OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Peoria City Council Meeting - February 11, 2026: TIF Districts Approved

City Council Meetings — Wednesday, February 11, 2026
BodyPeoria, Illinois
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateWednesday, February 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:24:10

Transcript — Verbatim
0:59

If everyone would take your seats, we're going to get started with our meeting.

1:04

Thank you.

1:37

I left something for you to read.

1:52

Good evening, everyone.

1:54

It is six oh two PM on Tuesday, February the tenth, twenty twenty six.

1:59

I'd like to welcome everyone.

2:01

I'd like to call the meeting of the Piore City Council to order, and also to welcome everyone who's here in our council chambers, as well as our listening audience watching on cable channel twenty-two and on the City of Peoria YouTube channel.

2:18

Madam Clerk, the council mics are open.

2:21

Please call the roll.

2:22

Mayor Ali.

2:24

Councilmember Allen.

2:25

Present.

2:26

Councilmember Carmona.

2:28

Here.

2:28

Councilmember Sear.

2:29

Here.

2:30

Councilmember Gordon Young.

2:32

Present.

2:32

Councilmember Jackson.

2:34

Here.

2:34

Councilmember Kelly.

2:36

Here.

2:36

Councilmember Euler.

2:38

Here.

2:38

Councilmember Riggenbach?

2:39

Here.

2:40

Councilmember Valpula.

2:41

Present.

2:42

And Councilmember Vespa.

2:43

Here.

2:44

You have a quorum present, Madam Mayor.

2:45

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

2:46

In just a moment, we're going to take a moment for silent prayer or silent reflection.

2:52

And then we're going to have the Pledge of Allegiance that will be led by members of Boy Scout Troop two nineteen who will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:03

I just met these young men and um I thank Mr.

3:08

Wayne Cannon and Miss Neva, the scout leaders for bringing these young men here and helping to develop them and their character.

3:24

And and thank you all for the service that you're providing to our community.

3:30

Please come join me.

4:51

Okay.

5:09

I have a special notice that I'm going to read a notice to our township electors pursuant to public act 095-0761.

5:23

If you desire to have an item considered on the agenda at the annual town meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, at 6 o'clock p.m., you are required to bring a specific request signed by 15 or more electors to the township clerk's office no later than March 1st, 2026.

5:44

And our township clerk is also our city clerk.

5:47

Any group of registered voters may request an advisory question of public policy for consideration by the electors at the annual meeting by giving written notice of the specific advisory question to the township clerk in the same manner as required for an agenda item under subsection B of Section 30-10 of the Township Code.

6:11

Thank you.

6:12

Madam Clerk.

6:14

We're at proclamations.

6:16

I've asked a couple council members to assist with the proclamations.

6:22

Our first proclamation presented by the city recognizes February as Black History Month.

6:28

I've asked Councilwoman Jackson if she would share that proclamation.

6:35

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

6:37

Whereas the City of Peoria celebrates Black History Month and recognizes that people of African descent have been a part of our community since 1773, when John Baptiste Point Du Sabo purchased land here, according to historian Romeo B.

6:56

Garrett.

6:57

And whereas historian Dr.

6:59

Carter G.

7:00

Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926, and it eventually expanded to become Black History Month.

7:08

The achievements of Black Americans have now been annually acknowledged and celebrated in the United States for 100 years.

7:18

And whereas, since 1976, every US president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.

7:29

February was chosen primarily because of this because the second week of the month coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

7:40

Lincoln was influential in the emancipation of slaves and Douglas, a former slave, was a prominent leader in the about in the abolitionist movement which fought to end slavery.

7:52

And whereas the theme for this year's Black History Month is chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History is a century of Black History Commemorations, focusing on exploring the impact and meaning of Black history commemorations and examining how they have transformed the status of black people in the modern world.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████████████████████54%
Procedural████████10%
Public Safety███████8%
Public Engagement██████7%
Fiscal Sustainability██████7%
Cultural Heritage███4%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Environmental Protection███3%
Engineering And Infrastructure██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Peoria City Council Meeting - February 11, 2026

The Peoria City Council met on February 11, 2026 (note: the transcript indicates the meeting occurred on February 10, 2026, but the provided date is February 11). The meeting included proclamations, approval of minutes, and significant discussion and approval of two Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts: the Northwoods Mall TIF and the Adams Liberty TIF, along with amendments to existing TIF districts. The council also heard a citizen comment regarding renewable energy opportunities at the Expo Gardens site.

Proclamations

  • February was recognized as Black History Month, with Councilwoman Jackson reading a proclamation highlighting the 100th anniversary of Black History commemorations.
  • National Engineers Week (February 22-28) was recognized, with representatives from the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Central Illinois section speaking about their outreach and upcoming Engineering Day at the Peoria Riverfront Museum on February 22.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the January 27, 2026 and February 2, 2026 meetings.
  • Approved a three-year renewal contract with ESRI Inc. for GIS platform maintenance ($90,300/year, total $270,900).
  • Adopted an ordinance amending the Unified Development Code relating to street walls.
  • Approved the Northwoods Mall TIF district (items removed from consent for discussion).
  • Approved the Adams Liberty TIF district and amendments to the Warehouse District and Downtown Conservation redevelopment project areas (items removed from consent for discussion).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Gregory Barta addressed the council, urging the incorporation of clean energy and net-zero design into the proposed 200-home subdivision on the former Expo Gardens site. He noted that the 200-home capacity is based on sewer system limits and that Senator Kaylor supports the idea. He encouraged the city to pursue state funding to keep home prices in the $250,000-$300,000 range.

Discussion Items

  • Northwoods Mall TIF (26-43): Councilmember Allen pulled the item for explanation. Assistant City Manager Richardson provided a detailed overview of TIFs, explaining that they are tools to incentivize redevelopment in blighted areas by capturing the increased property tax increment (EAV) from new development. The Northwoods Mall TIF covers the mall, Brandywine Road, and surrounding hotels. The city has been planning this since 2024, hiring consultants in 2025. Councilmember Carmona expressed concerns that TIFs divert revenue from public safety and other taxing bodies, and that they add to the tax burden. Councilmember Kelly questioned the effectiveness of TIFs, noting that the city's overall EAV has declined after inflation and that TIFs are a mixed bag. Councilmember Sear clarified that TIFs can also be used in residential areas (e.g., East Village). Councilmember Riggenbach supported the TIF, emphasizing the need for shopping opportunities and growth. The motions passed 9-1 (Carmona dissenting).
  • Adams Liberty TIF (26-44): Councilmember Carmona asked about recouping costs from the PNC building acquisition and the condition of the parking deck. City Manager indicated negotiations are ongoing with a developer chosen via RFQ. Councilmember Kelly clarified that this TIF plan establishes the district, with a redevelopment agreement to come later. The motions passed 9-1 (Carmona dissenting on each sub-item).
  • Expo Gardens Subdivision: During citizen comments, Mr. Barta advocated for a sustainable, net-zero energy development. The council did not discuss this further.

Key Outcomes

  • Northwoods Mall TIF (26-43): All three ordinances (redevelopment plan, designation of project area, and tax increment allocation financing) were approved with a vote of 9-1 (Councilmember Carmona opposed).
  • Adams Liberty TIF (26-44): All five ordinances (redevelopment plan, designation, tax increment financing, and amendments to Warehouse District and Downtown Conservation areas) were approved with a vote of 9-1 (Councilmember Carmona opposed).
  • Consent Agenda: The remaining consent items were approved unanimously.
  • Executive Session: The council moved to adjourn and convene in closed session to discuss pending litigation and approve closed session minutes.

Meeting Transcript

If everyone would take your seats, we're going to get started with our meeting. Thank you. I left something for you to read. Good evening, everyone. It is six oh two PM on Tuesday, February the tenth, twenty twenty six. I'd like to welcome everyone. I'd like to call the meeting of the Piore City Council to order, and also to welcome everyone who's here in our council chambers, as well as our listening audience watching on cable channel twenty-two and on the City of Peoria YouTube channel. Madam Clerk, the council mics are open. Please call the roll. Mayor Ali. Councilmember Allen. Present. Councilmember Carmona. Here. Councilmember Sear. Here. Councilmember Gordon Young. Present. Councilmember Jackson. Here. Councilmember Kelly. Here. Councilmember Euler. Here. Councilmember Riggenbach? Here. Councilmember Valpula. Present. And Councilmember Vespa. Here. You have a quorum present, Madam Mayor. Thank you, Madam Clerk. In just a moment, we're going to take a moment for silent prayer or silent reflection. And then we're going to have the Pledge of Allegiance that will be led by members of Boy Scout Troop two nineteen who will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I just met these young men and um I thank Mr. Wayne Cannon and Miss Neva, the scout leaders for bringing these young men here and helping to develop them and their character. And and thank you all for the service that you're providing to our community. Please come join me. Okay. I have a special notice that I'm going to read a notice to our township electors pursuant to public act 095-0761. If you desire to have an item considered on the agenda at the annual town meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, at 6 o'clock p.m., you are required to bring a specific request signed by 15 or more electors to the township clerk's office no later than March 1st, 2026. And our township clerk is also our city clerk. Any group of registered voters may request an advisory question of public policy for consideration by the electors at the annual meeting by giving written notice of the specific advisory question to the township clerk in the same manner as required for an agenda item under subsection B of Section 30-10 of the Township Code. Thank you. Madam Clerk. We're at proclamations. I've asked a couple council members to assist with the proclamations. Our first proclamation presented by the city recognizes February as Black History Month. I've asked Councilwoman Jackson if she would share that proclamation. Thank you, Madam Mayor.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com