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THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "AT ISSUE."
ISSUE." I AM H. WAYNE WILSON.
I AM H. WAYNE WILSON. FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR WE WILL
FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT
BE TALKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, ABOUT CRIME ISSUES,
ISSUES, ABOUT CRIME ISSUES, ABOUT BUDGETARY ISSUES, ALL
ABOUT BUDGETARY ISSUES, ALL CONCERNING THE CITY OF PEORIA.
CONCERNING THE CITY OF PEORIA. OF COURSE, THAT AFFECTS MANY
OF COURSE, THAT AFFECTS MANY PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY
PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY OF PEORIA, BECAUSE, AFTER ALL,
OF PEORIA, BECAUSE, AFTER ALL, IT IS THE CORE CITY OF THIS
IT IS THE CORE CITY OF THIS AREA.
AREA. TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION, THE TWO
TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION, THE TWO LEADERS OF THE CITY OF PEORIA,
LEADERS OF THE CITY OF PEORIA, FIRST LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU
FIRST LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU THE CITY MANAGER PATRICK ULRICH.
THE CITY MANAGER PATRICK ULRICH. PATRICK, WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.
PATRICK, WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US. >>H, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
>>H, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. AND THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
AND THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PEORIA IS JIM ARDIS.
PEORIA IS JIM ARDIS. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >>THANKS, H.
>>THANKS, H. >>LET'S START WITH THE BUDGET.
>>LET'S START WITH THE BUDGET. THE CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY
THE CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY APPROVED SOME CHANGES IN HEALTH
APPROVED SOME CHANGES IN HEALTH INSURANCE.
INSURANCE. COULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT AND THE
COULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT AND THE SAVINGS AND WHAT IS LEFT AND HOW
SAVINGS AND WHAT IS LEFT AND HOW YOU MIGHT MAKE UP THAT DEFICIT.
YOU MIGHT MAKE UP THAT DEFICIT. >>SURE.
>>SURE. OUR BUDGET DEFICIT, WHEN WE
OUR BUDGET DEFICIT, WHEN WE PRESENTED A PRELIMINARY OUTLOOK
PRESENTED A PRELIMINARY OUTLOOK OF THE BUDGET IN MAY, WE
OF THE BUDGET IN MAY, WE ESTIMATED THAT THE OPERATING
ESTIMATED THAT THE OPERATING BUDGET DEFICIT WOULD BE
BUDGET DEFICIT WOULD BE $3 MILLION.
$3 MILLION. WE WENT THROUGH WITH OUR LABOR
WE WENT THROUGH WITH OUR LABOR AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THEY
AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THEY MEET AND LOOK AT THE DESIGN OF
MEET AND LOOK AT THE DESIGN OF OUR HEALTH PLAN, AND THEY MADE
OUR HEALTH PLAN, AND THEY MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE HEALTH PLAN.
SOME CHANGES TO THE HEALTH PLAN. WE WENT OUT ON THE STREET AND
WE WENT OUT ON THE STREET AND LOOKED AT OPENING UP THROUGH
LOOKED AT OPENING UP THROUGH COMPETITION TO OTHER HEALTH
COMPETITION TO OTHER HEALTH NETWORKS.
NETWORKS. NOW OUR EMPLOYEES WILL HAVE THE
NOW OUR EMPLOYEES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE BOTH OSF
OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE BOTH OSF AND UNITY POINT METHODIST
AND UNITY POINT METHODIST NETWORK AND NETWORK OF DOCTORS
NETWORK AND NETWORK OF DOCTORS FOR THE HEALTH COVERAGE.
FOR THE HEALTH COVERAGE. THAT LOUD US TO GENERATE
THAT LOUD US TO GENERATE SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN THE PLAN.
SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN THE PLAN. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE DESIGN
IN ADDITION, WE HAVE DESIGN CHANGES.
CHANGES. WE HAVE TWO TYPES, HIGH
WE HAVE TWO TYPES, HIGH DEDUCTIBLE PLAN AND LOW
DEDUCTIBLE PLAN AND LOW DEDUCTIBLE.
DEDUCTIBLE. HIGH IS COSTLY TO THE CITY TO
HIGH IS COSTLY TO THE CITY TO ADMINISTER.
ADMINISTER. WE MADE CHANGES TO THAT,
WE MADE CHANGES TO THAT, INCREASING OUT OF POCKETS, AND
INCREASING OUT OF POCKETS, AND INCREASING DEDUCTIBLE LEVELS P
INCREASING DEDUCTIBLE LEVELS P BY DOING THAT, WE WILL SAVE
BY DOING THAT, WE WILL SAVE NEARLY $1.2 MILLION OFF OF THAT
NEARLY $1.2 MILLION OFF OF THAT $3 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT THAT
$3 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.
WE ARE LOOKING AT. THAT WILL TRANSLATE INTO SAVINGS
THAT WILL TRANSLATE INTO SAVINGS INTO 2015 AS WELL.
INTO 2015 AS WELL. SO IT HAS A CARRYING COST OR A
SO IT HAS A CARRYING COST OR A SAVINGS THAT WILL GO FORWARD.
SAVINGS THAT WILL GO FORWARD. IT IS A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS
IT IS A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS CLOSING THE BUDGET DEFICIT.
CLOSING THE BUDGET DEFICIT. >>THAT LEAVES $1.8 MILLION YET
>>THAT LEAVES $1.8 MILLION YET TO BE RESOLVED IN TERMS OF
TO BE RESOLVED IN TERMS OF PROJECTED DEFICIT FOR THE
PROJECTED DEFICIT FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.
UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR. YOU HAVE SUGGESTED, MAYOR, THAT
YOU HAVE SUGGESTED, MAYOR, THAT PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS COULD BE
PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS COULD BE WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL LOOKS TO.
WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL LOOKS TO. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WHEN
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WHEN YOU SAY PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS?
YOU SAY PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS? >> WELL, H, WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR
>> WELL, H, WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR OVER ALL BUDGET, 80% ROUGHLY OF
OVER ALL BUDGET, 80% ROUGHLY OF OUR BUDGET IS TIED UP IN PEOPLE
OUR BUDGET IS TIED UP IN PEOPLE AND THEIR BENEFITS AND THEIR
AND THEIR BENEFITS AND THEIR PENSION AND THEIR HEALTH CARE
PENSION AND THEIR HEALTH CARE COSTS WHICH THE MANAGERS
COSTS WHICH THE MANAGERS ADDRESS.
ADDRESS. WE DON'T HAVE THIS BIG POCKET OF
WE DON'T HAVE THIS BIG POCKET OF DISCRETIONARY MONEY TO JUST SAY,
DISCRETIONARY MONEY TO JUST SAY, WELL, LET'S JUST PULL THAT OUT
WELL, LET'S JUST PULL THAT OUT OF THIS POCKET OF MONEY OVER
OF THIS POCKET OF MONEY OVER HERE.
HERE. MOST OF IT IS TIED INTO SOME
MOST OF IT IS TIED INTO SOME OTHER PROGRAM OR ANOTHER WITHIN
OTHER PROGRAM OR ANOTHER WITHIN THE CITY.
THE CITY. SO WE HAVE OVER THE LAST SIX OR
SO WE HAVE OVER THE LAST SIX OR SEVEN YEARS REDUCED OUR WORK
SEVEN YEARS REDUCED OUR WORK FORCE BY RIGHT AROUND 20%,
FORCE BY RIGHT AROUND 20%, SIGNIFICANTLY.
SIGNIFICANTLY. OUR ABILITY TO JUST SAY WE ARE
OUR ABILITY TO JUST SAY WE ARE TO GO AND CUT MORE BODIES OUT OF
TO GO AND CUT MORE BODIES OUT OF A SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT, IT IS NOT
A SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT, IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE, BUT WE HAVE GONE
IMPOSSIBLE, BUT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT EXERCISE OVER
THROUGH THAT EXERCISE OVER SEVERAL YEARS.
SEVERAL YEARS. THAT REALLY KIND OF NARROWS OUR
THAT REALLY KIND OF NARROWS OUR OPTIONS DOWN TO LOOKING AT
OPTIONS DOWN TO LOOKING AT SPECIFIC AREAS THAT WE HAVE
SPECIFIC AREAS THAT WE HAVE MONEY PROGRAMMED INTO OR TRYING
MONEY PROGRAMMED INTO OR TRYING TO IDENTIFY A NEW REVENUE STREAM
TO IDENTIFY A NEW REVENUE STREAM WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO
WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO ANY TIME, BUT WHEN YOU ARE STILL
ANY TIME, BUT WHEN YOU ARE STILL IN A RECESSION WHICH I THINK WE
IN A RECESSION WHICH I THINK WE STILL ARE, IT IS EXTREMELY
STILL ARE, IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THE COUNCIL TO
DIFFICULT FOR THE COUNCIL TO HAVE TO GO OUT TO THE PEOPLE
HAVE TO GO OUT TO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN PEORIA AND SAY "WE
THAT LIVE IN PEORIA AND SAY "WE NEED A NEW REVENUE STREAM."
NEED A NEW REVENUE STREAM." AND THE MANAGER HASN'T PRESENTED
AND THE MANAGER HASN'T PRESENTED A BUDGET TO US, BUT SINCE HE HAS
A BUDGET TO US, BUT SINCE HE HAS BEEN HERE, HE ALWAYS PRESENTS US
BEEN HERE, HE ALWAYS PRESENTS US WITH A BALANCED BUDGET.
WITH A BALANCED BUDGET. BUT MY LENGTH OF TIME HERE WOULD
BUT MY LENGTH OF TIME HERE WOULD INDICATE TO ME THOSE ARE THE
INDICATE TO ME THOSE ARE THE AREAS THAT WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK
AREAS THAT WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT FIRST IN CLOSING THAT NUMBER
AT FIRST IN CLOSING THAT NUMBER DOWN.
DOWN. YOU WANT TO SHARE ANY THOUGHTS?
YOU WANT TO SHARE ANY THOUGHTS? >> I THINK THAT TO PUT IT
>> I THINK THAT TO PUT IT SUCCINCTLY, AS THE MAYOR
SUCCINCTLY, AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, 80% OF THE BUDGET IS
MENTIONED, 80% OF THE BUDGET IS REALLY DRIVEN BY OUR EMPLOYMENT
REALLY DRIVEN BY OUR EMPLOYMENT COSTS.
COSTS. IT COST A LOT TO EMPLOY PEOPLE
IT COST A LOT TO EMPLOY PEOPLE AND PAY FOR THEIR BENEFITS.
AND PAY FOR THEIR BENEFITS. THOSE COSTS HAVE BEEN INCREASING
THOSE COSTS HAVE BEEN INCREASING FASTER THAN THE RATE OF
FASTER THAN THE RATE OF INFLATION.
INFLATION. WHILE OUR REVENUES HAVE BEEN
WHILE OUR REVENUES HAVE BEEN GROWING AT INFLATIONARY LEVELS.
GROWING AT INFLATIONARY LEVELS. THEY HAVE REALLY KEPT PACE WITH
THEY HAVE REALLY KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION.
INFLATION. THAT'S WHERE THE BUDGET DEFICIT
THAT'S WHERE THE BUDGET DEFICIT COMES FROM.
COMES FROM. SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN
SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN REALIGN THE PROGRAMS AND
REALIGN THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT WE ARE DELIVERING,
SERVICES THAT WE ARE DELIVERING, AND IT MAY MEAN, AS THE MAYOR IS
AND IT MAY MEAN, AS THE MAYOR IS MENTIONING, SOME AREAS WE SAY WE
MENTIONING, SOME AREAS WE SAY WE WILL NOT BE IN THIS PROGRAM ANY
WILL NOT BE IN THIS PROGRAM ANY LONGER OR WE WILL HAVE TO DO IT
LONGER OR WE WILL HAVE TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY OR MORE COST
DIFFERENTLY OR MORE COST EFFECTIVELY.
EFFECTIVELY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT NOW, WE ARE
WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT NOW, WE ARE TALKING $1.8 MILLION ON THE
TALKING $1.8 MILLION ON THE OPERATING BUDGET SIDE, ROUGHLY
OPERATING BUDGET SIDE, ROUGHLY ABOUT 1% OR ONE AND A HALF%.
ABOUT 1% OR ONE AND A HALF%. I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT AS WE PUT
I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT AS WE PUT TOGETHER THIS BUDGET, WE WILL BE
TOGETHER THIS BUDGET, WE WILL BE ABLE TO CLOSE THAT, PRESENT A
ABLE TO CLOSE THAT, PRESENT A BALANCED BUDGET TO THE MAYOR AND
BALANCED BUDGET TO THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL, THAT THEY CAN TAKE
THE COUNCIL, THAT THEY CAN TAKE UP AND MOVE FORWARD WITH AND
UP AND MOVE FORWARD WITH AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE THAT
HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE THAT WRAPPED UP IN MID-NOVEMBER.
WRAPPED UP IN MID-NOVEMBER. >>OF COURSE, THE STATE
>>OF COURSE, THE STATE LEGISLATURE AFFECTS YOU, AND
LEGISLATURE AFFECTS YOU, AND THERE IS A PROPOSAL, A BILL THAT
THERE IS A PROPOSAL, A BILL THAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED, NOW WHETHER
HAS BEEN INTRODUCED, NOW WHETHER IT HAS ANY TRACTION OR NOT IS
IT HAS ANY TRACTION OR NOT IS THE QUESTION, TO ELIMINATE THE
THE QUESTION, TO ELIMINATE THE STATE SALES TAX ON THE FUEL.
STATE SALES TAX ON THE FUEL. CITY GETS ONE PERCENT OF THAT
CITY GETS ONE PERCENT OF THAT TAX.
TAX. HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT
HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT HOW THAT MIGHT IMPACT YOU?
HOW THAT MIGHT IMPACT YOU? >> THE REVENUES THAT WE RECEIVE
>> THE REVENUES THAT WE RECEIVE FROM MOTOR FUEL TAXES AND FROM
FROM MOTOR FUEL TAXES AND FROM THE SALES TAXES THAT ARE ON FUEL
THE SALES TAXES THAT ARE ON FUEL ARE AND IMPORTANT PART OF OUR
ARE AND IMPORTANT PART OF OUR REVENUE BASE.
REVENUE BASE. THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. BUT THEY HAVE BEEN DECLINING.
BUT THEY HAVE BEEN DECLINING. PEOPLE WITH THEIR VEHICLES, THEY
PEOPLE WITH THEIR VEHICLES, THEY ARE DRIVING LESS MILES.
ARE DRIVING LESS MILES. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS GETTING
VEHICLE MILEAGE IS GETTING BETTER. SO YOU GETTING CARS
BETTER. SO YOU GETTING CARS WITH BETTER GAS MILEAGE.
WITH BETTER GAS MILEAGE. WE ARE SEEING THAT THAT PUTS A
WE ARE SEEING THAT THAT PUTS A LOT OF STRESS RIGHT NOW HOW WE
LOT OF STRESS RIGHT NOW HOW WE FUND INFRASTRUCTURE.
FUND INFRASTRUCTURE. IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE
IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT WE WERE GOING TO
TO SAY THAT WE WERE GOING TO REDUCE THE REVENUE STREAMS THAT
REDUCE THE REVENUE STREAMS THAT ARE COMING IN FROM GAS TAXES AND
ARE COMING IN FROM GAS TAXES AND SALES TAXES ON FUEL.
SALES TAXES ON FUEL. MY CONCERN IS WHAT BACKFILL THAT
MY CONCERN IS WHAT BACKFILL THAT IS BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE A
IS BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BACKLOG OF
SIGNIFICANT BACKLOG OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS FROM ROADS
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS FROM ROADS AND BRIDGES, THAT ARE PAID FOR
AND BRIDGES, THAT ARE PAID FOR BY THOSE TAXES.
BY THOSE TAXES. AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN GROW
AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN GROW YOUR WAY OUT OF THAT BY MAKING
YOUR WAY OUT OF THAT BY MAKING THAT KIND OF TAX CUT, I DON'T
THAT KIND OF TAX CUT, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT CAN ACTUALLY
KNOW IF THAT CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN.
HAPPEN. LET'S MOVE TO DEVELOPMENT
LET'S MOVE TO DEVELOPMENT ISSUES.
ISSUES. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE SAT
A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE SAT THROUGH A PRESENTATION AT THE
THROUGH A PRESENTATION AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH IAN
CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH IAN LOCKWOOD WHO COMPLETED WHAT HE
LOCKWOOD WHO COMPLETED WHAT HE CALLS "COMPLETE STREETS."
CALLS "COMPLETE STREETS." IT WAS A VERY BROAD PERSPECTIVE,
IT WAS A VERY BROAD PERSPECTIVE, A LOT OF ISSUES, ELIMINATING
A LOT OF ISSUES, ELIMINATING CURBS, HAVING -- WHETHER OR NOT
CURBS, HAVING -- WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE ROUNDABOUTS, WHETHER OR
TO HAVE ROUNDABOUTS, WHETHER OR NOT TO CONVERT ONE WAY STREETS
NOT TO CONVERT ONE WAY STREETS TO TWO WAY STREETS, THINGS OF
TO TWO WAY STREETS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THAT NATURE. WITH THE TIGHT BUDGET THAT THE
WITH THE TIGHT BUDGET THAT THE TWO OF YOU HAVE ALREADY TALKED
TWO OF YOU HAVE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT, HOW MIGHT COMPLETE
ABOUT, HOW MIGHT COMPLETE STREETS, AS YOU LOOK AT REN FLOW
STREETS, AS YOU LOOK AT REN FLOW SLATING STREETS IN THE FUTURE,
SLATING STREETS IN THE FUTURE, HOW MIGHT THAT PLAY A ROLE?
HOW MIGHT THAT PLAY A ROLE? >> FROM THE TIMING STANDPOINT,
>> FROM THE TIMING STANDPOINT, THINK IT IS A GOOD TIME FOR
THINK IT IS A GOOD TIME FOR PEORIA TO HAVE HAVING THAT
PEORIA TO HAVE HAVING THAT DISCUSSION JUST BECAUSE WE ARE
DISCUSSION JUST BECAUSE WE ARE IN A PERIOD OF TIME HERE WHERE
IN A PERIOD OF TIME HERE WHERE WE REALLY ARE FOCUSED MORE ON
WE REALLY ARE FOCUSED MORE ON ADDRESSING SOME OF OUR CURRENT
ADDRESSING SOME OF OUR CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. A LOT OF OUR CURRENT
A LOT OF OUR CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. WHEN THE MANAGER BROUGHT US BACK
WHEN THE MANAGER BROUGHT US BACK THE RECOMMENDATION TO SEPARATE
THE RECOMMENDATION TO SEPARATE WHAT WE ARE PAYING FOR SOLID
WHAT WE ARE PAYING FOR SOLID WASTE REMOVAL, THAT ALLOWED US
WASTE REMOVAL, THAT ALLOWED US TO FOCUS A GOOD PORTION OF OUR
TO FOCUS A GOOD PORTION OF OUR ON OUR BUDGET ON OUR ROADS AND
ON OUR BUDGET ON OUR ROADS AND ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, INSTEAD
ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, INSTEAD OF PEELING THAT MONEY OUT OF
OF PEELING THAT MONEY OUT OF PUBLIC WORKS TO PAY FOR THE
PUBLIC WORKS TO PAY FOR THE GARBAGE.
GARBAGE. WE DO HAVE AN A REVENUE STREAM
WE DO HAVE AN A REVENUE STREAM THAT IS DEDICATED TO THE
THAT IS DEDICATED TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
INFRASTRUCTURE. SO WITH THAT IN MIND, THERE IS A
SO WITH THAT IN MIND, THERE IS A LOT OF THE IDEOLOGY AROUND
LOT OF THE IDEOLOGY AROUND COMPLETE STREETS THAT REALLY
COMPLETE STREETS THAT REALLY IS -- I HATE TO JUST NARROW IT
IS -- I HATE TO JUST NARROW IT DOWN TOO FAR, AND SAY IT IS
DOWN TOO FAR, AND SAY IT IS ABOUT TRAFFIC COMBING, BUT A LOT
ABOUT TRAFFIC COMBING, BUT A LOT OF IT IS TO UNDERSTAND THE
OF IT IS TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE TO YOUR WHOLE
IMPORTANCE TO YOUR WHOLE COMMUNITY FOR SAFETY, FOR
COMMUNITY FOR SAFETY, FOR COMMERCE, JUST FOR THE
COMMERCE, JUST FOR THE LIVABILITY OF YOUR COMMUNITY TO
LIVABILITY OF YOUR COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND HOW THAT
UNDERSTAND HOW THAT INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS.
INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS. IN MANY CASES -- I MEAN WE ARE
IN MANY CASES -- I MEAN WE ARE LUCKY, HERE WE ARE DOWNTOWN IN A
LUCKY, HERE WE ARE DOWNTOWN IN A WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.
WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. WE HAVE $30 MILLION THAT WE ARE
WE HAVE $30 MILLION THAT WE ARE USING TO WORK ON SOME OF THOSE
USING TO WORK ON SOME OF THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. BUT, FOR EXAMPLE, SHERATON ROAD,
BUT, FOR EXAMPLE, SHERATON ROAD, A LOT OF THESE COMPLETE STREET
A LOT OF THESE COMPLETE STREET THOUGHTS CAN BE INSTITUTED ON AN
THOUGHTS CAN BE INSTITUTED ON AN AREA LIKE SHERIDAN ROAD WITH
AREA LIKE SHERIDAN ROAD WITH PAINT.
PAINT. WE DON'T HAVE TO DIG UP THE
WE DON'T HAVE TO DIG UP THE WHOLE STREET AND MOVE THE
WHOLE STREET AND MOVE THE UTILITIES.
UTILITIES. WE CAN GO TO TWO LANE ROAD WITH
WE CAN GO TO TWO LANE ROAD WITH A BIKE PATH AND DO SOME BUMP
A BIKE PATH AND DO SOME BUMP OUTS ON THE CORNERS TO SLOW
OUTS ON THE CORNERS TO SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN.
TRAFFIC DOWN. IT IS SO MUCH DEEPER.
IT IS SO MUCH DEEPER. I MEAN THE REALITY IS THE
I MEAN THE REALITY IS THE ENGINEERING CONCEPTS THAT MOST
ENGINEERING CONCEPTS THAT MOST CITIES OUR SIZE AND LARGER HAVE
CITIES OUR SIZE AND LARGER HAVE EMPLOYED FOR DECADES WAS
EMPLOYED FOR DECADES WAS BASICALLY MAKE THEM WIDE, MAKE
BASICALLY MAKE THEM WIDE, MAKE THEM FAST, AND MOVE PEOPLE IN
THEM FAST, AND MOVE PEOPLE IN AND OUT.
AND OUT. REALLY, THAT WHOLE THOUGHT
REALLY, THAT WHOLE THOUGHT PROCESS IS REALLY COMING BACK, I
PROCESS IS REALLY COMING BACK, I WON'T SAY TO HAUNT US BECAUSE I
WON'T SAY TO HAUNT US BECAUSE I THINK IT FULFILLED WHAT PEOPLE
THINK IT FULFILLED WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WANTED.
THOUGHT THEY WANTED. BUT RIGHT NOW ESPECIALLY WITH
BUT RIGHT NOW ESPECIALLY WITH THE CHANGING PATTERNS OF PEOPLE
THE CHANGING PATTERNS OF PEOPLE AND HOW THEY ARE GETTING FROM
AND HOW THEY ARE GETTING FROM POINT "A" TO POINT "B" EVERYBODY
POINT "A" TO POINT "B" EVERYBODY IS NOT GETTING IN THEIR CAR TO
IS NOT GETTING IN THEIR CAR TO DRIVE ANY MORE. THEY ARE USING
DRIVE ANY MORE. THEY ARE USING TRANSIT, CAR POOL, BUS.
TRANSIT, CAR POOL, BUS. A LOT OF THAT IS DRIVEN BY THE
A LOT OF THAT IS DRIVEN BY THE COST OF FUEL.
COST OF FUEL. A LOT OF THOSE THINGS HAVE
A LOT OF THOSE THINGS HAVE IMPACT ON YOUR COMMUNITY, AND
IMPACT ON YOUR COMMUNITY, AND WALK ABILITY, AND LIVABILITY FOR
WALK ABILITY, AND LIVABILITY FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. GREAT TYPING
YOUR COMMUNITY. GREAT TYPING FOR THE DISCUSSION.
FOR THE DISCUSSION. >>IN THE PRESENTATION FROM
>>IN THE PRESENTATION FROM MR. LOCKWOOD, HE USED THE PHRASE
MR. LOCKWOOD, HE USED THE PHRASE "SILVER BULLET."
"SILVER BULLET." HE IDENTIFIED SILVER BULLETS A
HE IDENTIFIED SILVER BULLETS A BIG PROJECT YOU EXPECT TO HAVE
BIG PROJECT YOU EXPECT TO HAVE TANGENTIAL IN EFFECT.
TANGENTIAL IN EFFECT. IF YOU BUILD THIS
IF YOU BUILD THIS INFRASTRUCTURE, OTHER DEVELOPERS
INFRASTRUCTURE, OTHER DEVELOPERS WILL COME N I IMMEDIATELY
WILL COME N I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF THE BALLPARK, NO OVER
THOUGHT OF THE BALLPARK, NO OVER TO THE VON AUACHEN, NOTHING
TO THE VON AUACHEN, NOTHING HAPPENED.
HAPPENED. I LOOK AT PIERRE MARQUETTE, YES,
I LOOK AT PIERRE MARQUETTE, YES, THE LIBRARY IS RENOVATED ACROSS
THE LIBRARY IS RENOVATED ACROSS THE WAY.
THE WAY. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE BLOCK
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE BLOCK IMMEDIATELY ACROSS FROM THE
IMMEDIATELY ACROSS FROM THE PIERRE MARQUETTE.
PIERRE MARQUETTE. MR. MATTHEWS PUT A LOT OF MONEY.
MR. MATTHEWS PUT A LOT OF MONEY. THE CITY PUT A LOT OF MONEY IN
THE CITY PUT A LOT OF MONEY IN THAT PROJECT.
THAT PROJECT. IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT THAT
IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT THAT MADISON THEATER THAT SITS THERE
MADISON THEATER THAT SITS THERE LIKE A SORE THUMB?
LIKE A SORE THUMB? >> AS PART OF THE HOTEL DEAL
>> AS PART OF THE HOTEL DEAL THAT WE WORKED OUT, PART OF THE
THAT WE WORKED OUT, PART OF THE LAND TRANSFER WITH MOVING BIG
LAND TRANSFER WITH MOVING BIG AL'S, INCLUDED THE ACQUISITION
AL'S, INCLUDED THE ACQUISITION BY THE CITY OF THE SURFACED
BY THE CITY OF THE SURFACED PARKING LOT IMMEDIATELY AJAY
PARKING LOT IMMEDIATELY AJAY SENT TO THE MADISON THEATER ON
SENT TO THE MADISON THEATER ON MADISON, IN BETWEEN HAMILTON AND
MADISON, IN BETWEEN HAMILTON AND MADISON RIGHT THERE.
MADISON RIGHT THERE. WE TALKED WITH THE COMFORT
WE TALKED WITH THE COMFORT FAMILY WHO OWNS THE MADISON
FAMILY WHO OWNS THE MADISON THEATER BLOCK ABOUT PARTNERING
THEATER BLOCK ABOUT PARTNERING WITH THE CITY TO ISSUE REQUESTS
WITH THE CITY TO ISSUE REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS FROM DEVELOPERS,
FOR PROPOSALS FROM DEVELOPERS, TO LOOK AT RENOVATING THE
TO LOOK AT RENOVATING THE MADISON THEATER, AND DUMPLING
MADISON THEATER, AND DUMPLING THAT WITH NEW DEVELOPMENT ON
THAT WITH NEW DEVELOPMENT ON SURFACE PARKING LOT.
SURFACE PARKING LOT. AND THE DISCUSSIONS WE HAVE HAD
AND THE DISCUSSIONS WE HAVE HAD WITH THE COMFORTS HAVE BEEN IF
WITH THE COMFORTS HAVE BEEN IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD
THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD SOMETHING WITH ENOUGH DENSITY ON
SOMETHING WITH ENOUGH DENSITY ON THAT BLOCK, THAT WOULD HELP TO
THAT BLOCK, THAT WOULD HELP TO RENOVATE THE MADISON THEATER,
RENOVATE THE MADISON THEATER, THAT WE WOULD LOOK TO TRY TO DO
THAT WE WOULD LOOK TO TRY TO DO THAT AS WELL.
THAT AS WELL. >>YOU ARE TALKING RENOVATION,
>>YOU ARE TALKING RENOVATION, NOT DEMOLITION?
NOT DEMOLITION? >> NOT DEMOLITION.
>> NOT DEMOLITION. PART OF THE ISSUE, AND THE
PART OF THE ISSUE, AND THE REASON WE ARE SAYING NO
REASON WE ARE SAYING NO DEMOLITION IS THE FACT THAT IF
DEMOLITION IS THE FACT THAT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE ANY TYPE OF TAX
YOU WANT TO HAVE ANY TYPE OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING FUNDS OR ANY
INCREMENT FINANCING FUNDS OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF INCENTIVE DOLLARS
OTHER TYPE OF INCENTIVE DOLLARS THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE WITHIN
THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE WITHIN THAT HISTORIC TAX CREDITS, ALONG
THAT HISTORIC TAX CREDITS, ALONG THOSE LINES, YOU CANNOT DO ANY
THOSE LINES, YOU CANNOT DO ANY OF THAT WITHOUT -- IN HISTORIC
OF THAT WITHOUT -- IN HISTORIC BUILDING IF YOU DEMOLISH THAT
BUILDING IF YOU DEMOLISH THAT STRUCTURE. YOU CAN'T GET ANY
STRUCTURE. YOU CAN'T GET ANY OTHER TYPE OF PUBLIC INCENTIVES
OTHER TYPE OF PUBLIC INCENTIVES IF YOU TEAR DOWN A BUILDING ON
IF YOU TEAR DOWN A BUILDING ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER.
THE NATIONAL REGISTER. >>I APOLOGIZE, I THOUGHT WE HAD
>>I APOLOGIZE, I THOUGHT WE HAD A FLY FREE ZONE!
A FLY FREE ZONE! (LAUGHING) NOT WORKING!
(LAUGHING) NOT WORKING! (LAUGHING) WE WILL TAKE CARE OF
(LAUGHING) WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT.
THAT. MY APOLOGIES.
MY APOLOGIES. LET'S MOVE TO THE WATER COMPANY.
LET'S MOVE TO THE WATER COMPANY. EVERY FIVE YEARS, THE CITY IS
EVERY FIVE YEARS, THE CITY IS ALLOWED TO SAY TO THE WATER
ALLOWED TO SAY TO THE WATER COMPANY, WE'D LIKE TO EXPLORE
COMPANY, WE'D LIKE TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF BUYING IT.
THE POSSIBILITY OF BUYING IT. THE CITY COUNCIL IN THE PAST HAS
THE CITY COUNCIL IN THE PAST HAS SAID NO, AFTER DOING SOME DUE
SAID NO, AFTER DOING SOME DUE DILIGENCE.
DILIGENCE. YOU APPOINTED A COMMITTEE TO
YOU APPOINTED A COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT THE PROS AND CONS,
LOOK AT THE PROS AND CONS, HEADED BY BOB MANNING.
HEADED BY BOB MANNING. THEY HAVE YET TO REPORT BACK.
THEY HAVE YET TO REPORT BACK. IN THE INTERIM, WE LEARNED THAT
IN THE INTERIM, WE LEARNED THAT THE TRI-COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING
THE TRI-COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION, HAVE ALL OF A SUDDEN
COMMISSION, HAVE ALL OF A SUDDEN LOOKED AT PROMOTING THE PURCHASE
LOOKED AT PROMOTING THE PURCHASE OF THE WATER COMPANY.
OF THE WATER COMPANY. WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN ALL OF
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN ALL OF THIS, AND WHY DID TRI-COUNTY
THIS, AND WHY DID TRI-COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING TAKE THE BULL
REGIONAL PLANNING TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS ALL OF A SUDDEN?
BY THE HORNS ALL OF A SUDDEN? >> I THINK IT IS PROBABLY ONLY
>> I THINK IT IS PROBABLY ONLY FAIR TO POINT OUT THAT
FAIR TO POINT OUT THAT TRI-COUNTY PLANNING DID NOT HAVE
TRI-COUNTY PLANNING DID NOT HAVE A ROLE IN THE ADVOCACY OF TRYING
A ROLE IN THE ADVOCACY OF TRYING TO INFLUENCE THE COUNCIL TO MAKE
TO INFLUENCE THE COUNCIL TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
THAT DECISION. I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING
I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING THAT INDICATES THAT THE ACTUAL
THAT INDICATES THAT THE ACTUAL TRI-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
TRI-COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION ASKED THAT THAT EFFORT BE
ASKED THAT THAT EFFORT BE UNDERTAKEN.
UNDERTAKEN. IT MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE A BIG
IT MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE A BIG DEAL, BUT IT IS A BIG DEAL THAT
DEAL, BUT IT IS A BIG DEAL THAT I DON'T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE THAT
I DON'T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE THAT TRI-COUNTY PARTICIPATED IN GOING
TRI-COUNTY PARTICIPATED IN GOING THAT ROAD.
THAT ROAD. >>THE COMMISSION ITSELF?
>>THE COMMISSION ITSELF? >> THE COMMISSION ITSELF.
>> THE COMMISSION ITSELF. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A BROAD
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A BROAD BRUSH HERE BECAUSE THAT IS
BRUSH HERE BECAUSE THAT IS IMPORTANT.
IMPORTANT. THAT PART OF IT REALLY DOESN'T
THAT PART OF IT REALLY DOESN'T HAVE A BEARING ON US OBVIOUSLY.
HAVE A BEARING ON US OBVIOUSLY. I HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE
I HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE WAY THAT HAPPENED AND THE
WAY THAT HAPPENED AND THE POTENTIAL INFLUENCE THAT WAS
POTENTIAL INFLUENCE THAT WAS GOING TO BE USED.
GOING TO BE USED. BUT, REALLY, THERE IS TWO THINGS
BUT, REALLY, THERE IS TWO THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT HERE.
THAT ARE IMPORTANT HERE. NUMBER ONE, THE COUNCIL WILL
NUMBER ONE, THE COUNCIL WILL MAKE THAT DECISION.
MAKE THAT DECISION. WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE.
WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE. PEOPLE ALWAYS ARE VERY WILLING
PEOPLE ALWAYS ARE VERY WILLING TO GIVE US THEIR OPINION ON WHAT
TO GIVE US THEIR OPINION ON WHAT WE SHOULD DO ON THAT.
WE SHOULD DO ON THAT. SO THIS KIND OF EFFORT SEEMED
SO THIS KIND OF EFFORT SEEMED JUST A LITTLE BIT HEAVY-HANDED.
JUST A LITTLE BIT HEAVY-HANDED. BUT THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO MAKE
BUT THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO MAKE THAT DECISION, AND THE
THAT DECISION, AND THE INFORMATION THAT WE GET FROM THE
INFORMATION THAT WE GET FROM THE COMMITTEE THAT BOB MANNING IS
COMMITTEE THAT BOB MANNING IS CHAIRING IS GOING TO BE
CHAIRING IS GOING TO BE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION, INFORMATION THAT THE MANAGER IS
INFORMATION THAT THE MANAGER IS GOING TO BRING BACK TO US AND
GOING TO BRING BACK TO US AND OTHER INFORMATION THAT WE MAY
OTHER INFORMATION THAT WE MAY GET FROM DIFFERENT ENTITIES.
GET FROM DIFFERENT ENTITIES. I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING TO
I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING TO DRAW AT LEAST THAT I AM DRAWING
DRAW AT LEAST THAT I AM DRAWING AS IT RELATES TO SOME OF THE
AS IT RELATES TO SOME OF THE DRAMA THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT
DRAMA THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, H, IS THE IMPORTANT THING
NOW, H, IS THE IMPORTANT THING IS THE FOCUS FORWARD CI
IS THE FOCUS FORWARD CI INITIATIVE NEEDS TO STABILIZE
INITIATIVE NEEDS TO STABILIZE AND IT NEEDS TO GO FORWARD.
AND IT NEEDS TO GO FORWARD. THIS IS A REGIONAL ECONOMIC
THIS IS A REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP THAT IS REALLY
DEVELOPMENT GROUP THAT IS REALLY GOING TO FOCUS ON WHAT THIS
GOING TO FOCUS ON WHAT THIS REGION NEEDS TO DO TO COMPETE
REGION NEEDS TO DO TO COMPETE GLOBALLY.
GLOBALLY. SO HOWEVER THEY RESOLVE THIS
SO HOWEVER THEY RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, THEY NEED TO RESOLVE IT
ISSUE, THEY NEED TO RESOLVE IT SO THE INITIATIVE ITSELF DOESN'T
SO THE INITIATIVE ITSELF DOESN'T LOSE CREDIBILITY, DOESN'T LOSE
LOSE CREDIBILITY, DOESN'T LOSE STEAM, AND REALLY DOES DO WHAT
STEAM, AND REALLY DOES DO WHAT IT WAS INTENDED TO DO.
IT WAS INTENDED TO DO. >>LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
>>LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.
THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. YOU ALLUDED TO THE $30 MILLION
YOU ALLUDED TO THE $30 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS,
IN INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS, ETCETERA.
ETCETERA. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY LOOKING
DO WE HAVE ANYBODY LOOKING SERIOUSLY AT THE WAREHOUSES?
SERIOUSLY AT THE WAREHOUSES? YOU PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE
YOU PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE STREETS.
STREETS. YOU WANT THOSE WAREHOUSES TO BE
YOU WANT THOSE WAREHOUSES TO BE RENOVATED, USED FOR STREET LEVEL
RENOVATED, USED FOR STREET LEVEL RETAIL, FOR APARTMENTS,
RETAIL, FOR APARTMENTS, ETCETERA.
ETCETERA. >> WE DO.
>> WE DO. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL DEVELOPERS
WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL DEVELOPERS BOTH FROM THE CHICAGO AREA AND
BOTH FROM THE CHICAGO AREA AND OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE COME
OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE COME IN AND TAKEN A LOOK AT DIFFERENT
IN AND TAKEN A LOOK AT DIFFERENT BUILDINGS, SOME THAT ARE WORKING
BUILDINGS, SOME THAT ARE WORKING ON SOME OFFERS AS WE SPEAK.
ON SOME OFFERS AS WE SPEAK. OTHERS THAT ARE REALLY LOOKING
OTHERS THAT ARE REALLY LOOKING AT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT
AT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT MANY OF THESE BUILDINGS POSE.
MANY OF THESE BUILDINGS POSE. WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS
WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS TYPE OF RENOVATION, IT IS A
TYPE OF RENOVATION, IT IS A CHALLENGE TO GET A BUILDING THAT
CHALLENGE TO GET A BUILDING THAT MAYBE TEN STORIES TALL RENOVATED
MAYBE TEN STORIES TALL RENOVATED WITHOUT HAVING EITHER YOUR OWN
WITHOUT HAVING EITHER YOUR OWN FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND
FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND WHEREWITHAL TO DO IT OR TO BE
WHEREWITHAL TO DO IT OR TO BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE ADDITIONAL
ABLE TO LEVERAGE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS, NOT ONLY FROM THE TAX
DOLLARS, NOT ONLY FROM THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT,
INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT, BUT THROUGH THE HISTORIC TAX
BUT THROUGH THE HISTORIC TAX CREDITS THAT MAY COME FORWARD.
CREDITS THAT MAY COME FORWARD. WE HAVE JUST ESTABLISHED THE
WE HAVE JUST ESTABLISHED THE RIVER'S EDGE REDEVELOP MANY ZONE
RIVER'S EDGE REDEVELOP MANY ZONE WITHIN THE AREA TO ENSURE THAT
WITHIN THE AREA TO ENSURE THAT MANY OF THE HISTORIC STRUCTURES
MANY OF THE HISTORIC STRUCTURES THAT ARE THERE WILL BE ELIGIBLE
THAT ARE THERE WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE STATE HISTORIC TAX
FOR THE STATE HISTORIC TAX CREDITS THAT COUPLED WITH THE
CREDITS THAT COUPLED WITH THE FEDERAL HISTORIC TAX CREDITS
FEDERAL HISTORIC TAX CREDITS WILL ALLOW SOMEONE TO, IN
WILL ALLOW SOMEONE TO, IN ESSENCE, TAKE 45% OF THE COST OF
ESSENCE, TAKE 45% OF THE COST OF THAT ELIGIBLE COST OF RENOVATION
THAT ELIGIBLE COST OF RENOVATION AND APPLY AS TAX CREDIT TOWARDS
AND APPLY AS TAX CREDIT TOWARDS THE PROJECT WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT
THE PROJECT WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT DOLLAR AMOUNT WHEN YOU START TO
DOLLAR AMOUNT WHEN YOU START TO LOOK AT WHAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE
LOOK AT WHAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE TO RENOVATE MANY OF THESE
TO RENOVATE MANY OF THESE BUILDINGS.
BUILDINGS. THERE IS A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE
THERE IS A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE WORK.
WORK. IT IS ALMOST AS EXPENSIVE WHEN
IT IS ALMOST AS EXPENSIVE WHEN BUILDING A NEW BUILDING WHEN YOU
BUILDING A NEW BUILDING WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS.
LOOK AT THIS. YOU ARE TO PUT IN ELEVATORS TO
YOU ARE TO PUT IN ELEVATORS TO CODE.
CODE. WE HAVE DONE WALK THROUGHS OF
WE HAVE DONE WALK THROUGHS OF MANY OF THESE BUILDERS WITH THE
MANY OF THESE BUILDERS WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS THAT CURRENTLY
PROPERTY OWNERS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST.
EXIST. >>
>> >>DO YOU GET THE IMPRESSION THE
>>DO YOU GET THE IMPRESSION THE DEVELOPERS THINK IT IS POSSIBLE?
DEVELOPERS THINK IT IS POSSIBLE? >> ORGANIZATION I THINK THERE IS
>> ORGANIZATION I THINK THERE IS A DEFINITE VIEW AMONGST THE
A DEFINITE VIEW AMONGST THE DEVELOPERS.
DEVELOPERS. IF THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS
IF THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE, WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING
POSSIBLE, WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS THAT WE
THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS THAT WE ARE HAVING WITH PROPERTY OWNERS
ARE HAVING WITH PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE DEVELOPERS COMING TO
AND THE DEVELOPERS COMING TO TOWN THAT ARE LOOKING AT THESE
TOWN THAT ARE LOOKING AT THESE PROPERTIES.
PROPERTIES. >>YOUR SENSE OF PROGRESS IN THE
>>YOUR SENSE OF PROGRESS IN THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT?
WAREHOUSE DISTRICT? >> I THINK, H, WHEN YOU CONSIDER
>> I THINK, H, WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE OVER ALL ECONOMY IN THE LAST
THE OVER ALL ECONOMY IN THE LAST FIVE, SIX YEARS, I THINK IT IS
FIVE, SIX YEARS, I THINK IT IS OKAY.
OKAY. WOULD WE HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN
WOULD WE HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN HAPPEN SOONER?
HAPPEN SOONER? YES.
YES. A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKING HUGE
A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKING HUGE INVESTMENTS IN THESE BUILDINGS
INVESTMENTS IN THESE BUILDINGS NEEDED TO SEAT INFRASTRUCTURE IN
NEEDED TO SEAT INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE BEFORE THEY DID IT, AND
PLACE BEFORE THEY DID IT, AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT IS HAPPENING
THAT'S REALLY WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.
HERE. SO WE ARE SATISFIED.
SO WE ARE SATISFIED. REALLY KIND OF ONE OF THE
REALLY KIND OF ONE OF THE INTERESTING DYNAMICS NOW WE ARE
INTERESTING DYNAMICS NOW WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF THESE WAREHOUSES
SEEING A LOT OF THESE WAREHOUSES HAVE BEEN EMPTY OR VACANT FOR
HAVE BEEN EMPTY OR VACANT FOR 10, 20, AND LONGER YEARS THAT
10, 20, AND LONGER YEARS THAT HAD LITTLE OR NO VALUE.
HAD LITTLE OR NO VALUE. NOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS COME
NOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS COME IN AND MADE THAT INVESTMENT IN
IN AND MADE THAT INVESTMENT IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH IS WHAT
THE INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH IS WHAT WE SHOULD DO, A LOT OF THESE
WE SHOULD DO, A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE ARE ALL OF A SUDDEN REAL
PEOPLE ARE ALL OF A SUDDEN REAL PROUD OF THESE PROPERTIES.
PROUD OF THESE PROPERTIES. THE VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTY AT
THE VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTY AT LEAST IN THEIR HEAD IS REALLY
LEAST IN THEIR HEAD IS REALLY INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE IN THAT
WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE IN THAT FIRST ONE OR TWO PEOPLE THAT
FIRST ONE OR TWO PEOPLE THAT COME IN WITH PROJECTS IS THEY
COME IN WITH PROJECTS IS THEY ARE GOING TO ESTABLISH WHAT THAT
ARE GOING TO ESTABLISH WHAT THAT BAR IS ON WHAT THE VALUE OF
BAR IS ON WHAT THE VALUE OF THOSE PROPERTIES ARE.
THOSE PROPERTIES ARE. BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO SAY
BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO SAY "WE THINK PAYING THIS PRICE FOR
"WE THINK PAYING THIS PRICE FOR THE PROPERTY, ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT
THE PROPERTY, ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT WE WILL HAVE TO PUT IN TO THE
WE WILL HAVE TO PUT IN TO THE PROPERTY TO BRING EVERYTHING UP
PROPERTY TO BRING EVERYTHING UP TO CODE, AND SO ON" THAT'S THE
TO CODE, AND SO ON" THAT'S THE LEVEL WE WILL BE AT.
LEVEL WE WILL BE AT. SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT WHEN THE
SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT WHEN THE STATE, FEDERAL, GOVERNMENT PUT
STATE, FEDERAL, GOVERNMENT PUT SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS IN, THEY
SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS IN, THEY HIT THE LOTTERY.
HIT THE LOTTERY. THEY WILL REALIZE THERE IS A
THEY WILL REALIZE THERE IS A MARKET VALUE FOR THESE
MARKET VALUE FOR THESE PROPERTIES.
PROPERTIES. THIS IS ABOUT WHERE IT IS.
THIS IS ABOUT WHERE IT IS. >>WE THINK THAT IS GOING TO
>>WE THINK THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN PRETTY SOON.
HAPPEN PRETTY SOON. LET'S TURN TO CRIME ISSUES.
LET'S TURN TO CRIME ISSUES. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, THE CITY
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, THE CITY COUNCIL WENT INTO EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SESSION. I, OF COURSE, DO NOT KNOW WHAT
I, OF COURSE, DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AT THAT EXECUTIVE
HAPPENED AT THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT IS IT FAIR TO SAY
SESSION, BUT IS IT FAIR TO SAY STATUS OF CHIEF SETTINGSGAARD
STATUS OF CHIEF SETTINGSGAARD WAS DISCUSSED?
WAS DISCUSSED? >> IT IS FAIR.
>> IT IS FAIR. AS I SAID, COMING OUT OF THAT
AS I SAID, COMING OUT OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION, MY EMPLOYER,
EXECUTIVE SESSION, MY EMPLOYER, THE CITY COUNCIL, HAD SOME
THE CITY COUNCIL, HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT ONE OF MY
QUESTIONS ABOUT ONE OF MY EMPLOYEES, THE POLICE CHIEF, AND
EMPLOYEES, THE POLICE CHIEF, AND HIS PERFORMANCE.
HIS PERFORMANCE. WE WENT INTO CLOSED SESSION AND
WE WENT INTO CLOSED SESSION AND HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.
HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT. IT WAS A VERY FRANK DISCUSSION.
IT WAS A VERY FRANK DISCUSSION. WE HAD SOME GOOD QUESTIONS THAT
WE HAD SOME GOOD QUESTIONS THAT WERE RAISED, SOME ISSUES AND
WERE RAISED, SOME ISSUES AND CONCERNS THAT WERE AIRED.
CONCERNS THAT WERE AIRED. WE CAME OUT OF THAT CLOSED
WE CAME OUT OF THAT CLOSED SESSION, AND WE HAVE I THINK
SESSION, AND WE HAVE I THINK HAVE HOPEFULLY CLOSED THE DOOR
HAVE HOPEFULLY CLOSED THE DOOR ON A LOT OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
ON A LOT OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS. I THINK I EXPRESSED TO THE
I THINK I EXPRESSED TO THE COUNCIL MY SUPPORT, STRONG
COUNCIL MY SUPPORT, STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE CHIEF AND
SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE CHIEF AND THE JOB THAT HE IS DOGS, AND THE
THE JOB THAT HE IS DOGS, AND THE TASK THAT HE IS CHARGED WITH
TASK THAT HE IS CHARGED WITH TAKING ON AND PERFORMING.
TAKING ON AND PERFORMING. IT IS, IN MANY WAYS, IT IS
IT IS, IN MANY WAYS, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE FOCUS ON, AS
IMPORTANT THAT WE FOCUS ON, AS THE POLICE SIDE OF THE CITY,
THE POLICE SIDE OF THE CITY, THAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON WHAT IS
THAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND THAT'S
REALLY IMPORTANT, AND THAT'S MAKING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE,
MAKING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE, ADDRESSING VIOLENT CRIME, WHERE
ADDRESSING VIOLENT CRIME, WHERE IT IS OCCURRING, AND DOING WHAT
IT IS OCCURRING, AND DOING WHAT WE CAN TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE
WE CAN TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE PUBLIC.
PUBLIC. >>YOU ARE HIS EMPLOYER.
>>YOU ARE HIS EMPLOYER. >>YES.
>>YES. >>DID YOU GIVE HIM SOME MARCHING
>>DID YOU GIVE HIM SOME MARCHING ORDERS AS TO IMPROVEMENTS THAT
ORDERS AS TO IMPROVEMENTS THAT MIGHT BE MADE?
MIGHT BE MADE? >> WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT
>> WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT.
THAT. WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT
WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WERE
THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WERE BEING RAISED BY THE COUNCIL, AND
BEING RAISED BY THE COUNCIL, AND WILL CONTINUE TO.
WILL CONTINUE TO. >>YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE
>>YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE CHIEF?
CHIEF? >> THAT HASN'T CHANGED, H.
>> THAT HASN'T CHANGED, H. I MEAN I HAVE 110% CONFIDENCE IN
I MEAN I HAVE 110% CONFIDENCE IN WHAT THE CHIEF IS DOING, AND THE
WHAT THE CHIEF IS DOING, AND THE DIRECTION THAT HE HAS TAKEN THAT
DIRECTION THAT HE HAS TAKEN THAT DEPARTMENT, AND THE CONFIDENCE
DEPARTMENT, AND THE CONFIDENCE MA MYSELF AND CITIZENS OF THAT
MA MYSELF AND CITIZENS OF THAT CITY, OUR CITY, HE IS DOING
CITY, OUR CITY, HE IS DOING THESE THINGS TO MAKE OUR
THESE THINGS TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.
COMMUNITY SAFER. >>LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME PROGRAMS
>>LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME PROGRAMS THAT MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT ON
THAT MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT ON CRIME.
CRIME. YOU, OF COURSE, HAVE BEEN VERY
YOU, OF COURSE, HAVE BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH "DON'T SHOOT."
INVOLVED WITH "DON'T SHOOT." NOW THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED,
NOW THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED, IF I RECALL $405,000 TO
IF I RECALL $405,000 TO ESTABLISH IN A THREE SQUARE MILE
ESTABLISH IN A THREE SQUARE MILE AREA PRIMARILY ON THE SOUTH END
AREA PRIMARILY ON THE SOUTH END OF THE CITY WHAT IS CALLED
OF THE CITY WHAT IS CALLED "SHOTS FIRED."
"SHOTS FIRED." COULD YOU EXPLAIN "SHOTS FIRED"
COULD YOU EXPLAIN "SHOTS FIRED" AND HOW IT MIGHT WORK IN
AND HOW IT MIGHT WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH "DON'T SHOOT,"
CONJUNCTION WITH "DON'T SHOOT," AND OTHER ANTI CRIME.
AND OTHER ANTI CRIME. IT IS TECHNOLOGY IT UTILIZES
IT IS TECHNOLOGY IT UTILIZES DEVICES THAT CAN ACTUALLY WILL
DEVICES THAT CAN ACTUALLY WILL SENSE GUNFIRE WITHIN THE AREA
SENSE GUNFIRE WITHIN THE AREA THAT THEY ARE SET UP IN.
THAT THEY ARE SET UP IN. IT CAN DISTINGUISH BETWEEN
IT CAN DISTINGUISH BETWEEN FIRECRACKER, A CAR BACKFIRING,
FIRECRACKER, A CAR BACKFIRING, AND A GUN AND NOT JUST A GUN,
AND A GUN AND NOT JUST A GUN, BUT DIFFERENT CALIBERS, A SMALL
BUT DIFFERENT CALIBERS, A SMALL CALIBER, LARGE CALIBER,
CALIBER, LARGE CALIBER, AUTOMATIC.
AUTOMATIC. THEY CAN DETECT A DIRECTION, IF
THEY CAN DETECT A DIRECTION, IF THEY ARE SHOOTING IN A CAR.
THEY ARE SHOOTING IN A CAR. IT ISOLATES, TRIANGULATES WHERE
IT ISOLATES, TRIANGULATES WHERE THAT SHOT CAME FROM, GETS THE
THAT SHOT CAME FROM, GETS THE INFORMATION BACK TO OUR POLICE
INFORMATION BACK TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IN A MINUTE, AND WE
DEPARTMENT IN A MINUTE, AND WE DISPATCH TO THE LOCATION.
DISPATCH TO THE LOCATION. SO INSTEAD OF BEING IN A
SO INSTEAD OF BEING IN A SITUATION RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU
SITUATION RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU WILL HAVE SOMEONE WILL CALL IN
WILL HAVE SOMEONE WILL CALL IN TO 911 AND SAY THERE WERE SHOTS
TO 911 AND SAY THERE WERE SHOTS FIRED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
FIRED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. WELL, TO THEM, MAYBE IT WAS
WELL, TO THEM, MAYBE IT WAS SHOTS FIRED.
SHOTS FIRED. MAYBE IT WAS A CAR BACKFIRING.
MAYBE IT WAS A CAR BACKFIRING. MAYBE IT WAS FIREWORKS.
MAYBE IT WAS FIREWORKS. SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW WHEN IT
SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW WHEN IT HAPPENS IS THEY WILL DISPATCH
HAPPENS IS THEY WILL DISPATCH OFFICERS TO THAT VICINITY AND IF
OFFICERS TO THAT VICINITY AND IF THE OFFICERS DON'T SEE ANYTHING,
THE OFFICERS DON'T SEE ANYTHING, IF THERE IS NOT A PERSON DOWN,
IF THERE IS NOT A PERSON DOWN, PEOPLE AROUND THEM, THEY ARE
PEOPLE AROUND THEM, THEY ARE DRIVING THROUGH THE STREETS AND
DRIVING THROUGH THE STREETS AND THROUGH ALLEYS LOOKING TO SEE IF
THROUGH ALLEYS LOOKING TO SEE IF THEY SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT.
THEY SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT. WE TIE UP A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF
WE TIE UP A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF OUR RESOURCES AND OFFICERS IN
OUR RESOURCES AND OFFICERS IN AREAS TRYING TO SEE IF THERE
AREAS TRYING TO SEE IF THERE REALLY WERE SHOTS FIRED IF THERE
REALLY WERE SHOTS FIRED IF THERE IS NOT SOMETHING THERE.
IS NOT SOMETHING THERE. WHAT THIS TECHNOLOGY WILL DO IS
WHAT THIS TECHNOLOGY WILL DO IS ACTUALLY IDENTIFY IT, AND PUT US
ACTUALLY IDENTIFY IT, AND PUT US INTO A LOCATION WITHIN 40,
INTO A LOCATION WITHIN 40, 50 YARDS, OR FEET, I SHOULD SAY,
50 YARDS, OR FEET, I SHOULD SAY, PRETTY TIGHT PROXIMITY.
PRETTY TIGHT PROXIMITY. THEY WILL GO THERE IF IT
THEY WILL GO THERE IF IT HAPPENED.
HAPPENED. IF THERE ARE SHELL CASINGS, IT
IF THERE ARE SHELL CASINGS, IT WILL EXPEDITE THE WHOLE PROCESS.
WILL EXPEDITE THE WHOLE PROCESS. INSTEAD OF HAVING OFFICERS
INSTEAD OF HAVING OFFICERS AROUND 2:00 IN THE MORNING WITH
AROUND 2:00 IN THE MORNING WITH FLASHLIGHTS LOOKING FOR SHELL
FLASHLIGHTS LOOKING FOR SHELL CASINGS OR ANY EVIDENCE, WE WILL
CASINGS OR ANY EVIDENCE, WE WILL SEE HOW DOES THIS HELP?
SEE HOW DOES THIS HELP? INSTEAD OF HAVING ANYWHERE FROM
INSTEAD OF HAVING ANYWHERE FROM TWO TO TEN OR 12 OFFICERS
TWO TO TEN OR 12 OFFICERS SCOURING AN AREA LOOKING FOR
SCOURING AN AREA LOOKING FOR WHAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE
WHAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED, THEY ARE DISPATCHED TO
HAPPENED, THEY ARE DISPATCHED TO RELATIVE LOCATIONS.
RELATIVE LOCATIONS. IT WILL SAVE US A LOT OF MONEY.
IT WILL SAVE US A LOT OF MONEY. IT WILL COMPLIMENT THEIR ABILITY
IT WILL COMPLIMENT THEIR ABILITY TO ACTUALLY IN SOME CASES GET TO
TO ACTUALLY IN SOME CASES GET TO THAT LOCATION BEFORE IF THERE
THAT LOCATION BEFORE IF THERE WAS A SHOOTING BEFORE THE PEOPLE
WAS A SHOOTING BEFORE THE PEOPLE LEFT.
LEFT. >>LET ME TALK ABOUT A POSITIVE
>>LET ME TALK ABOUT A POSITIVE THING THAT HAPPENED RECENTLY TO
THING THAT HAPPENED RECENTLY TO CLOSE OUT THE PROGRAM.
CLOSE OUT THE PROGRAM. ALL AMERICA CITY STATUS, I THINK
ALL AMERICA CITY STATUS, I THINK THE FOURTH TIME IN THE LAST 50
THE FOURTH TIME IN THE LAST 50 YEARS OR SO.
YEARS OR SO. HOW DOES THAT IMPACT THE CITY?
HOW DOES THAT IMPACT THE CITY? IT IS NICE TO BE ABLE TO PUT ON
IT IS NICE TO BE ABLE TO PUT ON YOUR SIGNS, ALL AMERICAN CITY
YOUR SIGNS, ALL AMERICAN CITY 2013.
2013. WHAT IMPACT DOES IT HAVE ON
WHAT IMPACT DOES IT HAVE ON IMPROVING OUR ECONOMY, WHATEVER?
IMPROVING OUR ECONOMY, WHATEVER? >> THE ALL AMERICAN CITY IS A
>> THE ALL AMERICAN CITY IS A DESIGNATION THAT THE NATIONAL
DESIGNATION THAT THE NATIONAL CIVIC LEAGUE PUTS OUT THAT
CIVIC LEAGUE PUTS OUT THAT RECOGNIZES CITIES THAT ARE --
RECOGNIZES CITIES THAT ARE -- AND THE PEOPLE WITHIN THE CITIES
AND THE PEOPLE WITHIN THE CITIES ARE WORKING TO REALLY TRY TO
ARE WORKING TO REALLY TRY TO DELIVER SERVICES AND PROVIDE FOR
DELIVER SERVICES AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY IN INNOVATIVE
THEIR COMMUNITY IN INNOVATIVE AND UNIQUE WAYS.
AND UNIQUE WAYS. I THINK WHAT, FOR ME, THAT WAS
I THINK WHAT, FOR ME, THAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHARGE OUT OF THE
THE BIGGEST CHARGE OUT OF THE MOMENTUM BEHIND THE ALL AMERICAN
MOMENTUM BEHIND THE ALL AMERICAN CITIES EFFORT THIS YEAR WAS THE
CITIES EFFORT THIS YEAR WAS THE FACT THAT IT CAME FROM OUR YOUNG
FACT THAT IT CAME FROM OUR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP.
PROFESSIONALS GROUP. IT REALLY STARTED AT THE LEVEL
IT REALLY STARTED AT THE LEVEL WHERE THE 20 SOMETHING'S AND 30
WHERE THE 20 SOMETHING'S AND 30 SOMETHING'S WERE OUT THERE
SOMETHING'S WERE OUT THERE SAYING "WE ARE PROUD OF PEORIA,
SAYING "WE ARE PROUD OF PEORIA, AND WE WANT TO PROMOTE THIS CITY
AND WE WANT TO PROMOTE THIS CITY TO THE NATION AND SAY WHAT
TO THE NATION AND SAY WHAT POSITIVE THINGS THAT WE ARE
POSITIVE THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING."
DOING." THAT ELECTRICITY THEY BROUGHT TO
THAT ELECTRICITY THEY BROUGHT TO THE PROCESS IS SOMETHING THAT WE
THE PROCESS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO BUILD UPON.
NEED TO CONTINUE TO BUILD UPON. >>PATRICK ULRICH, CITY MANAGER
>>PATRICK ULRICH, CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF PEORIA, THANK YOU
OF THE CITY OF PEORIA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "AT ISSUE."
FOR JOINING US ON "AT ISSUE." MAYOR JIM ARDIS, AS ALWAYS,
MAYOR JIM ARDIS, AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR JOINING US.
THANKS FOR JOINING US. IT IS GOOD TO GET AN UPDATE
IT IS GOOD TO GET AN UPDATE WHERE CENTRAL ILLINOIS IS
WHERE CENTRAL ILLINOIS IS HEADED.
HEADED. NEXT WEEK, WE WILL BE TALKING
NEXT WEEK, WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT VINTAGE AIRCRAFT.
ABOUT VINTAGE AIRCRAFT. YOU SAY WHY?
YOU SAY WHY? WELL, IT IS A DYING ART,
WELL, IT IS A DYING ART, ACTUALLY.
ACTUALLY. THERE IS AN INDIVIDUAL FROM
THERE IS AN INDIVIDUAL FROM EUREKA HAS A WAR BIRD, TV M
EUREKA HAS A WAR BIRD, TV M TORPEDO BOMBER AND WE VISIT THE
TORPEDO BOMBER AND WE VISIT THE GALESBURG NATIONAL STEERMEN FLY
GALESBURG NATIONAL STEERMEN FLY IN.
IN. FEWER AND FEWER PEOPLE ARE
FEWER AND FEWER PEOPLE ARE TAKING AN INTEREST.
TAKING AN INTEREST. WHAT WILL THE FUTURE BE?
WHAT WILL THE FUTURE BE? JOIN US NEXT TIME ON "AT ISSUE."
JOIN US NEXT TIME ON "AT ISSUE." >>