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Peoria council approves $199,200 in neighborhood mini grants for 65 local projects
Summary
The City Council approved the fourth year of the Neighborhood Mini Grant program, allocating $199,200 across 65 applications funded with American Rescue Plan Act money; the measure passed with one abstention from Council member Denise Jackson.
Peoria City Council on May 6, 2025 approved the 2025 Neighborhood Mini Grant awards, allocating $199,200 to 65 neighborhood projects funded from American Rescue Plan Act resources.
The vote followed a brief presentation from the Community Development Department and remarks from council members praising the program’s role in neighborhood beautification and social connectedness. Council member Charles V. Graeb moved to approve the package; Council member Timothy D. Riggenbach seconded. The motion passed with one abstention by Council member Denise Jackson, who said she was involved in the effort and therefore recused herself from voting.
Community Development staff described the program as entering its fourth year. According to the staff remarks, when the program launched it drew about 17 applications; this year there were 65 submissions from neighborhood groups across the city. Projects funded through the mini grants include neighborhood gardens, community events and small-scale improvements. The presentation specifically noted a planned “Welcome to the West Bluff” sign at the Hales Church site on Main Street Hill as one of the funded items.
Council member Andre Allen thanked the Community Development Department for vetting applications and highlighted staff members who helped promote the program. “This is a very popular program. It really helps us build social connectedness and beautification efforts for our various neighborhoods,” Allen said. He also gave special recognition to staff members Kaylee Dre and Lemia Douai for their work on the program.
Council member Denise Jackson verbally disclosed her involvement with one of the funded efforts and stated, “I will be abstaining from this vote.” The clerk recorded the motion as passing with one abstention; the transcript does not list an itemized yes/no roll call in the record provided.
The Community Development Director said the mini grant pot was created from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding dedicated to neighborhood-level projects; the director asked the council to approve this fourth round of awards so neighborhoods could proceed with planned work this season.
The council’s action directs staff to implement the 2025 awards; attendees and presenters described the program as popular with homeowner and neighborhood associations. The council did not adopt additional program rules or change the funding source during this item.
Notes for the record: the meeting transcript identifies the program as entering year four and the total requested/approved amount as $199,200 for 65 neighborhood applications. Council member Jackson’s abstention was recorded on the floor due to her involvement with one of the projects.
