Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board met Feb. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER 

MOMENT OF SILENCE 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

ROLL CALL BY THE COUNTY CLERK

Attendance was taken with the Roll Call-Pro voting system, and the following members of the Board were present: Members Blair, Bryant, Daley, Elsasser, Fennell, Groves Allison, Pastucha, Rand, Reliford, Reneau, Rieker, Robinson, Salzer, Watkins, and Williams, with Members Dillon, Rosenbohm, and Windish absent.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

• Approval of January 9, 2020 County Board Meeting Minutes

• Approval of January 9, 2020 County Board Executive Session Meeting Minutes

Member Salzer moved for approval of the minutes, Member Blair seconded. The minutes were approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 15 ayes.

II. CITIZENS' REMARKS

There were no citizens' remarks.

III. CONSENT AGENDA (including reports to be filed)

C1. The Treasurer report consisting of the Bank and CD's Portfolio for the month of December 2019 and Revenue & Expenditure Reports for the month of November 2019.

C2. The Auditor's report of expenditures from Accounts Payable system is accessible at www.peoriacounty.org/auditor/transparency.

C3. A resolution from (item 1 surrender; items 2 -3 conveyances) your Ways and Means Committee recommending that the County Board Chairman be authorized and directed to execute deed of said property to the highest bidder, and be authorized to cancel the appropriate Certificates of Purchase. This resolution shall be effective ninety days from February 13, 2020 and any transaction between the parties involved not occurring within this period shall be null and void.

C4. A resolution from your Ways and Means Committee recommending approval of the Legislative Agenda for 2020 and 101st General Assembly.

C5. A resolution from your Executive Committee recommending approval of the establishment of a loan loss reserve in the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) Fund for microlending in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00, to be utilized in coordination with Justine Petersen.

C6. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending approval of revisions to County of Peoria Drug-Free Workplace Policy and County of Peoria Drug Testing Policy in order to comply with the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act (CRTA).

C7. A recommendation from your Infrastructure Committee to approve an Ordinance reducing the speed limit in the Hendryx Manor Subdivision in Medina Township to 25 mph.

C8. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with Terra Engineering, Peoria, IL, for the replacement of a bridge structure on Dogtown Lane, at a cost not to exceed $172,690.00.

C9. Chairman Appointments.

Member Daley moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Member Pastucha seconded. Member Rieker asked to pull Item C5. The Consent Agenda, except for Item C5, was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 15 ayes.

C5. A resolution recommending approval of the establishment of a loan loss reserve for microlending in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00.

Member Rieker moved to approve Item C5 and Member Robinson seconded. Member Rieker highlighted that the program is an opportunity for economic development and that it is a joint effort between the County and the City. Mr. Sorrel detailed the program, the vendor and its successes, and explained that the program can help those that are either unbanked or under- banked. He expressed that the resolution would set up a default fund created from CDAP funds. Deborah Roethler, Assistant City Manager, City of Peoria, addressed the board regarding the proposed loan reserve. She described that the community has experienced accessibility issues to high-quality financial services and that the program supports microenterprise. She expressed that the organization helps support the construction industry. She noted that the organization identifies customers at above typical risk and combines education steps to move them into conventional banking.

Member Rieker suggested proper promotion for high utilization of the program and that metrics should be developed to find success. Member Reliford asked about other government involvement in loan reserve programs, and Ms. Roethler mentioned that Springfield put in a $500,000 commitment. Member Robinson reported that Justine Peterson has a history in Peoria of giving out personal loans, remarked that there is a need for the program, and highlighted that it will help people become part of traditional banking. He asked about the goals of the program, and Ms. Roethler reported that the loan pool will be $1 Million and that loans will be made predominantly to small businesses. Member Elsasser requested information about the success of the Springfield program, and Ms. Roethler informed that the program has been small, but it is growing and that she hopes the Peoria program will outperform Springfield. Member Elsasser inquired about the current work Justine Peterson is doing and why the County’s assistance is needed. Ms. Roethler noted that about 75 personal loans have been given and that the County’s help is needed to scale the program for profitability. Member Elsasser asked about the interest rate charged for the loans, and Ms. Roethler explained that the rate varies from as low as 7% to as high as 16%, but the rate remains lower than competitive products from payday loan services. She discussed that the default rate for loans given by Justine Peterson is much lower than other micro-lending companies. Member Elsasser inquired about the need for the program when Hubzones may be under-utilized. Ms. Roethler conveyed that some programs are designed for larger businesses and that the micro- lending program can be a better fit for the local, smaller businesses. Member Groves Allison asked for a description of a successful outcome from the program, and Ms. Roethler described a seasonal business that utilized Justine Peterson to get through the lean period and that they helped with education to make it through the dark period the next year. Item C5 was approved by a roll call vote of 14 ayes and 1 nay, with Member Elsasser voting nay.

IV. ZONING ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS

1. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of Addendum Number 5 to the surveying services agreement with Mohr & Kerr Engineering & Land Surveying, P.C. to perform structural cross sections on approximately 40-50 structures with a not-to-exceed amount of $92,000.00.

Member Salzer moved to approve the resolution and Member Pastucha seconded. Member Salzer noted that the Federal Highway Administration requires structure inspections to be performed, the Highway Department is performing some of the work, but it is requesting outside assistance to complete the project. Chairman Rand inquired about the timeline to complete the project, and Member Salzer conveyed that it will be completed this year. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 15 ayes.

2. A joint resolution from your Public Safety and Justice Committee and your Budget Committee recommending approval of a budget appropriation in the amount of $638,424.30 to pay in full the Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) Master Lease Purchase Agreement with Fifth Third Bank. (Pending Committee Approval)

Member Blair moved to approve the resolution and Member Pastucha seconded. Member Fennell detailed that the amount will pay off the balance of the loan and that it will result in savings. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 15 ayes.

V. MISCELLANEOUS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Rieker remarked about the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday.

Member Pastucha announced coffee with the Peoria Heights Mayor at the Peoria Heights Village Hall on Monday, February 17th at 9 am. She informed that the Regional Superintendent’s Office has started a food pantry at Central High School and explained the Lights On event. She encouraged all to donate to the pantry. She commented on Girl Scout Cookie season and asked for all to support it.

Member Salzer commended the Sheriff for locating a missing Minnesota woman in Peoria County.

Chairman Rand recognized Highway Engineer Amy McLaren on the award for the Allen and Willow Knolls intersection. He thanked ETSB Chairman David Tuttle for his public service with the ETSB and Logan-Trivoli Fire District. He noted the contributions of the newer members to the Board.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board, the Chairman announced the meeting was adjourned.

https://www.peoriacounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02132020-775