Peoria Standard

City of Peoria Land Bank Board met Jan. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting was held virtually, via GoToMeeting, on January 13, 2025, 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 Community Development Director Joe Dulin, Marilyn Mosely, Councilmember Zach Oyler, Patrick Hayes, City Manager Patrick Urich, and Councilmember Mike Vespa.

Absent was Randall Anderson-Maxwell, Treasurer Nicole Bjerke, Councilmember Denise Jackson, and Kimberly Washburn.

Staff Present: Matt Smith, Lane Andrews

Quorum being established, the meeting proceeded as follows.

MINUTES

The minutes for the December 9, 2024, meeting were reviewed.

MOTION

Councilmember Mike Vespa moved that the minutes be approved. The motion was seconded by Marilyn Mosely. Approved unanimously by viva voce vote.

REGULAR BUSINESS

A. LAND TRANSACTION REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2024

Smith presented the December 2024 Land Transaction Report to the board. Smith informed the board of the acquisition at 1016 N Frink, where the owner was no longer maintaining the lot after and emergency demolition in 2021. The City plans to transfer the lot to a neighbor. Smith also discussed 2829 W Lincoln, a property with frontage along Martin Luther King Jr Drive to be held for future development along with other property along Martin Luther King Jr Drive.

Kim Washburn arrived at 3:34PM.

22 properties were transferred to the Peoria Opportunities Foundation for the Churchview Gardens Homes housing development. The approximately $14 million development will provide over 40 new affordable units of housing in the South End.

Moving to demolitions, the City demolished 10 structures totaling to approximately $100,000. Smith discussed 1023 S Shelley which was demolished after a fire and ownership will be sough through abandonment. The demolished property at 2508 W Garden is next to two other city-owned lots and will be held for future development.

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

B. 2024 LAND BANK YEAR END REPORT AND ARPA RECAP

Smith presented to the board the 2024 Land Bank Year End Report. In total the City acquired 181 properties, 40 of which were transferred to new owners including those transferred for the Churchview Gardens development. 26 properties were transferred through the Side Lot Program. The City spent $2.24 million over 194 demolitions, $1.33 million of which were ARPA funds.

Smith additionally provided a recap of ARPA fund utilization. 286 demolitions were funded through ARPA, totaling $3.35 million spent. Smith noted 719 and 725 E LaSalle, properties which were demolished in 2022, explaining that thanks to ARPA the City was able to address properties of concern that they otherwise would not have been able to. Smith added that the demolition of the former McKinley School, completely funded through ARPA. The property is set for redevelopment with Habitat for Humanity to create affordable housing opportunities. Smith also discussed the Churchview Gardens project, which was made possible through ARPA funds.

Director Dulin asked Smith to begin tracking for next year the property tax generated by transferring property back to private ownership.

Kim Washburn asked how many properties remained on the list to be demolished. Smith indicated that there are 112 properties currently in the demolition court process, though that is not an exhaustive list of all properties in need of demolition in the City. Washburn further asked if there were enough funds for those 112 demolitions. Smith state that the current funding would not cover all of those demolitions and the City would need to find alternative funding opportunities.

Director Dulin thanked the Legal Department for their help with demolitions. Patrick Hayes added that the Lega Department intends to focus in the future more on recapturing demolition funds where possible through liens.

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

C. 2025 LAND BANK OUTLOOK

Smith discussed with the Board the 2025 Land Bank Outlook. The Land Bank’s areas of focus for 2025 include: continuing to demolish unsafe properties, pursuing abandonment only cases, the reuse of vacant homes, and side lot promotion.

Kim Washubrn stated she liked the concept of addressing vacant properties not in need of demolition to return them to use and steer the properties away from abandonment and/or demolition. Washburn asked if the Avery building was a one-off purchase or would the Land Bank begin pursuing similar opportunities. Smith responded that the Avery building was a one-off situation and that the Land Bank would continue to focus primarily on residential properties.

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 Matt Smith to present at the April Land Bank Meeting code work and tickets on board ups at properties. Smith stated he would.

CITIZENS’ OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

There were no comments from the public to the Board.

ADJOURNMENT

Patrick Urich entertained the motion to adjourn. Councilmember Oyler moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Vespa at approximately 4:07PM.

https://il-peoria.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02102025-814