Observation Tower Opens Thursday, June 1st!
Hours of Operation:
Thursday-Sunday - 11:00am-7:00pm
Employment Opportunity - Public Works Summer Assistant
JOB TITLE: Public Works Summer Assistant DEPARTMENT: Public Works
REPORTS TO: Village Administrator or designee(s)
Under the general supervision of Public Works, the summer assistant will provide general labor assistance to maintain a neat and orderly appearance in the Village of Peoria Heights. The Village of Peoria Heights is dedicated to providing quality, personalized service and a superior quality of life to its residents, and Public Works is integral to maintaining public spaces and public infrastructure. This position provides support to Public Works in their duties.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Demonstrate ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
Perform all assigned duties while following safety and best practices.
Mowing and weeding and general landscaping.
Collect and assist in waste disposal and recycling.
Receive and follow directions in a constantly changing environment.
Willingness to work in adverse weather conditions.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Asphalt paving under the direction of Street Supervisor or his designee(s).
Performs light maintenance and repair work to public spaces.
Demonstrate ability to maintain effective working relationships and professionalism with staff, elected officials and the general public.
Other related work as necessary or assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Excellent communication skills.
Proven problem-solving abilities.
Detail oriented.
Any combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES REQUIRED:
• Valid State Driver’s License.
Village reaches agreement with liquor store to abide by alcohol sale laws, improve appearance
The Village of Peoria Heights has deferred disciplinary action for a local liquor store accused of selling alcohol to those under 21 in exchange for its commitment to comply with the law regarding underage alcohol purchases and to clean up the property.
The Village alleges that Super Liquors, 818 E. War Memorial Drive, sold alcohol to individuals under age 21 on the dates of March 15 and March 22, 2023. Beyond that, after following up on citizen complaints, Village officials expressed concern over “nuisance behavior” at the establishment including “loitering and illegal activity occurring in the parking lot and at the ATM near the entrance to the business.”
As a result, Super Liquors President Saminder Chandhok faced the possibility of suspension or revocation of his liquor license at a Village hearing scheduled for April 27. Ultimately, that hearing was put off as Village officials reached an accommodation with Super Liquors that requires the business to:
Provide training and supervision for all employees who operate cash registers at the liquor store to ensure that no alcohol is sold to individuals under age 21;
Take proactive steps to monitor and police the parking lot at the premises;
Respond immediately to complaints communicated to liquor store personnel by the Peoria Heights Police Department;
Generally clean up and improve the premises through enhanced landscaping, signage and lighting, as well as the possible installation of outdoor cameras.
That memorandum of understanding between the Village and the business fundamentally establishes a six-month probation period for Super Liquors to abide by those “binding conditions” or face potential fines and/or liquor license suspension or revocation following written notice of any alleged violations and a future public hearing. If, however, the conditions are met in that time frame, “the charges that gave rise to the hearing will be permanently dismissed.”
Mark Walton, the Village’s attorney, expressed confidence that “the owners want to cooperate” and that the agreement is potentially “a win-win” for both parties. “They have a great location and there’s a lot of opportunity for this business,” he said. “We can be partners and help each other succeed.”
Super Liquors attorney Seth Uphoff said that his client was anxious to “move forward and put this incident behind us,” while building “goodwill with the city.”
Forest Park Dr. Routine Maintenance Closure - 5/2/23
Forest Park Dr. hill will be closed, Tuesday, May 2nd, from 9am - 1pm, for regular maintenance and cleaning.
Public Notice - Request For Qualifications and Proposals Lead Service Line Inventory
The Village of Peoria Heights (Village) has received a proposal from a qualified consultant to provide professional services to complete a lead service line inventory. The Village will accept alternate proposals and statements of qualifications from interested firms to assist the Village with their Lead Service Line Inventory.
The complete Request for Qualifications and Proposals (RFQP) may be examined and/or obtained from the Village of Peoria Heights, Attn: Sarah Witbracht, Administrative Assistant, 4901 Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, IL 61616 sarah.witbracht@peoriasheights.org (Phone: 309-686-2385) during regular business hours (Monday-Friday: 9:00A.M. - 4:00 P.M.). Documents may also be obtained from the Village Website: www.peoriaheights.org
Proposals will be received until 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Late proposals will be rejected. Proposal submissions shall be submitted electronically as instructed in the RFQP. The content of all proposals will be considered confidential until the contract has been awarded. The Village reserves the right to reject all proposals.
Village adopts 2024 budget, debates how to use $1 million surplus
The Peoria Heights Village Board has adopted a fiscal year 2024 budget that anticipates nearly $4.9 million in spending against a like amount in expected revenues. The fiscal year begins May 1.
The board approved a balanced budget a year ago, as well, but ultimately 2023’s financial performance far exceeded expectations, with the Village generating a budget surplus that exceeded $1 million. That has permitted the Village to lower its property tax levy, which it will do again for this coming fiscal year. “Lowering a property tax levy is always a good thing,” said Trustee Brandon Wisenburg.
The surplus also has put the Village in a challenging if also somewhat enviable position, which is figuring out what to do with that extra $1 million plus.
There are multiple options. The Village could spend it to expand and improve services – on more police officers, for example – or invest in aged and compromised infrastructure, such as the Heights’ water system. It could put the money aside for a rainy day, though after several consecutive years of improved fiscal discipline, the Village’s fund balances are healthy. It could return the money to taxpayers by further lowering property taxes, an option favored by some trustees. Or the board could do some combination of all the above.
In any case, it’s a nice position to be in, said Mayor Michael Phelan, who pointed to the Village’s conservative budget practices and fiscal discipline, along with a healthy local economy that continues to attract investment, for producing the surge in revenues over expenditures that have put the Village in this position. Those decisions likely will be the subject of much debate over the coming weeks.
In other developments, the Board:
Approved the expenditure of $4,471 in Business Development District funds for façade improvements including signage at Bust’d Brewing Company, 4408 N. Prospect Road. The latter represents the first brewing operation in Peoria Heights since Pabst closed its local operation in 1982.
Debated the pros and cons of spending nearly $150,000 on an outdoor fitness court, targeted potentially for the current Lions Park site on Glen Avenue. The fitness facility would be a collaboration between the Village, the California-based National Fitness Campaign and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, which is providing grants of up to $50,000 to help defray the costs. The goal is to improve overall community health.
After several trustees expressed concerns about not having enough time or information upon which to make a decision, the matter was deferred. Ongoing maintenance costs were a particular worry. Beyond that, other Village needs may be of a higher priority, said some. Private funds could be raised to offset some of the costs, said others.
“I’d like us to keep an open mind,” said Phelan. The budget surplus does permit some spending on quality-of-life projects, he said, and this investment would potentially stabilize the surrounding neighborhoods and provide a welcome mat to the community along the popular Rock Island Greenway, while further distinguishing the Heights as a recreation destination.
Announced the completion of an upgraded Duryea Dog Park, also along the recreational trail, which now has new rock that is safer for pets and a water fountain for them. Meanwhile, the Village owns vacant properties throughout the community that could be converted to pocket parks with playground equipment in recreationally underserved neighborhoods, said Public Works Superintendent Chris Chandler. Those options are being explored.
Announced a $16,000 tourism grant award from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to help pay for events such as the Kris Kringle Market, Taste of the Heights and the Fine Art Fair. Meanwhile, the Board learned that a new water main on Galena Road for which the Village has requested up to $1.9 million in federal funding has cleared a major hurdle, with Congressman Eric Sorensen naming the project to his priority spending list for the coming year. The project still is subject to the congressional appropriations process.
Discussed the ongoing problem of motorists driving well above posted speed limits in the Heights. Wisenburg indicated that speeding is the most common complaint he gets from constituents. Heights police write a high number of speeding tickets relative to other communities, but they can’t be everywhere, and other measures are needed, he said.
One option could be the purchase of portable speed humps. “I think the solution is simple: to put something in their way,” said Wisenburg. “We do need to calm traffic,” agreed Trustee Elizabeth Khazzam.
Peoria Heights Earth Day Garden Party and Celebration
YOU ARE INVITED!
PEORIA HEIGHTS EARTH DAY GARDEN PARTY AND CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, APRIL 22ND, PEORIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY from 11:30-2:30pm
Please join the Peoria Heights Arts Collaborative, The Peoria Heights Public Library, The Peoria Park District, The Heart of Illinois Sierra Club, The Peoria Heights Lion’s Club, Kelly Seed, Doran Wholesale Flowers, The Peoria Riverfront Museum, and many others in celebrating local artist Preston Jackson’s “Shirley Armstrong”
Hydrant flushing program will begin on Monday, April 10th
The Peoria Heights semi-annual hydrant flushing program begins today, Monday, April 10, 2023 and continues through Friday, April 14, 2023 weather and schedule permitting. Hydrant flushing will occur on these days from 7:30am to 3:30pm. Use of water for laundry purposes is not advisable during flushing due to the possibility of discoloration. Iron remover detergent is available upon request. This condition does NOT pose any health hazard. For additional information, please call the Water Office at (309) 686-2375.
DATE & LOCATION
Monday, April 10 North of Seiberling, west of Prospect
Tuesday, April 11 East of Prospect from Glen to Voss including Grandview
Wednesday, April 12 Galena area below the bluff
Thursday, April 13 West of Prospect from Hines to Toledo
Friday, April 14 South of Hines, west of Prospect
Chris Chandler
Superintendent of Public Works
Village Hall will be closing at 1:00pm on Friday, April 7th
Village Hall will be closing early at 1:00pm on Friday, April 7th
It will reopen on Monday, April 10th with it’s regular operating hours.
Hydrant flushing program will begin on Monday, April 10th
The Peoria Heights semi-annual hydrant flushing program begins today, Monday, April 10, 2023 and continues through Friday, April 14, 2023 weather and schedule permitting. Hydrant flushing will occur on these days from 7:30am to 3:30pm. Use of water for laundry purposes is not advisable during flushing due to the possibility of discoloration. Iron remover detergent is available upon request. This condition does NOT pose any health hazard. For additional information, please call the Water Office at (309) 686-2375.
DATE & LOCATION
Monday, April 10 North of Seiberling, west of Prospect
Tuesday, April 11 East of Prospect from Glen to Voss including Grandview
Wednesday, April 12 Galena area below the bluff
Thursday, April 13 West of Prospect from Hines to Toledo
Friday, April 14 South of Hines, west of Prospect
Chris Chandler
Superintendent of Public Works