Illinois Valley Times

The Peru Committee of the Whole met Sept. 6 to obtain funds for the 4th Street development.

Here is the meeting's agenda, as provided by the committee:

The committee of the whole consists of all members of the Peru City Council.

COMMITTEE OF A WHOLE MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

A Committee Of A Whole meeting was called to order by Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia in the Peru City Council Chambers on Monday, September 6, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.

Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with Aldermen Potthoff, Ferrari, Lukosus and Payton present; Mayor Harl present. Alderman Waldorf absent.

MINUTES

Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia presented the Committee Of A Whole Minutes of August 22, 2016. Alderman Radtke made a motion that the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman Payton seconded the motion; motion carried.

PRESENTATION

Special Counsel Herb Klein explained the study area of the proposed Peru Downtown TIF District. Attorney Klein stated both sides of Route 6 is in the proposed map because the TIF would need to be contiguous. Attorney Klein stated those areas could change in use later on but the zoning would stay the same. Attorney Klein stated Peoria Street going north is mixed with commercial and residential and inquired about the cemetery. Attorney Klein inquired about the commercial and industrial located at the west end stated that not all properties are annexed into the city therefore they will either have to annex in or be dropped off the map. Alderman Potthoff inquired if the gas station and the Eagles Lodge are part of the proposed Peru Downtown TIF District. Attorney Klein stated yes. Mayor Harl stated he reviewed the minutes from the Proposed Downtown TIF Meeting on July 27th and the other taxing bodies seemed favorable. Mayor Harl stated that Matt Baker from LaSalle Peru Township High School asked if we could go up to include the stadium. Mayor Harl also stated there were questions regarding the land next to UPS would be included. Alderman Potthoff stated the main goal is to try to get funds for the 4th Street Development. Alderman Potthoff stated that Veteran’s Park does have some open property and something could be included on the other side of the park. Attorney Klein stated that LP stadium could be added and that TIF funds could be used if they were to do renovations. Alderman Sapienza inquired about the old brewery and feels like it should stay industrial. Alderman Potthoff stated that anything is better than what is there now. Attorney Klein stated that the TIF does not change the zoning but the TIF classification makes the property attractive or valuable to potential developers. Attorney Klein stated that if the council thinks the property should be added then they should add it and could drop it off at a later time; stated it would be too expensive to add at a later date. Alderman Potthoff stated he doesn’t want the taxpayers responsible for paying for the cleanup of that property, but if it were in a TIF zone, TIF funds could pay for the cleanup. Mayor Harl inquired if the City would want to leave unannexed areas in and explained what the City’s plan is and to see if they want to annex in. Mayor Harl stated any vacant land to the west would need to be annexed in. Alderman Radtke stated that once we have a TIF, we can agree on redevelopment agreements with each developer. Mayor Harl stated he could see the TIF going all the way west to Perra Drive. Mayor Harl asked what the next step would be. Attorney Klein stated the next step would be to approve the Professional Services Agreement (not to exceed $40,000). Mayor Harl noted the other TIF administration fees. TIF I $37,000; TIF II $13,000 and TIF III is $21,200 and the proposed TIF IV would start at $5,000 to administer. Attorney Klein stated there are several things that would need to come together such as GIS mapping and EAV for each parcel. Attorney Klein stated a map this size would cost $5,000 a year and any fees we would have could be paid from TIF funds. Attorney Klein stated that if anyone on the council resides in the proposed TIF area they would have to recuse themselves from decisions. Alderman Radtke inquired about other costs. Attorney Klein stated there would be publication and mailing costs and City Engineer would do the mapping. Mayor Harl inquired about the time frame of development once the agreement is approved. Attorney Klein stated approximately four months and stated that it is better to start at the beginning of a new year instead of part way through an existing year.

Alderman Potthoff voiced his concerns about the Main Street resurfacing a few years ago and stated there is already damage due to the heavy traffic to American Nickeloid. Alderman Potthoff stated the only solution is to keep trucks off of Main Street and deliveries need to be made on the West side of American Nickeloid. Alderman Payton suggested making Main Street a no truck route. Alderman Radtke inquired if the City could legally stop trucks if it’s the shortest distance off the truck route and suggested that the City look into the legality of changing the truck route. Mayor Harl referenced the newly constructed road built by Northern Partners and stated they could use that road as a truck route and they said yes. Mayor Harl stated there have been no conversations with American Nickeloid about using the new road. Alderman Sapienza asked if the City could ask for maintenance costs for the use of Main Street. Mayor Harl reported that only if American Nickeloid annexed into the City could put language into an agreement, and the City may have some leeway since they want our sewer service.

Mayor Harl reported he received four inquiries for the vacant alderman seat left by 1st Ward Alderman Becky Mueller. Mayor Harl reported he received requests from Jeff Ballard, Jim Giordano, Jim Lilley and Patricia Leynaud. Mayor Harl stated he has send questioners out and will ask for a formal vote to fill the seat at the next regular meeting on September 19th.

Mayor Harl reported he is going to an enterprise zone meeting in Springfield to better understand where the City stands where the City stands.

Alderman Lukosus reported on three more requests for the IMEA Energy Efficiency Grant funds.

Alderman Potthoff explained the need for the purchase of the Trimble handheld for the meter readers.

Alderman Potthoff reported on the request from the Recreation Board for additional $5,000 for next year’s fireworks and asked for more discussion at the next regular meeting. Alderman Payton stated he thinks they should go out for bid.

Alderman Sapienza updated the Committee on the handout regarding property maintenance violations.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Alderman Ferrari made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Payton seconded the motion and motion carried. Meeting adjourned 6:57 p.m.