The proposed data center on the 100-acre Lutticken Farms property wasn't on the Pekin City Council agenda for Monday's meeting.
But it was a topic of discussion twice, and it loomed in the background of two items involving the Lutticken land, including the Pekin Park District's request to annex the property.
A proposal to waive the section of the city code that doesn't allow the discharge of a firearm or bow on Pekin city property so a family can reduce the large deer herd on the Lutticken property was shot down by the council.
Deer hunting is needed to lessen crop damage and reduce the spread of the deadly chronic wasting disease.
Council member Peg Phillips assured data center opponents that their voices are being heard at the council table, and Mayor Mary Burress requested the city return to city code rules for public comments .
More park district land
The council unanimously approved a request by park district to annex the Lutticken property so the district could add whatever is built there to its tax rolls.
Before the vote, City Manager John Dossey addressed a rumor floating around town.
"There's a lot of misinformation circulating," he said. "We're not turning the property over to the park district so they can sell it to the data center. OK, I'll say it."
City officials also said the city still owns and controls the land, which it purchased for $14 million last year.
An intergovernmental agreement will be drawn up to finalize the annexation deal.
Deer hunting request denied
The council voted 4-3 against a request by Jeff Yergler, who has farmed and maintained the Lutticken property since 1989 and previously ran the hunting and fishing clubs there with no incidents, to hunt deer along with a half-dozen family members during 2026 on the Lutticken property.
Hunting could only be done with a bow, crossbow or shotgun to mitigate the risk of long-range bullets from rifles and Yergler was required to have a $1 million liability insurance policy.
The waiver would have been added to a farm lease Yergler has had for several years with the city.
In a good year, Yergler said, the city will earn up to $45,000 from its 50/50 split of net proceeds from crop sales.
The problem with the hunting proposal, according to at least two council members, is Yergler isn't a Pekin resident.
"I don't support waiving a city code for a non-resident and his family," said Rick Hilst. "If this passes, I'll be getting calls and emails tomorrow from Pekin residents who can't hunt there."
Jake Fletcher said there are other ways to cull the deer herd on the property like through a lottery or club.
"Our taxpayers own that land," he said.
Hilst and Fletcher were joined by Dave Nutter and Karen Hohimer in casting "no" votes for the hunting proposal. John Abel, Burress and Phillips voted "yes."
'We've got your back'
Speaking early in the meeting, Phillips assured those in the audience and watching the meeting on YouTube that a data center is not in Pekin's future.
'"I know everyone is anxious about the data center and some of you don't trust us, but we've got your back. It's not going to happen," she said. "We're not going to sneak in something behind your back. As a council, we've heard you. The communication has been clear that a data center is not your vision for this property.
"Maybe in 10 years data centers will be neutral and beautiful, and we'll be begging for those data center companies to come here and bring their money. But not now."
Public comment time limit
Public comments about the data center the past several weeks have made that portion of council meetings last well more than an hour.
Burress requested a return to the city code requirement that public comment last no more than an hour at a council meeting. The rule will be enforced at the council's next meeting April 27.
Other public comment code requirements include a five-minute time limit per speaker, and a maximum of 20 speakers per meeting unless waived by a majority of council members.
Speakers beyond the 20th have a three-minute time limit. A single spokesperson for a large group is recommended.
"We appreciate everyone's input and congeniality on the data center, but we need to get our meetings under control. Tonight is a perfect example," Nutter said during the four-hour meeting. "We have 17 items on the agenda, plus a closed session with two more votes."
