUARTERS, Including Alternate #1, ENERGY RECOVERY. (Refer to Item No. 09-251)

Spain/Van Auken move to approve. Passes unanimously.

ITEM NO. 5 Communication from the City Manager and Interim Human Resources Director Requesting Authorization for the City Manager to Enter Into a RENEWAL AGREEMENT for LOSS CONTROL SERVICES with BICKMORE RISK SERVICES, in the Amount of $71,760.00, for the THIRD YEAR of a Three Year Agreement, which is Exercised at the Request of the City and is not an Automatic Renewal.

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

ITEM NO. 6 Communication from the City Manager Requesting Approval to Release the REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) for a CONSULTANT(S), to Conduct a REDEVELOPMENT STUDY of the PROPOSED EAST VILLAGE GROWTH CELL’S ELIGIBILITY to be a Redevelopment Project Area, and Requesting Approval to Conduct a HOUSING IMPACT STUDY.

Riggenbach/Turner move to approve. Riggenbach mentions that he had a meeting with the neighbors at Prince of Peace Church the other night. He points out that there will really be two studies. One is a housing impact study, the other is a TIF study. He also says several stakeholders are on-board, including District 150. He generally talks up the idea of establishing this area as a growth cell. Wants to see the “momentum” of recent investments (new Glen Oak School, Glen Oak Impact Zone, new OSF Milestone building, etc.) to continue.

Van Auken just generally praises Riggenbach. Sandberg says this council communication is all about “how to finance it, whatever ‘it’ is.” He says “we’re getting the cart before the horse.” He says Southtown was really the City’s first “growth cell,” although we didn’t use that term back then. He says he’s concerned about the pace (it’s happening so fast), the fact that we’re spending $100,000 of someone else’s money (OSF), and we don’t know what we’re getting. Is it going to be another Southtown? Is it rehab or redevelopment? Sandberg says that, based on the conversation he’s had with OSF, he doesn’t believe we’re doing this to revitalize the East Bluff. He didn’t say why he thinks we’re doing it, but leaves it to the listener to infer that this benefits OSF primarily.

Turner says he’s just trying to do due diligence. Gulley points out that part of the “East Village growth cell” is in the first district. He hopes it is another Southtown because he thinks that was a success.

Spain says his intent in establishing a TIF is to promote homeownership and to bring people back into the core of our city. He doesn’t want “to vacate residential neighborhoods and replace them with commercial enterprise.” He wants to see neighborhoods revitalized and rehabilitated. He wants to give homeowners encouragement to invest in their properties. He says “we need to overcommunicate to the public.” (So far, not so good on that one, given the way it seemingly came out of nowhere just last week.)

Sandberg would like to see this do exactly what Spain is suggesting, but we don’t know what that is. There is no plan. The council communication just looks at whether the area is TIF eligible.

Riggenbach says “this is an effort to find out from the interested parties what this should look like.” He encourages interested parties to get involved and give their input. “We don’t know what it’s going to look like at this point, but if we do nothing, it’s not going to look any different than it does now.” Peoria: Better than nothing.

Sandberg says the council communication doesn’t say anything about what Riggenbach just said. “We should be focusing on the plan, and not TIF eligibility.”

Motion passes 9-1 (Sandberg).

ITEM NO. 7 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting to Approve the Recommendations from the Human Resources Commission:

A.                  Receive and File a REPORT on the STATUS of the 2010 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT and EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT ACTIVITIES;

B.                 Approve the APPLICATION TIMELINE and PUBLIC SERVICE PRIORITIES for the 2011 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM.

Van Auken/Gulley move to approve Items A and B separately; no discussion; both pass unanimously.

ITEM NO. 8 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting to Approve a PLAN, as Outlined, for Implementing Council Direction Regarding the US 24 FEASIBILITY STUDY. (Refer to Item No. 10-091).

Spain/Montelongo move to approve.

Gulley says “many constituents of my district are unclear what really is going to happen.” He thinks residents and business owners in this area need to know “what really is going on.” Not sure what that means. He says moving the Route 24 designation away from Washington Street would have a negative impact on some businesses, but doesn’t elaborate. He doesn’t think the plan has been effectively communicated. He says one business told him that this will result in a $2 million hit on their bottom line, and another business said if the council votes in favor of this tonight, they will close. Again, he doesn’t mention which businesses or why this would have such a dramatic effect on them. Gulley wants to ensure that truck traffic will not be removed from Washington Street. Note: Gulley owns a trucking company.

Ardis says he doesn’t want to deal in rumor and speculation. He asks Public Works Director Dave Barber to set the record straight. Barber gives a brief history of how we got to this point. The reason for moving the state route designation is because the City wants to provide parking on both sides of the street on Washington, and IDOT won’t allow it. Barber says it’s not to drive truck traffic off of Washington Street. He points out that ADM currently receives a lot of trucks, and they intend to accommodate that. He also points out that ample notice was given of several public meetings related to plans for Washington Street, including notices published in the newspaper. If this goes through tonight, they can move forward on Phase I of improving Washington street in the Warehouse district and business district; they hope to have design finished and move forward with construction in 2012.

Gulley wants to know if there are opportunities for citizens to have input during the first phase. Barber: Yes, but the Phase I only covers Hamilton to Edmund street. Gulley is satisfied for the time being.

Spain reiterates that it’s not the intent of Peoria to prohibit/restrict truck traffic on Washington Street. He thinks that’s been misunderstood. Also, nothing south of MacArthur would be changed initially, as that would be part of Phase II. He doesn’t want to see industrial businesses on the southern part of Washington pitted against redeveloping the Warehouse District. He thinks both can thrive, and one need not detract from the other. Generally speaks in favor of the motion.

Sandberg clarifies with Barber that the actual jurisdictional transfer agreement will have to come before the council at a later date for a separate vote. Next, he says there’s nothing in this redesign that would prohibit trucks from continuing to travel on Route 24. He also says he expects IDOT to pick up the costs of fixing up Route 24 to our standards and not require us (Peoria taxpayers only) to pay for it.

Motion passes unanimously.

ITEM NO. 9 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting to Receive and File Information Reported Regarding the EMERGENCY DESIGN SERVICES for the KELLAR TRAIL BIKE CROSSING of NORTHMOOR ROAD Under an AGREEMENT with HANSON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC., for a Lump Sum Amount of $17,500.00.

Irving/Riggenbach move for approval. Barber gives a brief explanation of this item, which you can read all about here. Basically, they’re doing work on Northmoor Road, and the plans were approved when it was still a railroad (Kellar Branch); now that it’s going to be a trail, the interchange is going to be different, and they need to work those changes into the current project. Irving has some other miscellaneous questions.

Sandberg asks who decided to take the bike path to the intersection crossing. Barber says City staff made that decision because they felt it was safer. Sandberg says the council communication says it was a “consensus” between the City and the Park District. He wants to know why there isn’t consensus for the Park District to pay for it? This is “$17,500 that the City doesn’t have, and it’s the Park District’s responsibility.”

Van Auken is abstaining from voting on this item. Spears asks a non-related question.

Motion passes 7-2 (Sandberg, Spain).

ITEM NO. 10 Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Direction to Staff Relative to Adjusting the LANDSCAPE WASTE PROGRAM from the Current Fully City-Supported Program to a Customer-Supported Program Commencing in 2011.

Van Auken says she will listen to this plan with an open mind, but then essentially says she’s already made up her mind that she’s against it, and gives her reasons why. Mayor Ardis says that the point of this agenda item is just to see if there’s any interest from the council on whether to pursue this idea before staff puts a lot of effort into putting together a more comprehensive recommendation. In other words, it’s a trial balloon.

Turner says he’s in favor of “pay as you go.” Sandberg says he’ll be in favor of “pay as you go” for landscape waste after the City decides to establish “pay as you go” for downtown parking decks. Van Auken reiterates her opposition/openness. Spain asks what other communities are doing this. Answer from Barber: Springfield, Champaign, Urbana, Elgin, Naperville, et. al. Tags would be around $2 each. Urbana is $2.20. Champaign is $2. Springfield is $1.50. Barber suggests residents could buy a mulching lawnmower to reduce the need to bag grass and pay the tag fee. (Note: cost of mulching lawnmower: $120)

Irving says the heaviest pickup days of lawn waste is Monday and Tuesday, which is the north part of town, and he thinks this disproportionately hurts the north end of town. (Irving is the 5th district councilman.) Montelongo believes that people who keep up their yards are an asset to the City and shouldn’t be penalized. Riggenbach agrees with Van Auken. Spears says his constituents have suggested an alternative that will save $1 million: fire all the department heads. Ouch.

Spears moves to deny, seconded by Sandberg. Motion is a tie 5-5 (Sandberg, Spears, Irving, Van Auken, Gulley voting aye — that is, in favor of denying). That makes it just as if there’s no motion. Weird. Van Auken moves to approve; seconded by Turner. Van Auken apologizes to her constituents if they are offended by her vote; she’s just saying she’s “willing to listen,” not saying she approves of the idea. Ardis says we need to look under every rock, so he thinks the council ought to vote at least to look at this option. Motion passes 6-4 (Sandberg, Spears, Irving, Gulley voting nay).

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

(10-281) Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting to Receive and File the REPORT BACK Responding to Questions Concerning the ILLINOIS RIVER ROAD KIOSK to be Installed Near the VISITOR’S CENTER.

Spain is abstaining from voting on this. Barber says there’s no maintenance issue with this kiosk. There’s no electricity and it has replaceable panels that will be replaced periodically. Sandberg asks who is going to replace the panels. Someone who wasn’t introduced but is apparently an official of some sort gets up and tells all about the kiosk; she says the panels won’t be changed very often as they just provide general information. The primary funding comes from the Federal Highway Administration. Gulley/Van Auken move to approve; motion passes 9-1 (Sandberg).

NEW BUSINESS

• Eric Turner says “Elected Officials Got Talent” is coming to Brewers Distributing on 8/6, 6-10 p.m. Cost $15. Funds will go to pay for their trip to “RNNC” (Regional Neighborhood Network Conference).
• Gary Sandberg says that vendors downtown closed off half of the stairs at Riverfront Village with fencing during the 4th of July event, unless they paid $30 to walk through the area. He reminds the council that it voted to spend a half million dollars to fix those public stairs because they were supposedly very concerned about the safety of people at the 4th of July event.
• Ryan Spain talks about summer basketball program on the East Bluff. He also brings up the removal of parking meters, booths, and gates on the riverfront; he wants to know if there’s anything the City can do to make the downtown parking benefit Peoria residents over non-residents.
• Jim Montelongo asks for Police Chief Settingsgaard to give an overview of a press conference he held earlier today. The Chief said we’ve had 16 homicides and 78 shootings in Peoria already this year. He said they’ve looked at where it’s happening, when it’s happening, etc., and has put together a task force. Sixteen officers and two sergeants are going to beef up patrols in those places and at those times that these shootings are happening. This will cost money in overtime costs. State Police have offered to help as well.
• Tim Riggenbach hypes the Hy-Vee.
• Clyde Gulley asks about plans to establish a curfew for those people who are older than the current curfew covers (those under 17); wants staff to bring back an ordinance to raise the curfew age above 17. He suggests that everyone be required to be inside after 9 or 10 p.m. in certain “hot spot” areas.
• Dan Irving says Thursday, 7/15, 6-8 p.m., there will be a meeting at Charter Oak School to discuss the Orange Prairie Road extension project.
• Clyde Gulley says several members of the community — business owners — were in attendance tonight to talk about the Route 24 project. He would like them to meet with the City Manager and have their concerns reported back to the council via the Issues Update. Sandberg takes Gulley to task for not making a motion to give those people the privilege of the floor tonight.

PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS TOWN OF THE CITY OF PEORIA

ITEM NO. 1           Communication from the Town Attorney Requesting Approval of a RESOLUTION Authorizing the TOWN ATTORNEY to Enter Into a LEASE AGREEMENT for the TOWNSHIP RELIEF OFFICE.

No action; item is withdrawn.

CITIZEN REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL

• LaVetta Ricca — Talks about all the work neighborhood associations do in the City. Complains that no one adequately notified her about the Lincoln Branch library groundbreaking. Says that her car was stolen and destroyed, and she’s afraid to walk from her house to the Lincoln Branch.
• Name not given — Speaks against pay-as-you-go landscape waste plan. Also decries violence in the city and violent crimes happen everyday, that’s why getting specialized lawyers as Kevin Trombold, PLLC could make the different in getting a good defense in these cases. Speaks in favor of curfew. Support police chief.
• Savino Sierra — General comments on the meeting. Says we spend too much money on fireworks for the 4th of July. Complains about people who shoot off illegal fireworks but don’t display the flag on their homes. (Presumably he would feel better if the scofflaws would just show a little patriotism.) Also opposed to “another fee to haul our garbage.” (Amen to that.)

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

The council members go into executive session, and everyone else goes home! Goodnight, everybody. Enjoy the MLB All-Star Game. Go National League!