OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Peoria City Council Meeting - October 28, 2025

City Council Meetings — Tuesday, October 28, 2025
BodyPeoria, Illinois
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, October 28, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:37:45

Transcript — Verbatim
3:16

Councilman Oiler.

3:18

Are you?

3:19

Good, good.

3:30

Yeah.

4:06

It is six oh three PM on Tuesday, October twenty-eighth, twenty twenty-five.

4:12

I'd like to call the meeting of the Peoria City Council to order.

4:16

I'd also like to welcome everyone here in our historic city council audience, our chambers, as well as our listening audience watching on cable channel twenty-two and the City of Peoria YouTube channel.

4:37

Council Member Allen.

4:39

Council Member Carmona.

4:41

Council Member Sear.

4:47

Council Member Kelly.

4:49

Council Member Euler.

4:51

Council Member Rigenbach.

4:53

Council Member Valpula.

4:55

And Councilmember Vespa.

4:57

Here.

5:00

Okay, thank you very much.

5:01

Everyone, please join me and stand for a moment of silent prayer or silent reflection, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:43

Madam Clerk, we are at proclamations.

5:48

We have several proclamations today.

5:53

Five in fact.

5:55

The first recognizes our United States Marine Corps.

6:01

And we have Mr.

6:02

Dale Miller and Mr.

6:04

Scott Grubbs.

6:06

Would you please come forth to the podium?

6:12

The proclamation reads, whereas the United States Marine Corps has protected Americans and guarded their freedom for the past 250 years.

6:25

And whereas since its creation on November 10th, 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the term Marine has been associated with courage, professionalism, and military proficiency.

6:41

Whereas a Marine is trained to hold their ground against any odds and to always be faithful to God, country, and core, standing ready to fight anytime or anywhere the president or Congress may designate.

6:58

And whereas the City of Peoria is proud of our community's contribution to the marine tradition and salute Marines serving around the globe.

7:10

Now, therefore, I, Reed Ali, Mayor of the City of Peoria, Illinois, do hereby celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps in Peoria, Illinois.

7:41

Thank you for your service, gentlemen.

7:46

Thank you, Mayor.

7:47

I appreciate we all as a group appreciate everything that you do.

7:51

We appreciate this designation.

7:54

And we celebrate.

8:00

But this one's special.

8:01

Yes.

8:02

So thank you very much.

8:04

Simplify.

8:05

You're welcome.

8:06

Welcome.

8:07

Thank you.

8:17

Our next proclamation recognizes South Side Mission's 100th anniversary.

8:25

Wow.

8:25

And we want to welcome the executive director of South Side Mission, our own Reverend Craig D.

8:32

Williams to the podium.

8:40

And Reverend Williams, I happily attended your Gala event.

8:46

It was gala, it was outstanding.

8:52

Proclamation for you to identify who you have standing with you.

8:56

Okay, I have Ron Wyatt, our um I'm sorry, I had a brain fart.

9:04

Um Vice President of the board, Lord Emerson, and Mr.

9:10

Jerry Johnson, who is the assistant executive director, and Rich Dragard is hiding back there.

9:16

I don't know why, but he's back there.

9:19

Okay, great, wonderful.

9:21

Whereas Southside Mission was founded in 1925 with the purpose of providing vital assistance to individuals and families in Peoria, Illinois, particularly in the 61605 zip code.

9:36

And whereas for an entire century, South Side Mission has faithfully served as a beacon of hope, support, and empowerment for the community, offering essential services and resources such as educational programs, youth summer camps, thrift stores, and food for those in need.

10:00

And whereas Southside Mission's enduring commitment to serving the underserved through its diverse programs inspires generosity, compassion, and volunteerism, helping build stronger and more resilient communities and families in Peoria.

10:15

And whereas the 100th anniversary of Southside Mission is a momentous occasion to reflect on the past, celebrate its accomplishments, and look toward the future with optimism as it continues to serve the people of Peoria for generations to come.

10:34

Now, therefore, I read Ali, mayor of the City of Peoria, do hereby recognize and celebrate the 100th anniversary of South Side Mission.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works███████████████████████23%
Zoning██████████████████18%
Procedural███████████████15%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Public Safety████████8%
Cultural Heritage██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Economic Development█████5%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Peoria City Council Meeting - October 28, 2025

The Peoria City Council met on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6:03 PM in the historic city council chambers. The meeting was broadcast on cable channel 22 and the City of Peoria YouTube channel. All council members were present: Council Members Allen, Carmona, Sear, Kelly, Euler, Rigenbach, Valpula, and Vespa. The meeting opened with a moment of silent prayer/reflection and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions included approval of multiple proclamations, adoption of the 2026-2027 biannual budget, and several zoning and grant items.

Proclamations and Recognitions

  • U.S. Marine Corps 250th Birthday: Proclamation presented to Dale Miller and Scott Grubbs.
  • South Side Mission 100th Anniversary: Proclamation presented to Executive Director Reverend Craig D. Williams and board members; the mission serves the 61605 zip code.
  • Community Foundation Week (Nov 12-18): President/CEO Mark Roberts noted that the Community Foundation of Central Illinois has granted $147 million since 1985, including $7.7 million in 2024 (largest ever), and is one of the two largest downstate community foundations by asset size.
  • Hindu Heritage Month (October): Proclamation accepted by Nikhil Uttar and Mugda Padikar; they highlighted contributions of Hindus in Peoria and noted the Sevadivali Food Drive benefiting Center for Prevention of Abuse, Neighborhood House, and Trevan School.
  • Native American Indian Heritage Month (November): Robert Chef (Wolf Eyes) spoke, expressing concern about being told he cannot speak his Native language (Cherokee) in Peoria and that District 150 teachers said "we don't talk about those people." He requested an honor ceremony for the fifth anniversary next year. Mayor thanked him.

Town Items

  • 25-295: Ordinance levying taxes for the Town of Peoria general fund and IMRF for fiscal year 2025-2026 in the amount of $362,000. Passed unanimously.
  • 25-296: Ordinance levying taxes for the general assistance fund in the amount of $1,057,540. Passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

Items 25-297 through 25-309 (except 25-307 removed) were approved unanimously as a block. Included: amended settlement agreement, intergovernmental agreement for cloud gavel services, amendments to transportation committee membership, Class G liquor license requirements, stormwater utility code, multiple special service area tax levies/abatements, rezoning at 6006 North Big Hollow Road, and a liquor license for Pallet Tasting Room.

  • 25-307 (removed separately): Special use for a short-term rental at 3806 Thistle Lane. Staff discovered recorded covenants prohibiting business/commercial uses (including short-term rentals) in the Summer Ridge subdivision. Motion to deny passed unanimously.

Presentations

  • Snow Removal Operations (25-310): Deputy Director Marone presented the winter snow plan. Key changes: increased from 21 to 23 snow routes; new shared responsibility with IDOT (IDOT will maintain drive lanes on state routes within city, city will maintain parking and bike lanes). No intergovernmental agreement with IDOT was renewed. City has no bare pavement policy. Two to six inches of snow: aim to clear city within 24 hours after snow stops; over six inches: 36 hours. Rotational ABC sub-routes for residential streets. Parking bans effective for 48 hours when 2+ inches forecasted. Communication via Gov Delivery, social media, Peoria Cares, website. Snow call center at 494-8850. Councilmember Sear asked about GPS on trucks (not yet equipped) and new driver training (16 new drivers undergoing two-week training). Mayor expressed concern about IDOT maintaining high standards on major streets like Knoxville. Motion to receive and file passed unanimously.

Regular Business

  • 25-311 (Salvation Army Grant): A $2 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for construction costs of a new men's shelter (already broke ground). Item A (accept grant) and Item B (budget amendment) both passed unanimously.
  • 25-312 (Peoria Friendship House Special Use Amendment): Amended special use for neighborhood center to add parcels, an 8-foot tall chain-link fence (waiver from 6 feet), and a pavilion. Sidewalk improvement condition extended to 4 years. Councilmember Sear suggested future discussion on thresholds for nonprofits regarding infrastructure improvements. Motion to approve with amendments passed unanimously.
  • 25-313 (Gets Fire Outdoor Storage Expansion): Special use for non-conforming outdoor storage at 916-922 West Lincoln Avenue. Motion to approve with amendments eliminating requirement to remove existing chain-link fence and replace sidewalks passed unanimously.
  • 25-314 (Dunlap School District New Elementary School): Proposed K-5 school at 10021 North Pacific Street (extraterritorial jurisdiction). Two options: Ordinance A (Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation: repair road to current condition if existing Wilder-Waite School demolished) vs. Ordinance B (staff recommendation: repair to city standard). Council chose Ordinance B after discussion that the township road (Medina) could become city territory. Motion passed unanimously.
  • 25-315 (Bond Abatement): Ordinance abating approximately $18 million in property tax levies for various bond series while maintaining $2 million for road improvements. Passed unanimously.
  • 25-316 (Property Tax Levy for FY 2026): Levy set at $34,418,810 with a flat or slightly decreased tax rate (from 1.5381% to 1.5284%). Passed unanimously.
  • 25-317 (2026-2027 Biannual Budget Adoption): Appropriation ordinance adopting the two-year budget. Mayor noted removal of certain fees per Councilmember Sear's recommendation. Passed unanimously (required 6 votes, but all present voted yes).

Unfinished Business

  • 25-262 (Rezoning for Auto Repair at 1039 West Lincoln): Rezoning from R4 to CN and P1, plus special use for auto repair, to allow acquisition of adjacent city-owned lots (land bank properties). Councilmember Jackson expressed support after meeting with property owner Mr. Rasbury, noting youth co-op opportunities. Motion passed unanimously.

New Business

  • Council agreed to cancel the November 4, 2025 meeting (no business items) and schedule next meeting for November 18, 2025.
  • Mayor announced NAACP awards: Chief of Police received the John H. Gwynn Jr. Courage Award; Councilman Dr. Andre Allen received the John W. Stenson Leadership Award.
  • Councilmember Rigenbach requested that staff review best practices for protecting new neighborhoods from short-term rentals when no covenants exist yet.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No cards were submitted; no public comments.

Adjournment

  • Motion to adjourn passed unanimously. Meeting ended.

Meeting Transcript

Councilman Oiler. Are you? Good, good. Yeah. It is six oh three PM on Tuesday, October twenty-eighth, twenty twenty-five. I'd like to call the meeting of the Peoria City Council to order. I'd also like to welcome everyone here in our historic city council audience, our chambers, as well as our listening audience watching on cable channel twenty-two and the City of Peoria YouTube channel. Council Member Allen. Council Member Carmona. Council Member Sear. Council Member Kelly. Council Member Euler. Council Member Rigenbach. Council Member Valpula. And Councilmember Vespa. Here. Okay, thank you very much. Everyone, please join me and stand for a moment of silent prayer or silent reflection, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Madam Clerk, we are at proclamations. We have several proclamations today. Five in fact. The first recognizes our United States Marine Corps. And we have Mr. Dale Miller and Mr. Scott Grubbs. Would you please come forth to the podium? The proclamation reads, whereas the United States Marine Corps has protected Americans and guarded their freedom for the past 250 years. And whereas since its creation on November 10th, 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the term Marine has been associated with courage, professionalism, and military proficiency. Whereas a Marine is trained to hold their ground against any odds and to always be faithful to God, country, and core, standing ready to fight anytime or anywhere the president or Congress may designate. And whereas the City of Peoria is proud of our community's contribution to the marine tradition and salute Marines serving around the globe. Now, therefore, I, Reed Ali, Mayor of the City of Peoria, Illinois, do hereby celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps in Peoria, Illinois. Thank you for your service, gentlemen. Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate we all as a group appreciate everything that you do. We appreciate this designation. And we celebrate. But this one's special. Yes. So thank you very much. Simplify. You're welcome. Welcome. Thank you. Our next proclamation recognizes South Side Mission's 100th anniversary. Wow. And we want to welcome the executive director of South Side Mission, our own Reverend Craig D. Williams to the podium. And Reverend Williams, I happily attended your Gala event. It was gala, it was outstanding. Proclamation for you to identify who you have standing with you.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com