Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board met Feb. 10.

Here are 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, Daley, Dillon, Duncan, Elsasser (Via teleconference), Fennell, Groves Allison, Pastucha, Rand, Reliford (Via teleconference), Reneau, Rieker, Salzer, Watkins, Williams, and Windish, with Member Bryant absent.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

∙ Approval of January 13, 2022 County Board Regular Session Minutes

∙ Approval of January 13, 2022 County Board Executive Session Minutes

Member Groves Allison moved for approval of the minutes and Member Reliford seconded. The minutes were approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 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 2021 and Revenue & Expenditure Reports for the month of November 2021.

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

C3. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending acceptance of grant monies in the amount of $5,000.00 awarded from the Sally Lorraine Sedlak Vaughan Irrevocable Trust for the purchase of microchips, and to appropriate those funds into the PCAPS Fund.

C4. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of Peoria and the Village of Princeville to provide impound only animal control services for the term January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.

C5. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation with the State of Illinois for reconstruction of Peoria County’s section of Glen Avenue from Sheridan Road to Knoxville Avenue.

C6. Chairman Appointments.

Member Daley moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Member Williams seconded. The Consent Agenda was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes.

IV. ZONING ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Case #ZBA-2021-000001, Petition of Robert and Carol Meischner. A Special Use request from Section 20-6.2.1.1.b of the Unified Development Ordinance. This section allows for a special use when a proposed land split does not meet the 40-acre minimum lot size in the “A-1” Agricultural Preservation Zoning District. The petitioner proposes to divide 1.5 acres from an existing 19.19-acre parcel in order to separate and sell two (2) existing buildings from the remaining agricultural use. The parcel is located in Limestone Township. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval. The Land Use Committee concurs.

Member Dillon moved to approve the ordinance and Member Blair seconded. Member Elsasser thanked the Planning & Zoning department for their work.

Member Rosenbohm entered the meeting via teleconference.

The ordinance passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

2. Case #ZBA-2021-000005, Petition of Peoria County. A Text Amendment to amend Chapter 20, Article 3, Section 3.5 (“Special Use Permits”) and Article 11, Section 11.1 (“Definitions”) of the Peoria County Code. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval. The Land Use Committee concurs.

Member Dillon moved to approve the ordinance and Member Blair seconded. Andrew Braun, Assistant Planning & Zoning Administrator, explained that the amendment was coming before the Board to be prepared for upcoming wind farm projects. Mr. Braun commented that the amendment to Appendix A was not correctly published, so it will come before the Board during the next meeting. He presented the amendments to the Code and clarified the language set forth. He summarized the new definitions being added to the Code. He highlighted the review process stating staff collaborated with 23 Illinois counties containing wind farms.

Member Dillon thanked Chairman Rand for allowing the Planning & Zoning Department to give their presentation. Member Blair recognized Kathi Urban and Andrew Braun for being proactive in bringing this to the Board. She clarified these amendments apply to applications for wind farms, not to wind farms themselves. Member Elsasser questioned whether the funds for possible fees would be set aside along with fees from decommissioning. Chairman Rand conveyed that the County would be reimbursed the fees for professional engineering work done during the application process and decommissioning. Mr. Braun confirmed that statement. Member Rosenbohm asked Mr. Braun if wind farm applicants in other counties were consulted as well. Mr. Braun remarked applicants were consulted and they found the rules and regulations equitable to others in the industry.

Chairman Rand asked how much this amendment adds to the cost of a single application. Mr. Braun commented he could not quantify it. He said they aren’t adding any new requirements but are changing the timeline in which the submittals are being asked. Chairman Rand brought up farmers who have ground suitable for a wind farm and asked if this might be a disadvantage for them. Mr. Braun discussed the process for selecting the sites. He contended that after speaking with all involved parties he does not believe the requirements will hinder the ability to find adequate sites or deter participants. Chairman Rand questioned whether the amendments to the Code will be applied retroactively. Mr. Braun stated that Planning & Zoning has not received any applications for wind farms, only solar farms, therefore these amendments are proactive. Member Dillon stressed the requirements set forth are similar to other counties, except more information is required up front instead of later in the application process. He remarked that Peoria County was not an ideal location for wind farms in the past, but that technology has advanced for it to be possible in some regions of the County. He reiterated that the Board was not approving a wind farm but approving amendments to the Code to be proactive. The ordinance passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

3. SUSPENSION OF RULES

Member Groves Allison moved to suspend the rules and Member Pastucha seconded. The motion passed by a roll call vote of 16 ayes and 1 nay, with Member Windish voting nay.

4. A Proclamation extending the Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 in Peoria County, Illinois.

Member Williams moved to approve the resolution and Member Pastucha seconded. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 4 nays, with Members Elsasser, Reliford, Rosenbohm, and Windish voting nay.

V. MISCELLANEOUS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Salzer commented that the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame released the names of the individuals and teams that will be inducted on March 19th at the Peoria Civic Center. He congratulated Member Elsasser on being inducted with the 1975 Princeville Football Team.

Member Elsasser thanked Member Salzer and the Board for their congratulatory remarks. He said he is honored to be recognized.

Member Fennell invited the Board to the Eagle Days breakfast at Shore Acres in Chillicothe.

Member Pastucha updated the Board of the timeline to discuss the County Administrator’s evaluation. She said the Board will still vote on compensation at the meeting in March, and discussions will occur during the Executive Committee meeting on March 1st. She reminded the Board that the packets in front of them contain confidential information and should not be photocopied or discussed with anyone. Member Fennell inquired when they would be receiving evaluation sheets. Member Pastucha stated that the information was in the packet and that Gretchen Pearsall would also be sending an email.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

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

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02102022-1146