Board of Trustees

Village of Peoria Heights Board of Trustees November 19, 2024 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 October 15, 2024 meeting. Trustee Reichert seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 6-0. Mayor Phelan opened the meeting to public comment. Ms. J Gruber, 3813 N Monroe Ave, expressed approval of the Board’s decision to approve loan funds through the SRF for lead service line replacements. She also expressed her excitement over the active transportation plan. Hearing no additional comments, Mayor Phelan closed the meeting to public comment. The Board of Trustees moved on to old business. Trustee Wisenburg noted that the recent stop sign installation was working well. He requested the Police Department review parking at that corner. Chief Sutton noted that process was going to be in phases. Mayor Phelan asked Trustee Wisenburg to speak to the residents of that neighborhood. The Board moved on to new business. Trustee DeVore made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-16: a Resolution of the Village of Peoria Heights Approving Lease of Garage Space at 3838 North Boulevard Ave from Richwoods Township. Trustee Khazzam seconded the motion. Trustee DeVore explained the Village had a long partnership with Richwoods Township. The lease sets a shorter period, 10 years, rather than 50 years of the past lease. Mayor Phelan provided some additional information regarding the history of the partnership. Trustee Wigginton noted he would be abstaining as he’s presently the Clerk for Richwoods Township. The Board approved the lease 5-0 with Trustee Wigginton abstaining. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-1743: an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Business Development District No. 1 by and between the Village of Peoria Heights, Illinois and Joseph Fritsch, dba JAM Prospect General Partnership (4542 N Prospect Rd). Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. Trustee Khazzam explained the new owners of the restaurant are planning to do renovations at the location and are requesting funds under the beautification program. Trustee Wisenburg asked if the business would generate sales tax, and Trustee Khazzam stated it would as a restaurant. The Board approved the ordinance 6-0. Trustee Reichert made a motion to approve payment in the amount of $229,375 to RE Pedrotti for water treatment and distribution control upgrade. Trustee Goett seconded the motion. Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Chris Chandler, explained the water company had done upgrades to its computer system last year, and this would be the next step of the process. The company has begun the work, and the system controls the water pumps. Trustee Wisenburg asked about the security of the system, and Superintendent Chandler explained a bit noting the purchase would increase the security of the system. Trustee Wigginton asked if the purchase had been out to bid. Superintendent Chandler explained he had researched, and it was a very reasonable price that could be completed quickly. Trustee Wigginton and Attorney Walton spoke about the legality of completing a project without bids with Attorney Walton expressing he was comfortable with the purchase. Trustee Goett made an amendment to the motion to approve the purchase without bids. Trustee Wisenburg seconded the amendment. Chief Sutton noted the purchase had been discussed with counsel. Trustee Khazzam asked about how going out to bid would impact the project’s timeline. Superintendent Chandler noted it would take at least 6 months, and the work was important. Trustee DeVore asked about previous work by the company with Superintendent Chandler explaining the last round of updates and the necessary updates at this time. The amendment passed 6-0. The purchase was approved as amended 6-0. Superintendent Chandler explained Public Works has done improvements to Wiley Haynes Park including new mulch and will be planting grass in the spring. Trustee Khazzam requested the trash cans along Prospect be painted in the spring. Mayor Phelan asked for miscellaneous business. Ms. Gruber approached to ask how much the previous water system work cost. Superintendent Chandler didn’t have an answer at hand. Mr. JT Kellock asked who was managing the relationship with the new trash company. Mr. Kellock commented the company failed to collect landscape waste. Chief Sutton explained how the Village was responding to the issue and working to address it. He urged residents who were having issues to contact the Village if they wanted help facilitating the issue. Trustee Wisenburg asked what recourses the Village had if service continued to be inadequate. Chief Sutton deferred to counsel for recourses. Attorney Walton noted the Village could possibly terminate the contract for failure to provide service. Chief Sutton stated there were limited options available to the Village. He acknowledged the Village had excellent service from G & O Disposal which only made the issues more stark. Trustee Wisenburg asked if the Village had ever done a cost analysis for municipal service. Trustee Wigginton explained that Peoria County had recently negotiated a rate for unincorporated areas that was $40 / month while our rate is $20 / month. Mayor Phelan and Atorney Walton spoke about the consequences of possible litigation of the contract. Chief Sutton noted he would continue to meet with GFL regarding issues and provide an update on the issue. Ms. Gruber noted she had heard GFL didn’t have a good reputation nationally. The meeting was closed to public comment. Trustee DeVore 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. At the end of October, there was $10,496,368.91 in the Village’s accounts and $2,326,712.48 in Water’s accounts. Trustee Goett made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, and Trustee Reichert seconded. The motion passed 6-0. Trustee Goett made a motion to adjourn, and Trustee Reichert seconded the motion. The Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to adjourn at 6:03 pm. _____________________________________ ______________________________________ Michael Phelan, Mayor Stephanie Turner, Village Clerk