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Record of Proceedings

Peoria City Council Meeting Summary - January 28, 2026

City Council Meetings — Wednesday, January 28, 2026
BodyPeoria, Illinois
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateWednesday, January 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:40:32

Transcript — Verbatim
2:09

Good evening, everyone.

2:11

It is six o'clock PM on Tuesday, January the twenty-seventh, twenty twenty six.

2:20

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

2:24

I'd also like to welcome everyone who's here in our historic council chambers, as well as our listening audience watching on Cable Channel Twenty Two.

2:35

Madam Clerk, the council mics are open.

2:38

Please call the roll.

2:39

Mayor Alley.

2:41

Present.

2:42

Council Member Allen.

2:43

Present.

2:43

Councilmember Carmona.

2:45

Here.

2:45

Councilmember Sear.

2:47

Here.

2:47

Council Member Gordon Young.

2:49

Present.

2:49

Council Member Jackson.

2:51

Here.

2:51

Councilmember Kelly.

2:53

Here.

2:53

Councilmember Oiler.

2:55

Here.

2:55

Councilmember Riggenbach.

2:57

Here.

2:57

Council Member Valpula.

2:59

Present.

2:59

And Councilmember Vespa.

3:01

Here.

3:01

We have a quorum present, Madam Mayor.

3:03

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

3:04

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

4:01

Councilmember Rigenbach.

4:03

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

4:04

I move to approve the minutes of the joint city council and town board meeting on January thirteenth, twenty twenty-six, as printed.

4:12

Thank you.

4:12

Seconded by Council Member Kelly.

4:14

Any comments or questions?

4:16

Please cash your ballots.

5:00

26 17 is a communication with a request to approve the extension of an intergovernmental agreement between the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Fire Arms and Explosives and the City of Peoria.

5:07

26 18 is a communication with request to approve the second amendment to the WD Community Investment LLC Redevelopment Agreement.

5:18

26 19 is a communication with request to approve a second amendment to the Master Professional Services Agreement with Thouvena Wade and Mershin in an amount not to exceed $300,000.

5:31

26-20 is a communication with request to approve a resolution in support of an application for the build planning grant for the downtown complete streets connectivity improvements project in the amount of $4 million.

5:46

26-21 is a request to approve a resolution regarding the release of closed session minutes.

5:53

26-22 is a request to adopt an ordinance amending the City Council rules to allow electronic attendance for performance of active military duty as a service member.

6:27

With a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff to adopt an ordinance amending an existing official development plan ordinance number 13361 as amended in a class N1 Institutional District for local sign regulations for the property located at 1501 West Bradley Avenue, commonly known as Bradley University, and primarily bounded by Main Street, the Alley East of Cooper Street, Bradley Avenue, Fredonia Avenue, Dorier Place, St.

6:58

James Street, University Street, Borland Avenue, Wyndham Street, and Garfield Avenue.

7:04

26-25 is a request to concur with recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff to adopt an ordinance amending an existing special use ordinance number 14789 as amended in a class C to large large scale commercial district for a shopping center to add outdoor self-service mini storage for the property located at 2323 West Pioneer Parkway and 2311 West Pioneer Parkway, 2327 West Pioneer Parkway, and 2401 West Pioneer Parkway.

7:40

26-26 is a communication with request concur with a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff for the following.

7:48

A adopt an ordinance rezoning property from a Class R1 single family residential district to a Class C1 General Commercial District for part of 4020 North Brandy Wine Drive, and B adopt an ordinance approving a special use in a Class C1 General Commercial District for outdoor recreation to expand an existing outdoor athletic field, repurpose an existing building for indoor recreation use, and add existing off-street parking for the property located at 4100 North Brandywine Drive and a portion of 4020 North Brandywine Drive.

8:24

26-27 is a request to concur with a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff to adopt an ordinance rezoning property from a Class R1 single family residential district to a Class C1 General Commercial District for a portion of the property located at 4020 North Brandywine Drive.

8:45

26-28 is a communication from the City Manager and Corporation Council with a request to approve the site application for a Class B restaurant 50% food liquor license with on-site consumption and retail sale of alcohol for Vault Peoria LLC, doing business as the Vault at 240 Southwest Jefferson Street with a recommendation from the Liquor Commission to approve.

9:10

26-29 is a communication with a request to approve the sign application for a Class B restaurant 50% food liquor license with on-site consumption and retail sale of alcohol for Pop-Up Express LLC, doing business as Pop-Up Chicken Shop at 800 Southwest Adams Suite 106 with a recommendation from the Liquor Commission to approve.

9:32

26-30 is a communication with a request to approve the site application for a class C G beer and wine convenience store gas station liquor license with a retail sale of alcohol for Sterling Avenue Mart, Inc.

9:46

doing business as shell number nine at 4709 North Sterling with a recommendation from the Liquor Commission to approve.

10:00

26-31 is a communication with a request to approve the site application for a class CG beer and wine convenience store gas station liquor license with the retail sale of alcohol for Trace Mart Inc.

10:08

doing business as shell number six at 3903 West Bering Trace with recommendation for the look from the liquor commission to approve.

10:16

26-32 is a communication with request to approve the site application for a class CG beer and wine convenience store gas station liquor license with the retail sale of alcohol for 7100 Peoria Mark Inc.

10:32

doing business as shell number three at 710 West Detweiler with a recommendation from the liquor commission to approve and 26-33 is an appointment by Mayor Ali to the sister city commission with a request to concur of Christopher Setti.

10:48

And that can concludes our consent agenda.

10:50

That was a mouthful.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement███████████████████████23%
Immigration Policy██████████████14%
Public Safety████████████12%
Affordable Housing█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Mental Health Awareness███████7%
Zoning████4%
Public Works████4%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Peoria City Council Meeting Summary - January 28, 2026

The Peoria City Council met on Tuesday, January 28, 2026 (note: the transcript states January 27, 2026, but the assigned meeting date is January 28, 2026) at 6:00 PM in the historic council chambers. All eleven council members were present, constituting a quorum. The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, several regular business items, a lengthy discussion on a special use permit for a transitional housing facility, and extensive public comments regarding immigration enforcement and the proposed housing project.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 26-17 through 26-33 were approved as a block after the removal of item 26-26 by Councilmember Carmona. Approved items included:
    • Intergovernmental agreement with ATF (26-17)
    • Second amendment to WD Community Investment LLC Redevelopment Agreement (26-18)
    • Second amendment to Master Professional Services Agreement with Thouvena Wade and Mershin not to exceed $300,000 (26-19)
    • Resolution supporting $4 million BUILD planning grant for downtown complete streets (26-20)
    • Resolution releasing closed session minutes (26-21)
    • Ordinance amending council rules for electronic attendance for active military duty (26-22)
    • Ordinance amending development plan for Bradley University sign regulations (26-23)
    • Ordinance amending special use for outdoor self-service mini storage at 2323-2401 W Pioneer Pkwy (26-25)
    • Four liquor license applications (26-28 through 26-32)
    • Appointment of Christopher Setti to Sister City Commission (26-33)
  • Item 26-26 (rezoning and special use for Christian Center at 4100 N Brandywine) was removed from consent and voted on separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • On the GROW Community transitional housing (25-334):
    • Pat Sullivan (Warehouse District) expressed concerns about safety, past experiences with teen challenge facilities, and urged deferral to review new information.
    • Joe Ritchie (Tri-City Machine) opposed, citing GROW’s financial instability (dissolved construction company, low Charity Navigator rating), high recidivism rates (40% within three years per IDOC), and existing halfway houses in Peoria.
    • Janine Wester (Peoria Architectural Salvage) expressed conditional support, emphasizing the need for commercial development on Adams Street and a cohesive neighborhood vision, but appreciated GROW’s exterior plans.
    • Bishop Sam Russell spoke in favor, urging the council to overcome NIMBYism and give second chances.
  • On ICE and immigration enforcement:
    • Multiple speakers (Hen Abbey Akar, Terry Blink, Valerie Ingholm, Justin Smelzer, Amanda Green, Darcy Katie, Kathy McNeil, AJ Dunn, Bob Kestner, Ryan Fordesher) requested a concrete rapid response plan, welcoming ordinance, and assurance that city resources would not assist ICE. They cited recent ICE violence in Minnesota and elsewhere and demanded accountability, transparency, and protection for all residents regardless of status.
  • One speaker (Michael Peterson) in favor of GROW also expressed anti-immigrant sentiment.

Discussion Items

  • 26-26 (Christian Center rezoning and special use): Councilmember Carmona moved to approve both items but removed condition #3 (parking lot perimeter landscaping) from item B, citing high maintenance costs. The motion passed unanimously for both items.
  • 26-34 (First reading – street wall amendments): Assistant Director Lee Allison explained proposed changes to eliminate required brick columns and base, allowing more flexible designs (e.g., wrought iron fences) No chain-link allowed, per Councilmember Kelly’s concern. Received and filed unanimously.
  • 26-35 (Sole source paint purchase): Director Rick Powers requested $100,000 for modified urethane paint from Swarco (Tennessee). County covers half. Approved unanimously with six votes required.
  • 26-36 (Fire IGA with Peoria Heights): Chief Sulber detailed automatic aid for structure fires, auto extrications, and cardiac arrests. Low volume (single digits annually), not displacing Heights FD. Covers all costs. Mayor Wigginton present. Approved unanimously.
  • 26-37 (Sheridan Road reconstruction): Grant-funded project; budget amendment of $250,000 for engineering. Approved unanimously.
  • 26-38 (Less lethal grant): $21,600 grant from ILEAS for new tasers with 45-foot range. Approved unanimously.
  • 26-39 (Financial report): Finance Director Craddy presented November 2025 report; revenues up 3% year-over-year, expenditures down 11.2%. Concern about healthcare costs. Approved unanimously.
  • 25-334 (GROW Community transitional housing special use): Extensive discussion spanning multiple council meetings. CEO Aaron Mallory and Francine Poole presented program details: workforce development, mental health services, 10-12 beds for Peoria parolees (not a halfway house but classified as such per code). Funding via Medicaid and surplus from GROW Community. Renovation budget $250,000 to $1 million. Councilmembers expressed concerns about communication, timing of materials, financial stability, and neighborhood impact. Amendments added: max 12 residents, 24/7 security when participants present, non-transferable special use. Motion passed 6-5 (nays: Valpula, Kelly, Oiler, Sear, Carmona).
  • New Business – ICE Response: Mayor Ali recited Illinois Trust Act provisions limiting local enforcement on immigration. Police Chief outlined seven core expectations to officers: no immigration enforcement, body cameras, non-intervention in lawful federal actions but maintaining peace, treating all with dignity, no inquiries about status, supervisory notification. Councilmember Riggenbach announced unsheltered point-in-time count and Center Point Church purchase.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved with one item removed (voted separately).
  • 26-26 A & B – Approved unanimously (Christian Center).
  • 26-34 – Received and filed (street wall amendments).
  • 26-35 through 26-39 – All approved unanimously.
  • 25-334 (GROW Community) – Approved with amendments (6-5).
  • Motion to adjourn to closed session passed unanimously for discussions on personnel, collective bargaining, pending litigation, and closed session minutes.
  • The council heard public demands for a rapid response plan regarding ICE; the mayor and chief provided a statement of policy but no formal ordinance was passed.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. It is six o'clock PM on Tuesday, January the twenty-seventh, twenty twenty six. I'd like to call the meeting of the Peoria City Council to order. I'd also like to welcome everyone who's here in our historic council chambers, as well as our listening audience watching on Cable Channel Twenty Two. Madam Clerk, the council mics are open. Please call the roll. Mayor Alley. Present. Council Member Allen. Present. Councilmember Carmona. Here. Councilmember Sear. Here. Council Member Gordon Young. Present. Council Member Jackson. Here. Councilmember Kelly. Here. Councilmember Oiler. Here. Councilmember Riggenbach. Here. Council Member Valpula. Present. And Councilmember Vespa. Here. We have a quorum present, Madam Mayor. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Please join me, everyone, and stand for a moment of silent prayer or silent reflection, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmember Rigenbach. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I move to approve the minutes of the joint city council and town board meeting on January thirteenth, twenty twenty-six, as printed. Thank you. Seconded by Council Member Kelly. Any comments or questions? Please cash your ballots. 26 17 is a communication with a request to approve the extension of an intergovernmental agreement between the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Fire Arms and Explosives and the City of Peoria. 26 18 is a communication with request to approve the second amendment to the WD Community Investment LLC Redevelopment Agreement. 26 19 is a communication with request to approve a second amendment to the Master Professional Services Agreement with Thouvena Wade and Mershin in an amount not to exceed $300,000. 26-20 is a communication with request to approve a resolution in support of an application for the build planning grant for the downtown complete streets connectivity improvements project in the amount of $4 million. 26-21 is a request to approve a resolution regarding the release of closed session minutes. 26-22 is a request to adopt an ordinance amending the City Council rules to allow electronic attendance for performance of active military duty as a service member. With a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff to adopt an ordinance amending an existing official development plan ordinance number 13361 as amended in a class N1 Institutional District for local sign regulations for the property located at 1501 West Bradley Avenue, commonly known as Bradley University, and primarily bounded by Main Street, the Alley East of Cooper Street, Bradley Avenue, Fredonia Avenue, Dorier Place, St. James Street, University Street, Borland Avenue, Wyndham Street, and Garfield Avenue. 26-25 is a request to concur with recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff to adopt an ordinance amending an existing special use ordinance number 14789 as amended in a class C to large large scale commercial district for a shopping center to add outdoor self-service mini storage for the property located at 2323 West Pioneer Parkway and 2311 West Pioneer Parkway, 2327 West Pioneer Parkway, and 2401 West Pioneer Parkway. 26-26 is a communication with request concur with a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff for the following. A adopt an ordinance rezoning property from a Class R1 single family residential district to a Class C1 General Commercial District for part of 4020 North Brandy Wine Drive, and B adopt an ordinance approving a special use in a Class C1 General Commercial District for outdoor recreation to expand an existing outdoor athletic field, repurpose an existing building for indoor recreation use, and add existing off-street parking for the property located at 4100 North Brandywine Drive and a portion of 4020 North Brandywine Drive. 26-27 is a request to concur with a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff to adopt an ordinance rezoning property from a Class R1 single family residential district to a Class C1 General Commercial District for a portion of the property located at 4020 North Brandywine Drive.

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