Peoria Standard

City of East Peoria City Council met Jan. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Honorable John P. Kahl Mayor of the City of East Peoria called the Working Session of the City Council of the City of East Peoria, Illinois to order at 5:00 P.M. with the meeting having been properly noticed. The City Clerk certifies that notice of the meeting was duly serve upon Council Members via email on Friday, January 20, 2023 at approximately 11:35 P.M.

Upon the roll being called the following answered present: Mayor John P. Kahl, Commissioners Daniel S. Decker, Mark E. Hill, Seth D. Mingus, and Michael L. Sutherland.

Absent: None.

Mayor Kahl explained that the Special Meeting is called for the purpose of Fiscal Year 2023-2024 City Budget Planning discussion on the EastPort Marina Budget, Summary of Revenues, Capital Expenditures, and City Council Budget Deliberations. He explained that no formal action would be taken at the meeting. He turned the discussion over to Director of Finance, Jeff Becker. Director Becker explained the EastPort Marina budget. He explained that the city is budgeting $797,000 for revenues which only $1,500 less than last year. The only to note is allocating out slip rentals fees breaking out the amount for the pool, storage, and other portions rather than putting all credit toward slip rentals. You can see those as the changes in those allocated amounts to slip rentals, storage, and pool. There were savings that were not anticipated last year. Equipment purchases are $125,000 for repairs and upgrades to the fuel system, upgrades to jet ports, and a couple of other odds and ends that are smaller projects. They are estimating a net income of $46,000. Mayor Kahl commented on making improvements to the Marina. He thanked Director Becker, Brad, Jason Payne for their hard work on the Marina. This was a large task and it is part of a commitment to make improvements to EastPort for the slip renters and others that use EastPort.

Director Becker next discussed the Revenues. He commented on the increase of $2,300,000 increase with the majority coming from non-home rule sales tax, one percent sales tax, state income tax, personal property replacement tax, and use tax. The rest of the revenues for the coming year are estimated to remain relatively the same as the current fiscal year. The one decline is the electrical aggregation with the contract expiring and Robert Cole working to get a new contract. He explained that they look forward to seeing those funds coming forward when a new contract is put into place. There is an increase of $1,200,000 going out of the general fund that is the interfund loans between the the TIFs and general fund to make up the deficit. He commented on the Hotel Motel tax fund revenues coming back after covid estimated at $900,000. Water/Sewer is at $10,900,000 based on the standard increase year over year built into the water bill. Motor Fuel tax is estimated to remain the same at $900,000. Riverboat gaming is up $250,000, an 8% increase from last year, having estimated to rebound after Covid. Commissioner Hill inquired as to whether the riverboat gaming revenue is all of it or just the portion for the City of East Peoria. Director Becker explained that the amount listed is the total and that half goes to City of Peoria ($3,200,000 is the total with $1,600,000 going to City of Peoria).

Director Becker commented on the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. He commented on the parking lots, F-150 purchase, comprehensive plan, and buildings that are a part of the plan. From police, there is the purchase of Police Cars, station engineering, Axon (body worn cameras and other cameras used in the police department), and taser replacement. Fire department has replacement of AEDs, a cardiac monitor, air packs, an engine in 2026-2027, central station new location, and a new ambulance. He next explained the solid waste capital plan that includes the purchase of a garbage truck. Director Becker commented on streets capital plan including a plow truck purchase, upgrade for traffic lights at Cole Street and E. Washington Street to make them permanent, and paving and maintenance. Commissioner Decker commented on how long the temporary lights have been located at Cole Street and E. Washington Street. Camp Street TIF has capital expenditures in the Camp and Riverside intersection project, Camp Street trail and trailhead project, Bass Pro HVAC upgrades, Striping, Bass Pro Maintenance, and striping/slab jacking & sidewalk repair.

Director Becker commented on capital expenses for hotel/motel that include concrete repair, fence repair, paving, and fields; EastSide Centre – Addition/Upgrades; Eastside Drive repair; EastSide Centre Roofs, Winners Way roadway, Field Drags, F-250 purchase, Gateway signage, and riverfront trees/railings/concrete repair. The Water/Sewer capital expenditures include a backhoe purchase, F 250 purchase, water main, sewer main, lift station automation, SCADA upgrade, and Water Treatment Plant expenditures. Gaming capital expenditures include two EastSide Centre softball fields and East Port Marina Dredge. Mayor Kahl explained that the Marina has not been dredged in years, dredging is long overdue, and the sonar showed that some of the slips could not be used due to the silt in some of the slip locations. Director Becker explained the Motor Fuel Tax (“MFT”) capital expenditures that include Camp and Riverside intersection, street maintenance, and MFT street maintenance. Additional streets will be paid for with other funds as well. Other Streets projects include Camp Street and West Washington Street (that also includes a $300,000 grant), Veterans Drive, Grange Road, Fairlane Drive, Camp Street & Riverside Drive intersection (from MFT funds), Camp Street & Riverside Drive (from Camp Street TIF funds), and Winners Way.

Mayor Kahl asked for any comments or questions from the City Council.

Commissioner Mingus thanked everyone and explained that he looks forward to the presentation on the capital expenses. Commissioner Hill commented on the streets budget and commented on how busy the streets projects will be in the coming fiscal year. Mayor Kahl explained that he feels that a street maintenance program should be included in future budgets.

Commissioner Mingus explained that he liked how the capital expenditure plan sets out the expenditures out over five years. He like the additional EastSide Centre fields being turfed and inquired as to whether the high school field would be turfed. Director of Tourism and Special Events, Kory Brown, explained that the discussions are still ongoing for the order of the fields. He explained that some have indicated that they want the high school softball field to be kept as grass instead of turf. Director Brown commented on scheduling and potential using a turf field as a backup field.

Commissioner Decker commented on being happy with what is being spent in public works and doing a good job on making improvements where we can. He is happy with the budget.

Commissioner Hill commented on the number of projects in the public works department. He commented on developing employees with educational opportunities and everyone looking at those opportunities.

Commissioner Sutherland inquired as to whether they are limited on the streets that are being done. He commented on wanting to replace pipes on the street projects. He explained that there is a problem at times with the length of time it takes to get a permit (months and months) from the State of Illinois. He commented on the costs of projects being very expensive in comparison to just 9-10 years ago. Commissioner Sutherland explained that the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade project is nearing the end and is very expensive. He commented on the lead pipe inventory that must be done and that may be in older areas of the city. The city is sending out letters to residents regarding lead lines and this cost also comes out for lead line replacement on private property. There is a deadline of 5 years regarding the lead line replacement.

Commissioner Decker explained that there are listed street projects planned; however, they can talk about street maintenance items that are not individually listed.

Mayor Kahl asked for any comments from the audience. There was no response.

Motion by Commissioner Mingus, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that we adjourn the meeting.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, and Sutherland and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 5:40 P.M.

https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01242023-1044