Peoria Standard

City of East Peoria City Council met May 21.

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 5:30 P.M. with the meeting having been properly noticed. The City Clerk certifies that notice of the meeting was duly served upon Council Members via email on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at approximately 5:40 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 Commissioner Michael L. Sutherland.

Absent: None.

Mayor Kahl explained that the Special Meeting is called for the purpose of discussion on Upcoming Projects to Apply for Funding through the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (the “TCRPC”) and stated that no formal action would be taken at the meeting by the City Council. He introduced Director of Planning and Community Development, Ty Livingston and Engineer Rob Culp with Midwest Engineering Associates, Inc. to discuss the projects that the city would like to submit for funding to the TCRPC. Director Livingston explained that the TCRPC is seeking a call for funds. This year the TCRPC is wrapping everything together. He commented on funds for the sidewalk on Edmund Street as a connector. There is a $11,300,00 available in funding from TCRPC; however, not all of these are available at the same time. He commented on receiving a 70/30 split in funding for Surface Transportation Block Grant funds (Road Rebuild) and 80/20 funding split for Preservation (Resurfacing), among others at an 80/20 funding split for Federal Transit Administration funds, Carbon Reduction funds, and Transportation Set Aside funds. All projects require a resolution of support from the City Council, and the application are due June 28. Potential projects were discussed, including Centennial Hill Project (Resurfacing Main Street to past Highview Road, Reconstruction of the hill, and resurfacing the top of the hill to just past Highview were discussed including estimated costs). The roadway is damaged, water is under the roadway, sloughing is occurring, and erosion issues are present. He showed a google maps image of the status of the roadway. Centennial Road is a connection for regional purposes. Mayor Kahl explained that part of the criteria that is considered is the regional significance of the project.

The second potential project of Riverside Drive was discussed by Director Livingston and Engineer Culp. It involves resurfacing Camp from the new intersection limit to just before Bass Pro Drive. The Project would also include an eight-foot-wide sidewalk along the east side of Riverside Drive that would connect Camp Street Trail to Riverfront. This is a heavily traveled area by Lowe’s, Chili’s and Texas Roadhouse. Mayor explained that the city could submit for but would not get resurfacing for both projects. Each project scores on its own. Director Livingston explained that the Board is made up of a review committee of peers that usually have not applied for projects, as it is seeking to be objective in scoring. Engineer Culp explained that resurfacing is milling around 3 inches of pavement and redoing it. Commissioner Sutherland expressed concern about the sewer issues with resurfacing projects potentially. The project is estimated to be $2,700,000 that includes engineering and a 5% increase per year.

Director Livingston and Engineer Culp discussed other potential projects that are (1) Fondulac Drive, (2) Highview Road – S-curve, (3) Dedicated right turn lane on West Washington at Main (may not qualify), (4) Bass Pro Drive to Altorfer and/or Main Street – likely driven by area development, and (5) Main Street Pedestrian Crossing at Mariner’s Way ($250 to $300K, FTA eligible with possible match from EPMTD) to have better access to transit and there is potential funding from Mass Transit.

Commissioner Mingus and Sutherland inquired about the Fondulac Roadway and who owns it. Fon du Lac Park District owns it. There was a discussion about IDOT and Fondulac Bridge and what to do with the bridge.

Mayor Kahl explained that we are asking for feedback from the City Council in the next few weeks, as a resolution in support is required by June 28, 2024. Engineer Culp believes that Centennial will score highest.

Mayor Kahl asked for any other comments or questions from the City Council. There was no response.

Mayor Kahl asked for any comments from anyone in the audience. Don Norbits came up to the podium and explained that he thinks that Centennial hill needs to be rebuilt. Mayor Kahl asked for any other comments from anyone in the audient. There were no other comments from the public.

Commissioner Mingus inquired about what a pedestrian crossing by the Marina would look like and inquired as to who last paved Fondulac Drive. Commissioner Decker explained that he believes that the last paving involved an agreement to get the park done and Fondulac Drive. It was a tradeoff of some sort for the use of the park district park by the City for Winter Wonderland.

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 5:54 P.M.

https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05212024-1172