Peoria Standard

City of East Peoria City Council met June 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of East Peoria, Illinois was called to order by his Honor Mayor John P. Kahl presiding at 6:00 P.M. with proper notice having been given.

Upon the roll being called the following answered present: Mayor John P. Kahl, Commissioner Daniel S. Decker, Commissioner Mark E. Hill, Commissioner Seth D. Mingus, and Commissioner Michael L. Sutherland.

Absent: None.

The invocation was given by Commissioner Hill.

Mayor Kahl led the Council and the audience in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Motion by Commissioner Mingus, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move that the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on May 20, 2025 be approved as printed.

Yeas: Commissioner Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Young Lincoln Dedication. Mayor Kahl introduced Dick Williams who has practiced over 60 years as an attorney to present the Young Lincoln sculpture to the City. Mayor Kahl explained that Mr. Williams was awarded a Friend of the Community award back in 2018 and has been a good friend to the elected officials and represented the pension boards for the City. Mr. Williams thanked and introduced his wife, Jane, his family, and individuals that work in his law office. He explained that he is a Lincoln advocate and explained how Lincoln traveled through East Peoria to give his speech in Springfield. Mr. Williams expressed gratitude that the City is accepting the Lincoln statue and spoke of the great work that the artist and sculptor, Morgan Elser, did on the young Lincoln statue. Ms. Elser stepped up to the podium and gave an explanation about the Young Lincoln statue. She explained that she wanted to make the Young Lincoln statue at a time where he was running the circuit from Metamora to Springfield. The official name is of the statue is the “Two Faces of Young Lincoln”. Ms. Elser explained that she realized Lincoln had two distinct differences on his face physically (maybe from an accident in his childhood) and emotionally. On one side, he was a jokester and grand storyteller, and on the other side he had a sadness from his tender heart where he would, at times, go into a deep depression. Mayor Kahl and the City Council graciously accepted the statue on behalf of the City. The statue was then unveiled by Mr. and Mrs. Williams and Ms. Elser.

Mayor Kahl read the proclamation proclaiming June 14, 2025 as “Flag Day” and June 8-14, 2025 as “National Flag Week”.

Mayor Kahl stated if there was anyone in the audience who wanted to speak on any items on the agenda to come to the podium and state the matter or matters to be discussed. There was no response.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIBUS VOTE:

Mayor Kahl asked if any Commissioner wished to remove any items from the Consent Agenda for discussion. There was no response.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move to adopt a consent agenda consisting of items numbered 1 through 3 as listed on the agenda for this meeting to be considered by omnibus vote.

Item Number 1 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-017 - Resolution to Approve Payment of the Schedule of Bills Listed on Schedule Number 2 in the amount of $1,574,036.50.

Item Number 2 - Adoption of Ordinance Number 4858 on its Second Reading - (AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL USE FOR A DRIVE-THROUGH BUSINESS ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 111 W. WASHINGTON STREET IN THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS.)

Item Number 3 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-011 on its Second Reading - Resolution Authorizing a Contribution to Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (Discover Peoria).

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; Mr. Mayor, I move you that Items numbered 1 through 3 listed on the Consent Agenda be hereby approved and adopted, the items numbered 2 and 3 having been read once by their title and having laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection be adopted as presented.

Item Number 1 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-017 - Resolution to Approve Payment of the Schedule of Bills Listed on Schedule Number 2 in the amount of $1,574,036.50. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item Number 2 - Adoption of Ordinance Number 4858 on its Second Reading - (AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL USE FOR A DRIVE-THROUGH BUSINESS ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 111 W. WASHINGTON STREET IN THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS.) (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item Number 3 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-011 on its Second Reading - Resolution Authorizing a Contribution to Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (Discover Peoria). (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and the items adopted by omnibus vote designation.

Resolution No. 2526-013 by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Decker; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2526-013, hereto attached, a Resolution Accepting Lowest Responsible Bidder for Residential Demolition Contractor from Jimax Corp., be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2526-013 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Commissioner Hill explained that this is a contract for residential demolition contractor services for two years with an allowance for an additional year. The lowest responsible bidder was Jimax Corp. He read the bids received and explained that Jimax has been the contractor for the last several years. The contract is for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2526-014 by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2526-014, hereto attached, a Resolution approving Laserfiche Software Licensing Renewal for the City with ICC Community Development Solutions, be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2526-014, be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Commissioner Hill explained that Laserfiche is used as the City’s document storage solution. The price of the renewal is $15,324.50.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2526-016 by Commissioner Hill; WHEREAS, the City Clerk is from time to time temporarily absent from City Hall and, therefore, unable to perform the duties assigned to the City Clerk; and WHEREAS, in order to allow performance of the duties assigned to the City Clerk when the City Clerk is absent, it is in the best interests of the City to appoint an employee of the City to serve as Deputy Clerk;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT Lisa Pickerill is hereby appointed as Deputy City Clerk with authority to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the City Clerk when the City Clerk is absent.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move that Resolution No. 2526-016 be adopted as presented.

Commissioner Hill explained that this resolution appoints Lisa as Deputy City Clerk in the City Clerk’s absence.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 2526-016 be duly adopted as presented.

Resolution No. 2526-015 by Commissioner Mingus, seconded by Commissioner Decker; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2526-015 , hereto attached, a Resolution to Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of East Peoria and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local #1498, for a period beginning May 1, 2025 and terminating on April 30, 2028, be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2526-015 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than one week for public inspection.

Commissioner Mingus explained that this is a 3-year collective bargaining agreement with the Fire Fighter union. He explained that this is a mature contract. The general wage increase for the first year is 3.0%, the second year is 2.50%, and the third year is 2.50%. There was an increase in the steps with full base coming after year 7. This contract has a wage reopener provision. He commented on the good relationship between the union and the City. Commissioner Decker commented on the work that is done on the contracts and the good relationship that the firefighters and the City have in the process. He also commented on the great department that the City has with the City having success in EMS. Many fire departments do not operate EMS in their department. The fire department is completely AMS. Also, not all communities are as supportive of their fire and police departments. Commissioner Mingus thanked Chief Zimmerman for his work as well. Mayor Kahl thanked Commissioner Mingus, Chief Zimmerman, and the union for their work on negotiating the contract and thanked the firefighters for their service to the community.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Mayor Kahl stated if there was anyone in the audience who wanted to speak on any items not on the agenda to come to the podium to state the matter or matters to be discussed. There was no response.

Mayor Kahl then asked for comments from Council.

Commissioner Decker commented on the house across the street from him being a bed and breakfast and Lincoln possibly staying at that home. He explained that he viewed a map of the road that Lincoln would have taken which goes by the bed and breakfast. He expressed gratitude for the sculpture.

Commissioner Hill explained that this Friday is the first day of the Farmer’s Market. There are a number of vendors with great diversity in the items they are selling. The Farmer’s Market runs Fridays from June 6 through August 29 from 4pm to 7pm. He invited everyone to attend.

Commissioner Sutherland explained that he is collecting old flags to give to the Boy Scouts to dispose of them properly. He commented on the rules for garbage bin placement on the street and asked people to take care in what they are flushing and dispose of items property as it affects the sewer system and eventually reaches the Illinois River. He commented on an article he read regarding sanctuary counties and explained that Tazewell County is not a sanctuary county.

Commissioner Mingus explained that tomorrow from 1pm to 4pm is the monthly Car Seat Check event at the Central Firehouse.

Mayor Kahl explained that Illinois state law often ties the hands of municipalities. He explained that the City Council took an oath to support the Constitution of United States and explained that he will support the Constitution and honor his oath. He feels that the security and sanctity of our nation is more important to him than the Governor’s political agenda and that we have an obligation to keep our people safe.

Motion by Commissioner Sutherland, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that we adjourn until Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:45 P.M.

https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7666?fileID=36262