Board of Trustees

Village of Peoria Heights Board of Trustees September 2, 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: Nate Steinwedel, Elizabeth Khazzam, Sarah DeVore, Teresa Symmonds, Brandon Wisenburg, and Jen Reichert. Others present included Mayor Matt Wigginton, Village Clerk Stephanie Turner, Administrator Dustin Sutton, Fire Chief Tony Ardis, Chief of Police Christopher Ahart, Superintendent of Public Works Chris Chandler, and Village Counsel Kate Carter. Trustee Reichert made a motion to approve the Board minutes from August 19, 2025. Trustee Symmonds seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0. Mayor Wigginton invited Chief Ahart and Trustee Wisenburg, chair of the police department, to join him as Clerk Turner swore in the newest police officer, Mr. Ayham Al Hashemi, as a patrolman in the Village. Mayor Wigginton opened the meeting to public comment. Hearing no public comment, Mayor Wigginton closed the meeting to public comment and moved on to old business. Hearing no additional old business, the Board moved on to new business. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve Ordinance 2025-1768: an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Business Development District No. 1 Redevelopment Agreement by and between the Village of Peoria Heights and Bradley University (1201-1203 E Kingman Ave). Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. Trustee Khazzam explained the item is in support of the kitchen at the old pumphouse. Bradley University has made an investment just under $100,000 to the property, which is still owned by the Village, but they’ve requested a modest contribution by the Village toward the cost. Mr. Foley shared information about the updates, noting the care put into the project, and announced the kitchen will be at the Taste of the Heights. The Board voted 6-0 to approve. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve a special use application filed by William Sharpe / Total Income Tax / Total IRS Relief seeking a special use permit for installation of one digital electronic multiple message sign pursuant to Section 9-4-10(E) of the Village Code for the property located at 1105 E. War Memorial Drive, Peoria Heights, Illinois 61616 (PIN No. 14-27-181-036), which property is currently zoned B-2 (General Retail Business District). Trustee Reichert seconded the motion. Trustee Khazzam expressed support. She noted that she thought it was warranted along the corridor especially in the darker months of winter. Trustee DeVore noted that she had historically been against digital signs, and she continued to oppose them on principle. She stressed it was not related to the business. Trustee Khazzam noted the sign had been approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Rick Picl, chairman of the ZBA, came forward to speak and provided detail about the height and size of the sign as well as the location. The motion passed 4-2 with Trustee DeVore and Trustee Wisenburg voting nay. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve the site plan application filed by PH Executive Plaza, LLC seeking approval of a site plan for the re-construction and expansion of a surface parking lot for the property located at 4541 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, Illinois 61616 (PIN Nos. 14-22-331-026 14- 22-333-011), which properties are currently zoned B-4 (Low Impact Industrial District). Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. Trustee Khazzam explained the applicants had participated in a land swap and were requesting permission to add a parking lot to create additional parking for the Pabst building. The Board discussed details of the project, including conditions of approval by the ZBA, focusing on the screening of the parking lot. The site plan was approved 6-0. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve a site plan application filed by Washington Trails Edge, LLC seeking approval of a site plan for the development of a laundry establishment on the property located at 716 E. War Memorial Drive, Peoria Heights, Illinois 61616 (PIN No. 14-27-301-006), which property is currently zoned B-2 (General Retail Business District). Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. Trustee Khazzam stated the next two items were linked together. The business would be a new business allowing professional laundry cleaning as well as self-serve laundry cleaning. Trustee Wisenburg asked if the business would generate sales tax. Trustee Khazzam noted that labor wasn’t subject to sales tax. Administrator Sutton stated it wouldn’t generate sales tax. Trustee Steinwedel stated he would abstain due to personal relationships with the developers. Trustee Symmonds questioned some of the building materials which might cause safety concerns with reflection. The Board spoke to the developer regarding details of the project. Mr. Picl drew the Board’s attention to the conditions the ZBA put on the approval of the site plan which involved replotting the parcels. The site plan was approved 5-0 with Trustee Steinwedel abstaining. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to approve of special use application filed by Washington Trails Edge, LLC seeking a special use permit for operation of a laundry establishment on the property located at 716 E. War Memorial Drive, Peoria Heights, Illinois 61616 (PIN No. 14-27-301-006), which property is currently zoned B-2 (General Retail Business District). Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. The Board voted 5-0 to approve with Trustee Steinwedel abstaining. Trustee DeVore made a motion to approve Ordinance 2025-1769: An Ordinance Amending Title 4, Chapter 2 Of the Village Code of the Village of Peoria Heights, For the Purpose of Increasing the Permitted Number of Video Gaming Establishment Licenses. Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. Trustee DeVore noted the Village maintains enough licenses for the businesses in operation. A new license is intended to be used for the new bar, Behms, below the hill. The motion passed 6-0. Trustee DeVore made a motion to approve Ordinance 2025-1770: An Ordinance Adding New Article E To Chapter 3 Of Title 3 Of the Peoria Heights Village Code Implementing a Municipal Grocery Tax. Trustee Reichert seconded. Trustee DeVore noted the item was controversial, and the Board had all done research. She explained the grocery tax had been levied per the State of Illinois which had now moved the burden to the municipalities. She noted the loss to the Village would be a minimum of $125,000 annually. She noted her concern with Village finances considering the many ongoing projects. Trustee Reichert noted her support of the tax in order to continue the future of the Village. Trustee Khazzam seconded that sentiment. Trustee Steinwedel expressed support citing the importance of Village funding which is unrestricted. He spoke about other communities in the area which have implemented the tax. Trustee Symmonds noted she was conflicted, but sales tax would help with infrastructure and safety of the community. Trustee Wisenburg expressed his opposition to the tax stressing the tax was regressive. He spoke about sales tax in other states and stated the Village would be raising taxes. Trustee Symmonds asked if the Board can revisit the topic again in the future. Mayor Wigginton stated the Village could noting the Village could review home rule taxes at any point. Trustee Khazzam stated she respected Trustee Wisenburg’s position but pointed out the State of Illinois was taking away a tax from the Village as opposed to the Village increasing existing taxes. Trustee Steinwedel noted the primary grocery tax comes from the War Memorial corridor, and the many visitors to the Village from that corridor. Trustee Steinwedel spoke about resources available to those experiencing food insecurity, and the hybrid models employed by other states in place of a grocery tax. Trustee Wisenburg rebutted stating he viewed it as a tax increase. Trustee Reichert expressed she had spoken to residents who said they wouldn’t have noticed the change. She shared those same residents supported the tax which can be used in the Village for its needs. She stressed it would be worse to remove the tax and then have to reimplement later due to financial concerns. Trustee Khazzam shared every resident she had spoken was in favor of the tax. Trustee Symmonds agreed noting she’d already received phone calls. The motion passed 5-1 with Trustee Wisenburg voting nay. Trustee DeVore made a motion to request for use of Tower Park on Saturday, October 25, 2025 for the Distracted Dog event. Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. A representative of the event came forward to explain it’ll be a Halloween event with businesses and community to allow owners a safe place to bring dogs to train in a high distraction environment. Trustee Khazzam asked about clean up with more details being provided. The Board voted 6-0 to approve the event. Trustee Symmonds made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-14; a Resolution Approving Proposal from Woodard and Curran for Engineering Services for Filtration Plant. Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. Trustee Symmonds noted Ms. Jacki Hudnall and Mr. Mark Lee are available for any questions. Mayor Wigginton asked them to address the late change to the proposal. Mr. Lee explained there was a small change to the billing model, billing hourly rather than as a lump sum. Trustee Wisenburg noted he was looking forward to moving through the phases past Phase I. The Board voted 6-0 to approve. Mayor Wigginton asked for miscellaneous business. Trustee Wisenburg reported September 8, 2025 at 9:00 am is Coffee with a Cop at Village Hall. He encouraged residents to attend and hoped to see a good turn out. Chief Ahart stated it would replace Neighborhood Watch to try to reach out to residents who were unavailable at night. Trustee Khazzam shared the Village had a very successful festival over the weekend., but she had received many phone calls from businesses and residents who weren’t aware of the street closure. She suggested the Board make clear to any event organizers that they must contact their neighbors and announce the closure. Administrator Sutton noted it was a unique situation and normally the organizers speak to their neighbors. He noted there was some confusion, and the situation would be corrected in the future. Trustee DeVore noted the Board had required the organizers to notify neighbors. She recalled requesting it herself. She stated it might need to be revisited if the organizers came back to the Village. The Board discussed options for disseminating event information. Administrator Sutton noted the Board had spoken about the Glen Avenue sidewalk project last meeting. He corrected the amounts announced noting the Village had received more than $700,000 and the $40,000 figure quoted at the meeting was a supplemental award. Trustee Reichert shared the Peoria Heights Alumni Association would like to seek permission from the Board to name the woodpecker on the Tower. She noted details are still being developed. Trustee Wisenburg stated he thought it was a good idea and suggested including the private schools as well as the public schools. Trustee Symmonds asked if announcement could be coordinated with the 250 celebration in 2026. Trustee DeVore agreed. Mayor Wigginton agreed noting it was a Village landmark, and it would be great to include the Alumni Association in the Village’s celebration. Trustee Symmonds announced she had worked with Superintendent Chandler on various road signs welcoming people to the community. The total cost for the 12 signs would be around $750 which could be approved administratively. Trustee Wisenburg shared the thinking behind the signs. She also updated the Board on progress of designing the larger welcome signs. Trustee Khazzam noted this could be done more immediately while the Board continues to discuss more elaborate signage. The Board discussed additional opportunities and options. Superintendent Chandler shared Public Works had installed a flashing stop sign at Lake and Boulevard. Administrator Sutton stated the City of Peoria will be installing flashing stop signs at the other two signs which are in their jurisdiction. Trustee Symmonds shared additional information about children at play signs. She also provided additional information on the progress of lead service line replacement. Trustee Steinwedel noted the PHFD had an uneventful month. Fire Chief Ardis stated there had been 73 alarms in August with no significant incidents. Additionally, 4 members completed their EMR training. Trustee Reichert invited a representative forward to speak about partnership opportunities with Ep!c within the Village of Peoria Heights. Angie, from Ep!c, shared the options of activities which provide their clients with exposure in the community. Trustee Reichert prompted Angie to speak about liability with Angie explaining that liability falls on Ep!c. Trustee DeVore questioned if Angie was asking for volunteer opportunities, and the Board discussed volunteer opportunities with Angie noting opportunities must be during daytime hours. Administrator Sutton asked Angie about supervision. Angie explained there’s always a supervisor from Ep!c present. Administrator Sutton stated he’d educate himself and review possibilities, and the Board would definitely consider a donation. Mayor Wigginton noted other opportunities in the community such as the library and the school. He thanked Angie and Trustee Reichert. Mayor Wigginton opened the meeting to public comment. Hearing none, he closed the meeting to public comment. Trustee Reichert made a motion to enter executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)1 (Personnel). Trustee Wisenburg seconded the motion. Mayor Wigginton explained the Village would return to adjourn the meeting but conduct no additional business. Clerk Turner noted Village Counsel had previously advised the Board could adjourn to executive session if the Board so desired. Trustee DeVore made an amendment to the motion to adjourn to executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)1 (Personnel). Trustee Symmonds seconded the amendment. The Board voted 6-0 to approve the amendment. The Board voted 6-0 to adjourn to executive session as amended at 6:50 pm. ____________________________________ ______________________________________ Matthew Wigginton, Mayor Stephanie Turner, Village Clerk