Newsletter

President’s Message

August 24, 2018 / Comments Off / Posted in: September Newsletter 2018, The President's Message

I live in a great neighborhood!

I grew up in a great neighborhood. In fact, just about every neighborhood I have lived in has been a great neighborhood.

Now, that doesn’t mean that there weren’t issues were I lived. In my younger years, I lived in one of the south side neighborhoods of Chicago, Marquette Park. We lived in a 1950’s row house of modest means, surrounded by families of all ethnicities. There was a sense of purpose with these hard-working lower-to-middle class families. Everyone looked out and cared for one another.

Our next move was out to the southwest suburbs just before the housing market exploded. The people moving into these new subdivisions were many of the same people we had been surrounded by in the city and brought with them their work ethic and sense of “being a good neighbor.”

Other moves took me back into the city of Chicago with my final moves to central Illinois, via Bloomington, and ultimately to Peoria which has been my home for over 30 years.

Though not every community I have lived in has been “prosperous,” and some having its share of “issues,” every neighborhood has had an identity, an awareness of who it is and has been defined by the people that live there – their values and sense of community. Walking down the street, it was not uncommon to smile and say “Hi” to neighbors and visitors alike. People found sitting on their porches or standing at a fence and conversing for long periods of time was the norm. And we always didn’t agree or get along. But when the time came to come together, we did, and with strength.

The majority of my time in Peoria has been spent in older neighborhoods – first on Glen Oak Ave. across from the John C. Flanagan House Museum, and in the Cottage District/Moss Bradley since 1989.

in a great neighborhood. Is it perfect? Nope.

But I can walk down the street and know this is home. People will watch out for me as I will for them. I look forward to our evening walks as it is one of the ways we socialize. It excites me to see people walking their dogs, riding their bikes or simply strolling down one of our neighborhood streets.

I live in a great neighborhood!

President’s Mesage

March 28, 2018 / Comments Off / Posted in: April Newsletter 2018, The President's Message

Change…is inevitable.

For years, the Moss Bradley Residential Association has called Westminster Presbyterian Church its “home.” It has been a long-standing relationship with a “neighbor” who has been an anchor along Moss Avenue and a source of spiritual wellness for many of our neighbors. Their mission of serving God and community and reaching out to those in need, is well known – something truly admirable.

However, the past few years have been marked by a strained relationship between the church and MBRA, culminating in a series of events, interactions and communications over the past few months that has created a very serious chasm between the two organizations. The issue that tipped the scales on this relationship centered on the proposal presented in February regarding a possible wrap-around center for Peoria Public Schools to be located at Westminster.

I am not going to use this space to convey all the details on what has transpired over the past few months as we, as a membership, have not had an opportunity to discuss the proposal, its ramifications and everything revolving around it. A newsletter is not the proper format to convey this information. This conversation is best suited for a membership meeting – in fact, our April membership meeting. My goal is to have an open discussion about what has transpired recently and over the past few years. Then, maybe what follows in the message, will become clear.

The relationship between Westminster and MBRA has reached a point of strain that motivates us to change…change where we hold our membership meetings. Given what has been communicated to us from Westminster and what we as a board have discussed about those communications, it would be very hypocritical of us to continue to use the Westminster Fellowship Hall for our meetings.

Our April meeting will be held at the Pettengill-Morron House on Moss Avenue. Colleen Johnson, PHS Executive Director and one of our neighbors, has graciously offered PM as a place to meet. However, the house is not large enough to accommodate us for our Annual Meeting and Pot Luck Dinner. Plans are being made for an alternate location which should be finalized soon.

We will not close the door on returning to Westminster. Much like a marriage that is in trouble, sometimes it’s best to separate and distance oneself for a period of time. Both Pastor Clark-Jones and I are open to talking in the future – let some time pass and emotions settle before we do so.

I strongly encourage you to attend the April meeting for this discussion, so we are all clear on what has transpired and why we are making the decisions we have. To enhance this point, I quote from the Open Letter Rod Lorenz submitted to us in March. “We cannot take for granted that the positive trajectory seen in Moss Bradley over the past 15 -20 years will continue automatically. Residents must remain involved for this neighborhood to thrive and keeping themselves and their neighbors informed about proposals such as this one is an important first step. Attending MBRA meetings is one way to do that.”

President’s Message

March 6, 2018 / Comments Off / Posted in: March Newsletter 2018, The President's Message

The role and value of strategic planning.

The work done by the MBRA Board of Directors is guided by a framework of ensuring the “day-to-day” activities of the neighborhood are handled in a coordinated, deliberate way.

However, a key piece of our work is how we look at our future aspirations as a neighborhood – how we ensure the legacy of Moss Bradley for future generations. We must begin to create a road map that tells us where we are going and what kind of neighborhood we are going to be. We simply cannot continue to hold on to the ways of the past and hope we remain a vibrant neighborhood. This presents a great challenge for us.

The first step in this process will soon be implemented. We are getting ready to launch a short survey which will provide us some insight into what you believe are important issues about our neighborhood. It’s not going to ask about renters/landlords or traffic/speed as we know those are very real and present issues that have plagued us for quite a while. What this survey will do is help us identify issues that are important to you – finding out attitudes and reactions, to measure your satisfaction and to gauge opinions about various issues.

We will post the survey online for those of us who utilize the internet as our preferred means of communication. Notification will be made via email and our Facebook account. For those individuals who prefer, we will have hard copies available at both the March and April Membership meetings. Our plan is to also have individuals canvas the neighborhood and reach those individuals that are not currently members.

The results of this survey will provide the Board of Directors a better understanding of its membership and their concerns. It will also serve as a guide for how we approach the coming years in a strategic manner.

President’s Message

December 26, 2017 / Comments Off / Posted in: January Newsletter 2018, The President's Message

The new year will be upon us and people make all types of resolution. Here are some resolutions I’d like to suggest we all consider for our neighborhood. Some of these ideas for comes from the Better Block project and from writer Sarah Goodyear.

Plant something…or plant more
Green, living things can radically change people’s moods and health. A tree or a flower brings great happiness, and it can connect you to the people in your neighborhood.

Pick up litter
This one is easy. Sadly, no matter where you live, there’s likely to be litter. Maybe it’s blowing around on the sidewalk. Maybe it’s dumped by the side of a street. If the debris not too horribly disgusting — some newspaper, a chips bag, a plastic bag, an empty bottle — just pick it up and dispose of it properly. This is probably the single easiest good deed to perform in any place in the world.

Get to know your neighbors
Really, even the irritating ones. Say hello and get a conversation started.

Find out who your government representatives are.
All of them. State, federal, county and city. Then, when you have a problem, you know who to go to to get it fixed.

If you see something, say something.
Something doesn’t look right? Properties in disrepair? Trash not being picked up? The city of Peoria has a service and app called Peoria Cares. Download it or call 309.494.CARE. Call the Peoria Police Department non-emergency number, 309.673.4521 or call 9-1-1 in emergency situation. Not sure who to connect with? Visit the Heart of Illinois 2-1-1 website at 211hoi.org.

Shop locally
The vitality of neighborhoods exist in a number of amenities including neighborhood business. We have a variety of local business along Main St. and in West Peoria that add to the vitality of our community and the wealth of our city.

Go for a walk
We have a great neighborhood with runners and bikers and dog walkers. Get out and enjoy what we have!

Build a Little Free Library
Build a Little Free Library next to the sidewalk that runs alongside your house to the park. Little Free Libraries are free book exchanges that promote literacy and a sense of community.

Visit a Senior or Shut-In
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 11 million people over the age of 65 live alone. While living alone doesn’t necessary mean that someone is socially isolated, far too many older adults are. Isolation can affect physical and mental health, make seniors more vulnerable to elder abuse, and make them more vulnerable during natural disasters, dangerous weather, and other crises too.

President’s Message

November 30, 2017 / Comments Off / Posted in: December Newsletter 2017, The President's Message

Reflections on a year that has passed us by all too quickly….

It feels like we were all just gathering for our annual July Fourth celebration, which by the way had 183 people in attendance according to Paul Masick, our resident statistician. But we all know better than that to assume time has stood still for us.

The one topic that continued to dominate our conversations this past year was traffic. Speeding, in particular. The city has installed a number of traffic calming devices throughout the neighborhood over the past 24 months. Yet we still see people driving with no regard for safety or courtesy to others. We continue to have conversation with our city councilors and staff in hopes of slowing down those who view residential streets as their own expressway.

Our summer started in a grand manner with another great tradition, the Moss Avenue Sale and Festival, which celebrated its 37^th anniversary this past June. It was a warm, sunny day that saw strong attendance, bringing visitors to our neighborhood to experience our hospitality and lifestyle. The net proceeds from the sale will be put to use to help fund the Hanging of the Greens and a number of other neighborhood initiatives to help improve the quality of life found in our neighborhood.

In late August, Scott Lewis Construction approached us all with a concept for developing the vacant land at the corner of Moss Ave. and Union St. His vision, at that time, was to build 8 brownstone townhouses, the first truly new construction in the neighborhood since the rebuild of Westminister Presbyterian Church. Scott and his team continue to work with the city on the development of their plan to best fit the character of our neighborhood.

Thank you to all who make this neighborhood a great place to live. From our board of directors to the many volunteers who invest their own personal time, we are blessed to have neighbors who care about the neighborhood we all live in.

Happy Holidays!

President’s Message

November 7, 2017 / Comments Off / Posted in: November Newsletter 2017, The President's Message

November is here and soon we will embark upon a 6-week venture thorough the holidays of friends, family, parties, and an excessive amount of food. Food is closely tied to almost everything we do these days. The fitness industry counts on use over eating during this time.

However, there is a large segment of our population that goes hungry – daily. Here are some disconcerting figures about Hunger in the Peoria area from the Peoria Area Food bank:

90 percent of individuals served in the Peoria Area Food Bank service area are “food insecure,” meaning they lack regular access to safe and nutritious food
32 percent of the members of households served by Peoria Area Food Bank are children under the age of 18 years old
90 percent of individuals served by Peoria Area Food Bank have a high school diploma or higher education
87 percent of individuals served by Peoria Area Food Bank report purchasing the cheapest food available, even if they know it’s not the healthiest option

Hunger affects people we see daily. Some are recognizable, most are not. We once considered those who earned low wages as individuals most likely to suffer from hunger but that has changed over the years and now affects people from all walks of life.

As it relates to children, the Peoria Area Food Bank states:

Research shows that children who experience hunger face significant stress and challenges that can have a lasting effect on their physical, cognitive and behavioral development.
Hunger affects a child’s ability to learn and perform well at school. Children who experience hunger come to school ill-prepared to learn, are more likely to have trouble focusing in class, and may struggle with complex social interactions and adapt less effectively to environmental stress.
Children who rely on free and reduced-price school lunches are at even greater risk of hunger during evenings, weekends, extended school breaks and other times when school is out. For many, the meals they receive in school are the only regular meals they can count on receiving.

We have a number of resources available to us to help curb the problem of hunger, many of which are close to or in our neighborhood. Here’s a quick list of Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens close to us: WestMark Food Pantry, Sophia’s Kitchen, Salvation Army, Bread of Life Food Pantry, Southside Mission and many larger institutions including Peoria Area Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank, Heart of Illinois Harvest.

Take a moment, not only this holiday but every day, to consider helping those who are hungry – through donations of food, money or time. Make a difference in the lives of those who need help.

President’s Message

September 28, 2017 / Comments Off / Posted in: October Newsletter 2017, The President's Message

On Sunday, August 20^th, over 50 people gathered for a special meeting of the Moss Bradley Residential Association to hear developer Scott Lewis, outline his plans for the proposed development of the property at Moss Ave. and Union Hill. Mr. Lewis, his son Christian and his daughter Jordan, presented those in attendance with their vision of building high-end townhomes on the currently-vacant property. Through site plans and photos, the Lewis team conveyed what they envisioned this residential development could be.

There was plenty of discussion and numerous questions between Mr. Lewis, neighbors and city staff. Overall the feelings expressed were positive about this proposal and the possibilities it holds for our neighborhood. There were some reservations stated, and I think that lie in each of our minds, as we reflect back to what transpired with the development of Main Street Commons.

Mr. Lewis and his team still need to appear before the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) for approval of those elements of his development which fall under the HPC. They will also be back in front of us at our October membership meeting, providing us an update and look at some of the proposed materials and color renderings of the development.

There are a number of items that are noteworthy about this development.

It is the first new significant construction in the neighborhood outside of the building of Westminster Presbyterian Church. It is being developed on land that in general would be hard to develop. This is due to the creativity of Mr. Lewis’ team developing a creative site plan and using the natural contours of the property as either building or green space. As this development fills with residents, the taxes add to the city’s revenue base and the values of the townhomes help increase the comparable values of properties in the neighborhood.

There are a number of “positives” to this proposed development. I am certain there are some neighbors who look at this with a jaded eye and question certain elements of the proposed plan.

As an organization and as a board, we have conveyed to Mr. Lewis we are willing to work with him to ensure this comes to fruition at the benefit of the neighborhood. We have also noted to Mr. Lewis, as have Council members Grayeb, Jensen and Ruckriegel, that we will be supportive but very attentive to what is proposed and what actually is planned and constructed. Knowing the quality of work performed by Scott Lewis Construction, we feel confident this will be the best solution for a problematic location.

I strongly suggest your attendance at the October 4^th membership meeting as we follow up on the development of the Union Hill property. The meeting will be held in the Fellowship Hall at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Doors open at 6:30 PM with the meeting beginning at 7 PM.

See you there!

President’s Message

August 23, 2017 / Comments Off / Posted in: September Newsletter 2017, The President's Message, Uncategorized

What Goes Around, Comes Around.

I was recently reflecting back on a “Thru the Windshield” Marge Klise wrote in 2015 and noted a number of items that have particular relevance today.

In her musings, her first statement, “We have lost many of our beautiful large trees in the last few years,” is appropriate as MBRA continues to promote our tree replacement program which was instituted in 2016. If you are in need of replacing a tree, you can still take advantage of the program. Details can be found here.

Marge went on to state, “Have you noticed the presence of new young families? Children out playing? We need your fresh ideas….and your strong bodies.”

Yes, yes and yes! We continue to attract young people, who find the entire Moss Bradley area to be a wonderful place to raise a family and live a rich, full life. Her final statement in that phrase is key…”we need your fresh ideas.”

As the neighborhood continues to evolve we need to have the input of our newest neighbors and encourage you to actively participate by becoming a member, if you are not one already, having a voice at our membership meetings, and being an active participant with events and activities.

One of her final observations was about the lot at Union Hill and Moss and having it progress into an inviting entrance to our neighborhood.

If you attend the special membership meeting on Sunday, August 20^th, you will hear of plans by a residential contractor to develop the property at Union Hill and Moss with historically appropriate townhomes. More details are certain to follow in the coming weeks and we will work to communicate with all of you as the plans go before the Historic Preservation Commission and the city of Peoria We will share email information and make it an agenda item at our September Membership meeting on Wednesday, September 6th.

Marge was a wise, insightful person, who obviously was clairvoyant.

What Goes Around, Comes Around.

President’s Message

February 20, 2017 / Comments Off / Posted in: Feb/March Newsletter 2017, The President's Message

Time. Talent. Treasure.

In the Bible, Matthew 6:21 talks about, “showing God our love” with time, talent and treasure. We often hear this same term bandied about in the not-for-profit sector as it relates to its volunteer base and stewardship. The Moss Bradley Residential Association is a successful organization because of individuals giving of their Time, Talent and Treasure.

As a neighborhood, we are continually grateful for the people who give their precious time. It’s the participation and support of these individuals that allows us to help build and improve our neighborhood.

Last year, we introduced two awards to recognize individuals for their contribution to the Moss Bradley Residential Association: Volunteer of the Year and MBRA Beautification. The criteria and nominating process are found here. The intent behind these awards is to formally recognize those individuals who really do make a difference for all of us through their time commitment or improvement of their property.

Please take a moment to read through the criteria and send in your nomination to recognize those people who make a difference. Award recipients will be announced at the Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner on May 3rd.

In addition to time and talent, the Moss Bradley Residential Association also make a financial commitment to the neighborhood. As noted in the March 2016 newsletter, “We have been very fortunate over the past years to have had ever-growing success with the Moss Avenue Antique Sale & Festival. What started out as a means of assisting with the financing of the Hanging of the Greens has grown into a very strong event, which now helps us reinvest in the neighborhood.”

I ask you to provide us with some suggestions of projects for our neighborhood to invest in. You can do so by contacting any board member or submitting them to us at mossbradleynews@gmail.com no later than March 31, 2017.

President’s Message

October 28, 2016 / Comments Off / Posted in: November Newsletter 2016, The President's Message

We are well into the Fall season and soon Winter will be upon us. We’re seeing color in the trees and feel a bit of crispness in the air. I’m relieved to see these signs. I look forward to the transitions of each season as it marks a point in time – an end and a beginning.

I’m ready for the change because I know that with change comes new opportunities, new things to learn, new perspectives. Each season of the year has its own kind of beauty, its own reasons to be anticipated and celebrated.

The change in season, much like changes in life, provides a means for measuring progress, and how we can tell that we are growing and improving. We all find meaning and a sense of comfort in things familiar to us. And while it is tempting to hold onto those things familiar, I am grateful that time marches on anyway. As good as things are now, they will get better, but only if we are willing to change. Living is not being static. It is a pursuit of something that is just beyond the horizon, something that we occasionally get glimpses of as we move toward it.

The Buddhist faith believes it is only by recognizing how precious and how short life is that we are most likely to make it meaningful and to live it fully. The way in which we live our lives influence our future. By understanding the purpose of death we also understand the purpose of life.

Within the past few months, we’ve lost 3 individuals who have been a vital part of Moss-Bradley: Gladys Elwood, Marge Klise and most recently Dr. Richard Lee. Each have contributed so much to our organization over the years, providing us an insight and direction into being a better neighborhood and better neighbors. In mentioning these 3 individuals, I by no means am slighting those individuals who have passed before them as they too have been an important part of who we are as a
collective society.

I recall a conversation with Dr. Lee and his wife Jane discussing why we all own older homes. Dr. Lee made a very simple but apt comment, “We are simply caretakers for the next generation of home owners.”

Marge Klise was always one to look back, preserving our history, but always moving us forward. Her newsletter submissions, Thru the Windshield, always presented us a with a perspective of being more than we were, making the most of our lives and the impact this had on us as neighbors and as a neighborhood. And there are and will be others with the same impact and mindset as Dr. Lee, Marge Klise and those before them.

This month’s newsletter is dedicated to of looking back, addressing current issues and presenting future trends. Read on!

President’s Message

September 23, 2016 / Comments Off / Posted in: October Newsletter 2016, The President's Message

62753_1454076710487_748020_n As many of you know, my wife Maureen and I have 2 black labs, James and Sophia. Great dogs! Loving, fun, energetic… well one of them is…she’s still young. And I know many of you have dogs as part of your family as well. Others may have cats, or lizards, turtles, snakes, whatever is your fancy.

What I find great about dogs is they live for the moment and they implore you to do the same. It’s not about what happened in the past or what’s going to happen tomorrow or further down the road. It’s all about right here, right now, and in most cases, all about you!

In general, dogs are social. They’re upfront with you. You know where you stand. They either like you or they don’t.

And dogs need to go for walks. At least twice a day.

If you’re walking your dog, chances are good that you will run in to the same people and the same dogs whom are also out. Even if your daily exchange is as simple as a smile and a quick hello, you are building a sense of community. The presence of this cheerfulness is apparent. Not only are dog owners’ experiences of their neighborhood made a little better by additional human contact, passersby notice it too. We become an even friendlier neighborhood to any new visitors.

The most valuable trait that a neighborhood can have is people. People are drawn to other people. We struggle as a community to build and cultivate vibrant neighborhoods. It’s one of the goals of the city of Peoria, but is also one of the existing attributes of our neighborhood. I’ve talked about it in previous newsletters, the end-goal of having and maintaining a walkable neighborhood filled with people and activity.

Walkable neighborhoods command higher property values than car-centric neighborhoods and are healthier on average. The act of welcoming dogs and their owners to a neighborhood can help activate the process of increasing walkability.

In an article written by Michael Roden titled Dogs Make Our Neighborhoods Better, he states, “There are measures that apartment buildings, business owners, neighborhood associations, and even individual homeowners can take to harness in the benefits of dog-friendliness. Something as simple as setting out a water bowl can signal to a dog-walker that they are welcome here. A repeat visit will increase foot traffic, which will increase eyes on the street, which is a boon to business or a benefit to home value.”

So, what’s the big deal about dogs?

The growing trend in pet friendly communities and businesses is fueled by the growing research into the health benefits of pets. “The research is pretty compelling,” says Patricia Olson, chief veterinary adviser for the American Humane Association. “Pets provide social capital. Social capital brings us pleasure and a feeling of wellness. And that’s animals. Even if I don’t have one, I may get social capital from having animals in a community.”

Many major cities across America are creating dog-friendly environments by allowing them in retail stores and restaurants and developing dog parks. Businesses are setting out water bowls and having treats at the ready for customers who bring their canine companion with them. Neighborhoods are setting up doggie waste stations along walking routes.

Now, please don’t take me to be a canine-snob. I am more than supportive of anyone taking their pet for a walk. I am certain you will be engaged by neighbors as you stroll down Moss Avenue with their pet boa constrictor or ferret. And though it’d be a topic of discussion with whomever you’d come across, walking your pet turtle around Bradley’s campus may not be considered walking, at least at that pace. However, doctors do say any form of walking is better than none.

President’s Message – March 2016

March 1, 2016 / Comments Off / Posted in: February Newsletter 2016, The President's Message

It goes without saying our neighborhood is important to us. We have invested a great deal to create and maintain a quality of life that is hard to find within this city, let alone central Illinois. This investment covers many different areas but is really focused on the financial investment we all make to have and maintain our homes along with the investment of time to better the neighborhood, our community and the quality of life we all experience.

As an organization, the Moss Bradley Residential Association has been committed to forwarding this movement of investment. Some of this investment is very tangible. But a good portion of this commitment is behind the scenes. I’d like to use this message to convey to you two important programs and ask for you to assist the board with both of them.

To recognize individuals who have or are making a difference in our neighborhood, the MBRA board is introducing two annual awards which will be presented at the Annual Meeting & Potluck dinner held each May. The recognitions are for Volunteer of the Year and MBRA Beautification. The criteria and nominating process can be found here. The intent behind these awards is to formally recognize those individuals who really do make a difference for all of us through their time commitment or improvement of their property.

Please take a moment to read through the criteria and send in your nomination to recognize those people who make a difference. Deadline for accepting submissions is March 31st, 2016.Award recipients will be announced at the annual meeting on May 4th.

In addition to time and talent, the Moss Bradley Residential Association also make a financial commitment to the neighborhood. We have been very fortunate over the past years to have had ever-growing success with the Moss Avenue Antique Sale & Festival. What started out as a means of assisting with the financing of the Hanging of theGreens has grown into a very strong event, which now helps us reinvest in the neighborhood.

We have invested the funds wisely so that the Association remains strong and viable for a very long time. The MBRA board realized a number of years ago that it was the wise and right thing to do to reinvest funds generated through the annual sale back into the neighborhood.

Some of those projects have included the purchase and installation of period-specific sign posts along Moss Ave and the inner streets of the MBRA area (to be completed spring 2016), investment in the Greenway project along Western Avenue and the purchase of shares in the Moss Bradley Revolving Fund.

We have also provided financial gifts to organizations such as: Look. It’s My Book – an organization that provides books to each children in kindergarten through fourth grade to strengthen learning and instill a life-long love of reading; and The Penguin Project – a program to give children with special needs an opportunity to participate in the performing arts.
These are but a few of the projects and organizations we have invested in, but provide you an insight to our commitment to the betterment of our neighborhood and our community.

From this, there are two things I ask of you: Please take a moment to nominate an individual who you feel should be recognized for the volunteer commitment to MBRA and an individual who has made improvements to their property. You can do so online at www.mossbradley.org/annual-awards. I also ask you to provide us with some suggestions of projects or an organization, for our community reinvestment. You can do so by contacting any board member or submitting them to us via email at mossbradleynews@gmail.com. Please provide each of these to us no later than March 31, 2016
Brian

The President’s Mesage

January 28, 2016 / Comments Off / Posted in: February Newsletter 2016, The President's Message

Our January membership meeting focused on an issue that has and will continue to affect our entire city, economically and ecologically. Representative from the city of Peoria’s Public Works department presented a program on the feasibility of establishing a dedicated funding stream for storm water management and the proposed use of green infrastructure that would help with sewer overflow problems. Faced with mandates from the Environmental Protection Agency and the needs of its citizens, the City of Peoria formed an advisory committee to seek public input and help it manage its storm water infrastructure problems.

Among the issues the city faces is increasing regulatory requirements from the U.S. EPA. That agency has mandated that the city develop a long-term plan to reduce overflows from combined storm/sanitary sewers. That is because when storm water from rain or snow overwhelms combined sewers, untreated sewage discharges into the Illinois River. The city experiences 20 to 30 combined overflows a year, on average. These may occur at 16 outfall locations along the Illinois River. Overflows can occur with as little as 0.15 inches of rainfall. Combined sewer overflows contribute to elevated bacteria levels and pose health risks to humans.

The One-Water Committee was established to find ways to reduce storm-water runoff in Peoria. The committee includes a diverse group of stakeholders, including private property owners; large and small businesses; tax-exempt organizations; other governmental bodies, and environmental advocates. In addition to recommendations on possible ways to resolve the storm water issues, the group is also recommending a monthly residential fee range to help pay for upgrades to infrastructure that handles storm water runoff. One possible funding stream could be a storm waterutility, such as storm water utilities in Morton, Eureka, Bloomington and Decatur. TheOneWater Committee has provided input on funding models and credits, such as for property owners who put greeninfrastructure on their properties. It also may help decide green infrastructure locations.

Green infrastructure could include impervious pavers and natural plantings. The committee has also provided input on storm water management priorities, including inspecting underground pipes, repairing infrastructure, street sweeping and other issues.

There is a great deal more to learn about this issue. We are fortunate to have a brief synopsis provided to us by the city, posted in this newsletter. I suggest you read it as well as visit www.peoriagov.org/wetweather for more information. There will be more follow up on this issue but I suggest you become familiar with the topic as this it affects us all!

Brian

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