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OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST PEORIA, ILLINOIS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2008 7:00 P.M. WEST PEORIA CITY HALL 2506 W. ROHMANN AVENUE, WEST PEORIA IL
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of West Peoria, Illinois was held at the West Peoria City Hall on October 14, 2008
1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Dillon
3. ROLL CALL
The following council members were present: Alderman Dohm, Alderman Dwyer, Alderman Ganson, Alderman Mathewson, Alderman Meismer, Alderman Roberts, Alderwoman Thomas and Alderman Venzon. Also present: Mayor Dillon, City Administrator Carlson, Economic Development Coordinator Pratt, City Atty. Connor and City Clerk Stephens
4. ADDITIONS AND OR DELETIONS FROM AGENDA
None
5. MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES from September 23, 2008 City Council Meeting was made by Alderman Dohm and seconded by Alderman Dwyer.
ROLL CALL VOTE - Ayes 8, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, Mathewson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent - 0 Motion Carried
6. COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT
Officer Watkins reported on the residential burglaries in Peoria County. The City of West Peoria did not have anything going on for a while, but last week it has hit hard, with reports of break-ins on Richmond Avenue and Gentry Avenue. In the 2100 block of Laura Avenue, like most homes in West Peoria the garage butts up to the alley and mowers were stolen. Make sure your garage as well the houses are always locked. Most of the burglaries are in the daytime. The Bike Patrol will be riding in the daytime from now until Halloween. Call the County Sheriff’s Department if you see or suspect anything that is suspicious. The vehicle is the most common for vandalism or burglary, but it is tremendously down and the residential burglaries are about the same. The City has had eleven residential or garage burglaries in the last year and half of those have been done in the last six weeks. There have been a number of arrests because of the citizens calling in and reporting anything suspicious with description and details.
7. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Dillon stated that the Waste Management Test Run has been very successful. Illinois American Water Company is still working on transferring water services. They will be working on Ashland Avenue and Avon Curve next week. This week they are working on Market Street. We are making a final payment to Peoria Metro Construction for the new city garage, which is completed and Henry Strube is ready to move in. The first major event at the new garage will be voting for Ward 1 and Ward 2 on November 4, 2008. Mayor Dillon reminded everyone that early voting will be at West Peoria City Hall on Friday October 17, Friday October 24, and Monday October 27, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The City will be hosting the Heart of Illinois Mayors Association for the December Meeting. Let me know in advance if you can attend this meeting with me. I’ll make the reservations in advance.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Barb Kerns thanked Staff at City Hall for their help in getting the information she requested and the City Council and for their quick response to the phone calls she made to them. She explained the Bailey Group, which consisted of her; husband and children and how they got involved with the Woodridge Building on Heading Avenue and their concern what would happen to this empty building, which was in much need of repair. Because of their purchase of the Woodridge Building Mrs. Kerns explained the tax revenue for this year to the City of West Peoria, stating that it has never been on the Tax Roll for sixty-seven years. She commented on the heavy investment and repairs that were done to this building. They now have four tenants and soon to be five tenants offering a wide variety of professional services. Mrs. Kerns stated the City of West Peoria had just started into looking at a TIF Agreement at the same time they were looking at the Woodridge Building. We were drawn that the City is progressively looking at incorporating a TIF District to add to the developers’ ability to invest in West Peoria. We are in need of a TIF Agreement that is positive for us to continue to do what we have started and to continue to grow. To do this we need the assistance of a TIF 70- 30 or 80 – 20 percentage. When we worked with the City in 2004 our project was used as an example of a perfect TIF Project. It takes something that is obsolete, not usable; it revives it and brings value to the Community, adds new jobs to the City and beautification. Thomas Jacobs & Associates were contracted by the City as TIF Consultants. They put our numbers together on a spread sheet as an example of seventy-five percent return to the developer and twenty-five percent to the City. From the City’s stand point having a property that generates no money to twenty-five percent that is a good investment. If we weren’t in the TIF our property would generate one hundred and fifty dollars to the City, but because we are in the TIF every tax would go to the City of West Peoria. The City of West Peoria at a seventy-thirty percent would get a twelve hundred percent return. We are appealing the City Council to approve this to an eighty – twenty percent to help us grow. Resident: Commented that she has watched the Woodridge Project and that the Bailey Group has made lemonade out of a real lemon. The building they saved I would call it historical. They have started a new business in West Peoria, and that’s what we need, encourage new business in the City. It is wonderful for the neighborhood it will raise property value and the desirability to live here. They offer the grounds for community events. I think this is the perfect TIF Project. Resident: As a West Peoria Business owner I came here tonight in support of the Dan and Barb Kerns request. I understand that this is the first TIF Agreement that the Council will vote on. I realize that there is a learning curve. Please understand the vote taken here tonight is going to set a precedent for all future projects that come in front of the City Council. Any kind of development that I would do would require some of the same arguments that were made tonight. A fifty – fifty split is not acceptable. A seventy – thirty percent would be very helpful to push along projects. I think that any developer that would come into the City and looking a property in the TIF District that a seventy-thirty percent would at least promote them to look at the possibility. An eighty-twenty would encourage them to look at the possibility. But I also understand that an eighty-twenty percent is asking a lot from the Council. There are two things that I think you should realize: The Kerns made a very clear argument that it is not a fair eighty-twenty split or seventy-thirty split. There is an eight percent that will be paid out to the Administrator of the TIF; the City and property owners take a hit on that. Also, the more property you bring into the City, you are not just talking about property taxes. Every new business generates sales tax. I encourage you to consider their plan. Mayor Dillon: Each individual application will be weighed; whatever the outcome is on this particular TIF does not mean they will all be the same. They will all be voted upon and weighed upon and they can all be from fifty percent to eighty percent. This does not mean if one is seventy they are all seventy. Resident: I agree that they will all be judged differently, but there will be a history to track. This agreement that is put in place today will set the stage for future agreements. Whether or not we are judged differently but the precedent will be set. Resident: I was on the ZBA in 2004. The Bailey Group came close to delivering everything they promised to with the property on Heading Avenue. I like to see that they kept their promise and the comments made to them were on the positive side.
9. MOTION TO APPROVE THE TIF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT was made by Alderman Mathewson to approve the TIF Development Agreement between the City of West Peoria and the Bailey Group which includes a thirty-seventy percent split of real estate taxes. Alderman Roberts seconded this motion. Discussion: Alderman Ganson asked about the Not to Exceed Clause. Economic Development Coordinator Gene Pratt: Explained the not to exceed clause has nothing to do with the cost of reimbursable expenses. It was a projection of what the cumulative real estate tax increments were going to be over twenty-three years. Should this pass they would get seventy percent of whatever the assessed valuation on any given year. If you project that out twenty-three years it would come close to $237,000. Although the eligible cost will be considered as the taxes are assessed each year. Mayor Dillon: The Bailey Group has done a beautiful job on the outside of the Woodridge Building as well as the inside. Alderman Ganson: If the same aldermen in favor of the seventy-thirty split would they also be in favor of any developer coming in to West Peoria to give them the seventy- thirty split? Alderman Mathewson: The original TIF Agreement will always be on a case by case basis. Every case will be looked at separately. Alderman Ganson: Congratulated the Finance Committee on doing a great job.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes 7 – Mathewson, Roberts, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, Meismer, Thomas Nay – 1 Venzon Absent – 0 Motion Carried
10. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT TO PEORIA METRO CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000 (LINE ITEM 20-00-820). THIS IS THE LAST PAYMENT FOR THE NEW CITY GARAGE was made by Alderman Dohm and seconded by Alderman Mathewson. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Dohm, Mathewson, Dwyer, Ganson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried.
11. MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2008-18 AN ORDINANCE CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL SERVICE AREAS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2008 was made by Alderman Venzon and seconded by Alderman Mathewson Discussion: Alderman Venzon stated: This is the first step of the Sidewalk Program. We will have a Public Hearing for anyone who wants to review the plan and opt out. This is the standard step. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 Venzon, Mathewson, Dohm, Dwyer, Ganson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas Nays – 0 Absent - 0 Motion Carried
12. DISCUSSION ONLY; A. City Council Meeting slated for November 11, 2008 – Veterans Day. This is a holiday for the Staff at City Hall. City Attorney stated a Public Hearing was slated for Item 11 at this meeting. It was decided to bring this subject up at the October 28, 2008 City Council Meeting.
13. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. FINANCE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MATHEWSON – CHAIR The Finance Committee met on October 7, at City Hall. The City’s Auditor, Eric Jones came to this meeting with the first step part of the audit. He distributed the 114 Letter to Finance Committee, City Administrator and City Clerk. This is a letter stating items we are to work on. We have already started this process. At the next Finance Committee Eric Jones will bring the actual audit and go over it with us. We will bring the audit to Council Meeting. The Committee went over the Welcome Wall. We checked our Finance Report, went over our goals, we worked on the TIF Agreement for the Bailey Group and reviewed our bills for the month. Our next meeting is the first Tuesday of the month, which is Election Day. We have not made a decision to meet on that day; we will inform everyone as soon as we decide.
Mayor Dillon: Commented that Mr. Fahnestock left the City of West Peoria $20,000 in his will, for the beautification of West Peoria. This was used to construct the Welcome Wall. Once the wall was started it was deemed too small. The City then enlarged and centered the Wall. The City of Peoria will move the street light which is in front of the Wall. Mr. Fahnestock’s attorney notified the City that we will be receiving another $10,000 from an insurance policy of Mr. Fahnestock which will pay for the enlarging of the Wall. There is a plaque in the Wall honoring Mr. and Mrs. Fahnestock. Jan Powers and members from the Beautification Committee are working on the plans for landscaping and lighting around the Welcome Wall starting in the spring. B. LAND USE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN DOHM – CHAIR The Land Use Committee has not met since the last City Council Meeting. Our next meeting is October 15 at 6:30 at City Hall. C. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN DWYER, CHAIR The Public Safety Committee has not met since the last City Council Meeting. Our next meeting is October 15 at 5:30 at City Hall. Discussion: The Test Run for Waste Management. The residents are pleased with the Test Run, but are concerned what is going to happen when the Test Run is over at the end of November. Will the residents start taking their garbage to the alley again? Is there a continuous plan coming up on what is going to happen after the Test Run is over? Tom Dwyer told the Council that this will be discussed at the next Public Safety Meeting. D. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VENZON, CHAIR The Transportation Committee met on October 9, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The committee reviewed all the new sidewalk petitions and had a walk through. We are working to change our schedule to complete the projects sooner. Henry is right on schedule in getting ready for winter and the equipment is ready. There shouldn’t be a problem if we have an early winter. Alicia Hermann talked with the committee about the drainage issue at Kenwood and Swords Avenue. Alicia is in the process of trying to get an underground pipe to the manhole across. She is fighting underground issues. There are three changes on the Market Street Project that the council will have to look at. We will have to approve them so IDOT can approve them. These are not major changes, but major enough that IDOT requires documentation. This will be coming after our next Transportation Meeting. We went through our committee goals and our calendar for 2008. Our next meeting will be on November 13, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Alderman Dohm: Where are we at on Sterling Hill? The down side is falling apart fast. Alderman Venzon: Alicia is finishing up the study on this. But as far as repairs we are waiting until we have to. We are hoping that PPUATS comes through with more money. We are trying to keep it going, but PPUATS needs to see the kind of condition Sterling Hill is in. The first phase of money from PPUATS will not be available until 2014. Resident: Is there a plan for Ashland Avenue? Alderman Venzon: We have invited the residents from Ashland Avenue to our meeting, but no one showed up. We will try it again. We want to lean on the county because Ashland Avenue was not the best of shape, but the way they detour the roads it has caused greater problems. MAYOR DILLON: We met with Illinois American Water Company, they offered some assistance with Ashland Avenue and offered to have it seal coated this year, even though they are going to turn around and tear it back up real soon. Stark Company will come back down with Illinois American, they are going to go through and directional bore water lines into every house and Illinois American will come back and dig wherever the main lines are in the streets or the curb lines and tap the new main. This is supposed to be done this year, but they can’t give me an exact date. Ashland Avenue is scheduled for next week or two. They more than likely will shut the street down if they directional bore. Detour again. The citizens were all sent a letter on this. They were given a date for next week. Alderman Venzon: Was this a firm date? Mayor Dillon: The services that were just transferred on Laura Avenue were originally started in 2006 and were just completed. Illinois American Water Company goal is 200 water services by Thanksgiving. It was suggested that all the letters on Ashland Avenue be hand delivered for the November 13, at 6:30 p.m. for our next Transportation Meeting at City Hall.
14. PUBLIC COMMENT; Township Supervisor DeSutter commented that the West Peoria Resident’s Association put up the Welcome to West Peoria sign on the corner of the Madison Golf Course. They have one more sign and are looking for a location. This is funded by the West Peoria Resident’s Association.
Barb Kerns - Bailey Group thanks the Council. Resident: Last week at the Finance Committee Meeting it was mentioned that the Oxbow Project was on hold. I would like for the Committee to give me more details on what they know to date to give us an idea where this project is. Mayor Dillon: We don’t know anymore than we did last week. Resident: That’s okay. That’s all I want to know. You said it was on hold. Resident: Does this mean that we have not heard from them at all? Mayor Dillon: We have not heard from the realtor or the developer. Resident: Do they have some kind of a time element that they have to deal with? City Administrator Carlson: We have been told that, but we have never seen an option on that. Keep in mind that the option is between the developer and the Cross Church. People are very confused. They think that the City owns that property. The City does not own that property. It is privately owned by Cross Baptist Church. Mayor Dillon: City Administrator Carlson had a meeting with the pastor of Cross Baptist Church and the only thing that the pastor asked us to pass on to the community was that this is their property and they would appreciate if people did not trespass on their property and was told that they would have to restate that with the people. Resident: What about the zoning change? City Administrator Carlson: There has been no zoning change. For that to happen, the developer would have to come before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The earliest if they choose to do this is early in November. Nothing has gone forward. There hasn’t been a Zoning Board Meeting this year. Resident: Why don’t they consider leaving the zoning like it is and don’t add the Special Use? City Administrator Carlson: The zoning has not been changed. There is so much confusion. I really welcome the opportunity to answer questions. Resident: People have fear and are very concerned about this project. It would be very helpful if the Council would take a stand and say that this project if not a fit for our community. Resident: After talking with Economic Development Coordinator Pratt on the phone, he made a big difference in my thinking as far as this project is concerned. Because he was so conscientious and managed to lay it all out, I understood better what the entire situation is. This would be great if it could be done for other residents. I really appreciated it and I think it helps me understand if a person is in front of them who can relate to what is going on. City Administrator Carlson: Commented that Gene in very conscientious and wrote the article on this that is in the West Peoria Newsletter which is another mode of communication for all of us. Resident: I understand that there was a traffic counter out for one day and I am wondering how you can get a thorough count for one day. Is this what is normally done? City Administrator Carlson: IDOT does this for us at our request. Mayor Dillon: This is done on a 24 hour basis and is based on however many days; they only had time for one day. City Administrator Carlson: The question is this reasonable, I can’t answer this tonight. We will check it out and have Mr. Pratt call you.
15. MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION was made by Alderman Mathewson and seconded by Alderman Ganson to discuss 2 ( c ) ( 5) Purchase of Property. ROLL CALL VOTE 8 Ayes Mathewson, Ganson, Dohm, Dwyer, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas, Venzon Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried - Moved to Executive Session at 7:57p.m.
The regular meeting was called back to order at 8:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Dillon, Alderman Dohm, Alderman Dwyer, Alderman Ganson, Alderman Mathewson, Alderman Meismer, Alderman Roberts, Alderwoman Thomas and Alderman Venzon.
16. MOTION TO APPROVE OF ORDINANCE 2008-17 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE 2 (c ) (5) was made by Alderman Dohm and seconded my Alderman Mathewson. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes 8 - Dohm, Mathewson, Dwyer, Ganson, Meismer, Roberts, Thomas, Venzon. Nays – 0 Absent – 0 Motion Carried.
17. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Roberts and seconded by Alderman Meismer. Motion carried unanimously by voice. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Carole Stephens, City Clerk |
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