Peoria City Council Meeting - February 25, 2026

The Peoria City Council met on Tuesday, February 25, 2026, to approve minutes, hold a public hearing on the Westlake Special Service Area (SSA), approve a consent agenda, and act on several regular agenda items including a deferred liquor license, a bond resolution, and a financial report. Council also heard from the public and discussed juvenile crime and new dispatch software.

Public Hearing

• Item 26-45: Public hearing regarding the proposed extension of the Westlake Special Service Area (SSA) from its current term to 2055 and an increase in the SSA sales tax rate from 0.75% to 1% (a 0.25% increase). Bob Hall, attorney for the Westlake Shopping Center, spoke in support, stating that the SSA has been essential for the center's success, enabling renovations and attracting tenants. He noted that the additional 0.25% would bring parity with other Peoria SSAs and that the funds would be used to refinance with Mort Community Bank, fulfill a signed lease for a sporting goods tenant, and finalize a lease for a former Humana space. Councilmember Hayes clarified that a 60-day waiting period is required by law but a waiver from the owner is expected to allow final action on March 10, 2026. The public hearing was closed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (items 26-46 through 26-53) was approved unanimously. Items included:
  • 26-46: Contract for 2026 landscape stewardship with GIMAX Group ($350,000)
  • 26-47: Six-year franchise extension with I3 Broadband Inc.
  • 26-48: Amendment to tobacco retail license ordinance
  • 26-49: Special use amendment for a freestanding sign at 2400 West Northmoor Road
  • 26-50: Special use amendment for fencing at Peoria Civic Center
  • 26-51: Special use for short-term rental at 615 West Timothy Drive
  • 26-52: Special use for elderly housing at 1511 North Bigelow Street
  • 26-53: Approval of Labor Day picnic at Riverfront Festival Park (September 7, 2026)

Public Comments

• During the public hearing, Bob Hall spoke in support of the Westlake SSA extension and sales tax increase.
• During the citizens opportunity to address the council, one speaker asked about demolishing the Big Owls strip club to create parking for the civic center and limit homeless populations near City Link.

Discussion Items

• Item 26-54: Sole source purchase of Conolite traffic cabinets from Traffic Control Corporation ($100,000). Approved by two-thirds vote (unanimous).
• Item 26-55: Resolution expressing official intent to reimburse certain capital expenditures from future bond proceeds. Finance Director Kyle Craddy explained that the resolution allows the city to delay bond issuance until late summer/early fall 2026, taking advantage of potential rate cuts, and to reimburse expenditures back to January 1, 2026. Council discussed the city's credit rating (A2 positive outlook), pension obligations, and market conditions. Approved unanimously.
• Item 26-56: Consideration of a class C1 packaged liquor license for King Zone (2411 North Knoxville Avenue). The Liquor Commission recommended denial due to proximity to challenged areas. Councilmember Carmona presented a packet showing the store's current grocery offerings and proposed facade improvements. He moved to defer the item to the March 24, 2026 meeting to allow the owner time to make improvements and develop a strict plan of operation. Council discussed the plan of operation's enforceability. Deferred unanimously.
• Item 26-57: Receive and file the unaudited financial report for the month ended December 31, 2025. Finance Director Craddy reported that general fund revenues were tracking $3 million above budget ($132 million vs. $129 million), driven by stronger sales tax and use tax, while expenses were $1.9 million below budget ($131.1 million vs. $133 million). The city expected an addition to fund balance of over $1 million instead of a planned $3.7 million drawdown. Council praised the staff's fiscal management. Received and filed unanimously.

Council Comments and Announcements

• Councilmember Gordon Young announced that the city's new computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and records management system (RMS) went live on February 25, 2026, improving service for 30 first responder agencies. He thanked Emergency Communications Director Brandon Blaney and IT Program Manager Rob Whitney.
• Councilmember Carmona and Police Chief discussed juvenile crime. The chief reported that he is coordinating with other police chiefs across Illinois to advocate for legislative changes, including opposing a bill to raise the age for juvenile jurisdiction to 21. The council expressed support for the chief's efforts.
• Councilmember Kelly noted that scouts visited city hall the previous weekend to work on citizenship merit badges.
• The city manager highlighted upcoming civic center improvements: arcade renovations beginning in March and ice plant construction starting in May.

Key Outcomes

• Public hearing closed; final action on Westlake SSA extension and tax increase scheduled for March 10, 2026.
• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Item 26-54 (sole source traffic cabinets) approved unanimously.
• Item 26-55 (bond resolution) approved unanimously.
• Item 26-56 (liquor license for King Zone) deferred to March 24, 2026, by unanimous vote.
• Item 26-57 (financial report) received and filed unanimously.
• Council directed staff to prepare for a potential executive session (not held).