Peoria Standard

City of East Peoria City Council met Sept. 16.

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 September 2, 2025 be approved as printed.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Mayor Kahl proclaimed September 17-23, 2025 as “Constitution Week.”

Mayor Kahl proclaimed September 21-27, 2025 as “Child Passenger Safety Week.” He presented the proclamation to Commissioner Mingus, and Commissioner Mingus explained that the first Wednesday of the month (except the winter months) is car seat checks at Central Fire House.

Mayor Kahl proclaimed October 1, 2025 as “Energy Efficiency Day.” Commissioner Hill commented on energy efficiency projects that the City has completed.

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 and 2 as listed on the agenda for this meeting to be considered by omnibus vote.

Item Number 1 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-057 - Resolution to Approve Payment of the Schedule of Bills Listed on Schedule Number 9 in the amount of $2,119,238.88.

Item Number 2 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-048 on its Second Reading - Resolution Approving Purchase of Gym Equipment for the New Police Station from Pure Fitness Innovations.

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 2 listed on the Consent Agenda be hereby approved and adopted, the item numbered 2 having been read once its 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 2526-057 - Resolution to Approve Payment of the Schedule of Bills Listed on Schedule Number 9 in the amount of $2,119,238.88. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item Number 2 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-048 on its Second Reading - Resolution Approving Purchase of Gym Equipment for the New Police Station from Pure Fitness Innovations. (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.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that Ordinance No. 4870 hereto attached, (AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARY LINE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA AND THE VILLAGE OF MORTON) 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 commented on the ordinance being a boundary line agreement with the Village of Morton. The City has a boundary line agreement with the City of Washington. This agreement defines an area that is within 1.5 miles of the city and overlaps with the Village of Morton. Director of Planning and Community Development, Ty Livingston, explained that this is an action item coming out of the comprehensive planning process. The boundary presented here is consistent with what the Village of Morton shows on their future growth maps and works well with respect to our new comprehensive plan as it maximizes the developable area south of the City – which is one of the few remaining directions East Peoria can grow. As such, Roth Road is the proposed boundary to the east. Along the south, Route 98 makes sense as a boundary line– stopping just shy of Groveland. As with other similar agreements, this one will run for a period of 20 years. Mayor Kahl explained that the City and Village of Morton had shared ideas, and this area is where the City may expand. The agreement defines the areas and boundaries between the City and Morton and will go into the comprehensive plan.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2526-056 by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2526-056, hereto attached, a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance and Execution of a Service Agreement for the Supply of Electricity for the City’s Residential Energy Aggregation Program, be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2526-056 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 commented on the energy aggregation program and the recent aggravation with increases in electricity costs. The aggregation program has benefited the City in the past. The costs of electricity is based on supply and demand. The supply has been cut and has not been backfilled to account for the demand. Artificial Intelligence is also increasing the demand for electricity. In evaluating options for this program, Twin City Energy has provided a competitive offer to act as the City’s consultant and broker for this program. Starting in December, the program will offer a price of $0.09248 per kilowatt hour for the following six months through Constellation NewEnergy. Different from the program in the past, there will not be a civic fee added to this cost, so this is the best possible pricing the City can offer.

Moving forward, staff will continue working with the Mayor and the City’s broker (Twin City Energy) to monitor pricing and to adjust the pricing where it benefits our residents. We will also look for periodic updates from Twin City Energy to keep the City Council and our residents up to date as to what is occurring in the energy markets. The other broker was offering 9.4 cents per kilowatt hour. The city will evaluate and try to get the best rate. Director Livingston explained that this is trying to get some degree of certainty with the aggregation program when there is market volatility. This is an opt out progam and residents can opt out at any time. This is the rate for December through May. Notices will be provided to those that are in the aggregation program. Mayor Kahl explained that the current contract expires in December, this is for a new broker, and it is under the aggregation program with information will be pushed out to people regarding the program.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2526-052 by Commissioner Hill; WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the East Peoria Zoning Board of Appeals as a result of member Don Tippet leaving the Zoning Board of Appeals; and WHEREAS, the Honorable Mayor John P. Kahl has recommended the appointment of Joel Rieker to fill the vacancy on the East Peoria Zoning Board of Appeals; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City of East Peoria to confirm and approve such appointment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS, THAT the appointment by Mayor John P. Kahl of Joel Rieker to the East Peoria Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the vacancy on such Board for a term ending April 30, 2028 by hereby confirmed and approved. AND THAT THIS RESOLUTION NO. 2526-052 BE ADOPTED AS PRESENTED.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move that Resolution No. 2526-052 be adopted as presented.

Commissioner Hill explained that Mr. Tippet moved outside of the City and now Mr. Joel Rieker will serve on the ZBA. Mayor Kahl and Commissioners thanked both for their service and willingness to serve.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 2526-052 be duly adopted as presented.

Resolution No. 2526-050 by Commissioner Hill; WHEREAS, Robert Cole has been continuously employed by the City from November 29, 2004, through the end of the day on September 5, 2025, most recently occupying the position of Director of Buildings and Inspections.

WHEREAS, Robert Cole announced his intention to retire from employment effective on September 5, 2025; and

WHEREAS, the City is appreciative of the long and continued service provided by Robert Cole; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to execute the attached Separation Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT:

Section 1. The above recitals are found to be true and correct.

Section 2. The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the Separation Agreement with such changes as the Mayor, in his sole discretion, may decide are in the best interest of the City of East Peoria.

Motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; Mr. Mayor, I move that Resolution No. 2526-050 be adopted as presented.

Commissioner Hill thanked Robert Cole for his service to the City and wished him well in his retirement. The compensable hours are 624 hours in the amount of $26,271.4608.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 2526-050 be duly adopted as presented.

Resolution No. 2526-051 by Commissioner Decker, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2526- 051, hereto attached, a Resolution Requesting Permission for Temporary Closure of State Maintained Roadways for a Public Event for the Festival of Lights Parade on November 22, 2025, be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2526-051 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 Decker commented on the closing of state-maintained roadways with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Festival of Lights Parade.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2526-054 by Commissioner Sutherland, seconded by Commissioner Decker; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2526- 054, hereto attached, a Resolution Accepting and Approving the Proposal from Cahoy Group for Well #17 Rehabilitation Project, be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2526-054 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 Sutherland commented on having trouble with one of the wells. There were two bids and Cahoy Group submitted the low bid.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2526-055 by Commissioner Sutherland, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2526- 055, hereto attached, a Resolution Accepting and Approving the Proposal from Huber Technology for Wastewater Treatment Plant #1 Sludge Press Repair Project, be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2526-055 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 Sutherland commented on the wastewater treatment plant press machine needing repair due to a SCADA programming failure. The project cost is $96,495.59.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Mingus, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that Ordinance No. 4869 hereto attached, (AN ORDINANCE AMENDING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE EAST PEORIA CITY CODE CLARIFYING THE ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION PROCESS AND RELATED PENALTIES) 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 turned the discussion over to City Attorney Scott Brunton for explanation of the ordinance. In 2022, the City added new Chapter 13 to Title 1 in the City Code setting up an administrative citation procedure for enforcing and prosecuting violations of provisions of the City’s Police Regulations set forth in Title 10 of the City Code. Under this new administrative citation procedure for prosecuting violations of the City’s Police Regulations, a settlement process was set up for certain minor offenses that will allow payment of fines without having to attend an administrative hearing or court hearing to settle the case. If the fine is not timely paid, then the case will proceed through the administrative hearing process in front of a hearing officer or sent through the court adjudication process. Further, the City retained full discretion to prosecute any violations of the City’s Police Regulations through the court adjudication process.

At this time, in cooperation with the East Peoria Police Department, these administrative citation procedures are being updated and revised to improve the overall process and procedures for handling these administrative citations. Also, additional settlement fine amounts are being set up for more minor offenses that will allow these additional minor ordinance violation offenses to be handled by payment without having to attend an administrative hearing or court hearing to settle the case. This expansion of the settlement option is also being extended to other ordinance violations under the City Code, including certain minor offenses under the City’s fire prevention provisions, the City’s Liquor Control provisions, and the pedestrian and bicycle provisions in the Police Regulations of the City Code.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2526-053 by Commissioner Mingus; WHEREAS, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the City of East Peoria is in need of legal counsel; and

WHEREAS, it is recommended to appoint Attorney Mara Mishler of Black, Black & Brown as legal counsel for the City’s Board of Fire and Police Commissioners; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City of East Peoria to confirm and approve such appointment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS, THAT the Attorney Mara Mishler of Black, Black & Brown be hereby appointed attorney in and for the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the City of East Peoria, effective October 1, 2025, payable on a fee basis.

AND THAT THIS RESOLUTION NO. 2526-053 BE ADOPTED AS PRESENTED. Motion by Commissioner Mingus, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move that Resolution No. 2526-053 be adopted as presented.

The previous attorney from the Police and Fire Commission has been serving as legal counsel with the City Fire and Police Commission for over 40 years and has stepped down from that position. This resolution appoints Attorney Mara Mishler as the legal counsel for the Fire and Police Commission. Mayor Kahl explained that they sought qualifications from firms and have selected Mara Mishler.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 2526-053 be duly adopted as presented.

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 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 violence against Charlie Kirk and explained that no one should be shot for expressing their beliefs.

Commissioner Sutherland commented on the negative effects of people spending most of their time playing games and communicating online. He remarked on the electrical chargers for everyone and explained that coal-fired and gas-fired energy plants have been shut down without building up enough energy production to compensate for the loss of those closed plants. Now, wind-powered and solar powered energy plants are making a lot of money. He thinks that nuclear power should be looked at for the future.

Mayor Kahl commented on the events of last week. He commented on social media and lack of civility in society. He commented on providing a pledge card regarding civility that all of the City elected officials signed. Mayor Kahl shared what he had written about civility in hopes that we can change the way we do things in society and bring civility and respect back. Mayor Kahl feels that East Peoria City Council has done that. In 2007, the elected officials signed a pledge card regarding civility. Every council since 2007 has signed the pledge card, and IML has come out with a civility pledge in recent years in hopes that more elected officials can set a positive example. Everyone does not agree on the City Council and everyone shares ideas and has civil discourse; however, everyone continues to be respectful of each other. Mayor Kahl explained that the Journal Star reached out to him to ask if they could share his writing as an opinion piece in the newspaper. He explained that it is time to stop the divide, he feels that politics is all consuming in our everyday lives, and he feels that lack of civility has gone way too far. He asks everyone to be the better person and lead by example, which does not mean that you cannot disagree respectfully. We have an obligation to do better.

Motion by Commissioner Sutherland, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that we adjourn until Tuesday evening, October 7, 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 6:51 P.M.

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