MINUTES
NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN THE CIVIC COMPLEX
401 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS
MARCH 10, 2015
NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ON
MARCH 10, 2015 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE NEW CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 401 WEST WASHINGTON
STREET, EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS.
“EXHIBIT A”
The Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of East Peoria, Illinois was called to order by his Honor Mayor
David Mingus at 5:04 P.M.
Upon the roll being called the following answered present: Mayor David Mingus, Commissioner Daniel Decker,
Commissioner Gary Densberger, Commissioner Timothy Jeffers and Commissioner Benjamin C. Joos.
Absent: None.
The invocation was given by Commissioner Jeffers.
Mayor Mingus led the Council and the audience in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Mayor Mingus stated if there was anyone in the audience who wanted to speak on any items on the agenda to come
to the podium and state the matter or matters to be discussed. There was no response.
Resolution No. 1415-107 by Commissioner Densberger, seconded by Commissioner Decker; BE IT RESOLVED BY
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS that Resolution No. 1415-107, hereto attached, a
Resolution approving a Development Agreement with Frontier Hospitality Group, LLC, be approved, and that this
Resolution No. 1415-107 be accepted on its first reading as read by its title, and be laid on the table for no less than
one week for public inspection.
Commissioner Densberger explained that the resolution is for a Holiday Inn Express to be built next to Bass Pro
Shops. The developers intend to build a quality product. Commissioner Densberger discussed the Frontier Hospitality
Group, LLC and its great reputation as a developer and owner/operator of hotels.
Dan Huber and Bart Baker, owners of discussed the Holiday Inn Express, were present at the meeting. Mr. Huber
explained that the hotel to be built is a new prototype building. It is planned to be a four story high hotel with over
ninety rooms. He discussed the look of the building. He discussed a Holiday Inn Express that they built in Moline.
He discussed the quality of the hotel build. Mr. Huber explained that they will also operate the hotel as well. He
discussed the construction schedule that would begin shortly after City Council approval.
Commissioner Densberger discussed the details of the Development Agreement. He explained that the build would
be a minimum of $6,500,000; the City is deeding property to the group at no cost; the City will be bring utilities to the
location at the City’s cost. He explained that additional pilings and foundation work may be need and that up to
$300,000 to offset a traditional foundation paid out of a 25% rebate taxes over seven years not to exceed $300,000.
Commissioner Decker discussed being impressed with the developer. He discussed trying to get places to locate
around Bass Pro and other development not going on around Bass Pro. He believes that development at the site is
important for the City. He discussed the Levee District Development. He discussed the development of the hotel at
the Bass Pro site to help pay for the Bass Pro development.
Commissioner Joos discussed the agreement. He asked how much free land is included. Director of Planning and
Community Development, Ty Livingston, explained that around 2.4 acres is being sold. He explained that the second
big item being provided by the City is utilities to the site. The third item being provided by the City is paying up to
$300,000 in additional monies for foundation work. He is looking forward to the development moving forward on
the site. He sees bringing the utilities to the site as part of the City’s responsibility. He explained it boils down to the
free land and the $300,000 that will be given to the site. He explained that he is concerned about a property that was
sold by Kohl’s and did not receive any incentives of substance to the City. He discussed the property by Kohl’s being
worth $3.00 per square foot. He explained that $300,000 is not unnecessary because of the complications with the
land. He explained that will vote present.
Commissioner Jeffers discussed other offers and discussed dealing with this developer. He discussed this being a
positive item to move forward. He discussed the monies being paid out of future revenues to the City and not coming
out of the budget. He discussed payback of projects being three years or less. He discussed it being a good investment
and that it is a safe investment. He discussed the quality of the property by the developer. He discussed the other
properties around Bass Pro.
Mayor Mingus discussed anguishing over his decision and free land and getting over that obstacle.
Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, and Jeffers.
Present/Abstain: Commissioner Joos.
Nays: Mayor Mingus.
Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried.
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Motion by Commissioner Joos, seconded by Commissioner Densberger, Mr. Mayor, I move that a meeting or
session of the city council be held at the conclusion of this regular meeting to discuss the following matter or matters
according to exceptions provided in the “Open Meetings Act” and specified as follows:
Section 2(c)(11) – Pending litigation or litigation which is probable or imminent.
Yeas: Commissioners Densberger, Decker, Jeffers, Joos and Mayor Mingus.
Nays: None
Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried.
Mayor Mingus stated if there was anyone in the audience who wanted to speak on any items not on the agenda to
come to the podium state the matter or matters to be discussed. There was no response.
Mayor Mingus then asked for comments from Council. There were no comments.
The City Council began discussion about the budget. City Administrator, J. Thomas Brimberry, explained that this
meeting is our kickoff for our 2015-16 budget. He discussed that the presentation would be just that and that as staff
make budget presentations these things would come forward. City Administrator Brimberry discussed the future
City Hall and that construction would begin soon. He discussed the proposed budget calendar for department
presentations and passage of the Appropriation Ordinance and Working Cash Budget. He discussed the summary of
expenses for ten months. He explained that most budgets are in line except for a few being lower for seasonal
reasons. He next discussed a summary of revenues that included sales tax year to date is at $11,250,000, which is
slightly above the estimated revenues. Commissioner Joos discussed legal department expenses and asked that they
be all in one summary. City Treasurer/Comptroller, Theresa Gualandi, explained that she can get those numbers.
City Administrator Brimberry discussed other revenues including state income tax. He discussed proposals to
reduce the state income tax to the City by fifty percent. He discussed a mud to parks grant that was assisting in
dredging the EastPort Marina that was being suspended by the State. He discussed future events planned at the
Marina. City Administrator Brimberry discussed other revenues, including Riverboat Gaming that is down more
than was estimated. There was a discussion about Riverboat Gaming Revenues in relation to Video Gaming
Revenues.
City Administrator, Brimberry, next discussed the Riverboat Gaming Tax Fund expenses/requests for next year and
estimated revenues for next year and future years. He discussed expenses/request from the Police Department,
including squad cars, dispatch console, police card access system, replacing two HVAC units; and replacing police
sallyport doors. There was a discussion about the need for a card access system for the Police. There was a
discussion about squad card needs and the deadline of March 22, 2015 for ordering.
He discussed the Fire Department expenses/requests from the Gaming Fund for next year. He discussed the Public
Works expenses/requests from the Gaming Fund for next year, including garbage truck, recycling truck, and
mechanics pick-up truck, among others. He discussed Planning & Community Development Department and
Buildings and Inspection Department expenses/requests from the Gaming Fund for next year.
He discussed other capital needs from other sources, such as Tax Increment Financing and Hotel/Motel funds.
Commissioner Joos would like to see reserves in the Riverboat Gaming Fund. There was a discussion about
reserves for the City.
Commissioner Densberger discussed hotel/motel tax being up and using those monies on capital maintenance at
EastSide Centre. These monies are part of the reserve funds of the City. There was a discussion about personnel
needs, including a need in Human Resources, an Information Technology Assistant being made fulltime, a Code
Enforcement Nuisance Officer, and an Accrual Accounting Manager.
City Administrator Brimberry discussed City Council priorities and staff priorities. Commissioner Joos discussed
the priority of creating a high quality of life for residents. He explained that this would be better termed to “increase
or maximize East Peoria’s residential appeal.” Commissioner Joos discussed the City’s commercial development
and its success. He discussed the need to focus on the residential portion of the City and doing as well on the
residential portion of the City as it has done on the commercial portion.
Director of Buildings and Inspections, Robert Cole, discussed residential permits being $31,000,000 of the total
$45,000,000 overall value of permitted activity in the City last year.
Charlie Morgan of East Peoria discussed monies/revenues coming in the future being scary when you plan on
getting the monies in the future rather than getting them now. He discussed the need for keeping equipment and
maintaining that equipment so that employees can do their job.
There was a discussion about squad car needs in the Police Department. Deputy Chief Rich Brodrick discussed
transferring equipment from older vehicles. He explained that some equipment can be transferred over, but it is
limited because there is a change from a car to a sports utility vehicle. He discussed the number of cars in the fleet
at the Police Department and the length of the life of a squad car. There was a discussion about needing a dollar
value to proceed to purchase squad cars before March 22, 2015.
Commissioner Jeffers discussed refurbishing older vehicles rather than purchasing new ones. Deputy Chief
Broderick discussed the experience in refurbishing police vehicles.
Motion by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that we adjourn until
Tuesday evening, March 17, 2015 at 6:00 P.M.
Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Densberger, Jeffers, Joos and Mayor Mingus.
Nays: None
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Mayor Mingus declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:32 P.M.
_/s/ Morgan R. Cadwalader________
City Clerk Morgan R. Cadwalader