Peoria County Executive Committee met Aug. 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
| COMMITTEE
MEMBERS PRESENT: | James Fennell – Vice Chairman; Jennifer Groves Allison, Eden Blair, Brandy Bryant (via teleconference), Linda Daley, James Dillon, Betty Duncan (via teleconference), Kate Pastucha, Rachel Reliford, Steven Rieker, Paul Rosenbohm, Phillip Salzer, Sharon Williams |
| MEMBERS
ABSENT: | Andrew Rand – Chairman; Rob Reneau |
| 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; Jamie Dowell – County Administration; Andrew Braun – Planning & Zoning; Rachael Parker, Mike Deluhery – County Clerk; Nicole Bjerke – County Treasurer; Jessica Thomas – Auditor’s Office; Brian Asbell – County Sheriff |
| VISITORS: | Denise Moore – Minority Business Development Center; Chris Setti – Economic Development Council |
Vice Chairman Fennell called the meeting to order at 2:43 p.m.
A motion to allow the participation of Ms. Bryant and Ms. Duncan via teleconference was made by Ms. Williams and seconded by Ms. Reliford. The motion carried unanimously (11-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of July 27, 2021 was made by Ms. Groves Allison and seconded by Dr. Blair. The motion carried unanimously (13-0).
Informational Items/Reports/Other Minutes/Updates
⮚ Minority Business Development Center Report
Denise Moore presented an update on the programs and activities of the Minority Business Development Center. She noted that a 90-year old building on the South Side of Peoria was renovated to house the Center, adding that this was possible in part due to the investment of Peoria County in the Center. She outlined several programs being launched by the Center, including a Business Office Incubator, a Minority Contractor Development Program, an IT Workforce Development Program, and Entrepreneurship Training.
⮚ Springdale Cemetery Minutes
Mr. Sorrel advised noted that a 20-year Intergovernmental Agreement between Peoria County, the City of Peoria, the Peoria Park District and Springdale Cemetery expires in September 2022. He stated that all entities involved in the Agreement have begun discussion on defining the next chapter of Springdale Cemetery.
⮚ CDAP/GAP/Macro/Other Loan Report
Ms. Ciesla advised that loan to Trefgzer has been paid in full, and the sole outstanding loan is current.
⮚ County Auditor
Ms. Thomas advised that 819 checks totaling $2,963,168.74 were audited in August 2021. Mr. Fennel asked about any noted exceptions to policies or procedures, and Ms. Thomas stated that an Exception Report can be created and included with the September report.
⮚ Heddington Oaks Financials
No verbal report. No questions or comments from committee.
⮚ Peoria County Enterprise Zone Report
Mr. Sorrel advised activity has begun on four new projects in the past month.
Resolution
⮚ Peoria County’s support in the creation of the Statistical Boundaries of the Illinois Waterway Ports and Terminals
A motion to approve was made by Mr. Rosenbohm and seconded by Ms. Pastucha. Mr. Sorrel explained that the General Assembly created the Heart of Illinois Regional Port District approximately 20 years ago. He remarked that the group has been dormant for several years; however, regional economic development leaders are hoping to revitalize the District. He stated that the District is a special purpose unit of local government and as such does not have the ability to levy a property tax, although it does have bonding authority and can be a conduit financer of economic development projects related to port activities.
Mr. Sorrel advised that a critical step in the re-start is the need to secure a federal “port statistical area” designation for the applicable section of the Illinois River and the six counties within the District. He stated that the resolution before the committee affirms the support of Peoria County for the creation of the port statistical boundary designation. He commented that final approval would allow the Port District to competitively seek and secure port district related funding within the Infrastructure Bill before the House of Representatives.
The motion to approve carried unanimously. (13-0)
Discussion
• Downstate Small Business Grant Phase 2 Closeout Hearing
Mr. Fennell began the hearing:
Mr. Fennell:
“On June 24, 2020, Peoria County held a public hearing for a second round of benefiting businesses to include the County Supplemental Application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. The program offers small businesses in downstate and rural counties in Illinois the opportunity to partner with local governments to obtain grants equal to 60 days of verifiable working capital up to a maximum of $25,000.00. Of the six businesses which submitted Phase II applications for COVID-19 emergency relief funds, three were awarded funding by DCEO. As a condition of the award, benefitting businesses must have remained open for at least 60 days and retained employees or re-opened and re-employed within one year.
The following businesses received funding assistance for working capital needs and have met the eligibility criteria of remaining open for 60 days post-award: Canam B&R, Inc. ($25,000); JIM-KOU, Inc. dba Jimmy’s Bar ($15,000); and Lakeside Custom Builders, Inc. ($25,000).
Previously under Phase I, nine businesses met the required criteria for a total award distribution of $170,000.00. Eight of those businesses were included in a Phase I Closeout Public Hearing on June 22, 2021. The ninth business from Phase I, PRW-LLC dba Shot Spot Pub ($25,000) has now met the closeout conditions and is included in the Phase II Closeout Hearing.
In order to be eligible for funding, a benefiting business must have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 emergency and require urgent assistance according to the standards as set forth by the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. As a condition of closeout, a public hearing facilitated by the governing body’s authorized official must be conducted. Including the closeout as an Executive Committee agenda item satisfies that condition. Peoria County partnered with the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council to successfully apply and administer the funding.”
Mr. Fennell opened the floor for comments from the public. There was no response. He again stated he was opening the floor for comments from the public. There was no response. He stated for a third time that he was opening the floor for comments from the public. There was no response.
Mr. Fennell closed the public hearing.
The following Standing Committee meetings were summarized by their respective Chairperson as follows:
County Operations
The following resolution was recommended to the County Board for approval.
⮚ Worker’s Compensation Settlement
Infrastructure
No resolutions were recommended to the County Board for approval.
Ways and Means
The following resolution was recommended to the County Board for approval.
⮚ Monthly Delinquent Taxes
Land Use
CANCELED
County Health
The following resolutions were recommended to the County Board for approval.
⮚ Award of Architect and Engineering Services for Health & Human Services Campus
⮚ Award of Construction Manager at Risk for Health & Human Services Campus
Public Safety and Justice
The following resolutions were recommended to the County Board for approval.
⮚ Adult Redeploy Grant SFY22
⮚ Transfer of funds from County Sheriff to Sheriff Merit Commission for FY 2021
Mr. Rosenbohm advised that a resolution related to a State Court Improvement Program Grant will be submitted to the committee as a poll vote.
Finance Audit and Legislative Affairs
No resolutions were recommended to the County Board for approval.
A motion to go into executive session to discuss Probable Litigation was made by Mr. Rieker and seconded by Ms. Groves Allison. The motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Regular session resumed upon a motion by Mr. Salzer and second by Ms. Pastucha.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by Vice Chairman Fennell at 4:34 p.m.
https://www.peoriacounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08242021-1026
Alerts Sign-up