Peoria Standard

City of Peoria Land Bank Board met July 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting was held on 8 July 2024, at 3:30PM. City Manager Patrick Urich called the meeting to order at approximately 3:30PM.

ROLL CALL

Roll call showed the following board members were present Randall Anderson-Maxwell, Community Development Director Joe Dulin, Councilmember Denise Jackson, Councilmember Zach Oyler, Patrick Hayes, City Manager Patrick Urich, Councilmember Mike Vespa, and Kimberly Washburn.

Absent was Treasurer Nicole Bjerke and Marilyn Mosley.

Staff Present: Matt Hayes and Lane Andrews

Quorum being established, the meeting proceeded as follows.

MINUTES

The minutes for the May 13, 2024, and June 10, 2024, meetings were reviewed.

MOTION

Councilmember Oyler moved that the minutes be approved. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Jackson. Approved unanimously by viva voce vote.

REGULAR BUSINESS

A. Land Transaction Report for June 2024

Matt Smith presented the land transaction report to the board. Smith discussed the acquisition at 3621 NE Brevis St. The property is being assessed as a rehabilitation candidate pending a walkthrough with the building inspector. The City also acquired the demolished property at 2611 N Wisconsin Ave through abandonment. The property has already received an application for the Side Lot Program. The city demolished 5 properties through the fast-track process. The properties were all severely damaged and will now move to the legal department to pursue acquisition. An additional 6 properties were demolished outside of the fast-track process, including 1830 N Linn St. The property is on track go to the County Trustee and the demolition is part of the larger effort to prevent dangerous structures from going to the County Trustee auction in August.

There being no further questions, comments, or need for action, the meeting continued to the next item on the Agenda.

B. Land Bank Mid-Year Highlights

Matt Smith presented to the board the Mid-Year Highlights of the Land Bank Board. Thus far the Land Bank has acquired 124 properties, six have been transferred to new owners. The City has demolished 80 properties, 21 more than this time last year. In the first half of the year the Land Bank has spent $882,700.

Director Dulin added that 30-40 demolitions used to be considered a lot in one year and thanked Smith, Code Enforcement Staff, and the Legal department for their work with demolitions.

Councilmember Jackson asked about the approximately $730,000 City Council approved for demolitions. Smith indicated that the approved funds are included in the SCP funds spent thus far, adding that the Land Bank is on track to spend the remaining funds by November.

Councilmember Vespa asked about the deadline to spend ARPA funds. City Manager Urich answered that the APRA funds must be allocated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2025. Director Dulin added that demolitions are a good way to spend excess ARPA funds.

There being no further questions, comments, or need for action, the meeting continued to the next item on the Agenda.

OTHER BUSINESS

Director Dulin asked Smith for an update on the East Village TIF Garage Demolition program. Smith stated that the program has been opened to owner-occupied properties until the end of day July 8th, whereafter it will be open to rental properties as well. Smith added that the Community Development Department would be putting out a mailer about the program to eligible residents. The program has done one demolition and received one other eligible application.

Councilmember Jackson asked Smith about a property at 1200 Johnson with a collapsed roof. Smith indicated that he had not yet made contact with the owner. Councilmember Jackson stated that she would follow up with Smith at a later date.

Director Dulin informed the board that the City was beginning to spend the violence prevention funds for clear cutting lots. The first six lots on Howett have gone out to bid. Director Dulin will provide updates to the board as the program continues.

Councilmember Jackson asked who is responsible for the large fallen branches after the storm. Director Dulin responded that property owners are responsible for the branches on their properties. Randall Anderson-Maxwell asked if property owners are given notice about the branches. Director Dulin answered that occupied owners are given a week to dispose of the branches, whereas work orders are immediately issued for vacant lots.

CITIZENS’ OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

There were no comments from the public to the Board.

https://il-peoria.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122024-693