City of Peru City Council met March 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
A regular meeting of the Peru City Council was called to order by Mayor Scott J. Harl in the Peru City Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo present; Alderman Radtke; Mayor Harl present.
All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
PUBLIC COMMENT
PRESENTATION
Mayor Harl announced members of the Pistol Shrimp were in attendance and noted there would be a press conference immediately following this meeting.
MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS
Mayor Harl presented the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 15, 2021; City Clerk’s Report of Cash Received for January 2021; General Fund and Miscellaneous Funds Report for the period ending December 31, 2021 and Utility Fund Report for the period ending December 31, 2020. Alderman Lukosus made a motion that the minutes and reports be received and placed on file. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Alderman Buffo presented the following disbursements for payment on March 3, 2021:
FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES
General Fund $1,052,930.72
Insurance Fund 53,064.05
Utility Fund 659,841.49
Landfill Fund 701.80
Airport Fund 4,990.21
Total $1,768,645.27
Alderman Buffo made a motion that the report be received, placed on file and the bills be paid in the usual manner. Alderman Payton seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
Justin Miller, Director of Finance initiated a discussion regarding annual GASB actuarial reports. Alderman Sapienza made a motion to execute Letter of Engagement with Foster and Foster for 2021 actuarial services for Police Pension GASB 67 & 68 Footnotes in the amount of $3,350.00; Firefighter Pension GASB 67 & 68 Footnotes in the amount of $3,350 and other Post-Employment Benefits GASB 75 (OPEB) in the amount of $3,150. Alderman Payton seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
Alderman Ballard made a motion to approve an Engineering Service Agreement with Chamlin & Associates for the EWWTP sludge tank geotechnical & foundation design. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve a quote from Anixter for fiber materials in the amount of $42,694.00. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to authorize the Director of Engineering & Zoning to seek bids for the 2021 Street Maintenance Program. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to authorize the Director of Engineering & Zoning to seek bids for the Area 5 Phase 1 Sewer Separation project. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented the minutes of Planning/Zoning Commission hearing held on February 24, 2024 concerning the petition of Douglas And Jennifer Cass concerning property located at 930 34th Street, Peru, IL. Alderman Payton made a motion the minutes be received, placed on file and concur with the recommendation. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6538
An Ordinance Granting Variances As Sought By The Petition Of Douglas And Jennifer Cass Concerning Property Located At 930 34th Street In The City Of Peru, Illinois
Alderman Payton made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented the minutes of Planning/Zoning Commission hearing held on February 24, 2021 concerning the petition of GC Housing Development LLC and Crane Construction Company LLC concerning the property located at 1810 4th Street and 710 Peoria Street in Peru, IL. Alderman Waldorf made a motion the minutes be received, placed on file and concur with the recommendation. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6539
An Ordinance Granting A Six-Month Extension For Submission Of Final Development Plan As Sought By The Petition Of GC Housing Development LLC And Crane Construction Company LLC
Alderman Waldorf made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-05
A Resolution Authorizing The Execution Of An Expression Of Interest Letter With Surf Broadband Solutions
Alderman Payton made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6539
An Ordinance Authorizing The Execution Of A Property Use Agreement By And Between The City Of Peru And Pistol Shrimp Baseball Club LLC, D/B/A Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp For Certain Real Property And Facilities At Veteran’s Park In Peru, Illinois.
Alderman Lukosus made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Harl presented a proclamation proclaiming April 2021 as Fair Housing Month. Alderman Ballard made a motion concur with Mayor Harl. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman Lukosus reminded the council of the March 12th due date for the IMUA Scholarship Program. NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to approve the hiring of two selected candidates to fill the Public Works laborer position. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Radtke absent; motion carried.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
City Clerk Dave Bartley presented a communication from George Steinbach of The Right Spice Supper Club requesting permission to re-establish outdoor dining on Pike Street beginning on or after April 15th and use of city barricades for summer months. Alderman Waldorf made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion; motion carried.
Mayor Harl reported on use of city parking lot on Water Street for sand volleyball. PUBLIC COMMENT
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Payton made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion and motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
PRESS CONFERENCE-NOTES
The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp team and league officials were present and spoke to the audience in attendance and answered questions regarding relocating to Peru. Mayor Harl introduced Prospect League Commissioner Dennis Bastien. Mr. Bastien welcomed residents of the Illinois Valley to take part in what all parties hope will be a partnership that will last for a long time. Mr. Bastien stated we are something that’s pretty amazing and televise every game, every night nationally. Mr. Bastien stated there will be games broadcast 30 times from right here at Veterans Memorial Park this summer. Mr. Bastien stated the impact of a Prospect League team can be seen in the community. Mr. Bastien stated the team generally brings in between $1 and $2.5 million dollars into the community that houses it. These funds come from visitors staying in hotels, eating in restaurants, filling up with gas and going shopping. Mr. Bastien stated they are not as big General Electric but do bring a lot of business and a lot of people and money into the community and is something we are very proud of.
Owner and field manager of the Pistol Shrimp John Jakiemiec stated he is excited for his team to join the community. Mr. Jakiemiec stated that when the Pistol Shrimp’s season was in jeopardy, he was left with very few options: to shut down for the season or find a new place to play. Being a self-proclaimed baseball guy, Jakiemiec stated he couldn’t fathom telling the athletes on his team they wouldn’t be able to play. Mr. Jakiemiec stated that having to tell 32 college baseball players who are aspiring for the next level who already lost a season last year and we have to take the summer season away from them was something he really didn’t want to stomach. Mr. Jakiemiec and the Pistol Shrimp stated keeping things local has been a priority so far in their very short existence in the Illinois Valley. Mr. Jakiemiec announced that the Locker Room in Spring Valley will provide the first Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp merchandise and serve as the first official fan store that they hope will have products out to market shortly. Mr. Jakiemiec also announced Green River Lines in Peru will serve as the team’s travel partner. Mr. Jakiemiec stated the final Pistol Shrimp roster signing for the upcoming season will be local, bringing on Peru native Jake Dahl from Rockford University. Mr. Jakiemiec stated under normal circumstances, Prospect League teams would include more local players, but given the unconventional upcoming season, the team was happy to at least fit Dahl on the roster. Mr. Jakiemiec stated that while everything has happened fast, it was his initial visit to the Illinois Valley that reminded him of his hometown and when he decided this was the move he wanted to make. Mr. Jakiemiec stated everyone was super generous with their time, super complimentary about baseball and felt baseball would do really well here. Mr. Jakiemiec stated they feel really strongly that this, if all goes well, from our perspective, is the last place we will have to go to and hopes Peru is going to be our long-term home.
https://www.peru.il.us/city-government/minutes/regular-council-meeting/2021-rm/march-2021-cm/5226-regular-meeting-minutes-03-01-21/file
