At a recent meeting, the Peru Committee of the Whole discussed options for upgrading the "Welcome to Peru" billboard signs.
Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the committee.
COMMITTEE OF A WHOLE MEETING AUGUST 22, 2016
1
A Committee Of A Whole meeting was called to order by Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia in the Peru City Council
Chambers on Monday, August 22, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with Aldermen Potthoff, Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus and Payton present;
Mayor Harl present. Aldermen Mueller and Sapienza absent.
MINUTES
Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia presented the Committee Of A Whole Minutes of July 25, 2016. Alderman Radtke made
a motion that the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
PRESENTATION
FINANCE AND SAFETY SERVICES COMMITTEE
Alderman Potthoff initiated a discussion regarding the NCICG annual membership. Alderman Payton reported on the
enterprise zone rating and stated that if the city loses its enterprise zone status then the city will likely lose a lot of
manufacturing. City Engineer Eric Carls reported the OSLAD grant, Water Street FEMA grant (flood wall) and EDP
funds were all administered by NCICG. Alderman Lukosus stated he would like the city to give them the opportunity to
explain the enterprise zone rating and thinks they are a great tool and would not like to see them cut off. Alderman
Potthoff agreed and supports NCICG for grants in the past as well as in the future. Alderman Radtke asked if
Engineering Administrative Assistant Ashley Kostos can prepare grant applications. City Engineer Eric Carls reported
yes she can but NCICG can cover and administer so much more. Alderman Radtke inquired about having another entity
administer the enterprise zone.
Alderman Potthoff initiated a discussion regarding Hertz Farm Management. Alderman Potthoff stated the city’s
farmland has been managed by them for a few years and now the city is interested in bidding all three parcels.
Alderman Potthoff stated that low crops equal low revenues but didn’t think the city should be involved in the bidding
process. Alderman Potthoff stated that Hertz Farm Management should work on the bid process and report back to the
city. Mayor Harl asked for a motion to authorize Hertz Farm Management to seek bidding for farmland.
Alderman Potthoff reported sales tax is up 4% year-to-date but has remained the same from May to May.
Alderman Potthoff asked for more ideas on potential if we redo bonds $100,000 over course of bond period.???
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
Alderman Waldorf asked City Engineer Eric Carls to report on the Public Services motions on the regular agenda. City
Engineer Eric Carls reported on the following:
· Sidewalk, curb and gutter work on Prospect between 8th and 9th Street due to sewer collapse from water main
break. City Engineer Eric Carls stated the area has been on the sidewalk and curb program for the past couple
years.
· Splash Pad-Engineering Services Agreement due to changes, a new plan survey has to be done and submitted
to the Department of Natural Resources
· IVRA Crack Sealing and Pavement Marking-received one bid which was approximately $10,000 over
engineers estimate. City Engineer Eric Carls stated the project is funded 90/10 and is waiting to hear if the
overage will be covered in the 90% portion or if the city will be responsible for the overage. City Engineer Eric
Carls stated a bump is starting to form on the west side of the Crosswind Runway and will result in shutting
down both runways.
COMMITTEE OF A WHOLE MEETING AUGUST 22, 2016
2
Alderman Waldorf initiated a discussion regarding the emergency repairs at the Arby’s lift station. PSM Jeff King
stated one pump at the station broke, becoming badly damaged in the process and damaging the other pump.
PSM King stated the pump spun itself around and took the other rod completely off and busted a bracket off the wall.
PSM King reported there are bolts missing on the other pump and rotted away. PSM King reported there was no
concrete damage, which he was thankful for. PSM King reported the Arby’s lift station is our only station out there that
pushes everything north of 80. PSM King reported both 6 inch pumps are running hard and barely keeping up with the
flow and should one of the pumps fail, there will be trouble. PSM King stated it would be a good idea to re-engineer the
station and use soft start motors for the pumps to minimize the sudden, violent vibration. City Engineer Eric Carls stated
it is a much larger project and stated the city should install a trunk line sewer and eliminate lift stations. Mayor Harl
stated that lift stations should be just used as a backup.
City Engineer Eric Carls reported on the impact fees paid by NWS/Omni Trax and stated the reason the City collects
those fees is once new users come online the City will need to be prepared financially. Alderman Radtke stated interest
rates are low and the City should look into bonding some money for the project. City Engineer Eric Carls stated that the
process will consist of boring under Interstate 80 and suggested getting the process started sooner than later since
permitting and engineering will be a lengthy process. Mayor Harl suggested possibly phasing the project due to several
combined sewer separation projects going on as well. Alderman Ferrari asked if the flow can be redirected. City
Engineer Eric Carls reported no since most users are on the east end.
Alderman Lukosus reported on the Digger Derrick line truck motion on the regular meeting agenda. Alderman Lukosus
reported the money was budgeted but had to be used to purchase extended warranties/maintenance contracts on the
generators. Electric Department Foreman Kye Kaszynski stated a new truck is nine years old and is in need of an
additional truck. Electric Department Foreman Kye Kaszynski stated the old truck has a steel boom and cannot be used
all the time and can be a safety issue. Electric Department Kye Kaszynski stated the new truck will eliminate the need to
keep renting cranes. Alderman Lukosus reported the City has a mutual aid agreement with other IMEA users and the
additional truck is needed to assist. Finance Officer Justin Miller stated the $280,000 will be in next year’s budget.
Alderman Ferrari asked if the line truck could be leased to own. Electric Department Foreman Kye Kaszynski stated
that it is hard to do.
Alderman Waldorf initiated a discussion regarding the Welcome to Peru billboard signs and asked how the City would
like to approach it. Mayor Harl reported the billboards need a new face and referenced the different choices of signs.
Alderman Radtke suggested adding advertising to help pay for billboards.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Alderman Waldorf made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Potthoff seconded the motion and motion
carried. Meeting adjourned 6:49 p.m.
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