Board of Trustees

Village of Peoria Heights Board of Trustees February 18, 2025 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, Matthew Wigginton, and Brandon Wisenburg. Trustee Jennifer Reichert was absent. Others present included Mayor Michael Phelan, Village Administrator and Chief of Police Dustin Sutton, Village Clerk Stephanie Turner, Fire Chief Dan Decker, and Village Counsel Attorney Mark Walton. Trustee Goett made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 4, 2025 meeting. Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 5-0. Mayor Phelan opened the meeting to public comment. Hearing no comments, Mayor Phelan closed the meeting to public comment. The Board of Trustees moved on to old business. Chief Sutton updated the Board on two topics from the last meeting. He explained the temporary handicap placard doesn’t qualify for a permanent handicap sign. He noted a temporary sign had been installed, and it’ll be brought back to the Board. He also noted that similar requests had been made, and there was one sign currently in place. Attorney Walton noted there wasn’t a restriction which would prevent the placement of the temporary sign. Chief Sutton stated he’ll bring the issue back to the Board after the 120 day temporary approval. Chief Sutton noted the Board had discussed the BDD tax, and he applauded Trustee Wisenburg’s intentions. He noted there was so much economic development past and future which was tied to the BDD tax. He noted that its elimination would require the General Fund to take on those expenses as well as salaries which are funded by the BDD tax. Trustee Wisenburg thanked Chief Sutton for his diligence and frugalness maintaining the costs without increasing taxes. Hearing no old additional business, the Board moved on to new business. Trustee Wisenburg made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-05: a Resolution Approving Poplar Pollinator Project at Poplar Lane Park. Trustee Wigginton seconded the motion. Trustee Wisenburg noted it was a citizen led initiative to restore the natural landscaping at Poplar Lane Park which also reduced maintenance. Dr. Ethan Lynn came forward providing a history of his ecological work as well as his inspiration for the project. He shared he’d like to plant over 200 wildflowers of a variety of types that are local plants. He noted by planting these flowers the Village could create a monarch butterfly magnet as well as attracting other types of insects and butterflies. Dr. Lynn shared a similar type of landscape from Forest Park noting the potential for ecotourism. Trustee Wisenburg noted there would be 150 hours of labor donated by volunteers, and the cost was for materials only. Trustee Khazzam applauded Dr. Lynn’s initiative and thanked the trustees for their work. Trustee Wisenburg noted there was a lot of land the Village could work on to return to more natural state. Trustee Goett asked if flooding would harm the flowers. Dr. Lynn explained they had located the garden on higher land to avoid the normal flooding. The Board voted 5-0 to approve the resolution. Trustee DeVore made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Trustee Khazzam seconded the motion. The consent agenda included approval of the use of Tower Park for Drum Circle on Fridays, May 9, August 8, and October 10, 2025, approval of the use of Tower Park for Speak Out Illinois on Saturday, September 13, 2025, approval of street closure for St. Patrick’s Day event on March 17, 2025, and approval of donation in the amount of $1,000 for Peoria Heights Community Band. Trustee Wigginton complimented Speak Out Illinois for their thorough and well prepared documentation in their event request. The Board approved the consent agenda 5-0. Trustee DeVore approved an Ordinance 2025-1753: an Ordinance Creating Additional Class A-1 Liquor Licenses Within the Corporate Limits of the Village of Peoria Heights. Trustee Goett seconded the motion. Trustee DeVore explained the liquor license has been requested by Feels Like Ohm. The business had previously approached the Board requesting a BDD grant, and they’re expanding their mocktail offerings into alcoholic drinks. The Board approved the ordinance 5-0. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve Peoria County Bicentennial Celebration purchase in the amount of $2,500. Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. Trustee Khazzam explained the Board had previously discussed the idea, and she’s excited by the potential for opportunities. She noted how the project fit in with the Village’s art walk, the opportunities for social media advertising, and how the project could benefit the Village. Mr. Danny Phelan and Ms. Gretchen Pearsall, representatives of the Peoria County, came forward to thank the Village for their consideration. Ms. Pearsall shared other groups which had purchased bison for display including government agencies, municipalities, and local businesses. Trustee Khazzam noted it was a regional initiative. The Board voted 5-0 to approve the purchase. Chief Sutton introduced the quotes for event safety barricades. He noted the Board had previously discussed both the barricades as well as the Christmas decorations. The items had been delayed until the fourth quarter of the budget year. Chief Sutton explained the Village’s initial quote for concrete barricades had been around $20,000 each event as the Village didn’t have equipment to move the barricades. The Village was able to source different barricades for purchase which were under $20,000 in total that could be placed by Public Works. Trustee DeVore asked if there were safety concerns since the barricades were sized differently. Chief Sutton noted there was a size difference, but it would cover the same area. Trustee Wigginton noted each barricade still weighed over a ton. Trustee Wigginton noted it was an important purchase for safety with the Board agreeing. The item will be brought back for Board approval. Chief Sutton introduced the quotes for Christmas decorations. He noted the current decorations are from the 1970s, and the Village had received a quote with a substantial discount. He shared the Village might be able to repurpose some of the decorations after the Galena Road construction. Trustee Wisenburg noted his excitement to bring decorations below the bluff. Trustee Wigginton proposed the Village could perhaps consider additional decorations along War Memorial Drive. The Board instructed Chief Sutton to consider additional decorations. Trustee DeVore introduced the first review of the fiscal year 2025 – 2026 budget. She noted it was the initial draft of the budget. Clerk Turner provided an overview of the Village’s finances. Clerk Turner gave an overview of the budget providing details on each of the departments of the General Fund as well as each of the funds. She noted that while there were some planned deficits they were in restricted funds with cash reserves to handle the increased spending. Clerk Turner explained the budget was planned very lean in order to produce a balanced budget. The Board asked questions regarding specifics of each department before concluding the discussion. The Board was encouraged to reach out to Chief Sutton for specifics. Mayor Phelan asked for miscellaneous business. Hearing no miscellaneous business, Mayor Phelan asked Fire Chief Decker for updates. Fire Chief Decker noted the PHFD had an influx of new members. Mayor Phelan spoke to Fire Chief Decker about staffing. Mayor Phelan opened the meeting to public comment. Hearing none, the meeting was closed to public comment. Trustee Wigginton made a motion to approve payment of the bills. Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. There were no questions on the bills. The Board voted 5-0 to approve payment of the bills. Clerk Turner read the Treasurer’s Report. At the end of January, there was $10,304,370.90 in the Village controlled accounts and $2,424,490.07 in the Water controlled accounts. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, and Trustee Wisenburg seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Trustee Goett made a motion to adjourn, and Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. The Board of Trustees voted 5-0 to adjourn at 7:09 pm. ____________________________________ ______________________________________ Michael Phelan, Mayor Stephanie Turner, Village Clerk