The Peoria City Council approved paying a $125,000 settlement to a man who created a parody Twitter account of Mayor Jim Ardis. The settlement to Jon Daniel was approved ten to one, with no discussion. Fourth District City Councilman Jim Montelongo was the only ‘no’ vote:
“I just don’t think the taxpayers should be footing the bill for this.”
The City has maintained it would have cost more money to defend the case versus settling.
The Peoria City Council also heard from city employees who are members of AFSCME. Tim Lavelle represents the union. He says the group has been negotiating with the city for ten months, and is now in federal mediation:
“We’re being told at the table that if we’re not willing to give up our longevity pay, that there’s no contract to be had for AFSCME. That’s not an acceptable position from the city.”
Lavelle says the city’s employees have kept service levels the same despite a shrinking workforce. City Manager Patrick Urich would not comment on the negotiations.