Pekin council imposes six-month moratorium on electronic, LED signs

A moratorium on off-premises electronic signs and billboards and a series of contracts highlighted Monday's Pekin City Council meeting.

The council unanimously passed an amended ordinance suspending all activity on electronic or LED signs and billboards for six months.

According to city of Pekin Chief Building Official Nic Maquet, the moratorium will give the city's Zoning Board of Appeals an opportunity to review the city code and make necessary changes to the sign ordinance to regulate duration time of message, transition time between messages, brightness of sign, spacing and location of signs.

“Our code does not properly address these,” said Maquet. “We currently have three of four different companies wanting to install full-sized electronic billboards on Court Street and Broadway Street. The Zoning Board feels it's best that we pause and re-examine the code before they get approved.”

A reminder for the council that spring has officially arrived came in the form of just over $200,000 in annual mowing contracts. The Council unanimously approved awarding a District One contract to Classy Grass of Central Illinois LLC; a District Three, Seven and Eight contract to J.W. Lawn Services LLC; and a District Five contract to Easier Grounds Management LLC. Resolutions to award a District Two mowing contract to Carmody Lawn Services and a contract for Districts Four and Six, as well as Park Avenue, to Behrlawn Mowing and Yardwork passed 6-1, with council member Rick Hilst opposing the actions.

In other business:

● A resolution authorizing the execution of a $30,000 professional services agreement with Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce for tourism, marketing and event services passed 6-1, with Hilst opposing the measure.

● The council approved a Tax Increment Financing redevelopment agreement with Barry and Beverly Waters for the construction of a single-family home at 2037 Dane Kelsey Drive. The resolution passed 6-1, with Hilst dissenting.

● Resolutions to adopt amendments to the city's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and the CDBG 2023 Annual Action Plan passed unanimously.