Liveblogging: Peoria City Council
Note: The following is the equivalent of notes taken in real time during a meeting of the Peoria City Council. Unless you see quote marks, assume that what you are reading is paraphrasing.
It’s crowded in here. Two groups of Boy/Cubs/Tiger Scouts to give the pledge.
Lots of proclamations. First up, Arbor District Presentation to the city. Piece of former Arbor. “… to look at and remember we did this together.”
Engineer who did the work was missing from ribbon-cutting. Off helping with Katrina recovery. Cool.
That was brief, thankfully.
Next, “Rediscovering Peoria City Hall Days.” City Hall on National Register of Historic Places.
Remind me: I need to tease Ryan Spain about being names one of “40 Leaders Under 40.”
City Hall is where all are welcomed or served, Ardis says. I’ve sat through hour-long citizens-to-address sessions. So Ardis is right. Mary Haynes is being thanked for her efforts to renovate city hall, preserve history. One of the most significant buildings in Illinois. Want it on citizen’s tourism agenda. Seeking money to build exhibits and displays, of our own history and our sister city. They want school kids to tour building. Apparently, everyone is going to speak. And each one is going to thank everyone else. Ardis: “Water damage a terrible thing. But it is fortunate we have this group of citizen volunteers who are taking on this time and effort to pat city hall back where it should be at.”
New proclamation: 3cms Savvy Award of Excellence. Being honored for marketing. Being honored for Developer Handbook, that is supposedly making it easier to develop property. Councilman Robert Manning did a lot of work on it as chair of the Business Task-Force, as did Ryan Span, before he was elected to the council.
New Proclamation: National Philanthropy Day. November 14. Here’s a riddle for you: What’s the difference between charity and philanthropy? Answer: The press release. She’s reading off a list of the top philanthropic people in the area. I’ll print the press release if I get it.
New Proclamation: World Diabetes Day. Lots of people are afflicted. National Diabetics Month. Nov. 14 is World Diabetes Day in Peoria.
New Proclamation: Nov. 15 is kickoff for Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign. My two cents: I am a big fan of the Salvation Army. All they do is help people who are down and out. There’s nothing political about what they do and they help anyone. Major Charles Smith of the Salvation Army speaks. Been here in Peoria since 1886.
Ardis notes brochure noted “outstanding” educational opportunities in Peoria, both private and public.
Minuted approved.
Haynes notes that request to reconsider 4 a.m. licence zone expansion has been withdrawn by Councilman Jim Montelongo.
Item 1: Communication from the City Manager Regarding PRESENTATION by GALLAGHER BENEFIT CONSULTANTS.
Speaking: Chris Cordes and Marty Lyons. Cordes opens it up to questions from council.
Sandberg: Nov. 13 memo received this memo. Wants to know if dollar amount going to non-Peoria hospital docs is accurate. Lyons said there are different numbers from the hospitals. Sandberg says that isn’t the answer. I don’t care who is employed by whom. $605,000 went to employee almost $1 million to doctors NOT employed by either OSF, Methodist or Proctor. Is that a good number? Lyons: We just received that today. Out claim information didn’t say who these physicians are employed by. Sandberg; I was taken back by this number, the larger numbering going to doctors not employed by either of these three hospitals. Sandberg; There seems to be a disagreement as to whether Saint Francis has agreements with their non-employee physicians, regarding giving discounts. Cordes: Difficult to compare discounts offered by different hospitals.
Continued:
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
