EDAC

City of Pekin REGULAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026 12:00 PM 1. Call to Order 2. Approve Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes 3.1. Minutes from the Regular Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting on February 9, 2026 4. Public Input 5. Reports 5.1. Monthly Staff Report 6. New Business 6.1. Recommendation to Amend Pekin City Code Chapter 2, Article 6, Division 19, Economic Development Advisory Committee, to Increase the Number of Voting Members from Seven to Nine 7. Any Other Business to Come Before the Commission 8. Adjourn Page 1 of 9  EDAC Meeting Minutes February 9, 2026 Call to Order The regular meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Committee was called to order at 12:0 0 PM. A quorum was declared by Chairperson Leman. Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Roy Bockler Economic Development Advisory Committee Member Present Noon Caty Campbell Economic Development Advisory Committee Member Present Noon John Campbell Economic Development Advisory Committee Member Present Noon Buster Hanley Economic Development Advisory Committee Member Present Noon Drew Leman Economic Development Advisory Committee Member Present Noon Amy McCoy Economic Development Advisory Committee Member Absent Danielle Owens Economic Development Advisory Committee Member Present Noon Liridon Rrushaj Economic Development Advisory Committee Member Present Noon Dennis Short Economic Development Advisory Committee Member Present 12:10 PM Jack Steger Economic Development Advisory Committee Member Present Noon Approve Agenda and Meeting Minutes B. Hanley motioned to approve the agenda for today’s meeting a nd the meeting minutes from December 9 , 2025 , with a second by D. Owens . R. Bockler asked for one modification, as he states he was not present for the December meeting. With this change, t he motion passed by voice vote. Public Input None Reports 5 .1 Monthly Staff Report Mr. Wray reviewed the monthly staff report included in the meeting packet and noted that the Quarterly Business Report from Retail Strategies is included in the packet as well, for review. New Business 6 .1 Discussion on the Proposed Data Center Development (No Action) Mr. Wray provided an overview of the proposed data center project, including background, timeline, and key topics of public interest. Supporting information was included in the meeting Page 2 of 9  packet. He also noted that a meeting was held with Groveland Township the prior week to discuss items such as fire response. Mr. Bockler inquired about the absence of a conceptual site plan or rendering and asked about the long - term, “10 - year” outlook. He also raised questions regarding the developer’s identity and project funding. Mr. Wray responded that a detailed conceptual p lan is not available at this stage, though a general vision outlining potential residential, commercial, and infrastructure elemen ts has been prepared. The Mayor shared observations from a recent visit to a data center in DeKalb, noting that wildlife remains present in the surrounding area. Mr. Short asked about upcoming town hall meetings. Mr. Wray stated that project information is available on the City’s website and outlined two scheduled meetings: a general development overview on February 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pekin Public Library, and a data center - specific meeting on March 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pekin Community High School T heater. Mr. Setti (Greater Peoria EDC) provided insight based on similar data center projects, including common feedback and challenges, and noted the importance of establishing a clear timeline and key milestones, which Mr. Wray has begun to outline. Mr. Leman encouraged the City to continue its current approach of research and community education, acknowledging that public concerns may persist but emphasizing the importance of remaining focused if the project is determined to be beneficial. Mr. Steger asked whether alternative locations are being considered. The Mayor stated that Riverway Business Park lacks sufficient acreage, though other opportunities could be explored. Mr. Wray added that any viable site would need proximity to transmissi on lines. Dr . Owens raised questions about housing impacts, specifically whether the data center project would influence residential development, noting declining student enrollment. M ayor Burress commented that an influx of jobs could highlight the current shortage of available housing. Any Other Business to Come Before the Commission 7.1 Reminder of Expiring Terms All terms expire the first Monday in May , at which time committee members hip decreases to seven members in accordance with a n ordinance passed last year . Mr. Riley has resigned from the committee due to scheduling conflicts and has recommen ded Ron Harland to fill the remain der of his term. This item is included on tonight ’s City Council agenda . Page 3 of 9 Adjourn Motion to adjourn the meeting by D. Short at 1:16 P.M., with a second by R. Bockler . The motion passed by voice vote. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 9 , 202 6 at Noon in the City Council Chambers. Page 4 of 9  REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Agenda Date: April 13, 2026 To: Members of the Economic Development Advisory Committee From: Joshua Wray, Economic Development Director AGENDA ITEM: Monthly Staff Report DESCRIPTION: Commercial • The church that formerly owned 14 acres near the northeast corner of Veterans and 14th Street has sold that property. The buyer has met with staff and sought the City's ideas for developing that site. The City owns the three acres at the actual corner, of which about half is buildable due to a gas easement on the other half, and we are working to potentially sell that parcel to the new owner of the 14 acre site. Staff shared that the City would like to see commercial development along Veterans with possibilities for multifamily residential behind that. • JPG Real Estate's redevelopment of the stormwater pond in front of Menards is proceeding. The City's engineer is working on plans to relocate the pond to the creek area behind East Court Village where the current pond already discharges. • Staff is working with the owner of 180 acres southwest of Walmart and East Court Village to annex to the City. The intended future use would be retail/office. • Renovation of the Twisted Spoke Saloon on Derby Street is nearly complete. This project received an $85,000 forgivable loan from the BDD fund with the obligation to generate $17,000 in new sales taxes to the City annually for 5 years to receive full loan forgiveness. Industrial • Staff has had initial discussion with the owner of about 300 acres at the southwest corner of Veterans Drive and 5th Street to potentially annex that land and market it for development. The intended use would be a combination of industrial and commercial with consideration of Rankin School being across the street at the south end of the site. This annexation would be very helpful in national/international site selection since most RFIs are seeking 50+ acres. • Epic Medical continues to make progress on their design plans. A groundbreaking ceremony will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Residential Infrastructure Projects • Court Street reconstruction is planned to be completed down to 8th Street by end of this year. Council will soon be considering an addition to the project scope to add reconstruction Page 5 of 9  of Park Ave and 14th Street in the triangle area around the sundial. • Broadway Street reconstruction, from 14th to Parkway, is underway with engineering and IDOT review. The project is planned to be bid in January 2027. • The combined sewer outflow (CSO) rehabilitation along the river is underway and is planned to be completed within Fiscal Year 2027. • Staff submitted two grant applications to Congressman LaHood for $1 million towards the next phase of Derby Street reconstruction at $6 million for a new fire station on the north side of town. We expect to hear back in the next couple of months on being awarded or not. • Staff has negotiated purchase terms for one of the final few properties needed for the Veterans Drive extension. Council will be considering the land acquisition in April. Page 6 of 9  Item No. 6.1 REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Agenda Date: April 13, 2026 To: Members of the Economic Development Advisory Committee From: Joshua Wray, Economic Development Director AGENDA ITEM: Recommendation to Amend Pekin City Code Chapter 2, Article 6, Division 19, Economic Development Advisory Committee, to Increase the Number of Voting Members from Seven to Nine DESCRIPTION: In 2024, the EDAC recommended various changes to the City Code to incorporate the Committee therein and define its membership, duties, powers. Council approved Ordinance No. 4147-23/24 adopting a code section for the EDAC and setting the number of committee members at seven, effective May 2026, which was reduced from the then thirteen members. After a brief discussion at the last City Council meeting, the Mayor advised staff to draft a code amendment, bringing the number of EDAC members up from seven to nine. Mayoral appointments for the nine members are planned to be presented for Council's consideration in May. FINANCIAL IMPACT: REVIEWED BY: Amalia Rioja, City Attorney Jim Vasselli, City Attorney John Dossey, City Manager Nicole Stewart, City Clerk Page 7 of 9  Recommendation to Amend Pekin City Code Chapter 2, Article 6, Division 19, Economic Development Advisory Committee, to Increase the Number of Voting Members from Seven to Nine WHEREAS, the Pekin Economic Development Advisory Committee ("EDAC") was created as an ad hoc committee by the City Council in 2011; and WHEREAS, the EDAC was made a permanent committee of the City of Pekin and was incorporated into the Pekin City Code on January 22, 2024, by Ordinance No. 4147-23/24; and WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 4147-23/24 also provided that the number or EDAC members would be reduced from thirteen to seven effective May 4, 2026; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds it in the best interests of the community to increase the new membership number from seven to nine effective May 3, 2026; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEKIN, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT: Section 1. The foregoing findings and recitals are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein. Section 2. Pekin City Code Section 2-6-19-3 shall be amended as follows (underline indicates addition and strikethrough indicates deletion): Sec. 2-6-19-3. - Membership; terms. (a) Number and appointment. The Committee shall consist of seven (7) nine (9) voting members appointed by the Mayor with concurrence from the Council. (b) Members shall consist of a broad spectrum of leaders from the community. At least three four of the following sectors shall be separately represented by members appointed based on their experience and qualifications: (1) Corporate or operations management; (2) Healthcare, wellness, or senior care; (3) Real estate brokerage or development; (4) Banking or lending; (5) Architecture, construction, or skilled trades; (6) Education; (7) Utilities or telecommunications; (8) Not-for-profits; (9) Business advocacy. (c) Members must reside within one and one-half miles of the City's corporate boundary or must work or own a business located within the City's corporate boundary. Page 8 of 9 (d) Term of office. (1) The term of office for a voting member shall be three years beginning on May 1 and ending on April 30. (2) Terms shall be staggered such that two three members' terms end each year except for each third year where three members' terms end. (e) Ex-officio members shall be the Mayor and the chief executive officer of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council. (f) The Director of Economic Development will serve the Committee as the primary staff resource. Section 3. Following the passage of this Ordinance, the Economic Development Advisory Committee shall be composed of nine members; provided, however, that all members serving on the EDAC as of the date of this Ordinance shall continue to serve on the EDAC until the end of their current terms, and provided further that, on and after the first Monday of May, 2026, no member shall be appointed or re-appointed if such appointment or re-appointment will result in there being more than nine members. Section 4. Except as set forth in Section 3 above, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law. RESULT: ( TO ) MOVER: None SECONDER: None AYES: None NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None ADOPTED AND APPROVED at a Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pekin this _______ day of ____________, 20____. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ City Clerk Page 9 of 9