Peoria City Council Meeting Summary - March 24, 2026
Peoria City Council Meeting - March 24, 2026
The Peoria City Council met on March 24, 2026, in historic council chambers. The meeting included proclamations, approvals of consent agenda items, discussion and votes on several ordinances, a first reading of sign code amendments, and public comments regarding the proposed sale of Detweiler Park.
Proclamations
The council issued four proclamations: Women's History Month (March 2026), Community Development Week (April 6-10, 2026), MS Awareness Week (March 8-14, 2026), and Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month (April 2026). Speakers from the National MS Society and Central Illinois Parkinson Support Group accepted the proclamations and highlighted upcoming events, including Walk MS on May 16, 2026.
Consent Calendar
Items 26-60 through 26-68 and 26-71 through 26-74 were approved unanimously on consent. Items 26-69 (mobile food truck temporary amendments) and 26-70 (private activity bond allocation to TRIVDA) were pulled for separate discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Seven citizens spoke during the public comment period. Most comments focused on the proposed sale of the Detweiler Playground and Marina property by the Detweiler Playground Trust. Speakers (Joyce Blumenshine, Trisha Leffler, Star Yol, AJ, and Julie Dodge) expressed concern that the trust planned to sell about two-thirds of the property to O'Brien Steel, arguing the sale violates the 1947 trust's intent for public use, that the trust's financial situation is not an emergency (showing $380K in assets and $0 liabilities), and that the sale would eliminate a rare public green space with river access. They urged the city to intervene or initiate public discourse.
- One speaker (Gregory Barta) advocated for incorporating community geothermal heating and cooling in the proposed Expo Gardens housing development, citing potential grants and energy savings.
Discussion Items
- Item 26-69: Temporary Amendments to Mobile Food Truck Regulations – Councilmember Carmona pulled this item. The assistant city manager explained the fee for downtown food truck licenses would be reduced to $0 (from $3,400 annually) to encourage activity, and the number of allowed licenses would increase from 3 to 5. Debate included concerns about competition with brick-and-mortar restaurants and equity with trucks outside downtown. Councilmembers expressed support, noting the temporary nature and potential to re-evaluate. The motion passed unanimously.
- Item 26-70: Private Activity Bond Allocation to TRIVDA – Councilmember Allen recused himself as a governor-appointed TRIVDA member. Councilmember Carmona pulled the item for clarification. The city manager explained the mechanism: the city allocates its bond volume cap ($15 million) to the Tri-County River Valley Development Authority, which then issues tax-exempt bonds for affordable housing, public improvements, etc. The city incurs no liability. Motion passed with one abstention (Allen).
- Item 26-75: First Reading of Sign Code Amendments – The assistant community development director presented changes to the unified development code to comply with a 2015 Supreme Court ruling on content-neutral sign regulation. Key proposals: classify temporary signs as commercial/non-commercial based on size/placement; reduce freestanding sign height from 25 ft to 15 ft; update the billboard cap to 83 (current inventory); allow replacement of nonconforming billboards under certain conditions without requiring removal of another billboard. Councilmember Carmona requested consideration of monument signs and presented an image of a proposed sign on Main Street exceeding current form district limits. The manager indicated staff would bring an amendment for the April 14 meeting to allow slightly taller signs in the Main Street form district. Motion to receive and file passed unanimously.
- Item 26-76: Sole Source Purchase of Police Vehicle – Chief of Police requested approval to purchase one Ford Explorer Interceptor ($45,788) and equipment ($25,000) to replace a vehicle totaled in a February 4 accident. Councilmember Sear asked about insurance; staff explained the city's high deductible makes small claims uneconomical. Both parts (A and B) voted separately and passed unanimously.
- Item 26-77: Westlake Special Service Area Extension – Corporation counsel explained the SSA, established in 2010, would be extended to 2055 (total 45 years) and the sales tax rate increased to 1% (matching other city SSAs). The amendment requires annual itemized expenditure reports. Councilmember Allen spoke in support, noting the shopping center's success and planned new tenants. Councilmember Carmona opposed, arguing the tax is not transparent and burdens consumers. Councilmember Riggenbach praised the private investment ($30 million) and transparency. Motion for item A (ordinance) passed with one nay (Carmona). Item B (amendment to agreement) passed similarly.
- Item 26-78: Financial Report for January 2026 – The finance director presented the first monthly report of 2026, noting that January figures can be volatile due to modified accrual accounting. General fund revenues were 21.1% below budget but 39.9% above January 2025. Expenditures were 5% below budget and 6.1% above 2025. Councilmember Sear asked about the state clawback of personal property replacement tax; staff anticipated the clawback would end by July 1, 2026, but remained cautious. Motion to receive and file passed unanimously.
- Unfinished Business 26-56: Liquor License for King Zone – Councilmember Carmona moved to defer for another month to allow the applicant more time to make improvements; motion passed unanimously.
- New Business – Two-Way Conversion and Asset Management Update – Director Powers provided an update: the two-way conversion on Adams, Jefferson, and Main streets is nearly complete, with final mill and overlay planned for June 2026, followed by a public communication campaign. The new OpenGov asset management system is partially live for fleet and facilities; the heavy lift for operations/engineering began, aiming for an October 2026 go-live.
- Councilmember Kelly's Discussion on Assessed Value – Councilmember Kelly presented data showing the city's equalized assessed value (EAV) declined by 12% in real terms (constant dollars) from 2015 to 2024, and by 10% inside TIF districts. He characterized this as a systemic problem requiring new approaches and requested a meeting with the mayor.
- Councilmember Jackson's Concerns about Schlarman House – Councilmember Jackson described unsafe conditions at the Schlarman House (senior/disabled housing) including broken locks, criminal activity, and lack of on-site management. Corporation counsel noted the property does not meet the chronic nuisance ordinance threshold and that the city is limited in intervention. Jackson requested a policy session to discuss strengthening the ordinance; the mayor agreed to schedule a discussion at the second April meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Item 26-69 (Food Trucks): Approved unanimously – temporary fee reduction to $0 and increase to 5 downtown licenses.
- Item 26-70 (Bond Cap): Approved with one abstention (Allen).
- Item 26-75 (Sign Code): Received and filed unanimously; amendment to allow taller signs in Main Street form district to be brought April 14.
- Item 26-76 (Police Vehicle): Both parts approved unanimously.
- Item 26-77 (Westlake SSA): Item A (ordinance) passed 8-1 (Carmona nay); Item B (agreement amendment) passed 8-1.
- Item 26-78 (Financial Report): Received and filed unanimously.
- Item 26-56 (Liquor License): Deferred for one month.
- Consent Calendar (remaining items): Approved unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
If everyone would please take your seats, we're going to get started with our meeting. Thank you. Did you hear it? Testing, testing. If everyone would please take your seats, we're going to get started with our meeting. Still not very loud, is it? That could be your pillow. Maybe a little uncomfortable too. I'd also like to welcome everyone here in our historic council chambers, as well as our audience listen listening on Cable Twenty Two and on the City of Peoria YouTube channel. Please call the roll. Present. Madam Clerk, we are at proclamations. Okay, we have four proclamations this evening. I've asked council members to assist with these proclamations, beginning with women's history month. Councilwoman Jackson. Oh, I'm sorry about that. There we go. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Whereas March is a significant month to honor and acknowledge the accomplishments of women, in 1987, Congress declared the month of March as Women's History Month. And March 8th is recognized as International Women's Day, a global day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. And whereas 51% of our community members are women, and these women have played and continue to play, critical economic, cultural, philanthropic, and social roles in the creation and ongoing development of our city, and whereas American women have been leaders, not only in securing the rights, their rights of suffrage, and equal opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, and the industrial labor movement, and the civil rights movement. And whereas Peoria has had a share of Native daughters who have gone into the world to make their marks in academia, entertainment, politics, sports, and business, including entrepreneur Annie Minerva Turn Turnbull Malone, feminist author Betty Friedan, diplomat Nancy Brinker, and her sister Susan Coleman, Peoria Redwing, Catcher and Inductee of the Illinois Amateur Softball Hall of Fame, Irene Kerwin and Philanthropist Lydia Moss Bradley, to name just a few. And whereas Women's History Month honors women of every race, status, and ethnicity who have worked to establish an equal role for women, ensuring the appreciation and value of equitable labor for future generations. Now, therefore, I, Rita Ali, Mayor of the City of Peoria, do hereby acknowledge the month of March as Women's History Month in Peoria, Illinois, dated this 24th day of March 2026, A.D. Thank you. We have some amazing women in our present-day community uh leaders, and I want to say thank you to an amazing woman who helps to prepare these proclamations every time they come up. She and her staff, uh Stacy Peterson, thank you very much, our next proclamation uh recognizes community development week, and Councilmember Allen's going to read that one. It is my pleasure to read this proclamation. Whereas the City of Peoria Community Development Department focuses on six major areas: land management, planning and zoning, building safety, code enforcement, neighborhood support, and grant management. And whereas, created in 1986, National Community Development Week brings national attention to significance and impact of the community development block grant as well as home investment partnerships program. Whereas the community development block grant program has operated since 1974 to provide local governments with the resources to develop a viable urban communities by expanding access to safe, quality, and affordable housing. And whereas the home investment partnerships program has operated since 1990 to create and preserve affordable housing opportunities for low-income households, including renters, first-time homeowners, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families at risk of housing instability. And whereas the City of Peoria has effectively administered and customized its own community block development grant program and home investment partnerships program has effectively administered these programs to implement various programs and projects in the areas of affordable housing, public service, public facilities, parks, and sidewalks to improve the conditions in our city. And whereas Congress and the nation acknowledge the critical value of the community development block grant program and significant projects and assistant opportunities that rely on these funds to support safe, quality, affordable housing, and high quality of life for our residents. Now, therefore, I, Rita Ali, Mayor of the City of Peoria, Illinois, do hereby recognize April 6th through April 10th as Community Development Week in Peoria, Illinois, dated this 24th day of March 2026 A.D. Thank you. Our director of community development, uh, Mr. Joe Dulin will likely tell us what's going to happen during that week. Uh, Director Doolin. Uh, thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council. Um, we like to bring this proclamation forward every year because it's a really good opportunity, I think, to thank our legislators uh at the federal level for continuing uh to provide that funding that Councilman Allen just cited. Uh, I think often when we uh hear about things the community development department do, whether it's our uh investment down in 61605 in Churchview Gardens or MacArthur Flats or the Habitat Projects or our upgrades we made to Columbia North Park, Morton Square Park, all of that is really thanks to the federal government and their entitlement funds that we do. Uh, and also really thankful for our staff uh led by Catherine Murphy and her team who stretch the dollars absolutely as far as we possibly can and leverage them to get a lot of really good projects for the city of Peoria. So just appreciate council, appreciate the support for all of our funding decisions. Uh, really appreciate all of our state, I mean all of our federal legislators who uh despite all the issues that uh sometimes they argue over at the federal level, uh, often uh we have never seen a year where they've cut these programs because they see the value that these programs can deliver in our community, uh, not just for our residents, but for our nonprofits as well. So thank you very much, Mayor. You're welcome. Thank you, Catherine, as well. Uh next, we will have a proclamation on MS recognizing MS Awareness Week.
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