Peoria County Executive Committee met June 22

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Oct 11, 2021

Peoria County Executive Committee met June 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

COMMITTEE

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Andrew Rand – Chairman; James Fennell – Vice Chairman; Jennifer Groves Allison, Eden Blair, Linda Daley, James Dillon, Betty Duncan, Kate Pastucha, Rob Reneau, Paul Rosenbohm (via teleconference), Phillip Salzer, Sharon Williams

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Brandy Bryant, Rachel Reliford, Steven Rieker

STAFF PRESENT:

Scott Sorrel - County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Jennie Cordis Boswell - State's Attorney's Office; Randy Brunner – Chief Financial Officer; Julie Kusturin – Finance; Andrew Braun – Planning & Zoning; Mike Deluhery – County Clerk; Nicole Bjerke – County Treasurer; Elizabeth Crider – Regional Office of Education; Monica Hendrickson – Health Department; Brian Asbell – County Sheriff; Margie Kowalski, Lorry Saunders, Brittany Strickland – Auditor’s Office

VISITORS:

Chris Setti – Economic Development Council

Call to Order

Chairman Rand called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes of May 25, 2021 was made by Ms. Daley and seconded by Ms. Duncan. The motion carried unanimously (11-0).

A motion to allow the participation of Mr. Rosenbohm via teleconference was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Mr. Fennell. The motion carried unanimously (11-0).

Informational Items/Reports/Other Minutes/Updates

⮚ Springdale Cemetery Minutes

Mr. Sorrel directed committee members to the submitted Springdale Cemetery Management Authority minutes of April 20, 2021.

⮚ CDAP/GAP/Macro/Other Loan Report

Mr. Sorrel stated that the two active loans are both current, and assets are available to be loaned.

⮚ County Auditor

No verbal report. No questions or comments from committee.

⮚ Heddington Oaks Financials

No verbal report. No questions or comments from committee.

Committee Action

⮚ Review of Executive Session Minutes

⮚ Ms. Cordis Boswell advised that it is the recommendation of the State’s Attorney’s Office that all previously held executive session minutes continue to be held closed as the need for confidentiality still exists, and to destroy executive session audio recordings more than two years old, except those that relate to pending litigation. A motion to accept the recommendation of the State's Attorney's Office was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by

Dr. Blair. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously (12-0; Mr. Rosenbohm voted aye via teleconference).

Discussion

⮚ Small Business Stabilization Program Grant Phase 1 Closeout

Mr. Setti remarked that in April 2020 the Economic Development Council (EDC), with the assistance of Peoria County, applied for a series of grants for small businesses under the State of Illinois Downstate Business Stabilization Program. He stated that the program is funded via the State of Illinois Community Development Block Grant, and requires both a public hearing in advance of the applications and at closeout. He advised that 9 grants were awarded in total, and currently 7 grants have been fully closed out.

Mr. Setti explained that the program offers small businesses in downstate and rural counties of Illinois the opportunity to partner with local governments to obtain grant requests equal to 60 days of their viable working capital up to a maximum of $25,000.00. The following businesses received funding assistance for working capital needs and met the eligibility criteria of remaining open for at least 60 days after their award:

• A Perfect Pear Boutique ($25,000.00)

• Bartonville Express Lube and Auto Service ($25,000.00)

• Carlson Jewelers LTD ($25,000.00)

• Coyote Creek Golf Club ($15000.00)

• Jim’s Family Restaurant ($10,000.00)

• Novel Electronic Designs, Inc. ($20,000.00)

• Peoria Flag & Decorating Co. Inc. ($25,000.00)

• The Trolley Inc. ($25,000.00)

Mr. Setti advised that in order to be eligible for the funding, a Benefitting Business must have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 emergency and require urgent assistance according to the standards set forth by the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. He reiterated that the public hearing is a requirement of the closeout and allows completion of required paperwork under the Community Development Block Grant.

Chairman Rand declared the Public Meeting open.

Dr. Blair asked if the businesses considered in this closeout hearing continue to be actively in business. Mr. Setti advised that upon his latest update, the 8 businesses continue to be in business.

Mr. Dillon asked if the EDC verified that all business met the outlined requirements. Mr. Setti advised that the EDC provided application materials and assisted businesses with the application; DCEO made the determination as to whether a business qualified at the time of application. Mr. Dillon asked for further qualification as to who verified that the businesses continued to operate after the 60 days in order to receive payment. Mr. Setti stated that the EDC verified that the businesses were open at time of payment. Mr. Dillon asked for clarification as to when the businesses received payment. Mr. Setti advised that Peoria County was awarded the funding in February 2021 and payouts were dispersed in April 2021. He stated that as part of the payout the businesses were required to provide the EDC receipts for working capital. He further clarified that DCEO made the final decision as to whether the expenses were eligible, while the EDC worked with businesses to ensure paperwork was in line prior to sending to DCEO.

Mr. Rand inquired as to a 2nd round of funding. Mr. Setti noted that one business remains outstanding from the 1st round of funding, The Shot Spot Pub, and added that the business has been paid but is not part of this closeout hearing due to timing issues. He stated that three additional businesses, Jimmy’s Bar, Hammer’s Bar, and Lakeside Custom Builders, have been awarded grants which are anticipated to be paid out in July 2021. He noted that Lakeside Custom

Builders was denied funding in the 1st round as the grant was initially intended to be for businesses which were forced to close due to the Governor’s Order, and the business was not forced to close at that time. In October 2020 DCEO revised its requirements and allowed businesses to reapply that were denied on that basis, and saw a 25% year over year reduction in revenue. He remarked that Lakeside Custom Builders did reapply through the EDC and were awarded a grant.

Mr. Rand asked the length of time since the payments were approved for the assistance through this date. Mr. Setti remarked that Lakeside Custom Builders was approved in February or March 2021, while the notice for Jimmy’s Bar and Hammer’s Bar was received in December 2020. He noted that both Jimmy’s Bar and Hammer’s Bar applied for the grant in May 2020. He commented that the DCEO process is lengthy, and stressed that there has been no delay on the part of Peoria County or the EDC.

Mr. Rand asked for comments from the public. Ms. Lorry Saunders asked how many total applicants applied. Mr. Setti advised that 24 businesses submitted applications under the first round of funding, and DCEO funded 9 of those businesses. Ms. Saunders asked if a breakdown of the type of businesses that applied is available, and Mr. Setti advised that he can supply that information. He noted that DCEO denials were for a variety of reasons, including being a high financial risk, or essential business already in operation.

Mr. Rand again asked for comments from the public. There were no further comments and Mr. Rand declared the public hearing closed.

The following Standing Committee meetings were summarized by their respective Chairperson as follows:

County Operations

CANCELED

Infrastructure

The following resolution was recommended to the County Board for approval. ⮚ Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Hanson Professional Services for Phase I and II Preliminary Engineering for Pulsifer Road bridge rehabilitation

Ways and Means

CANCELED

⮚ Monthly Delinquent Taxes (resolution will be poll voted)

Land Use

The following were recommended to the County Board for approval.

Zoning Cases

⮚ Case #012-21-Z, Petition of Refugio L. Dominguez, Jr.

⮚ Case #ZBA-2021-000023, Petition of DGS Properties, LLC

Public Safety and Justice

CANCELED

County Health

CANCELED