Tag Archives: City of Peoria

General News

It’s a snow day. Enjoy!

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I’m going to take the City of Peoria’s advice and stay home today. I recommend all my readers do the same. Here’s last night’s press release from the City:

The City of Peoria is under a blizzard alert which is expected to commence overnight, and last through the day on Sunday. Due to the impending weather, we ask that you stay at home.

We are experiencing icy road conditions and City crews are currently salting primary streets. If you need to be out, please take precautions and include a winter survival kit including blankets in your vehicles. Should you encounter problems, we encourage you to stay with your vehicle.

And here’s today’s update:

City crews are maintaining Primary streets by plowing and treating hills with salt. Considering the wind speeds expected during the day today along with dropping temperatures, sand/salt treatments will have little to no effect. The streets are snow covered with ice forming on the pavement. Blizzard conditions are expected to continue during the day. Citizens should not travel. If traveling is necessary motorists should reduce speeds and allow extra time to stop.

Have a happy snow day!

East Bluff, OSF St. Francis, TIF

Public skeptical of East Village plans

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The Journal Star covered the public meeting Monday night on the proposed East Village TIF. They report that most people were concerned about eminent domain being used the way it was in the MidTown Plaza TIF. Also, this:

Other concerns expressed by residents focused on what type of development OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, which is also included within the TIF district’s boundaries, might have.

Sue Wozniak, the hospital’s chief operating officer, said there are no specific projects planned. She said in the future, the hospital would be supportive of developing privately owned medical offices that would help generate taxes that would go toward paying public projects – such as sidewalks and road repairs – within the district.

With all due respect, I find this very difficult to believe. OSF is spearheading this effort to establish the East Village TIF. You’re telling me they have no specific plans to take advantage of this TIF once it’s established? Really? This is just a shot in the dark for OSF?

In July, Ron Jost, Vice President of Strategic and Facility Planning for OSF St. Francis Medical Center, was interviewed on WCBU’s “Outside the Horseshoe” program.

Finally, [Jost] explained that OSF is looking at further expansion. Specifically, they’ve acquired the White School and Irving School buildings from District 150, and they’re planning to build a 100,000-200,000 square foot building to house a simulation/conference center for training purposes. They’d like to expand south of Greenleaf Street. Jost also said they would be interested in seeing if there are “other parties” who would be willing to develop and provide housing that could replace OSF’s current dormitory.

Those sound like specific plans to me. They know the location they want to expand, they know what they want built, and they’re looking for an interested developer. Why doesn’t Wozniak just level with the neighbors like Jost did?

City of Peoria

Fire Chief to be acting City Manager

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Official press release from the City of Peoria:

The Peoria City Council has accepted the resignation of City Manager Scott Moore, effective today.

Peoria Fire Chief Kent Tomblin will serve as Acting City Manager until December 8. The Council will then name an Interim City Manager to serve until a permanent City Manager can be hired.

Mayor Jim Ardis said, “after numerous discussions, the Council and Mr. Moore reached the decision that it would be in the best interest of the City, and our staff, if Mr. Moore were to step down. He will be submitting his resignation to me today.”

Mr. Moore will receive a 6-month severance package of $82,500. We wish Scott well in his future endeavors.

City Council, City of Peoria

City Manager fired after council meeting

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After the Peoria City Council meeting, the council went into executive session for a long time. After an hour or so, Scott Moore emerged from the room alone and went up to his office, never to be seen again. The council met another half hour or so, then the meeting broke up.

Mayor Ardis announced that Scott Moore had tendered his resignation, and there will be an announcement Wednesday morning as to who will be the interim City Manager. The mayor was asked if it was a performance issue; he replied, “It’s an issue of us accepting his resignation.” In other words, he’s not commenting on the reason for the resignation.

However, he did confirm that Moore will get six months severance pay. Per the City Manager’s contract, “If the Manager resigns following an offer to accept resignation, whether formal or informal, by the City as representative of the majority of the governing body that the Manager resign, then the Manager may declare an involuntary termination as of the date of the suggestion.” In other words, the fact that Moore is eligible for severance means that the Council asked for his resignation, which is a nice way of firing someone.

No one is saying for the record why Moore was fired, but I think it’s fair to speculate that it was poor performance. You don’t generally fire someone if you think they’re doing a wonderful job.

Moore has been City Manager for a little more than one year. His annual salary is $165,000, and he gets six months salary ($82,500) as severance pay.

Peoria Mayor

Just because it’s not illegal doesn’t mean you should do it

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In an earlier post I explained why I thought the Mayor was not breaking any laws by using City stationery to write letters of support for another candidate. However, just because something is not illegal, that doesn’t make it a wise or appropriate thing to do. Another letter has surfaced written by Ardis on City stationery — this time a plea to a judge to go easy on a guy facing felony drug charges.

Ardis’ argument (given after he was confronted about the first letter) goes like this:

When first asked by the Journal Star why he sent the fundraising request on city letterhead, Ardis responded, “Because I support (Vespa). I’m the mayor. Why not?”

I’ll buy this logic if Ardis agrees that he could have written the same letter on ELM (his employer’s) stationery and could have made the same argument — i.e., “I support [the candidate]. I’m VP of Regional Operations for ELM. Why not?” Of course, he can’t, as most people recognize that you don’t write personal letters on your employer’s stationery. Most people recognize that when you write something on company letterhead, it communicates that you’re speaking on behalf of the company. The same thing happens when you write on City letterhead — it communicates that you’re speaking in your official capacity on behalf of the City, if you need legal advisory, we invite you to read more about a trustworthy firm over here.
It’s as simple as this: personal letters should be written on one’s personal stationery. City stationery should be used for City business.

Blogosphere, City of Peoria

PeoriaIllinoisan looks at Peoria then and now

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Local blogger PeoriaIllinoisan has started a new series of posts he’s calling “Peoria Then & Now.”

Using old photographs and postcards, I will attempt to recreate the shot using as close to the same angle as possible to show how much things have change, and sometimes maybe even stayed the same.

It’s both interesting and disheartening to see a lot of these transformations. You’ll see plenty of public gathering places in the older pictures — retail stores, cafeterias, movie theaters, etc. The newer pictures show vacant buildings, private offices, assorted blank facades with greenery, and lots of parking lots/decks. Downtown has functionally turned into a suburban office park, for the most part.

The stark contrast between what Peoria was and what it has become, as so vividly portrayed by PeoriaIllinoisan, should spur us to question whether these changes were good or bad, inevitable or preventable, reversible or permanent.

Click here for the first Then & Now entry.

2011 Election, Amtrak, City Council, City of Peoria, Transportation

Quick comments on the news

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Scanning over the Journal Star this morning, there are several interesting articles:

  • Transportation Symposium — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood had some words of wisdom for Peoria about the possibility of getting passenger rail service: “Get your act together…. Get your priorities. Put them on a list. Agree on them,” he said. “Make sure your elected representatives know what those priorities are.” Those priorities should be to establish direct passenger rail service between Peoria and Chicago. The Peoria Passenger Rail Coalition advocates for that outcome.

  • Another City Council candidate announces — Andre Williams is going to run for the Council, joining Chuck Weaver and Chuck Grayeb who have already announced. I imagine there will be more surprise candidates next week. If more than 10 people run, there will be a primary in February to narrow the field to 10; the general election is in April. Williams is a strategic planner who wants to see the City clarify its vision and compete against larger cities like St. Louis for economic development instead of East Peoria. It will be interesting to hear how he thinks we ought to do that.

  • Carnegie’s closed –Not to be nitpicky, but I believe the restaurant is actually called Carnegie’s 501 now, a shadow of its former glory when it was known simply as Carnegie’s. This comment from hotel manager Bill Carter was telling: “We’re temporarily closing to make some improvements. Depending on what happens with the new hotel [emphasis added], it could reopen as a remade restaurant or it could just reopen with some improvements.” Wait, I thought Mr. Matthews had all his plans finalized and all his funding secured? That’s what he told the council months ago. Why all the uncertainty?
City Council, City of Peoria

Liveblogging the City Council 11/9/2010

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Hi everyone! Sorry I’m late tonight. However, you didn’t really miss anything. So far, everything has been sailing through the council with no opposition. The mayor and all council members are here except for George Jacob.

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

A. NOTICE OF LAWSUIT on Behalf of LORRAINE SEPHUS Regarding a Claim Involving an Accident on October 2, 2009, which Occurred at the Intersection of Griswold and Antoinette Avenues, with Recommendation to Refer to the Legal Department.

B. Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of N. E. FINCH COMPANY and CARRI SCHARF TRUCKING as VENDORS for TRACTION SAND to MIX with ROCK SALT, as Outlined.

C. Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting Approval of a SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT to the CITY OF PEORIA’S HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION and RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM (HPRP) Expanding the UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM and? ADDING a RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, and with a Request to AMEND the EXISTING AGREEMENTS, as Outlined.

D. Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management Requesting Approval of the 2011 ANNUAL PLAN for SUBMISSION to the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT of HOUSING and URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

E. Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of the PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT with TERRA ENGINEERING, LTD., in an Amount Not to Exceed $58,825.19, for Preliminary Engineering Services for the GLEN AVENUE and UNIVERSITY STREET INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT.

F. 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 the CITY OF PEORIA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN and FUTURE LAND USE PLAN (Map) to Change the Future Land Use Designation of Property Currently Designated High Density Residential to a Medium Density Residential Designation for Property Located at 824 W. MOSS AVENUE (Parcels 18-08-226-015 and 18-08-226-016).

G. Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management with Recommendation from the Zoning Commission and Staff to Adopt an ORDINANCE Rezoning Property Located at 824 W. MOSS AVENUE from the Present Class R-6 (Multi-Family Residential) District to a Class R-1 (Single Family Residential) District.

H. Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works with Recommendation from the Board of Local Improvements to Adopt an ORDINANCE Providing for the NORTH EASTON PLACE (from North Gale Avenue to West Forrest Hill Avenue) SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, the Net Length of 1,017 Feet or 0.19 Mile.

I. Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Requesting Adoption of an ORDINANCE Amending the CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET for FY 2010 Relating to the USE of NORTHSIDE RIVERFRONT TIF FUNDS, in the Amount of $15,000.00, to CONDUCT ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS of CITY-OWNED PROPERTY Along the ILLINOIS RIVER.

J. Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management Regarding the GLEN OAK IMPACT ZONE 2011 ACTION PLAN, with Request to Receive and File. (Refer to Item No. 10-373)

K. Communication from the City Manager and Finance Director/Comptroller Regarding the CITY OF PEORIA FIREFIGHTER’S PENSION FUND and the CITY OF PEORIA POLICE PENSION FUND ACTUARIAL REPORTS as of JANUARY 1, 2010, with Request to Receive and File.

L. APPOINTMENT by Mayor Jim Ardis to the SPRINGDALE CEMETERY MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, with Request to Concur:

James E. Glazebrook (Voting) – Term Expires 6/30/2013

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

N. PEORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL REPORT for Period Ending SEPTEMBER 30, 2010, with Request to Receive and File.

Riggenbach removed Item J just to sing its praises, and Gulley abstained from Item C due to being on the board of the organization. Other than that, everything passed unanimously.

ITEM NO. 2 Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management with Recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission to Adopt an ORDINANCE Approving the DESIGNATION of 1412 N. E. PERRY AVENUE, as a LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK.

Passed unanimously.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

(10-057) Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management with Request to DEFER the ORDINANCE Amending CHAPTER 16 of the Code of the City of Peoria Related to the HISTORIC DESIGNATION PROCESS until the DECEMBER 14, 2010, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

Changed to a deferral until second meeting in January 2011. Passed unanimously.

(10-391) Communication from the City Manager and Assistant Director of Planning and Growth Management with Request to Adopt a REVISED ORDINANCE Amending APPENDIX B of the Code of the City of Peoria Relating to WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES, with a Request to Receive and File the SUPPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION. (Revised Ordinance)

Passed unanimously.

(10-458) Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works Requesting Approval of the PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT with HANSON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC., in an Amount Not to Exceed $950,000.00, for PHASE I ENGINEERING SERVICES for WASHINGTON STREET Between I-74 and MacARTHUR HIGHWAY. (New Communication and New Agreement)

Spears is giving a PowerPoint presentation on why this project is so important. He’s talking about the importance of “pedestrian-focused intimate setting[s],” “walkable streets,” urban living options, “safe and active shopping,” etc. He’s preaching to the choir here at the Chronicle. He’s talking about the importance of places being open after 6:00 because that’s when the majority of consumer spending happens. (Funny, that didn’t seem to be a concern when they were approving the museum block, which will close before 6.)

He says the designer is also working on the project in East Peoria, adding “across the river is our competition.” He also says the designer they want to hire is his brother-in-law (he also says this is not a conflict of interest — he checked with legal). He says this is “more than the Duany plan — it’s about economics.” (I’m not sure what that means exactly.) End of presentation.

Sandberg has a question about the scope of the design work — does it end at MacArthur or Edmund Street? Public Works Director Barber says the design work only goes to MacArthur, except that they will look at the intersection, which could impact the next block between MacArthur and Edmund. However, the streetscape and pedestrian-friendliness will stop at MacArthur. On the northern end, the streetscape work will effectively end at Hamilton Blvd., not I-74. Sandberg further points out that there’s not enough money available to complete Phase I at this time, which Barber verifies. Sandberg says, “We’re starting a process that isn’t fully funded” and “doesn’t include all the vision of a new Warehouse District.” Sandberg would like to see it be fully funded.

Spain says he agrees with Sandberg, but wants to “use available dollars” to get the project started. He says we can still do a lot with the dollars we have, even though we can’t do everything we want right now.

Mayor Ardis says he’s supporting the motion despite some reservations. Spears says once we have the right development in there, “we won’t have to worry about the dollars and cents” because the development will grow from one neighborhood to the next.

Motion passes 9-1 (Spears voting nay). I was distracted at the beginning of the presentation — why did Spears vote “nay”? I’ll try to get some clarification…. (Update: I’ve asked around, and others are also confused.)

(10-464) Communication from the City Manager Requesting for the City Council to Provide Direction to the Administration on the PRELIMINARY FY 2011 OPERATING BUDGET.

City Manager Scott Moore is giving a presentation on the budget. The elimination of 11 police officers, 15 firefighters, and three Public Works employees are still in the City Manager’s recommendation. The floor is now open for discussion.

Turner asks about parking enforcement officers (why cut them when they’re revenue generators?). Van Auken starts to ask questions about fees, but they are part of the next agenda item. All the council members are referring to a handout that I do not have and is apparently not posted with the agenda on the City’s website. Sandberg is now asking some questions about the use of TIF funds to pay for certain personnel. Apparently, one of the suggestions is to reimburse Economic Development salaries from TIF funds. Sandberg says “that’s like eating your own arm that’s trying to feed yourself.” He also complains that taking things out of next year’s budget and putting them in the following year’s budget artificially inflates the following year’s budget deficit.

Van Auken asks City Manager about the possibility of outsourcing Economic Development to, say, the EDC. Moore has a handout on that issue to which he directs Van Auken. Van Auken asks some follow-up questions, and Moore doesn’t really have an answer for them. Van Auken wants to know how much of the $360,000+ for Economic Development can be saved by partnering with EDC, and what it will take to get those numbers. Moore says he needs council direction on which operations they want to outsource. Van Auken says she wants the manager to come back with options, even the possibility of getting rid of the department completely. She doesn’t want the council to have to micromanage this effort, but have the manager step up and offer suggestions. Riggenbach says the same thing as Van Auken. Says not to limit himself to the EDC, but also consider ways we can partner with the County. Gulley says he’s uncomfortable talking about eliminating the department, but concurs that he would like to see options from the City Manager. Turner speaks in favor of Economic Development — it’s “vitally, vitally important,” he says. Business recruitment, retaining business, etc., are important activities for which we need a front-line person.

Montelongo asks if there are any assets we could sell off. [Ha! How about the $10 million Sears block they just gave away for a buck?!] Susan Schlupp says there are several vacant lots and some larger properties in Southtown they are trying to sell. Mayor Ardis, without actually saying it, basically says that public safety positions are more important than Economic Development positions. He also says that Economic Development isn’t doing much because they don’t have a department head.

Spain compliments the Mayor, then refers to the 10/29 Issues Update and asks about possible further reductions to training and travel. Moore says these line items have been cut every year. The amount we’re spending on travel/training per employee is only about $350. To cut it more, some departments would just have to cut travel/training completely. Spain compliments staff for their work in cutting this area. Now he asks about the report back regarding publications — are there ways we can use technology to reduce publication costs? Answer: more information to come after more discussions with staff. Next, he asks about internet-based payroll. Director Scroggins says they’re investigating it; apparently they had a meeting set up with a provider, but the rep had to cancel so the meeting was rescheduled.

[I have the new budget handouts now, thanks to Tanya Koonce from WCBU — Thanks, Tanya!]

Irving asks some questions for clarification, then states that in the private sector, during tough times, travel and training go way down. He acknowledges the cuts that have been made, but says they need to be reduced even more. Van Auken harps on travel and training as well, saying it needs to be looked at on a department-by-department basis because “some departments have done better than others” at cutting travel. She also seems to think that some staff members are passing up opportunities to get training in town, then taking the training out of town at greater cost to the City.

More questions for which there are no answers…. Ardis asks for motion to receive and file, and a request for the City Manager to bring back a plan next meeting to close the remaining budget gap.

Sandberg asks that all the departments’ information be presented in the same format. Apparently, Public Works’ information was not presented the same way as the other departments. Montelongo still wants to see what assets the City has that could possibly be sold.

Spain/Gulley move to close discussion and receive and file. Motion passes unanimously.

(10-465) Communication from the City Manager Requesting Direction to Staff Regarding POTENTIAL INCREASES to VARIOUS FEES and FINES.

Van Auken moves to accept fees/fines as recommended with the exception of historic designation and historic landmark designation fees; seconded by Turner. Motion passes 9-1 (Sandberg voting nay).

PUBLIC COMMENTS Regarding the FY 2011 CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET.

No one has any comments.

NEW BUSINESS

Ryan Spain thanks Councilman Jacob for the Nancy Brinker books he gave to each member of the council. Apparently, he bought the books in March (before his accident), but they were just delivered today.

PRESENTATION

ITEM NO. 1 PRESENTATION by ILLINOIS AMERICAN WATER COMPANY Regarding INVESTMENT at THEIR PLANT.

Short presentation with much technical talk not completely into the microphone.

PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS TOWN OF THE CITY OF PEORIA

ITEM NO. 1 Communication from the Town Officials Budget Committee Requesting Approval of the PROPOSED ESTIMATED TAX LEVY of $2,179,219.00 With an ESTIMATED TAX RATE of .13663 for the Town of the City of Peoria and Requesting to Enter This Action into the Permanent Record.

Trustee Irving says he accidentally threw his paper away. Joe Whalen has an extra copy he hurries to give Irving. Irving makes motion to approve the same levy amount as 2009/seconded by Sandberg. Motion passes unanimously.

ITEM NO. 2 TOWN OF THE CITY OF PEORIA FINANCIAL REPORT for Period Ending 9/30/2010, with Request to Receive and File.

Motion to approve by Irving/Spain. No discussion. Passes unanimously.

CITIZEN REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL

Savino Sierra is the only one. He complains about deteriorating sidewalks around schools.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

There is an executive session (poor souls, it’s already 8:58 p.m.), but the rest of us get to go home. Or, in my case, over to the Bullpen (in Landmark) for a late supper. Come on by and hang out if you want. Goodnight, all!

City of Peoria, Form-Based Code, Heart of Peoria Plan, Warehouse District

Warehouse District an example of good economic development

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In the Warehouse District, the City brought in a consultant (Farrell-Madden Associates) who met with stakeholders to develop a form-based code in keeping with the Heart of Peoria Plan. That code set specific requirements for the physical form new private development and redevelopment can take, but also loosened the restrictions on land use, allowing for a greater mixture of commercial and residential uses, as mentioned at many auctions where they have the newest porcelain signs for auctions.

The code also set out expectations for the public space within the Warehouse District — in particular the streets and sidewalks. In order to lure people back to the heart of the City, the transportation corridors would need to be improved and made more accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. The City is now poised to do just that.

Private developers such as Scott Roth and Pat Sullivan are already responding to the City’s progressive investment in fixing up Washington Street, as well as the City’s establishment of a tax-increment financing (TIF) district for the area in 2006.

And that’s the way things are supposed to work. The City sinks its investment into improving public infrastructure and that makes a more favorable investment climate for private developers. There is a stark contrast between this kind of economic development and the developer welfare of the Wonderful Development. Peoria needs more of the former and none of the latter.

Amtrak, City of Peoria, Illinois Dept. of Transportation

Amtrak study for Peoria delayed another year

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Since 2007, Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation have been studying the feasibility of reestablishing a Peoria-Chicago passenger rail route, but completion of the study has been delayed multiple times. IDOT Bureau Chief of Railroads George Weber now estimates the report will be released in late summer or early fall of 2011.

“Unfortunately, studies such as the Peoria one have had to be further delayed because of priorities with the FRA [Federal Railroad Administration] and projects that we (State of Illinois) have been awarded federal funds,” Weber said via e-mail. He added that railroad companies (which own the corridors and physical tracks and ties) are doing modeling and capacity studies for a number of similar projects nationwide, and that is also contributing to the delay.

Ridership on the Chicago to St. Louis Amtrak route continues to increase, up about 15% over last year according to IDOT statistics. Overall ridership in Illinois is up 8% from the same period last year.