Peoria Standard

City of East Peoria City Council met Oct. 7.

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 16, 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 October 5-11, 2025 as “Fire Prevention Week.” He presented the proclamation to the firefighters that were present at the meeting. The firefighters thanked the City Council for recognizing them.

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

Item Number 1 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-061 - Resolution to Approve Payment of the Schedule of Bills Listed on Schedule Number 10 in the amount of $5,013,220.41.

Item Number 2 - Adoption of Ordinance Number 4870 on its Second Reading - (AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARY LINE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA AND THE VILLAGE OF MORTON.)

Item Number 3 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-056 on its Second Reading - Resolution Authorizing Acceptance and Execution of a Service Agreement for the Supply of Electricity for the City’s Residential Energy Aggregation Program.

Item Number 4 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-051 on its Second Reading - Resolution Requesting Permission for Temporary Closure of State Maintained Roadways for a Public Event for the Festival of Lights Parade on November 22, 2025.

Item Number 5 - Approval of Resolution Number 2526-054 on its Second Reading - Resolution Accepting and Approving the Proposal from Cahoy Well and Pump Service for Well #17 Rehabilitation Project.

Item Number 6 - Approval of Resolution Number 2526-055 on its Second Reading - Resolution Accepting and Approving the Proposal from Huber Technology for Wastewater Treatment Plant #1 Sludge Press Repair Project.

Item Number 7 - Approval of Ordinance Number 4869 on its Second Reading - (AN ORDINANCE AMENDING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE EAST PEORIA CITY CODE CLARIFYING THE ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION PROCESS AND RELATED PENALTIES.)

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 7 listed on the Consent Agenda be hereby approved and adopted, the items numbered 2 through 7 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 2526-061 - Resolution to Approve Payment of the Schedule of Bills Listed on Schedule Number 10 in the amount of $5,013,220.41. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item Number 2 - Adoption of Ordinance Number 4870 on its Second Reading - (AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARY LINE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA AND THE VILLAGE OF MORTON.) (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item Number 3 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-056 on its Second Reading - Resolution Authorizing Acceptance and Execution of a Service Agreement for the Supply of Electricity for the City’s Residential Energy Aggregation Program. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item Number 4 - Adoption of Resolution Number 2526-051 on its Second Reading - Resolution Requesting Permission for Temporary Closure of State Maintained Roadways for a Public Event for the Festival of Lights Parade on November 22, 2025. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item Number 5 - Approval of Resolution Number 2526-054 on its Second Reading - Resolution Accepting and Approving the Proposal from Cahoy Well and Pump Service for Well #17 Rehabilitation Project. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item Number 6 - Approval of Resolution Number 2526-055 on its Second Reading - Resolution Accepting and Approving the Proposal from Huber Technology for Wastewater Treatment Plant #1 Sludge Press Repair Project. (Adopted by omnibus vote)

Item Number 7 - Approval of Ordinance Number 4869 on its Second Reading - (AN ORDINANCE AMENDING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE EAST PEORIA CITY CODE CLARIFYING THE ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION PROCESS AND RELATED PENALTIES.) (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. 4872 hereto attached, (AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN OPTION AGREEMENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS EASEMENT AND FOR AN EASEMENT AND ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT WITH GTP ACQUISITION PARTNERS II, LLC FOR THE LILAC LANE CELL TOWER SITE) 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 explained that it is an ordinance for a cell tower on Lilac Lane. The City owns a parcel of land located at the end of Lilac Lane, which is currently leased to a telecommunications provider under an agreement originally executed in 2000. The site includes a communications tower operated by a third party. The City has been approached by GTP Acquisition Partners II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GTP”) affiliated with American Tower, with a proposal to acquire a permanent easement over the portion of the City-owned property where the tower is located, along with associated access and utility easements. The proposal includes a one-time payment of $1.5 million dollars to City in exchange for the easement rights and assignment of the City’s interest in the existing lease. The transaction would effectively transfer all rights and responsibilities related to the lease and tower operations to GTP.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2526-059 by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2526-059, hereto attached, a Resolution Approving Annual Renewal of Service Subscription and Licensing Agreement with Tyler Technologies Inc. for the City’s Enterprise Resource Planning Software System, be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2526-059 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 subscription and licensing agreement for the ERP with Tyler Technologies. This software has an annual subscription cost associated with it, and the City had an initial three-year contract with two optional one-year extensions. This is the first one-year extension at a total cost of $311,497.72.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2526-058 by Commissioner Decker, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2526- 058, hereto attached, a Resolution Authorizing and Approving the Purchase of a 2026 Mack Granite Tandem Dump Truck with Installed Equipment from Vanguard Truck Centers for the Public Works Department, be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2526-058 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 explained that this truck is replacing one of the oldest trucks in the fleet. The drump truck will also be used as a plow truck. The commented on the costs of the dump truck is $281,047.00 that includes the chassis and truck body being installed and extended warranties. The City is behind in keeping up in the purchase of trucks, and this truck is available at this time without having to order and wait on a vehicle.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Resolution No. 2526-060 by Commissioner Decker, seconded by Commissioner Mingus; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 2526- 060, hereto attached, a Resolution Allocating $1,500,000 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the 2026 Street Maintenance Program and Confirming and Approving an Engineering Agreement and Associated Rate of Compensation for Engineering Services Related to the 2026 Street Maintenance Program, be approved. Mr. Mayor, I move you that this Resolution No. 2526-060 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 getting the paperwork and process out early so that the City can seek the best savings from bids. He is hopeful to have more money as the contractors will honor the costs in the bid if more work is to be done. Mayor Kahl commented on this being the prudent thing to do for the City to realize cost savings. Commissioner Hill commented on the heat scarification process, including the fog coat portion that is the top coat of the heat scarification process.

Commissioner Decker commented on the street rating process that begins with Pat Meyer rating the streets in the Fall and Spring and is used to determine streets for repair. The street rating process keeps the selection of streets in need of repair objective.

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

Nays: Commissioner Sutherland.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Mingus, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that Ordinance No. 4871 hereto attached, (AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PROVISIONS OF THE EAST PEORIA CITY CODE THAT PROHIBIT THE POSSESSION, SALE, AND DELIVERY OF CANNABIS, SYNTHETIC DRUGS, AND RELATED SUBSTANCES TO ALSO PROHIBIT THE SALE, POSSESSION, AND USE OF KRATOM) be read at length by the Clerk, and that said Ordinance No. 4871 be accepted on its first reading, and be hereby adopted as presented.

The City Clerk read the ordinance at length. On July 29, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it was taking steps to restrict 7-OH products by recommending a scheduling action under the Controlled Substances Act. 7-OH is a concentrated byproduct of the Kratom plant leaf. Kratom and 7- OH have been identified as causing health concerns including hallucinations, psychosis, and aggression. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends the restriction of 7-OH as a critical step against opioid addiction. Under current Illinois law, Kratom is only prohibited from sale to or possession by minors under the age of 18, as provided in the Kratom Control Act. Several Illinois communities – including Monticello, Edwardsville, and Jerseyville – have either previously or recently banned the sale, possession, and use of Kratom and 7-OH. This Ordinance amends Section 10-1-4.8 of the City Code that currently prohibits the sale, delivery, and possession of controlled substances, cannabis and other products containing THC, and unregulated substances containing synthetic hallucinogens and synthetic stimulants. Accordingly, this Ordinance adds Kratom and 7-OH as a prohibit substance under Section 10-1-4.8, thereby ensuring that the City remains at the forefront in protecting its citizens against addictive, harmful, and unregulated products.

Mayor Kahl commented on other communities south of here, including Monticello, Illinois have implemented these restrictions already. He explained that he read an article on the product that explained it is addictive. He feels that the City Council can help make this part of the City Code to prohibit the sale, purchase, and use of Kratom and 7-OH. He commented on how Kratom is sold at convenience stores and commented on a person who became addicted to Kratom. He strongly encourages everyone to support this item.

City Attorney Scott Brunton explained that the Police Chief would be sending out notices to all businesses that he knows about that may sell these substances. The fine for any violations is structured like all of the other fines with it running through the administrative process initially, and then, likely repeat offenses will go to court.

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

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and Ordinance No. 4871 to 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.

Paul Thewlis stepped up to the podium and commented on his street. He feels that in the Robein area has been recoated, and his street was done last year. He explained that his street, Ember Lane, does not have curb and gutters. Mayor Kahl explained that there are other streets that also do not have curb and gutters and explained that elected officials do not get involved in the street ratings so that it is fair and objective.

Mayor Kahl asked for any additional comments from the audience. There was no response. Mayor Kahl then asked for comments from Council.

Commissioner Decker commented on the electronics recycling event that was hosted and organized by Tazewell County this past Saturday. He explained that the line was shut down for a short time, because it became a public hazard as so much traffic was causing issues. It was a successful event with over 60,000 pounds of electronics being collected. This week is Clean-Up Week, and he asked people to be careful about putting things too close to the road as someone had their bicycle taken during Clean-Up Week. Commissioner Decker explained some of the parameters regarding Clean-Up Week and explained that they are running a little behind.

Commissioner Hill commented on the electronics recycling event and the line being long. He explained that the time of the event was extended a little bit to accommodate. The electronics recycling event was a Tazewell County Health Department event.

Commissioner Mingus commented on Car Seat Checks occuring the first Wednesday of the month except during the cold months.

Commissioner Sutherland commented on trying to get rid of a computer screen a while back and needing pay for it. He commented on thinking of ways to improve the line and traffic at the electronics recycling event. He commented on the expense of watering and filling pools and commented on the savings that may occur with using an auxiliary meter. He commented on watering trees and explained the best way to water tree is using a tree feeder where you water once every three to four days. He commented on the incident that happened in Peoria. He feels that East Peoria is a safe community, and he is proud of the East Peoria Police Department and Tazewell County State’s Attorney.

Mayor Kahl commented on possible improvements to the electronics recycling program such as thinking about alternate sites and possibly limiting the number of electronics that everyone can drop off. He feels that it is a great program; however, there can be improvements. It was an unexpected turnout with the number of people and number electronics to be recycled. He expressed condolences regarding the passing

of Shaun Newell the Vice President/General Manager of WMBD/WYZZ-TV. He lost his battle of cancer at the age of 47 and had a wife and children. Mr. Newell was involved in the Festival of Lights. He fought hard and never gave up in his battle with cancer. Mayor Kahl explained that Mr. Newell was one of the most genuine and humble people, and he was fair and objective in reporting the facts. He will be sorely missed.

Motion by Commissioner Sutherland, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that we adjourn until Tuesday evening, October 21, 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 6:54 P.M.

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