Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board met May 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Attendance

Present:

Members: Jennifer Groves Allison, Eden Blair, Camille Coates, Linda Daley, Jimmy Dillon, Betty Duncan, Brian Elsasser, Nathan Hoerr, Daniel Kelch, Danny Phelan, Rob Reneau, Steve Rieker, Paul Rosenbohm, Terrence Ruhland, Phil Salzer, Sharon Williams

Absent:

Members: Brandy Bryant, Matt Windish

May 9, 2024 County Board Agenda

CALL TO ORDER

MOMENT OF SILENCE

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL BY THE COUNTY CLERK

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Member Elsasser moved to approve the April 11th, 2024, minutes, and Member Williams seconded. The minutes were approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes.

II. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

III. CITIZENS' REMARKS

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

Member Daley moved to approve the consent agenda, and Member Groves Allison seconded. The consent agenda was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes.

C1. April 2024 Treasurer's Board Report

C2. The Finance Department's report of expenditures from Accounts Payable system is accessible at www.peoriacounty.gov/199/Transparency-Portal.

C3. Monthly Delinquent Taxes- January

C4. Monthly Delinquent Taxes- April

C5. A resolution from your Executive Committee recommending approval of bid awards from Comcast of Illinois for installation of fiberoptic cable throughout specified areas of Peoria County

C6. A resolution from the Public Safety and Justice Committee recommending approval of a three-year contract, for Cordant Health Solutions to provide Drug Testing Services for Adult and Juvenile Probation clients and Treatment Court participants.

C7. A resolution from the Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Princeville Road District for the replacement of Structure Number 072-4312 on Princeville Cemetery Road

C8. A resolution from the Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with Terra Engineering for Phase I and Phase II Preliminary Engineering of the Princeville Township Princeville Cemetery Road bridge

C9.A resolution from the Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of the Jurisdictional Transfer of Sterling Avenue from US 150 (War Memorial Drive) to Scenic Drive to the City of Peoria.

C10. A resolution from the County Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of the low bid of $423,501.61 from Stark Excavation (Bloomington Illinois) to repair erosion along Dry Run Creek in West Peoria.

C11. Chairman Appointments

V. ZONING ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Case #ZBA-2024-025, Petition of Stephen Durdel

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition, and Member Daley Seconded. Member Elsasser noted this was to bring the parcel up to the proper zoning. The petition passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes.

2. Case #ZBA-2024-014, Petition of Peoria Solar 4, LLC

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition, and Member Daley seconded. The petition was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes.

3. Case #ZBA-2024-015, Petition of Peoria Solar 4b, LLC

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition, and Member Daley seconded. The petition passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes.

4. Case #ZBA-2024-018, Petition of Goldrush Apple Energy, LLC

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition, and Member Daley seconded. Member Rosenbohm stated that this and the next 4 items resolve for a wind speed tower for potential locations for a wind farm in the northern part of the county. Member Elsasser noted he would be abstaining from this and the next 4 items. The petition passed by a roll call vote of 15 ayes and 1 abstention, with Member Elsasser abstaining.

5. Case #ZBA-2024-019, Petition of Goldrush Apple Energy, LLC

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition, and Member Daley seconded. The petition passed by a roll call vote of 15 ayes and 1 abstention, with Member Elsasser abstaining.

6. Case #ZBA-2024-020, Petition of Goldrush Apple Energy, LLC

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition, and Member Daley seconded. The petition passed by a roll call vote of 15 ayes and 1 abstention, with Member Elsasser abstaining.

7. Case #ZBA-2024-021, Petition of Goldrush Apple Energy, LLC

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition, and Member Daley seconded. The petition passed by a roll call vote of 15 ayes and 1 abstention, with Member Elsasser abstaining.

8. Case #ZBA-2024-022, Petition of Goldrush Apple Energy, LLC

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition, and Member Daley seconded. The petition passed by a roll call vote of 15 ayes and 1 abstention, with Member Elsasser abstaining.

9. Case WAV-2024-0001, Petition of Florence, Fred, and Steve Durdel

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition, and Member Daley seconded. The petition passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes.

10. A resolution from your Executive Committee recommending approval of a loan to Natural Fiber Welding of Peoria, Illinois and in the amount of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) from the County State Capital Improvement Fund (Keystone Fund)

Member Blair moved to approve the resolution, and Member Coates seconded. Administrator Sorrell noted there are multiple members of the Natural Fiber Welding, NFW, team present and they would have the opportunity to speak after the vote. He noted that any Board member can contact him directly to make arrangements to tour the manufacturing facility. He spoke about Natural Fiber Welding, NFW, a locally based and growing company that has seen multiple rounds of equity and investment. He explained they have multiple patents and products rooted in removing plastics from the textile industry through molded materials, sheet goods, and fibers. He noted the deal recommended has a total project cost of $6.5 million, which includes the $3 million loan from the county, with the balance being equity in the project by the owner. He explained the total project is to purchase manufacturing equipment that will allow NFW products to be scaled at mass or large production levels. He detailed the 10-year term at 5.5% interest with the first 5 years of repayment being interest only, and the remaining 5 years including both principal and interest payments. He noted the Board security on the loan included being first position of the manufacturing equipment that they will purchase. He specified there is nothing unique or specialized about the equipment, and that it can be found in every textile manufacturing facility globally, allowing easy resale of the equipment amidst unforeseen events. He continued that included in the request was real estate, in the event of an opportunity to purchase the building space that they are currently leasing, they would be allowed to use loan proceeds for that purpose. He informed that globally, 190 people are currently employed with the upcoming project generating 40 jobs over the next 48 months from low-moderate income households. He expressed that both the internal loan review committee and administration both recommend approval. Source or funding coming from the Keystone Fund, which is an eligible expense in that fund.

Member Blair expressed that the loan review committee feels this is a good use of the fund to invest in NFW. She expressed not being able to guarantee zero risk, but it can be mitigated by the structuring of the deal as well as the strategies NFW has going forward.

Chairman Dillon expressed how excited he is for the uses of this money. He stated this is the right time and the right company, and if we cannot choose to invest in Peoria, what can we choose to invest in. He spoke about the Economic Development Corporation, EDC, and Chris Heady holding a speaking engagement, and brought in a sight selector, Jay Garner, who had books available, as he put it "Economic Development for Dummies", geared towards politicians. He expressed how impressed with Peoria Mr. Garner was, and how branding and helping your own businesses grow. He quoted Mr. Garner saying, "Truly Peoria, one of your brands is where dreamers meet doers." He continued that these are exciting times although we are a very small part of it, he is very thrilled that we can position ourselves to help NFW build their business. He noted that if do have the opportunity to take a tour, to take it.

Member Elsasser spoke on his opportunity to meet Mr. Zika and 3 of the employees and that it is an exciting night to see people expanding in Peoria. Really good for our community in every way shape and form.

The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes. Steve Zika, President of NFW, stated they have been building the company in Peoria since 2016. Mr. Zika expressed his appreciation on behalf of the entire NFW team, along with the team members that were present, Rob Salter, Mike Wooten, Maggie Ferman and Celena Anderson. Mr. Zika took a moment to explain they have been growing NFW, built on the vision of displacing plastics by using what nature gives us, plants, and other materials which come from the ground, minerals, and they are well on their way to doing that. He noted one of their missions is to make some of the world's best brands more sustainable. He stated they have had visitors coming from all over the world to come to Peoria and learn how they can become more sustainable. He clarified they have 215 employees currently, with 190 of those employees from Peoria, 95 of those come to work at Jefferson facility each day, and 50 of those positions are filled with individuals with no specific degree requirement and are accessible to all members of our community. He noted with the support of the Board they will be adding another 40 jobs at the Jefferson facility, with 20 of them requiring no specific degree requirement and are accessible to all members of our community. He thanked Administrator Sorrell as well as the entire Board for this opportunity. 11. Joint County Operations and Finance recommending the approval to use $383,782 in surplus reserves from the IT Services Fund 5130 and appropriate expenditures in the IT Services Fund 5130 FY24 budget to cover IT related costs at the new HHS building.

Member Williams moved to approve, and Member Rieker seconded. The proposal was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes.

12. A resolution from your County Health recommending approval of Actions Taken by the City of Peoria / County of Peoria Joint Solid Waste Facility

Committee Related To The Operation of Landfill #2 and the Future of Landfill #3

Item 12 was deferred at committee. There will be no board action taken tonight. A. 13. A resolution from your Infrastructure committee recommending approval of an Authorization for Crossing Improvements on Maxwell Road

Member Salzer moved to approve the resolution, and Member Kelch seconded. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Ruhland expressed disappointment in the cancelled tours at the health campus due to heavy rain and no roof. He noted that they will not be rescheduling for all Team Peoria County employees, but they will be open for board members if they would like to view the project. He expressed for them to wear appropriate footwear for a construction site, and he would provide the hardhat!

Chairman Dillon thanked Member Ruhland for all his hard work.

Member Blair wished Member Phelan a Happy Birthday! She informed the Board that Grafelman Farms is having a mystery dinner show put on by Die laughing Entertainment at Barracks Banquet Center on July 6, at $45 per ticket. She noted all proceeds will go to Grafelman Farms rescue and tickets can be purchased at gfrpets.org.

Member Groves Allison wanted to let anyone with kids know that Alpha Park Library is having a summer reading kickoff that is being co-sponsored by the Regional Office of Education, Beth Crider, and Senator Dave Koehler's office, and is available to all ages, toddler to high school, on June 4th from 3pm-7pm. She stated there are lots of activities for all ages.

Member Reneau reminded on May 15th Peace Plays will be in the courthouse plaza during lunch, where a lot of different bands come together from different schools and play as one band to promote safety for the kids.

Member Williams asked Administrator Sorrell to give a quick rundown on the voting equipment and packet information.

Administrator Sorrell stated that originally the contract award would have been voted on this evening, however all parties have been deliberate in reviewing the 2 proposals and scheduled a second round of demos. He articulated the 2nd round as the test drive, as the first time they saw a sales pitch. He noted the test drive for the first option was on Monday and the second will be early Friday afternoon. He feels confident that either choice will be a really good product and vendor for all things that go on behind the scenes to go from committee to county board meeting.

Member Rosenbohm wished all the mothers a Happy Mother's Day this weekend! Member Salzer spoke on the adopt a highway program. He stated the County has adopted a road that we are responsible for. He wants to encourage all to participate on June 22nd at 8:30am. He noted that different organizations adopt roads to help and go out to clean them up. He joked that when this program was initiated, in the last century, he thinks Brian was the only one still on the Board. He stated the portion that the County adopted runs from Route 40 to Robinson Park on Mossville Road. He mentioned the last time this was done; Tommy O'Neil was Chairman and Bob Bietto was on the Board. He explained this will require climbing in ditches to get things out, with gloves and bags to be furnished by highway department. He mentioned parking may be available at Northminster Presbyterian Church, and that Gretchen would be able to clarify. He encourages everyone to participate to set a good example!

Chairman Dillon reminded on May 15th at 4pm is the honor ceremony, remembering those that have lost their lives in the line of duty at the Sheriff's Department. He recognized Comcast for their work and response for our community, to get internet services to just over 2000 homes in rural Peoria that didn't have internet capabilities. Administrator Sorrell stated Gretchen confirmed parking would be available at Northminster Presbyterian Church. He congratulated Andrew Braun on his promotion to Director of Planning and Zoning.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

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

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05092024-1596