Peoria Standard

City of Peoria Downtown Advisory Commission met Nov. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A regular meeting of the Downtown Advisory Commission was held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. at Twin Towers 456 Fulton, Room 404, with Chairman Jon Jenkins presiding and with proper notice having been given. 

ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order at 4:32 p.m.  Sign in confirmed the following Commissioners:

Present (6): Jon Jenkins, Jack Berres, Ray Lees, Ryan Scherer, Lenora Fisher, Jon Neidy

Absent (3): Angie Walker, Kim McGhee, Kate Kenny

City Liaison: Debbie Van Sickle

Others Present: Jon Hopkins, Jesse Hohman, Piper Petrocelli

MINUTES APPROVED

Commissioner Neidy made a motion to approve the September 14, 2023 DAC minutes; seconded by Commissioner Scherer and approved unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

• The one-way to two-way conversion project went to bid and the contract has been awarded.  In terms of timeline and next steps they will have more information next week after the pre-construction meeting that is scheduled for next week.  The completion date stablished for the project is June 30, 2026. DAC would like a deeper scope discussion.
• Bike Lane Plan-The bicycle master plan is on the city website and is still current. The city is in design for the next section of the Rock Island greenway from Spring to Park. The city will apply for grant funding next year for 2025 or later construction.
• Commissioners discussed that they continue to have trouble going through the OMA training due to a variety of technical issues. Debbie to send out a new link.

NEW BUSINESS

• Sidewalk Café Program Presentation-Debbie gave a presentation regarding a new pilot program for sidewalk cafes for five sites: Ulrich’s, Neon Bison at the new location, Ardor, Jacks on Adams, and Kickbacks. A Pedlet is proposed for Mainstreet from Ulrich’s to Neon Bison to allow for larger cafes while maintaining ADA compliance. Business owners will be contacted by the facilitator of the project for an onsite visit to take measurements, slopes, and feedback. Commission members discussed cleaning and maintenance needs.  Commissioner Jenkins inquired how the city might measure outcomes to determine the success of this pilot project. The Commission discussed measuring year over year tax collection increases, POS tracking of outside dining transactions, and whether Mass Mobile Data could prove increased visits to downtown. They also requested that a press release be done when the cafes are installed. Commissioner Neidy made a motion to support the Sidewalk Café program; seconded by Commissioner Fisher and approved unanimously.
• Strategic Plan & DAC identified recommendations-the members were given the 2023 compiled recommendations list that the DAC had created earlier in the year as well as and new strategic plan created by the City of Peoria. Commissioners were asked to compare the lists and identify how DAC priorities might fit into this new strategic plan. Leadership is meeting with city to assist with future efforts. Reassured that downtown is important. 
• Future DAC Strategy- December meeting will be a planning session to begin reframing DAC priorities and vision. Check how our recommendations relate to draft strategic plan. Most discussed strategic priority outside of mission/vision was the downtown priority. Worried that the pedestrian/bike plan doesn’t get lost in the strategic plan. Don’t see it in the plan. Support PlacerAI. City council representation some want and encourage it but not as many may be interested. Perhaps when there is relevant discussion but will continue to push this.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Residents are against the Fulton plaza conversion. A lots of the residents use the outside area for dog walks etc. They also want more retail instead of food and bars that are open after 3:00.

ADJOURNMENT

The Downtown Advisory Commission Meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m.

https://il-peoria.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11092023-499