Peoria City Council Meeting – November 18, 2025
Peoria City Council Meeting – November 18, 2025
The Peoria City Council met on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the historic city council chambers. Mayor Rita Ali presided, and all councilmembers were present, establishing a quorum. The meeting included recognition of Deputy Clerk Courtney Cole, two public hearings on proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, a consent agenda, and several regular business items, including a deferred halfway house special use permit.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the October 28, 2025 joint city council/town board meeting.
- Approved town item 25-318 (October 2025 actual and November 2025 anticipated expenditures).
- Approved consent agenda items 25-321 through 25-330 and 25-332 without objection (items 25-331 and 25-333 were removed for separate discussion). Consent items included:
- 25-321: $270,000 in CDBG Public Service Funding Recommendations for 2025.
- 25-322: $156,382 in Emergency Solutions Grant funding for 2026-2027.
- 25-323: $50,000 change order with Patrick Engineering.
- 25-324: Intergovernmental agreement with Greater Peoria Sanitary District for sewer lining (total $104,280).
- 25-325: $190,000 state motor fuel tax resolution for Pioneer Parkway multi-use path.
- 25-326: Resolution for signatory authority with IDOT.
- 25-327: Special use for mural painting in a historic district (825 SW Adams).
- 25-328: Appointment of Marwin Spiller to Housing Commission.
- 25-329: Appointment of Nathan Johnson to Transportation Commission.
- 25-330: Liquor license for Hoops Pub and Pizza (516 Main St).
- 25-332: Hotel liquor license for Staybridge Suites (300 W Romeo B. Garrett Ave).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public testimony was offered during the two public hearings (Adams Liberty TIF and Northwoods Mall TIF).
- During Citizens Opportunity, Dusty Moultrie, a licensed clinical social worker, presented a proposal for an evidence-based family therapy program for at-risk youth. She requested an opportunity to present further to the council, emphasizing the need to address family dynamics underlying youth violence.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing #1 – Adams Liberty TIF District (25-319): City Manager Kimberly Richardson presented a one-square-block TIF district bounded by Liberty, Jefferson, Harrison, and Adams Streets, intended to support redevelopment of the PNC Bank and Creve Coeur buildings. Herb Klein was available for legal questions. No public comments were made; the hearing was closed and the motion to open/close passed unanimously.
- Public Hearing #2 – Northwoods Mall TIF District (25-320): Manager Richardson described a plan to address vacancies and infrastructure deterioration at the mall area, noting 13 vacant parcels. A joint review board meeting occurred in October; ordinances to approve the plan and increment are expected in January 2025. No public comments; hearing closed unanimously.
- Liquor Licenses for 500-516 Main Street (25-331 and 25-333): Councilmember Kelly asked about the name “TBD.” Corporation Counsel Hayes explained that TBD means “to be determined” – the developer (Ritterbush) is revitalizing the 500 block and has not finalized names for the new venues. Both licenses were approved unanimously individually after being removed from consent.
- Halfway House Special Use (25-334 at 1924 SW Adams): Staff requested a special use for a halfway house operated by GROW (a Chicago-based mental health and re-entry organization). A representative, James McCoy (therapist), and later Carl Holloway (GROW), addressed the council. The program targets parolees from Illinois Department of Corrections, initially focusing on individuals from Peoria. Councilmember Euler expressed concerns about over-concentration of social services downtown and asked for proof of residency. Councilmember Gordon Young spoke in support, citing public safety and recidivism reduction. Councilmember Riggenbach moved to defer to the December 9th meeting to allow more information on building condition and client origins. The deferral passed unanimously.
- Rezoning and Special Use for Research Lab (25-335 at 2601 West Forest Hill): Staff presented a two-part rezoning and special use to allow a research, testing, and development laboratory. The property is currently 10-12 employees, with plans to retain the business in Peoria. The planning and zoning commission voted unanimously to approve. A correction was made to the address (Forest Hill, not Richwoods). The motion to approve passed unanimously.
- Filming Ordinance (25-336): City Attorney Mosson Perkins introduced an amendment to Chapter 21 (Parks and Public Grounds) to create a permitting process for professional filming on city property. The process includes insurance, bond requirements, and a carve-out for student films. Fees are comparable to Champaign’s. The intent is safety and coordination, not to target casual content creators. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
- Monthly Financial Report (25-337): Finance Director Kyle Crady presented the September 30, 2025 unaudited financials. Revenues are down 1.6% vs. budget due to timing of state grants, but up 1.6% year-over-year. Expenses are down 3% vs. budget. Crady addressed concerns about the fourth-quarter revenue collection (expecting about $48M) and negative balances in the Hospitality TIF and Health Care funds. The report was received and filed unanimously.
- New Business – Continuum of Care Funding Changes: Director Joe Doolan reported that the federal government has shifted priorities from Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) to Transitional Housing, reducing guaranteed funding for PSH from 90% to 30% of the $2 million allocation. Approximately 250 PSH units in Peoria are at risk. The continuum is seeking clarification on implementation. Councilmember Riggenbach noted the urgency and urged contact with federal representatives.
Key Outcomes
- Approvals (unanimous): Minutes, town expenditures, consent agenda (except pulled items), liquor licenses for 512 and 500 Main Street, rezoning/special use for research lab, filming ordinance amendment, and receipt of financial report.
- Deferral: Item 25-334 (halfway house special use) was deferred to the December 9, 2025 city council meeting for additional information.
- Upcoming: The city council will hold its next regular meeting on December 9, 2025. Councilmember Allen announced a virtual information session on the Glen Hollow BID proposal for November 19, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. It is six o'clock PM on Tuesday, November eighteenth, twenty twenty-five. I'd like to welcome everyone to the Peoria to the meeting of the Peoria City Council. I'd also like to welcome everyone in our historic city council chambers as well as our audience watching on cable channel 22 and on the City of Peoria YouTube channel. Madam Clerk, the council mics are open. Please call the roll. Mayor Ali present. Councilmember Allen. Present. Councilmember Carmona. Councilmember Sear. Here. Councilmember Gordon Young. Present. Councilmember Jackson. Here. Councilmember Kelly. Here. Councilmember Euler. Here. Councilmember Riggenbach? Here. Councilmember Valpula. And Councilmember Vespa. Here. You have a quorum present, Madam Mayor. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Everyone, excuse me, everyone, please join me and stand for a moment of silent prayer or silent reflection, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands. One white nation under God, individual liberty and justice. Madam Clerk. We are at the approval of the minutes. Okay. I'm just gonna back up just a moment. Normally we do proclamations first, but we don't have any proclamations tonight. But we do have an acknowledgement that I would like to share with you. I received a letter from Nicole Stewart. Um she's the president of the Central Illinois Municipal Clerks Organization, CIMCO, and she made me aware that Deputy, our own deputy clerk Courtney Cole, has been selected as the recipient of the 2024-2025 presidential award from this organization. And before we applaud her, I'd like to um read what that means. The Central Illinois Municipal Clerks Organization, SIMCO, Presidential Award. This award is given annually to one member whose service, initiative, and commitment go above and beyond supporting SimCo's mission to promote efficient clerk operations, foster collaboration, educate the public, and encourage professional growth. Simcoe, am I saying that right? Yes, you are. Okay. Simcoe President Nicole Stewart selected Courtney for her outstanding contributions this year. As vice president, Courtney managed online registration for the Back to the Basic Seminar, a two-day training event for municipal clerks to refresh skills, learn best practices, and network with peers, coordinate speakers, and ensure smooth operations. President Stewart highlighted Courtney's initiative, creativity, and reliability, noting her active involvement, thoughtful questions, fresh ideas, and willingness to assist wherever needed. Her dedication and attention to detail have made a significant impact on Simcoe, its members, and clerks throughout the state of Illinois, and I can easily say that you're making a tremendous impact on our city government as well, and we're blessed to have you here. You're welcome. There was a press release that was uh sent out and it included her picture and it included the information on the award.
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