Members of the Pekin City Council have struggled for months with their iPads.
They've often been unable to reply to emails from the public and city staff members, and download attachments because of compatibility issues with city software.
The purchase of seven Microsoft Surface laptop/tablets Monday for nearly $19,000 through a cooperative purchasing contract will hopefully end those problems.
Council member Jake Fletcher, who often is critical of city purchases, said this is not a frivolous one. He joined in a unanimous council vote to buy the laptop/tablets.
"I want the taxpayers to know that this is one of those things where it's a need and a want," he said. "I get emails [from constituents] and sometimes can't reply to them. I've tried to send an email or correspond with staff and had troubles at times.
"To me, considering the amount of emails I need to answer from the public, this purchase is appropriate and important for us to do our job."
Mayor Mary Burress said she appreciated Fletcher speaking out about his email problems.
"I've had email issues, too," she said. "These laptops weren't purchased because only the mayor was having email problems."
Information Technology Manager David Hess told council members all their data will be transferred from their iPads to the new devices.
In response to comments on a Facebook post, Hess said the business class laptop tablets have advanced security features and should be operable for a minimum of eight years. He also said council members will not keep the new devices after the leave the council.
The former council iPads will be repurposed so they can be used in the solid waste department's workorder system.
'Somebody is going to get killed'
Resident Harlon Shields, who lives on Highwood Avenue, told the council during public comment that he's worried about the youths riding electric bicycles who race on his street and do wheelies.
"Somebody is going to get killed," he said.
Shields said a youth riding an e-bike sped past him Monday morning on Highwood at the stop sign at Summit Drive going about 25 miles per hour, and when he honked at the boy, "I won't tell you what kind of finger he gave me, but he did."
Police Chief Seth Ranney, responding to Shields, said his officers are doing the best they can to address the problem including talking to the offending juveniles and their parents, and doing extra patrols with unmarked cars in trouble spots.
Ranney said he's waiting for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign a bill that will give the city guidance and tools to get a handle on the public's concerns with all types of e-vehicles.
"When the bill is signed, we'll adjust our ordinance accordingly," he said.
Another TIF grant
A second tax increment financing [TIF] agreement in four years was approved for a downtown business.
The council voted 5-2 to provide a $25,000 grant for Rustic Roots Studio to address issues in the front and rear of the building that allow rainwater to get into the business.
The building owner is planning a multi-phase renovation project over the next few years, according to Economic Development Director Josh Wray, but the water problem must be fixed immediately and financial assistance is needed.
Rustic Roots, a salon and boutique located at 513 Court Street, received a $15,000 TIF grant from the city in 2022 for building renovations.
Rick Hilst and Fletcher voted against the latest TIF grant.
