City Commissioner talks about city's finances, development, code enforcement at annual breakfast

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1 By Jeanette Brickner TimesNewspapers March :11AM City Commissioner talks about city's finances, development, code enforcement at annual breakfast PHOTO/ SUBMITTED PHOTO Print Page EAST PEORIA Change is on the horizon in East Peoria this year, according to East Peoria City Commissioner Gary Densberger, who is over accounts and finance. Editor s note: This is part 2 of the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues breakfast. Last week s issue contained the State of the City address presented by East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus. Following is City Commissioner Gary Densberger s presentation. Other commissioner s presentations will be in the next edition. EAST PEORIA Change is on the horizon in East Peoria this year, according to East Peoria City Commissioner Gary Densberger, who is over accounts and finance. Densberger, as well as city commissioners John Kahl, Dan Decker and Tim Jeffers gave speeches at the Eggs & Issues breakfast March 4 at the Par A Dice Hotel. About 10 percent of the city s workforce will be retiring this year. That gives great opportunity for reorganization, change and revitalization of city staff, Densberger said. In addition to a search for a new city administrator, the city is also seeking a new treasurer to replace Terri Gualandi. Densberger said they are also planning to hire a new HR director. The city currently has 250 employees with one HR professional. For additional personnel, the budget must be addressed. The first draft of the city s budget is complete. Densberger said they are waiting for the all important number, which is the Black Friday December sales tax number. City Commissioner Gary Densberger speaks at the Eggs & Issues breakfast at the Par A Dice Hotel March 4. That will give us a lot of guidance, both how we re doing on this year s fiscal budget and projections for next year. Every expectation is that we will have a balanced budget for this fiscal year, he said. As in business and in city government, it s always about two things: It s always about the money and it s always about relationships, both within the city and with the business community and other governmental units, Densberger said. East Peoria relies on sales tax and the Levee District is a focus. Some years ago the city undertook the effort to switch to a more sales tax based revenue stream for the bulk of our financing, which we ve been successful with, Densberger said. There is debt service connected to the Levee District, but the revenue generated by the retail businesses there is outstripping the debt service, Densberger said. Densberger said The city has been able to hold the line, on property tax, which accounts for about 15 percent of the city s budget. This year is the first time in about three years that the city s portion of the sales tax bill increased by the inflation rate. We do need additional money to keep moving forward, he said. In other areas of revenue for the city, gaming dollars from the Par A Dice are used for capital needs mostly. Gaming revenues are down due mostly to video gaming. I ve heard it described as the number of gaming stations in central Illinois is basically equal to the creation of a second Par A Dice. That s quite a competitor in the area, Densberger said. We need to do what we can to support the Par A Dice. The city will receive about $2.5 million in gaming revenue in the coming year. We fix city streets with it. We buy trucks, plows, vehicles, all of those things are supplied by the gaming budget, he said. Development Densberger also gave the planning and development report. Ty Livingston is the director of this department. City officials are seeking partners for certain developments.

2 2/3/2016 WEEK News 25 East Peoria's Levee District continues to grow Peoria Illinois WEEK News 25 Peoria Illinois Print this article East Peoria's Levee District continues to grow Originally printed at Peorias Levee District continuesto grow html By WEEK Reporter February 2, 2016 EAST PEORIA, Ill. East Peoria's Levee District gets a new restaurant and a weight loss service. But city leaders want something else, more living space. The Levee District in East Peoria has become the go to shopping center for some residents, including some across the river. But the question is: would people live near the Levee District if apartments where there? "Definitely, yeah. I like this area as far as shopping. There's a lot of easy access to get here. If they had something in the area I would definitely moving here," said Matthew Macaraeg of East Peoria. "As long as they put it in the right location so it's not overcrowded with the shopping I think it might be okay," said Peoria resident Allison Baker. This week, Chick fil A and Jenny Craig open their doors to customers, adding to the continuous growth of the district. Comcast's Xfinity store opened in December. City leaders say they're not just interested in bringing people to the area, but keeping them too. "We probably don't have the capacity for 200 units a year, said East Peoria Community Development Director Ty Livingston. I think that what we'd like to get started with is a smaller more of a demonstration pilot project; something in the 40 to 50 unit range." :10 A key component to the growth of the area, property manager Cullinan properties. The group has experience filling vacancies and they're not done.

3 By Jeanette Kendall TimesNewspapers September :48PM Survey reveals East Peoria is good place to live Print Page An East Peoria quality of life survey revealed that residents think the city s highest points are shopping, dining and safety and lowest points are art, cultural and health care offerings. An East Peoria quality of life survey revealed that residents think the city s highest points are shopping, dining and safety and lowest points are art, cultural and health care offerings. Dr. Aaron Buchko, a professor from Bradley University, presented the findings at the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce s Eggs & Issues breakfast Friday morning at the Par A Dice Hotel. The survey, conducted by a team of local units of government, schools and the Chamber, began in the spring. Buchko said there was a good sampling for the survey with 553 people participating. While Buchko said it is good that leaders are asking simple questions about quality of life, he said it is a matter of perspective that changes as people age. The survey represented a bird s eye view of those who work and live in East Peoria, and more women 65 percent responded than men. Seventy percent of the respondents were married. The age range of those who responded were mostly in the 30 to 65 year range, and about half had children. The key question, and some would argue, the only question you would need to ask, Buchko said, is: I would recommend East Peoria to family and friends as a great place to live. PHOTO/ JEANETTE KENDALL/TIMESNEWSPAPERS Dr. Aaron Buchko of Bradley University presents the East Peoria Quality of Life Survey findings Friday morning at the Eggs & Issues breakfast. The survey asked residents to rate their answers on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being strongly disagree and 10 being strongly agree. The majority of those tested recommended East Peoria as a great place to live. Kudos to the Chamber, to the city, the people who work so hard the schools, the park district the people who work so hard to make this a special place, Buchko said. Mayor Dave Mingus said he was pleased with the results. I m happy that people took the time to fill the survey out. I was very happy that the different governmental entities are open to looking at how can we not only assess the quality of life but to improve it, never resting on our laurels, but always looking to do more to make our city a better city to live in. It excites me that people are excited about where they live. That s really the litmus test. To hear that makes you feel good that people are taking pride in their community because I think at one time that may have been a different perception, Mingus said. Other results revealed: 65 percent said East Peoria is a safe place to live and work. 43 percent said there was good accessibility to health care. Even though there are two major hospitals about five to 10 minutes from East Peoria, Buchko said, It s that darn river. I find central Illinois fascinating because the river is this huge, not only physical, but this psychological barrier. For example, Buchko said it was a big deal for his late father in law, who lived in Peoria to go across the bridge. Almost half of respondents said East Peoria is a good place to raise children. 45 percent answered at 8 or above that East Peoria has good economic opportunity. 50 percent at 8 or above said there is a good variety of leisure and recreation, which Buchko said is a testament to the Fon du Lac Park District. 46 percent at 8 or above said there is a good variety of housing. 43 percent at 8 or above said East Peoria is a good place to grow old. Buchko made a comment about the snow in the Midwest and said some people choose to move south during retirement years. We re never going to get rid of the weather, he said. 45 percent at 8 or above said that East Peoria offers good social relationship opportunities. We re talking about churches, community networks, clubs, things that people can belong to.... I m not talking here, when it says adequate networks, I m not talking about Facebook and Twitter.... It s the ability to get to know people on your street, Buchko said. East Peoria fared well as having shopping, dining and retail options with 73 percent at 8 or above strongly agreeing. How many years of work and effort went

4 Frontier plans Peoria development 20 HOURS AGO BY JENNIFER DEWITT Frontier Hospitality Group, headquartered in Davenport, announced Wednesday that it is continuing its expansion with a new Holiday Inn Express & Suites in East Peoria, Ill. Dan Huber, the company's CEO and co owner, said Frontier purchased a city owned parcel, located adjacent to the Bass Pro Shop, to build a $9 million Holiday Inn Express & Suites. The deal and a development agreement were approved Tuesday night by the East Peoria City Council. "This project fits right into our strategic growth plans for our company," Huber said. "We are celebrating our 60th year in the hospitality industry and we believe this project represents the future for us." The 93 room, four story hotel will feature a new prototype design by Intercontinental Hotels Group, or IHG, which awarded Frontier the operating license earlier this month. In June, Frontier opened a 100 room Holiday Inn Express at the Quad City International Airport. Huber said IHG's new prototypical design "actually has a great deal of similarities to the hotel we custom designed for Moline." Construction is expected to begin this summer with an opening in spring of The hotel will be designed by Cities Edge Architects, a hotel architect in the Twin Cities, and built by Russell Construction, Davenport. Frontier also owns and operates the Moline hotel as well as Best Western Plus Dubuque Hotel & Conference Center; Champps Americana Restaurant & Bar, Dubuque; and the Best Western Plus SteepleGate Inn in Davenport. Co owned by Bart Baker and Huber, the company employs more than 250 people in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Huber, who joined the company in 2007, said Frontier plans to continue growing across the Midwest, but added "you never know where opportunity may lead you." He said they were attracted to East Peoria because of its high design standard. "They want quality development and they are selective about the developers they engage. Doing things that are going to have a lasting effect on the community is important to them. Those things are important to us." The announcement comes on the heels of Caterpillar's announcement that it plans to remain in Peoria and build a new company headquarters over the next several years.

5 By Jeanette Kendall TimesNewspapers March :52PM City department heads provide 2015 outlook at breakfast Print Page East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus and city department heads presented a State of the City address for those who attended the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce s Eggs & Issues breakfast March 6 at the Par A Dice Hotel. The city in 2015 will continue to realize a robust economy, Mingus said, with the Levee District continuing to provide economic opportunities. East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus and city department heads presented a State of the City address for those who attended the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce s Eggs & Issues breakfast March 6 at the Par A Dice Hotel. The city in 2015 will continue to realize a robust economy, Mingus said, with the Levee District continuing to provide economic opportunities. A property currently under development adjacent to Spinder Drive will contain many new businesses, including Chick fil A, which is to be in full operation by Development is also planned along Camp Street and near Bass Pro Shopps, Mingus said. On March 11, the City Council announced a new hotel being planned next to Bass Pro. Mingus said the small businesses in the community also add to the economy. Throughout the years, millions of dollars has been returned to our community through our small, locally owned businesses, he said. This year, Mingus said the city is implementing a program to help revitalize some of the older businesses. Another large scale project on the horizon in 2015 is the new 9,000 square foot City Hall that will be constructed adjacent to the Fondulac District Library. PHOTO/ JEANETTE KENDALL/TIMESNEWSPAPERS East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus provides the State of the City address at the Par A Dice Hotel March 6. I cannot express enough how this facility will enhance the expediency and efficiency in which our citizens will be served, Mingus said. Mingus also made note of are the $17 million District 86 expansion. Surely structures do not ensure quality education; however, structures such as this is a sentinel of the community s commitment to educational excellence, he said. City Administrator Tom Brimberry talked about the city s finances. Many changes have taken place over the past three decades, he said. A quarter of a billion dollars of investment and redevelopment has occurred in East Peoria over those 35 years, Brimberry said. Brimberry said the city s finances are strong, as evidenced by the increase in the bond rating. We ve been able to do that because we ve historically had revenues balancing our expenses in our annual budgets. The City Council has ensured that, Brimberry said, adding that Caterpillar Inc. has played a role in the city s economy. The city s sales tax is a large part of its revenue stream. Brimberry said the City Council utilizes sales tax to cover expenses. Redevelopment revenues are also increasing, he said. Fire Chief Bill Darin and Police Chief Dick Ganschow made the next presentations. Darin said after the flood and tornado in 2013, the city developed an emergency command center at the Festival Building. A budget of $30,000 this year will provide technology for the command center. City officials also compiled an Emergency Operations Plan to ensure that citizens stay ready and safe, Darin said. Ganschow said one of the main things learned after the two disasters in 2013, was the importance of communication and emergency preparedness. Last year, the dispatch center at the police department was gutted and redone. The remodel added a third counsel and a fourth counsel will be added this year. That will maximize our space and maximize our potential to respond to any kind of emergency with the most dispatch personnel we can, Ganschow said. Ganschow recommended that residents and business owners check out a free emergency assessment program offered by the Red Cross at readyrating.org. Over the next few months, Ganschow said the police department will offer a new service to provide an onsite security assessment for businesses. We ll put fresh eyes on your business, your organization of your institution and help you to determine: what are areas that you can improve your security for your business, your employees and yourself, he said.

6 Call for more information. Statistics for the police and fire department were also provided. In 2014, police responded to 28,000 calls and there were 2,200 arrests. There were 3,421 fire and ambulance responses last year. The city s planning and development director Ty Livingston showed a 1930 photograph of East Peoria, consisting of the four corners, Caterpillar factories and the Richland Farms area. Today that area is vibrant with development. It s quite a transition and I ve been blessed to be a part of this transformation, Livingston said. One thing Livingston is currently involved are two sculpture walks that are planned for East Peoria. Livingston said this walk is to draw people to the community. We have a Caterpillar Heritage Walk as well as a sculpture walk, he said. The walks will be designed to connect to the riverfront and the Levee District. Another component that is being looked at for the Levee District is a mixed use development that would consist of commercial businesses on the main level and apartments and condominiums above. This is the type of piece that makes the Levee District a place to live, Livingston said. Throughout East Peoria, Livingston said that providing senior and multi housing is important. These are key pieces in attracting new residents to the area and keeping the ones that we have, he said. These are options that are needed now certainly with the aging population we have. In addition to Chick Fil A, some of the new businesses that will be locating to the Levee District in the near future in two 9,000 square foot buildings are Jason s Deli, Aspen Dental and Moe s Southwest Grill. Robert Cole from the Department of Buildings and Inspections, said they have four departments: code enforcement, building inspections, information technology and city facilities. Cole said they are receiving a lot more calls due to a new free cellphone app, Access East Peoria. Residents can report issues within the city through the app or through the city s website at Weeds and tall grass are the biggest calls that come in; refuse is second, Cole said. Cole said in addition to putting in service requests through the app, residents can also receive information about happenings in the city. In other matters, Cole said the city has applied for and received more than $400,000 in grants for energy efficiency programs. Since 2007, Cole said the city has reduced energy consumption by 40 percent. The city is also big on recycling. Last year 10 tons of materials were recycled. Regionally, Cole said efforts are made for communities to work together to receive energy procurement contracts to get the best bulk price. Efforts also have been made for communities to get on the same page regarding building codes. Steve Ferguson, the director of public works, talked about new innovations, including water and sewer modeling, new street maintenance methods, automated meter reading and garbage toters. This new technology makes public works more efficient and safe, our community cleaner and our streets better, Ferguson said. Automated meters have now been installed on about 8,000 homes in East Peoria. This allows drivers to read the meters from a vehicle, cutting down time and saving 3,000 man hours per year. In the past year, public works staff installed more than 1,200 feet of 12 inch water main along Camp Street, providing enhanced water service to Bass Pro Shops, Embassy Suites, Walmart and other river businesses. The need for water in East Peoria s downtown has risen dramatically. The Levee District, Embassy Suites, Bass Pro area and Caterpillar are also primarily served by one main. We need a second and possibly a third main in West Washington Street and Tractor Drive and another possibly from Route 116 to the Bass Pro area, Ferguson said. We also may need another water tower in the Levee District area. We are studying that right now. Ferguson said waste water treatment needs also need attention and a study is being done to investigate upgrades. The plant upgrades are due to the age of our waste water plant and new EPA mandated regulations, he said. This year, $2.5 million in street improvements will be completed. This is an increase of about $1 million over last year. Ferguson said glass recycling is currently being investigated and residents can expect to see this implemented in the near future, but first, a new garbage truck would need to be purchased. Doug McCarty, director of tourism and special events, provided the last presentation. McCarty talked about upcoming events, including: Easter Seals Run April 18 in the Levee District. Last year there were over 500 participants. Cruise ins in the Levee District and Par A Dice Farmer s Markets in the Levee District from June through September Unity Point Methodist Red, White and Boom on July 4 Flying Fish Festival July 11 Moms Who Care run Oct. 2