PEORIA, IL -- Here's guest columnist Dave Berry's report on the Peoria City Council:
With three weeks since the Council’s last gathering, there was a concerted lack of interest in City affairs by its elected representatives. This past Tuesday night, the body struggled for quorum, with five of eleven voting members not present. Mayor Jim Ardis and At-Large Rep Sid Ruckriegel accompanied the City Manager in a visit to Washington D.C. At-Large Reps Beth Akeson, Eric Turner and Fourth District Rep Jim Montelongo were expectantly absent. The rump session was a disappointing showing for democracy and dedication to Peoria’s citizens.
Second District Rep Chuck Grayeb presided as Mayor pro tem and did a fine job juggling all his duties and dolling out “Proclamations.”
Heart of Illinois Harvest was recognized for 25 years of fighting waste and hunger in Peoria. HOIH is a not-for-profit food rescue program that transports surplus food to local agencies for free distribution to those in need on a daily basis.
Two items were pulled from the “Consent Agenda”, by First District Rep Denise Moore and At-Large Rep Zach Olyer. Item 17-162 was deferred after Moore requested more information on the $500,000 contract to continue the N. University/ Pioneer to Townline road. As she has in the past, Moore pressed the Public Works Director for evidence of racial diversity in the contractor’s workforce. The Director agreed to bring this information at the next meeting. Unfortunately, the absence of this project’s biggest critic, Akeson, led to no debate on the actual need to spend any more money on this controversial project.
Moore’s consistent pursuit of racial equality in all city contracts is important, but would be unnecessary if she simply created legislation that attaches penalties to contractors that do not comply with City diversity regulations. This point was pounded home, by representatives of the NAACP, during the “Citizens Address” portion of the meeting.
Olyer pushed to defer the City’s proposal to enact a 30-day waiting period before and any building demolitions. At-Large Rep Beth Jensen wondered if 30 days was enough time for the public to review proposed demolitions, while Olyer looked to have more detailed language, aimed at protecting buildings from salvage.
Peoria’s small business façade improvement program was utilized by Quad Cities Consolidated (1919 N. Knoxville). They received a $5,000 grant.
In “Unfinished Business” Wisconsin Tap (1918 N. Wisconsin) was denied a liquor license, after not completing the documentation needed for such a classification.
“New business” included Jensen pressing City staff for information on the upcoming American Water buyout and Moore plugging a new open air market in the First District.
The recent uptick in gun violence was then addressed by Peoria Police Chief Jerry Mitchell. Citing that the rate of gun crime is consistent with our five year average, he stated that the PPD best response is to increase patrols and traffic stops in high crime areas. He also stressed the need for more education on the dangers of illegal fireworks and opportunistic nature of car and garage break-ins.
The “Citizens’ Address” portion was dominated by the proposed destruction of Riverfront Park and racial diversity in city hiring. “Friends of Riverfront Park” was well represented.
Two prominent citizens reminded the Council that a vote concerning the continuation of a contract to build luxury apartments on valuable and environmentally sensitive public parkland looms on June 27th. They urged the council to vote down this continuation. They recounted that this park is currently used by the Peoria Public Schools, for nature education and by many groups for celebrations. Its importance as a habitat for monarch butterflies was emphasized as well. Future litigation was also mentioned. The process to complete this destruction and construction was promised to be long, costly and unpopular. One quote stood out: “no responsible government gives away a park.”
Three citizens spoke passionately about the city’s lack of racial diversity in construction contracting. One citizen spoke of a recent “listening session” with young people. They expressed disappointment in the lack of diversity in the work crews of city projects. Statistics were also cited: “6.6 million dollars of the city’s 11.6 million dollar budget is taken up by four contractors, who do not meet the city’s diversity goals”. A solution was offered. The city needs only to attach penalties to contractors who do not meet preset goals for workforce racial diversity. These monies can be used to bridge the skills gap, with training programs for economically disadvantaged residents. - 30 -
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