City ordinances regarding the parking of trailers in residential areas and where to store garbage totes keep the Pekin Police Department and code enforcement officers busy.
And having to deal with residents who are unhappy about the rules and complaint-driven inspections.
"Calls about trailers and garbage totes the most common complaints we get," said Police Chief Seth Ranney.
Ranney and Code Enforcement Officer Paul Belcher spoke with Pekin City Council members about the ordinances Monday, taking the first step toward revising the ordinances by getting input from the elected officials.
The goal of the revisions is to create ordinances that balance common sense and homeowners' rights with the priorities of making the community safe and free from eyesores.
Trailers cannot be parked overnight on the street or in a driveway. They can be parked overnight on an approved surface in the backyard. A trailer with a boat can be parked overnight in a driveway.
Many trailers are used for work or recreation, are expensive and in good shape, Ranney and Belcher said.
"They look better than most inoperable cars," Belcher said.
Garbage totes must be stored in an enclosed space, or in the side or rear yard.
That can be a difficult chore for elderly residents or residents with physical issues, said council member Karen Hohimer.
Council member Chris Onken said totes could be stored next to the garage door if they're in good condition.
Ranney said he plans to propose ordinance changes to the council sometime in March.
Cannabis dispensary proposed for 115-year-old downtown Pekin building
A proposal to open a cannabis dispensary in a historic downtown Pekin building was brought Monday to the council.
Peoria attorney Tom Howard said the building at 359 Court St., most recently the home of Classical Dance Academy, has been identified for the dispensary. The 12,213-square-foot building was built in 1910.
Terri Gambetti, president of Pekin Main Street, told the council that downtown business owners she's spoken with approve the dispensary opening in the building.
Council approves arbitrator's award in police union contract
In action Monday, the council:
- Approved an arbitrator's award in contract negotiations between the city and the police officers' union. The contract must be ratified by the union before its contents are made public. The council vote for approval was 6-1, with Hilst dissenting.
- Approved a tourism marketing plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year prepared by McDaniels Marketing of Pekin that includes digital marketing and content for the Discover Pekin website. Cost for the plan is $54,690. "Rather than send money to the Peoria Convention and Visitors Bureau for marketing, we should pay our own firm who will use those dollars 100% towards Pekin," Economic Development Director Josh Wray wrote in a memo to the council. The council vote for the plan was 4-3, with Rick Hilst, Dave Nutter and Lloyd Orrick dissenting.
- Approved a residential TIF agreement for Aaron and Kris Greene, who plan to move into a $519,000 house at 1609 Grandlake Court. The Greene's will receive up to $50,000 in property tax rebates for eligible expenses over a maximum 10-year period. This is the first home in Pekin built on spec with the hopes of the owners taking advantage of TIF incentives. The council vote for the TIF agreement was 6-1, with Hilst dissenting.
- Tabled a proposal to amend a TIF agreement with Kelly Madden, who owns property at 901 Derby St. that he plans to lease to After Hours Automotive. Council members had several questions about the proposed changes in the agreement that could not be answered because Wray was not at the meeting. The council vote was unanimous.
- Was informed about a five-year strategic plan for economic growth for the city created by the Economic Development Advisory Committee. Goals identified by the EDAC include building a diversified economy, sustainable growth and an effective government.
Speech state champion to be honored; police department is a chilly champion
In other news that came out of Monday's council meeting:
- The city will look into having a road sign made that honors Pekin Community High School student Alina Vang, who won an IHSA speech state championship in Extemporaneous Speaking on Saturday. Vang is the high school's first speech state champion in 28 years. She also finished in third place in Original Oratory at the state competition. Vang also will be honored at a council meeting and receive a proclamation from the city.
- Ranney said the Pekin Police Department raised more than $8,500 in the seventh annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Illinois, held Feb. 15 outside Kelleher's Irish Pub and Eatery on the Peoria riverfront. The 25 Arctic Dragons from the police department raised more money than any other police department that participated in the event. Polar Plunge participants dove into an inflatable pool filled with 40-degree water. A total of $26,000 was raised.
- Finance Director Eric Dubrowski said the city continues to catch up with mandatory audits. The 2021-22 fiscal year audit will be on the council meeting agenda March 10.
