Board of Trustees

Village of Peoria Heights Board of Trustees November 21, 2023 The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Everyone stood for a moment of silence and the Pledge to the Flag. Upon calling roll, the following Trustees were present: Sarah DeVore, Jeff Goett, Elizabeth Khazzam, Jennifer Reichert, Matthew Wigginton, and Brandon Wisenburg. Others present included Mayor Michael Phelan, Village Administrator and Chief of Police Dustin Sutton, Village Clerk Stephanie Turner, and Village Counsel Attorney Mark Walton. Trustee Goett made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 7, 2023 meeting. Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 6-0. Peoria County Board representative for District 9, Mr. Danny Phelan, stepped forward for a presentation of a proclamation and flag for the Village’s 125th Anniversary celebration presented by Peoria County. Member Phelan presented the Village with the recently updated Peoria County flag. Mayor Phelan thanked Member Phelan and Peoria County. Mayor Phelan opened the meeting to public comment. Ms. Ann Lockheart, 722 E Marietta Ave, expressed concern about the quarterly bills. She asked the Board to consider moving to monthly bills. Chief Sutton explained staff had discussed the idea previously but there were concerns. Clerk Turner explained there would be increased costs to the residents as well as staffing concerns. The Board discussed a variety of options including allowing e- billing and opt-in programs. Mayor Phelan asked Chief Sutton to bring a report back. Ms. J Gruber, Monroe, expressed excitement that the Board was working to upgrade the water system in an effort to keep it. A resident thanked staff for the improvement to the audio system. Hearing no additional public comment, the Board moved on to old business. Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Chris Chandler, provided an update of the water capital improvement plan progress. He explained the majority of the projects are underway with only one that might not be completed this year. Clerk Turner explained the money for that project was set aside and would be carried forward if it wasn’t complete. Superintendent Chandler noted ice pigging will begin next week, and houses will be tagged the day before it begins in their area. Superintendent Chandler explained ice pigging was involved pumping an ice and salt slurry through the mains. Water won’t be off, and the mixture isn’t harmful, but he advised residents against using their water during the process. Mayor Phelan reported administration is moving forward with Woodard Curran to get more information about a possible sale. The Board moved on to new business. Trustee DeVore made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023-1715: An Ordinance Amending Title 8, Chapter 2A of the Village Code of the Village of Peoria Heights, For the Purpose of Establishing Water Rates in the Village of Peoria Heights. Trustee Goett seconded the motion. Trustee DeVore explained the ordinance is to raise rates as per the water capital improvement plan to prove funding for future projects. Trustee Wisenburg asked about the minimum charge for businesses and was told they’re billed monthly. Ordinance 2023-1715 was approved 5-1. Trustee Wigginton voted nay. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-17: a Resolution of the Village of Peoria Heights Approving a Request for Qualifications and Appointing Selection Committee. Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. Trustee Khazzam explained the resolution was the next step for grant funding for Prospect Road designs. Director Aldrich explained the RFQ will be issued by Tri-County Regional Planning on the Village’s behalf. The proposals will be due in January with interviews of the top candidates after review. Trustee Wigginton asked the meaning of local presence in the qualifications. Director Aldrich explained he prefers availability. He noted he thinks of it more as being present around the area as needed. Trustee Wigginton encouraged the selection committee to consider local firms. Resolution 2023-17 passed 6-0. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-18: a Resolution of the Village of Peoria Heights Accepting an Agreement for Professional Services with Hutchinson Engineering for Construction Observation Services for the Reconstruction of Paris Avenue. Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. Trustee Khazzam explained IDOT required the Village to improve infrastructure in the area. Director Aldrich stated it was part one of an agreement, and the firm was selected from three firms to supervise construction on Paris Avenue which is under the Village’s jurisdiction. There will be another agreement for War Memorial Drive and Central Avenue which are partially under IDOT’s jurisdiction and have different construction requirements. Trustee Wisenburg questioned what changes were to be made. Aldrich explained there will be changes to the materials of the road due to anticipated traffic. The other improvements include lengthening turn lanes and traffic signals. Resolution 2023-18 by a vote of 6-0. Mayor Phelan asked for miscellaneous business. Chief Sutton updated the Board that he was working establishing the Village notification system. He noted it’s close to being implemented, and he expects an update soon. Trustee Wigginton asked Chief Sutton about the budget. Chief Sutton noted the Village could keep the lights on, but he wasn’t sure how much future unbudgeted expenses will dig into the surplus. Trustee Wigginton noted the PPRT tax was lower than previous, and Chief Sutton stated he had received that report. Trustee Wigginton complimented the Chamber for their efforts noting they were currently putting together the Kris Kringle huts outside. Mayor Phelan asked for audience comments on agenda items only. Hearing no additional public comments, the Board moved to payment of the bills. Trustee Goett made a motion to approve payment of the bills. Trustee Khazzam seconded the motion. There were no questions on the bills. The Board voted 6-0 to approve payment of the bills. Clerk Turner read the Treasurer’s Report. In the Village controlled accounts, there was $8,212,622.27 and in the Water controlled accounts there was $2,180,967.04. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, and Trustee Goett seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0. Mayor Phelan wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and safe travels. Trustee Goett made a motion to adjourn, and Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. The Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to adjourn at 6:13 pm. _____________________________________ ______________________________________ Michael Phelan, Mayor Stephanie Turner, Village Clerk