PeoriaStory

Riverfront Park and the IDNR: WTF?

PEORIA, IL -- First the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said it didn't have any documents regarding the Riverfront Park Land swap. (See story below.)

Turns out that was a lie!

Another person obtained two documents about this land swap, the first dated March 13, 2015, about the process. But the most interesting is dated July 9, 2015, an email entitled "Riverfront Land." 

Jan Nation, a senior grant administrator at the IDNR stated in an email sent to me on Aug. 28: "Approval was given for the City to proceed forward with the conversion request.  Nothing more than that."

But look at the July 9 email:

From: Nation, Jan <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2015 2:18 PM
To: Christopher Setti
Cc: Susan Schlupp
Subject: Riverfront Land
Chris and Susan,
NPS is ok with the preliminary replacement sites and plans for the future for the two parcels we visited Tuesday morning. She wanted to make sure I (DNR) was comfortable with proposal and I stated I am. You are free to proceed
with the conversion requirements. Please remember, final approval is a long way off.

The first step is to determine the value of the converted land and then the two replacement parcels. Those appraisals will need to be submitted to me and the values will be rejected or certified by our agency appraiser. Make sure your
appraiser calls that division before they start work. The information was provided to you previously for you to give to your appraiser.

I checked and you are correct Susan, the residual value from the last conversion (2013) was $66,000 to be used within 5 year period. So once we have all the numbers figured out we will know if there is enough value in the proposed
replacement sites plus the $66K to equal the converted site. After that the other requirements will need to be started.

On another note, for your reference so you understand what I was saying about the NPS and their response time, I sent in a conversion request last December and am still waiting for approval. Hopefully when the City submits everything to me and I prepare package for NPS, things will have changed in their office.

Susan, once again it’s been a pleasure to work with you over the years. Enjoy your new phase of life!! Any questions, let me know.

Jan Nation
IDNR

"...Things will have changed in their office" -- just what does that mean? A new administration in Washington? 

So -- now what?  The Zoning Commission hearing is 1 pm Thursday, Sept. 3 in City Hall, unless it gets postponed again.  

The public is overwhelmingly opposed to this project.  We'll see if that matters to anyone in power.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

Not comparable! Riverfront Park

PEORIA, IL --The mystery of the proposed sale of 6 plus acres of parkland in Riverfront Park to developers for apartments gets curiouser and curiouser.

The ad hoc group, Friends of Riverfront Park, held a news conference on Aug. 26 to denounce the land swap site; reveal the lame answers the city of Peoria gave to the five important questions from a July news conference, and demand that the Planning and Zoning Commission delay its hearing on the project for 30 days, so the public will have time to study new plans submitted by the developer.

But the land swap took center stage. The press release is reprinted in full below, but a sentence in that release has proved the city staff to be liars or using their private cell phones or email accounts to conduct city business.

Here it is, referring to the land swap: "The City has received preliminary approval of this plan from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources."

No.  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources stated today it has no documents on this issue, not even text messages.  The IDNR comments were in writing, in an official letter.

OK -- so let's take a look at this very rough site.  It can be about 40 percent to 50 percent under water during floods.  The members of the Detweiller Boat Club attended the press conference and were happy to point out the flood lines. They promised to send photos later.

People at the news conference. The flood waters went beyond the white gate of the boat club, in the background, club members said.  It was deep enough to float a rowboat.

So the city is buying a site that may be at least 40 percent under water?  (Is this a Florida land deal?)  That will add to its $1 million flood clean up costs, to restore the park setting after a flood. And during flooding the public will not have access to the park.

The flooding took place there in 2013 and this year, members said. Every other year? There was no flooding in Riverfront Park this year or earlier.

In addition, the site has been used as a dump, and may have diesel tanks buried there, according to rumors.  

Founded in 1888, the club is likely eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The boat club members are very unhappy about losing their club.

They pay rent of $6,000 a year for their site, and pay the property taxes and spent $40,000 recently to renovate the club house and docks, said member Tom Zaia.

The founder, Tom Detweiller, would not have wanted this, members said.

And here's another interesting statement from the news release: "Since Riverfront Park was created in the 1980s with the help of state grants,..."

No -- $400,000 in federal money paid a part of the $1 million purchase, according to official documents from that era.

And a document states: "No portion of this land may be traded, sold or otherwise exchanged without prior written approval of the Department of Conservation (now IDNR) and the National Park Service."

So -- here's the city's press release  below.  What else is false? And will the Zoning Commission delay its hearing for 30 days,  or longer, so all of this can be sorted out?

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

Media Release

City Identifies Property to Extend Riverfront Park, Satisfy Need for Replacement Land

PEORIA – The City of Peoria has identified and begun the acquisition of privately held riverfront property that will add 7.4 acres to Riverfront Park, increase public access to the Illinois River, and satisfy the requirement to find replacement property for the River Trail project.

 A key issue in the development of the River Trail apartment project has been the identification and acquisition of replacement property to offset the loss of public open space. On April 14, 2015, the Peoria City Council approved a redevelopment agreement with River Trail Drive LP that, in part, sold approximately 5.8 acres of Riverfront Park to the developer for the construction of 144 market-rate apartments.  Since Riverfront Park was created in the 1980s with the help of state grants, the City is required to offset the loss of open space by purchasing and converting private property into a public park.  The redevelopment agreement requires this step to be taken prior to the development proceeding.  The City Council further directed staff to limit its search to property along the Illinois River.

The City has negotiated the acquisition of two separate properties along the Illinois River, directly adjacent to Riverfront Park.  James and Linda Simantel have agreed to sell the City approximately 1.3 acres of land at the foot of Spring Street.  The Detweiller Playground Trust has agreed to sell another 4.5 acres of land directly across Spring Street from the Simantel property.  Both properties are under contract for a total of $425,000 with options that expire December 31, 2015.

 The image below is a map of the proposed property.  Parcels labelled “A” are the Trust properties.  “B” indicates the Simantel property.  The parcel marked “C” is a 1.6 acre parcel already owned by the City.  This property is completely unimproved and not part of Riverfront Park.

Together, these properties will serve as an extension of Riverfront Park.  Riverfront Park essentially ends near Morton Street.  There is a small open area north of Morton Street, and the trail continues through to Detweiller Marina, but the City’s unimproved land, the Simantel property and the fenced Trust property prevent full access to the river.  While the City is selling 5.8 acres of Riverfront Park to River Trail Drive L.P., the plan would expand the park by 7.4 acres, a net gain of 1.6 acres.  Additionally, it adds 750 linear feet of access to the river (not including the breakwater).

 The City has received preliminary approval of this plan from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  A number of steps remain to obtain final approval.  The property being sold and those being acquired need to be appraised in order to evaluate the exchange.  Environmental screenings need to be conducted on all properties.  Most importantly, the City needs to create and submit a plan for improving the property into a public park.  The City will seek out public input on elements of the new park.

 The identification and securing of potential replacement open space property is one of the most critical activities within the River Trail project.  The City Council expressed their strong desire to improve the riverfront through an equal or better replacement.  The plan outlined above increases the amount of public riverfront property available. It also increases access to the Illinois River and provides for public ownership of all riverfront property from the RiverPlex to Detweiller Marina.  The outcome is a net positive for the community: the City is able to gain significant private investment in market rate housing while simultaneously improving the quality of Riverfront Park.

 Questions can be directed to Christopher Setti, Assistant City Manager, at (309) 494-8618 or [email protected]. 

 

 

 

 

All the children were above average?

PEORIA, IL -- Research from activist Sharon Crews reveals a discrepancy between the grades of Peoria District 150 students in the Advanced Placement classes, and their test scores on the AP tests. 

The grades were good -- the test scores poor, she found.

Either the grades were inflated or the courses watered down, she told the Peoria District 150 School Board during the public comment section of its August 24 meeting.

Her comments are reproduced below.

Here is a recording of the comments: 

 

Dist150 Aug 24

Activist Terry Knapp questioned the many tests required of students, and said the testing companies lobby legislators to require them. "It's ridiculous to put money in these things," he said, adding many students don't plan to go to college and don't care about doing well on the tests.

He also questioned the small first senior class at the Quest charter school, said to be only 40 students. "What kind of curriculum are we providing them?" he asked. 

They are also playing sports with Peoria Heights High School, he said, when they should be playing with Peoria high school students.

Two others spoke to praise a staff member at Trewyn School, whose grant ran out but who has continued to work with the students a volunteer. 

In her response, the new superintendent said she is looking at grants for her.

  -- Elaine Hopkins

Sharon Crews' comments:

What a difference a month makes.  After the meeting, Dr. Kherat told me that she has already put the AP data on the agenda for the next meeting with her staff.  She had already recognized a problem and had notified counselors to be sure the students enrolled in AP classes wanted to be enrolled.  She is truly the leader District 150 needs now. 
 
___________

Early in my career, many students were not given the opportunity to be in enriched or AP classes.  That inequity has changed over time, but I understand concerns that not enough has yet been done to include all qualified students.

 However, preparation for these advanced courses begins in kindergarten, not in high school.  I am concerned that discipline problems are taking away so much of that preparation time in the lower grades—and the problems continue in high school.

I hope that all of you share my concerns about the noticeable lack of correlation between AP test scores and some Semester Averages.

Of the 597 AP tests taken 2^nd semester of last year, only 21 had a score of 5.  However, 242 of the 597 had an A for a semester course average.  Seventy-three passed the test with a 4, but 169 had a B semester average.  Therefore, only 94 passed the test with a 4 or 5, but 411 students had A or B semester averages.  Of the 119 students who received a qualifying test score of 3, 105 received a C average—a correlation that is quite reasonable.  The bottom two scores take us back to inexplicable.  Of the 597, 126 had a test score of 2 and 61 had a D semester average.  258 of 597 had a test score of 1, but only 19 students had an F semester average. 

The volume and depth of AP material have always made course content difficult enough to make only above average students eligible.  I don’t think you have a choice but to consider that the large number of semester A’s and B’s in AP courses indicate that course content was watered down and/or grades were inflated Most of these students have graduated—how did these inflated grades and failed AP tests make them college ready?

Now that there is 2-way communication between teachers and administrators, I believe that such dialogue will explain the data.

Were teachers told not to give grades below a C?  The numbers seem to support such a directive.

Were students comfortable with the pace and difficulty of the courses? 

How were students chosen for AP classes?  Did they have a choice?

How do AP scores compare/contrast with AP scores 5, 10, or 15 years ago?

Teachers have always been good judges as to which students have the possibility of passing an AP test.  Were they consulted? - 30 -

 

 

Will this doom the awful Rivertrail Apartments?

PEORIA, IL -- The pro-business Rauner administration faces a dilemma -- whether to approve state Enterprise Zones, which waive sales taxes for materials for new commercial buildings. The zones are a form of taxpayer subsidy for business, and deprive the cities and state of needed funds.  

Will this affect the Rivertrail Apartment project, the controversial project that wants six acres of Riverfront Park?

Here's what Chris Setti, the Peoria City staffer on this project had to say when asked about the River Trail apartments. 

"The current Enterprise Zone expires June 30, 2016.  If we were awarded a new Enterprise Zone, it would start January 1, 2016 (and cut off the last 6 months of the current Zone).  So, presuming that the State gets this all figured out before next June, there should not be a problem.

If there were no Enterprise Zone, I’m not sure how that would impact the project.  (The City’s new Enterprise Zone has been approved with 48 others, but not certified.)  So basically my answer to your question is “it’s too soon to tell but probably not a big deal.”

Hummm... not a big deal.  Nothing to see here folks, move on.

If the Enterprise Zones are not approved, it raises the cost to build.  How will this affect the already heavily taxpayer subsidized project?

Just asking.

 -- Elaine Hopkins 

Buying votes? Disgusting...

PEORIA, IL -- Former Caterpillar, Inc. CEO Glen Barton, an investor in the controversial River Trail apartments, has spent $10,000 since 2010 buying influence with certain members of the Peoria City Council.

Now he wants them to approve his apartment venture, which would involve the sale of six acres of Riverfront Park, removed from public access.

Many people don't want this, as posts below show. But what about the decision makers on the council?  Here's the breakdown of Barton's contributions to their 'campaigns,' from www.illinoissunshine.org:

Eric Turner, $250 on April 6.

Ryan Spain, $1000 on March 23.

Chuck Weaver, $500 on Feb. 9.

Mayor Jim Ardis, $250 on Jan. 9.

Ryan Spain, $1,000 on Oct. 26, 2014.

Spain got $500 in 2013, and Jim Montalongo got $2,000 in 2013.

Spain got $1,500 in 2011 and $2,000 in 2010, when Weaver got $1,000.

So let's see -- Spain, Weaver, Turner, Ardis, Montalongo.  That's five Peoria City Council members with serious conflicts of interest who should not be voting on the Rivertrail Apartment venture.

So the right thing, members: Recuse yourselves from voting when the issue finally comes before you.

And check out this new website that makes looking up campaign finance information quick and easy.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Update Sept. 22, 2015:  Chuck Weaver called to say he has returned Glen Barton's contributions.  Good for him.  But I fear he will still vote for the project, alas.

 

 

 

 

 

Schock pleads the Fifth and more...

PEORIA, IL -- Former 18th District Congressman Aaron Schock is pleading the Fifth Amendment and also asking for immunity, according to a story in the Aug. 11 Peoria Journal Star.

These juicy facts are buried in the story, but there they are.

Will Schock go to jail?.See this story in the Journal Star, an update on the earlier story.

Oh well, maybe he will become an advocate for criminal justice system reform.

Meanwhile the election to replace him takes place on Sept. 10.  Early voting began Aug. 3. The candidates are Republican Darrin LaHood and Democrat Rob Mellon.

Vote for Mellon. He's smart and way better than LaHood, who is favored to win in the gerrymandered district.

Candidate forums are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 27 and 31. Watch for them.  LaHood is trying to ditch them because he's got nothing to gain from them but we'll see.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Board hears discipline comments

PEORIA, IL -- What a difference a new superintendent makes for the School Board of Peoria District 150.

The meetings are calmer.  On August 10 only four people delivered public comments.

Here is a recording of the comments. 

 

D150 Aug 10

Activist Terry Knapp questioned why board chair Martha Ross was not chairing the joint board-union committee, when the collective bargaining agreement called for the board chair person to chair that committee.

Afterward Ross said she would sit in on the meetings, and had appointed Debbie Wolfmeyer to head the committee as merely a way to spread the work around on the board.

Sharon Crews discussed discipline.  Here is her written copy of her remarks:

As you consider how to improve discipline, I would like to make some observations and suggestions.  Discipline policies should have two goals.  First, teachers should be allowed to use their discretion as to how much disruption is too much--when teaching and learning become impossible and before the disruptive student has time to get others to join in the fun.

Secondly, the consequences should help the disruptive students change their behaviors.  Before the rules became totally out of whack, suspensions and/or expulsions were not as prevalent because being out of class carried the heavy penalty of not allowing make up; therefore, failure was almost a sure thing. In-School Suspension is ineffective for the same reason.

I believe that today’s students are not allowed to fail, even when their grades are failing.  A discussion on Facebook included this observation by a Manual grad who works professionally with District students: “Students have received so many breaks that they and their parents are shocked when there are no more options available.  Students are failing as a result of this misplaced compassion.  Consequences for actions are necessary.”

Woodruff and the Knoxville Center do not have sufficient facilities for all the disruptive students.  Too many disruptive students remain to create havoc in their regular classes. 

Suspensions and expulsions can’t be eliminated because no other options are available.  However, time out of class isn’t a consequence that poses any threat or inconvenience for students.

Instead you must make suspensions and expulsions more effective.   It’s obvious that current policies are not working at all.  My suggestion is probably not practical. Students could be required to accomplish something to prove they are ready to return to class after the suspension or expulsion time is completed.  Thinking up meaningful consequences certainly would not be easy. 

After a suspension, an apology to the teacher and the class might be sufficient.  A student sent back to class after a classroom altercation often returns with a “see I got away with it” demeanor.  The student should have to acknowledge culpability if any lessons are to be learned. 

Suspensions or expulsions could have the added requirement of successfully completing some kind of counseling or community service during the suspension or expulsion time.  Counseling and peer counseling have been tried in the past as replacements for suspensions—that didn’t work.

Such added requirements successfully completed could provide students with a feeling of accomplishment—making something positive out of a negative.

Immediate and consistent consequences will do wonders in convincing students that the District means business.  Consistency and immediacy have not been policy for some time.  Thank you for listening—I know this not an easy task. And please consider summer school. - 30 -

Here's the Journal Star's story on the meeting.

 

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Bernie Sanders events in central Illinois

PEORIA -- The Bernie Sanders campaign has come to central Illinois.  Here's a news release:

Local Campaign Updates

 

The Local Organizers need your involvement

 

Write Directly to the organizing team by emailing: [email protected] 

 

Campaign Needs: 
1. Fliers
2. Parade Banner (financial)
3. Volunteer Photographers
4. Volunteer Contact info Collectors
5. Financial Support for potential expenses

Upcoming dates: 

August 13th: 
Organizers Meeting - 4pm, 3030 Coffee in Downtown Peoria.  

August 29th:
Deadline for all campaign material needs to be used at the Illinois Blues Fest and the Peoria Labor Day Parade. 

September 2nd:
Progressive Democrats for America (Local Chapter) Having a social gathering and campaign support meeting for Bernie Sanders in conjunction with the Central Illinois 4 Bernie Sanders Campaign. Mark your Calendars. 6pm at Rhythm Kitchen on Water Street.

September 4th - 5th:
Campaign informational booth to be among the vendors at the Illinois Blues Fest. Money needs to be raised for this opportunity - $110 - $140. Volunteers need to be organized to operate this booth, gather contact info. and hand out information, 

September 7th:
Peoria Labor Day Parade - We have to thank Jarrod Bainter for flipping the bill for our group's entrance fee into the parade. We will hear back for a confirmation of our attendance in the parade soon. We need volunteers to walk in the parade and show support for Bernie Sanders.  - 30 -

In addition: there's an interesting blog, Critical Provocation, with a piece on Sanders and other progressive/left stories.

 

Solar lives in Farmington

FARMINGTON, IL -- Solar energy saves one-third of the large new high school's electric bill here.

That was only one of the facts at the August 8 Solar Energy event at Farmington Central Illinois High School.  At one time it was the largest K-12 high school in the U.S. with solar energy.

Now it also serves as as a platform for advocacy for alternative energy.  Illinois state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, a co-sponsor of a Clean Jobs, Clean Power bill in the Illinois General Assembly, said the nation needs a proposed federal bill to create a level playing field.  It also needs the state bill, he said. 

The federal bill would demonstrate to China and India that the U,S. is serious about cutting carbon pollution to control climate change, he said.

Illinois aims to reduce carbon emissions by 27 percent by 2030, said Shannon Fulton, of the Illinois Solar Energy Association. The goal will be achieved by energy efficiency, upgrades and renewables.

"Cutting carbon pollution will create new 32,000 jobs, with 1,100 of those in central Illinois, she said.

Battery storage is the key to solar, Koehler said. He chairs the Illinois Senate's Environment and Conservation committee.

Illinois is already a low cost energy state, and exports 25 percent of its energy production elsewhere.  It's the second highest producer of wind energy, behind Iowa, he said.

Incentives for wind and solar are ending, he said, and need to be revived. But nothing may happen until the state's budget issues are resolved, he said.

He is determined to protect union, living wage jobs in the fossil fuel industry, he said, despite advocacy for alternatives. " I'm not going to trade collective bargaining for anything," he said.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

Women artists: read this

Peoria, IL -- From a news release:

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Studios on Sheridan Art Gallery     October 22-November 14, 2015

About ME is an exhibition of self-expressions recorded in a variety of media created by regional women artists.  A self-portrait expresses an artist's identity whether it is a true likeness or a representation of who she is, what she values about herself.  It depends on how she sees herself – or how she wants to be seen. Self-portraits are visual autobiographies.    Eligibility Women artists and art students (18 and older) within forty-five miles of Peoria are invited to participate.  Please submit one or two images of your work for consideration.  A variety of media  will be considered (including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, graphics, collage, mixed media, textile).   Requirements All work must be presented in a professional manner.  Works must be no larger than 18 x 18 inches in any direction, including framing and hanging materials. For 2D work, weight limit is 10 lbs. For 3D work, base up to 12 inches; height to 30 inches. All work must arrive ready to hang or display. Works that do not require framing should be properly protected for shipping and handling. Framed works must be wired, and ready to hang. No sawtooth hangers.   Online Exhibition All works selected for the gallery exhibition will also be included in an online exhibition.   Studios on Sheridan Art Gallery 929 N Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL https://www.facebook.com/pages/Studios-On-Sheridan-at-The-Sunbeam-Building/139373086162251   On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ciwomenartists?ref=hl

Important Dates Exhibition dates:  Oct 22 to Nov 14 Online entries:  May 4 through Sep 28 Notifications to artists sent on: Oct 5 & 6 Accepted work received at Gallery: Oct 13 & 14 (noon to 5:00 each day) Exhibition Reception:  Nov 6, First Friday Pick up art:  Nov 17 & 18 (noon to 5:00 each day)   How to Submit    –  Deadline Sept 28 There is no submission fee.  Enter online. Send image(s) to [email protected].  Files should not exceed 2MB in size. Add your last name, first initial,  and title to the file name. Example:  JensenS_MyPortrait.jpg.   Copy and paste the following information in your email and attach a copy to the back of your artwork. Artist Name: Address: City: Title of Work: Description: Medium: Size/weight: Contact Phone #:   Jurors Keith Cotton, fine art photographer. Faces of the East Bluff portrait series project. Sarah Glover, Associate Professor of Art History, Bradley University. Barb Milaccio, owner of Exhibit A Gallery, Peoria Heights.     Please direct questions to [email protected]