The Pekin City Council on Monday unanimously approved a tweak in the new city ordinance that prohibits people from camping or sleeping on city property.
Police can now approach someone who is sleeping in a tent or not on city property. Previously, only sleeping in a tent was outlawed.
"The change in the ordinance was done only so we can legally make contact with someone who is sleeping on city property, and not in a tent," said Police Chief Seth Ranney.
Both City Manager John Dossey and Ranney said the original ordinance, passed by the council in July, and ordinance amendment were not created so tickets could be written and fines assessed, but to offer help for unhoused people.
A first-time ordinance offender is given a verbal warning, according to the ordinance. The fine for the next offense is $100. Repeated offenders could face fines of up to $500.
Even though the fines are in place, "we haven't written any tickets," Dossey said. "Our priority is to provide resources for unhoused people and we've had some success. It's a balancing act to give the community what it's asking for and protecting everyone's Constitutional rights."
"Our goal is to get unhoused people housed," Ranney said. "We don't want to be punitive or add any more stress to their already stressful situation."
Ranney said he's been surprised to learn since the ordinance was adopted that many unhoused people in the city "are unhoused by choice."
Site plan for Pekin Park District's solar energy arrays is approved
The Pekin Park District is partnering with Clean Energy Design Group of Metamora to construct ground-mount solar energy arrays on vacant land near the intersection of Stadium Drive and North Parkway Drive.
The site plan for the project was unanimously approved Monday by the City Council. The Park District Board has approved the project and the project has received letters of support from city school districts, the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and Pekin Library.
"This is a crucial project for us because of its cost savings," Park District Executive Director Cameron Bettin said to the council.
The Park District isn't incurring any costs for the project because it's taking advantage of a state incentive. Its estimated net savings in energy costs over 15 years ranges from $1.5 to $2.2 million.
Two arrays are planned, one for Parkside Fitness and one for Memorial Arena. The Park District currently pays about $137,000 annually in electricity costs for Parkside and about $60,000 annually in energy costs for the arena, Bettin said.
Bettin said the the Park District will plant trees along the six-foot fence that will surround the arrays and also along Broadway Road to improve aesthetics. Those were conditions established by the city's Zoning Board of Appeals as part of its approval of the arrays.
There was a tense exchange between Mayor Mary Burress and council member Rick Hilst just prior to the vote.
Hilst asked several questions about the city's site plan approval procedure, Burress called for the vote, and said Hilst was "out of order" as he continued asking questions.
Property owner for new Derby Street business gets a 5-year forgivable loan in TIF agreement
Also Monday, the council approved:
- A TIF agreement with Kelly Madden, owner of a property at 901 Derby St., that he is leasing to After Hours Auto, a new business. Madden will receive a five-year forgivable loan that will pay for 50% of TIF eligible expenses up to $50,000 with the condition that After Hours Auto generates at least $5,000 in sales tax revenue annually for the city. Ben Pope from After Hours Auto estimates his business will have $250,000 in sales in its first year, That would produce about $9,375 in sales tax revenue for the city. Pope also up to six jobs would be created in his business' first three years. The vote was 5-1, with Hilst voting no.
Steve Stein/WCBUThe property owner of this vacant building at 901 Derby St. in Pekin received a five-year forgivable loan of up to $50,000 in TIF funding with a condition to help make the necessary renovations so a new business can begin operating. - A foreclosure and vacant property registration program to identify the owners of these properties so the city can address safety and aesthetic concerns. A $300 fee will be charged to the property owners every six months to cover the cost of the program. The vote was 5-1, with Hilst voting no.
- Paying Zoning Board of Appeals members $50 per meeting, partly because the board makes the final decision on some issues. The vote was 4-2 with John Abel and Hilst casting the no votes. Hilst said paying ZBA members "sends the wrong message about serving the community" and he feared the city would eventually need to pay the members of other city boards.
- Hiring Peoria-based Maurer-Stutz to do construction engineering oversight on the portion of the Court Street rehabilitation project from 8th Street to 10th Street. Maurer-Stutz also will provide help with the portion from 10th Street to Stadium Drive. The city will pay Maurer-Stutz $570,800. The vote was unanimous.
- An amendment to the city's agreement with Peoria-based Farnsworth Group for construction engineering and loan administration services for the combined sewer overflow phase 3B & 3C project. The amendment cost is $903,420. Farnsworth Group designed the project and has been working on it since its original agreement with the city was signed in 2012. The vote was unanimous.
- The purchase of a new 2025 47X Western Star Tandem Dump Truck/Snow Plow from Truck Centers of Morton for $271,578. The vote was 5-0, with Dave Nutter abstaining.
Court Street car wash getting an electronic message billboard
The following items were approved 5-1 Monday as part of the council's consent agenda. Hilst cast the no vote:
- A special use for Robinson Outdoor of Perryville, Mo., to build and operate an off-premises electronic message billboard at JH Car Wash, 3405 Court St.
- A variance that reduces the minimum building setback from 10 to two feet on the south side of Illinois American Water's facility at 328 Broadway St. so the company can build a new maintenance garage.
- An extension of the Center for Prevention and Abuse's TIF agreement deadline for approval of a site plan and zoning applications for its new facility on Second Street from Feb. 12 to June 30.
- A clarification of the city's lease agreement with Sunny Pasture Solar for a 29-acre solar development south of Hanna Drive in the Riverway Business Park.
- The appointment of Debra Sue Graham to the Pekin Housing Authority Board to replace Sharron Church, who resigned.
