The meeting was held both in person and through streaming ZOOM on the Peoria Park
District Facebook page. President Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00. All Trustees were present, either in person or on ZOOM. Superintendent of Recreational Services, Scott Loftus, discussed the Play Books (the guide to summer programs) and their distribution both as hard copies and online to all the students and home schoolers in Peoria. Superintendent of Parks, Matt Freeman, reported that all projects are running on schedule. All agenda items were approved. Discussion was held about the fact that an all-out effort to recruit and train lifeguards has been unsuccessful but will continue. There is persistent dearth of lifeguard recruits across the country so this situation is not unique to Peoria. Adjournment at 7:17 p.m. MA, Observer On Friday, January 14, 2022, the Board of Elections voted to approve the precinct boundaries as presented on Tuesday. Lines are drawn based on registered voters, not the census, but work had to wait for State and Federal districts to be drawn before finalizing the county. Executive Director Tom Bride feels resources will be allocated better with fewer precincts. Based on projected early and mail-in ballots, approximately 50% of voters will not be at polling places on election day. Concern was expressed by Commissioner Williamson that there be enough equipment at the larger polling places to avoid long lines. Precincts can be subdivided in the future if that proves necessary.
Irene Pritzker, Observer The Peoria County Board held its regular meeting January 13th with all present. There were no Citizen’s Remarks.
The Consent agenda passed on a vote of 17-1 without discussion. Among items approved were:
Jim Runyon, Observer Links to the meeting agenda and video are here: Agenda Video The meeting was held both in person and through streaming Zoom on the Peoria Park
District Facebook page. President Johnson conducted the meeting via Zoom and called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Director Rebecca Shulman from The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum spoke about the fact that the Museum has had to deal with a 15-month closure due to COVID and laid out a strategic plan going forward. Priority items included the following:
Trustee Jackie Petty was appointed Vice President of the Board 2022. Director Cahill reiterated the policy of the park district agenda being posted online on the Friday before the Wednesday meeting. This is more time than the legally required 48 hours before a scheduled meeting. There was some discussion whether or not the notice could be expanded to 10 to 14 days because of future discussion of the possible amphitheater construction project in Donovan Park. No action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 with the board going into executive session. MA, Observer The council members set dates for policy meetings to discuss redistricting of city of Peoria based on 2020 census results. Meetings are scheduled January 18, February 1 and 15, March 1, 15, and 29th. Check www.peoriagov.org for more details on how to attend one of these virtual sessions. The goal is for districts to be nearly equal in population, compact, contiguous, respect geographic boundaries and shared interests, and preserve incumbent districts.
Emily Cahill, Director of Peoria Park District, presented overview of $600,00.00 of updates scheduled for Trewyn Park to include playground, basketball court, and shelter to provide public space for quality social activity. Consent Agenda was passed with one exception; one item deferred for two weeks for clarification prior to approving contract for demolition of properties. Presentations from Peoria Police Department and Fire Department were received by Council. Reports gave overview of department hiring, attrition and retention over past year, as well as diversity demographics. Council members continue to discuss concerns regarding potential parking, noise levels and overcrowding, regarding approval of short-term rentals in Uplands neighborhood. Mayor Ali reminded the councilors that policies have been developed to address saturation in neighborhoods and encouraged members to be consistent with this. Under new business, Councilman Kelly asked for report back on program requiring landlords to register rental property with focus on the impact of program on available, quality housing. It was noted this program started twenty-five years ago. Three citizens addressed council with complaints regarding condition of city streets after January 1 snowstorm and public safety issues. Connie Romanus, Observer The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, with four members in person and Mark Keterer participating by phone. Contract negotiations for the new voting system were almost complete. The purchase passed two county committees unanimously, and the budget amendment allowing the purchase was to be voted on by the whole County Board on Thursday.
Most of the meeting was taken up by an explanation of the new County precinct boundaries. State law requires precincts to have approximately 1200 registered voters per precinct. This would result in a reduction from 169 precincts to 116 in the County. In addition to other considerations, there can be no crossing of township lines. Chillicothe and Elmwood will see no changes. Staff was currently working on polling places, trying to make only small adjustments. They considered how much parking and how much equipment would be needed at each polling place due to larger numbers of registered voters. The proposed precinct lines can be found on line at the County website 2020 Peoria County Board Redistricting (2022 Election) | Peoria County GIS (arcgis.com) Irene Pritzker, Observer
Public hearing was held regarding disconnection of property Parcel ID 13-23-326-005. Michael Fleming, attorney for property owners, spoke to council requesting property be disconnected from city of Peoria. Property annexed to city in 1993 with Charter Oak development. Adjacent parcels known as Ravina. Property owners asking for parcels that remain undeveloped and without access to roads be disconnected from city of Peoria and allow land to fall under county authorization. City staff have recommended to deny this request. After discussion, Council members voted to defer to January 11, 2022 meeting. Communication from City Manager and Corporation Counsel with a first reading of request new ordinance amending City code regarding automated traffic violations. This is prompted by request from Peoria Public Schools who have seen an increase in motorists driving around school buses when stopped with their stop arm out. Buses can be equipped with a camera on their stop arm; photos can be shared with Peoria Police Department and violation ticket issued. Councilors voted 9 to 2 to remove four am liquor license zone in Warehouse District, with exception of existing license for Status night club. Councilor Jackson expressed concern regarding the checkered past of this business with fights and shooting; she requested background information from Legal Counsel on this issue. It was noted that: $4,038,664.00 for Pension Obligation funding; and assignment of $500,000.00 from the General Fund for 2022 and 2023 was identified for potential due diligence on the purchase of the local water system. Under new business, Councilor Riggenbach commended Mayor Ali for her leadership in reaching out to Representatives Gordon-Booth and Ryan Spain to engage in discussion on Public Safety Pension System in Illinois. This would include reaching out to cities, such as Rockford, Springfield and Bloomington to unite to encourage state to modify the current structure. December 28 meeting was canceled; next Council meeting January 11,2022. Minutes and video of meeting available at www.peoriagov.org Connie Romanus, Observer The Peoria County Election Commissioners held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, with Mark Ketterer sitting in for Chairman Jim Manning, who was absent. There were a few public comments covering some of the topics that were later discussed.
The Board voted to approve the ability of the Executive Director to negotiate and enter a contract, with the advice of the State’s Attorney’s Office, on updates to the ePollbook system. This would include services, license and support, warranty, and maintenance. The contract would include 130 pollbooks, 120 printers, and ten years of support for the Microsoft software. Costs would be $326,734 for the first year and $26,700-30,000 for the next nine years. According to Director Bride, It would be cheaper to do “on demand” ballots rather than printing many (differing) preprinted paper ballots. The new system will also make set up much easier. This expenditure should be approved by the County Board at their January meeting. Director Bride presented two bids for the purchase of Voting Booths. One from Elite for $41,697, but they would have to build a sample, since they do not have any in stock that meet the Commission’s specs. They projected 90 to 120 days until delivery, but their booths are made overseas. This could be a problem if there is any delay in delivery. A second bid came from Election Source for $58,618.41, but it included freight. Their projected delivery was 24 weeks, but every thing is made in the U.S. The Board chose the bid from Election Source, but requested any contract include possible penalties if there is late delivery. A back up plan for the June election is in the works. Staff is working on creating new precincts. The State passed a law in November requiring precincts to contain approximately 1200 voters each. This will mean a number of current precincts will be combined and others will be made smaller. The question of whether the Commission should pay return postage for Vote by Mail was tabled until all members of the Commission are present. Irene Pritzker, Observer The Peoria County Board held its regular meeting December 9 with all present except Chairman Rand and Member Reliford.
During Citizen’s Remarks, Tim Howard, LVWGP Vice President and Board member, read a letter on behalf of the League of Women Voters Greater Peoria thanking the County Board, its Redistricting Committee, and past board members Allen Mayer and Stephen Morris for their excellent redistricting process and resulting districts map. The Consent agenda passed without discussion. Among items approved were:
Peoria Housing Authority (PHA) Board met electronically December 6, 2021 with all Commissioners present.
Three residents graduated from the PHA Family Self Sufficiency program. This program has allowed the three women to complete educational and financial goals, as well as, become home owners. This program can take up to five years for an individual to complete. Minutes of November regular meeting and special meeting were approved. Reports were approved by consent agenda. Resolutions were approved to submit FY2022 Public Housing Budget, as well as, Operating Budgets for Housing Choice Voucher Program and Mainstream Voucher Budget to Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Board also voted to appoint additional board members to the Committee to select Chief Executive Officer. Board approved 3-year collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME membership. The PHA Board of Commissioners meets the first Monday of each month electronically. Information available at www.peoriahousingauthority.com Connie Romanus, Observer |
View by Date
December 2023
Categories
All
|