Peoria City Council Meeting - August 13, 2025
Peoria City Council Meeting - August 13, 2025
The Peoria City Council met on August 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM in council chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, approval of consent items, presentations on the annual audit and lead service lines, and discussions on the budget timeline, financial report, tiny homes, and billboards. The council also heard public comments and voted to enter executive session.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the July 22, 2025 council meeting unanimously.
- Approved town items: July 2025 actual expenditures and August 2025 anticipated expenditures, and the town's financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2025.
- Approved the consent agenda including: purchase of 702 garbage carts and 200 lids ($45,422), purchase of 50 dome-top litter containers ($20,927.20), and an inducement resolution for a mixed-use development at 1301-1309 SW Washington Street.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Carrie Alms (Jacqueline Brown) expressed concerns about the agenda item 25-226, arguing it should not have been a receive and file item but rather a request for direction. She also criticized the meeting card for requiring personal information, calling it a violation of the Open Meetings Act. Regarding the tiny homes discussion, she opposed placing them in her neighborhood, stating that the North Valley and downtown are already saturated with transitional housing. She noted that the Dream Center's proposal was for 7x10 foot rooms, which she compared to prison cells, and urged the council to consider larger, more humane options.
Discussion Items
- Proclamation: Recognized August as National Emergency Management Awareness Month. Jason Marks, Director of Emergency Management, thanked the city manager for partnership.
- 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (Audit): Adam Pulley of Clifton Larson Allen presented a clean audit. A wrinkle involved $1.5 million in ARPA funds that were retroactively claimed in FY23, requiring a reissuance of the FY23 single audit. No material weaknesses were found. One finding noted a lack of internal control over grant reports. The audit cost was approximately $125,000-$140,000 annually. The council received and filed the report.
- Lead Service Line Presentation: Matt White of Illinois American Water provided an overview of the lead service line replacement program. The city has replaced 2,700 lead services, with a goal of 850+ in 2025. Customers can self-report service line material via an online map. The company pays for replacement. An exceedance in January 2025 prompted a system-wide notification. Questions from council focused on prioritization, communication, and affordability programs. The presentation was received and filed.
- 2026-2027 Biennial Budget Timeline: Finance Director Craddy outlined a timeline starting September 23, 2025, with a public hearing October 7 and approval November 4. The council will meet weekly during that period. Received and filed.
- June 2025 Unaudited Financial Report: Revenues were up 2.8% year-over-year but 0.6% below budget; expenditures were down 1.4% year-over-year. Discussion included personal property replacement tax (PPRT) volatility, interest income, and fund balances. The general fund balance was $37 million, with a temporary negative cash position due to timing. Received and filed.
- Tiny Homes for Unhoused Population: Director Doolin presented a report on zoning and building code changes needed to allow pallet shelters (transient lodging). The council discussed the need for more information, a policy session, and concerns about location, size, and community input. Multiple councilmembers expressed hesitation and requested a broader discussion. The item was received and filed with the understanding that staff would bring back additional details.
- Off-Premise Advertising Billboards: Corporation Counsel presented an updated inventory of billboards, most of which are legal non-conforming due to code changes. The council will receive a future report on inspection regulations and permit fees. An application for a sign at 9900 N. Knoxville was withdrawn. Received and filed.
Key Outcomes
- All consent agenda items and receive-and-file items were approved unanimously.
- The council directed staff to provide more information on tiny homes and schedule a policy session before any zoning or building code changes.
- Staff will return with a regulatory framework for billboard inspections and fees.
- The council adjourned to closed session to discuss pending litigation and closed session minutes.
Other Business
- Councilmember Kelly recognized Bernie Goiteen, a longtime community contributor and member of the transportation commission, who recently passed away.
- Councilmember Allen congratulated Councilmember Carmona on being selected as a 2025 Eggers Fellow.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. It is 6 o'clock PM on Tuesday, August the 12th, 2025. I'd like to call our meeting of the Peoria City Council to order. I'd also like to welcome everyone who's here in our historic council chambers. And also those that are listening, uh watching on cable channel 22 or the YouTube channel. Madam Clerk, the council mics are open, please call the roll. Mayor Ali present. Councilmember Allen. Present. Councilmember Carmona. Here. Councilmember Sear. Here. Councilmember Gordon Young. Councilmember Jackson. Here. Councilmember Kelly. Here. Councilmember Euler. Here. Councilmember Riggenbach. Here. Councilmember Valpula. And Councilmember Vespa. You have a quorum present, Madam Mayor. Okay. Thank you. Everyone, please join me and stand for a moment of silent prayer or side reflection, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. Madam Clerk. We are at proclamations. We have one proclamation tonight. We are celebrating National Emergency Management Awareness Month. And we have Jason Marks here. He's the Director of Emergency Management and Preparedness for the Peore City County Health Department. Thank you for being here, Mr. Marks. Thank you. The proclamation reads, whereas emergencies and disasters can occur unexpectedly, posing significant threats to lives, property, and the environment. And whereas emergency managers across the country, including from the Peoria County Emergency Management Agency, dedicate countless hours to excuse me to developing preparedness response, recovery, and mitigation programs to protect. Excuse me, I've had a code. I'm going to ask uh Councilman Oilbert, do you read that? Whereas emergencies and disasters can occur unexpectedly, posing significant threats to lives, property, and the environment. And whereas emergency managers across the country, including from the Peoria County Emergency Management Agency, dedicate countless hours to develop preparedness response recovery and mitigation programs to protect the lives and property of all persons. And whereas emergency managers are charged with establishing and maintaining the capabilities necessary to effectively direct, coordinate, and support emergency and disaster response and recovery efforts. And whereas prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery align with the five mission areas of the national preparedness goal, which defines what it means for the whole community to be prepared for all types of disasters and emergencies. And whereas emergency managers have helped millions of community members across the United States recover, rebuild, and become more resilient in the face of adversity. And whereas National Emergency Management Awareness Month presents an opportunity to coordinate awareness campaigns, highlight community partners, increase visibility of the programs and personnel who work year-round to enhance public safety and resilience. Now, therefore, Rita Ali, Mayor of the City of Peoria, Illinois, do hereby recognize the month of August as National Emergency Awareness Month in Peoria, Illinois, dated this 12th day of August 2025. All right.
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