Peru City Council met May 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
A regular meeting of the Peru City Council was called to order by Scott J. Harl in the Peru City Council Chambers on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Potthoff, Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard present; Mayor Harl present.
All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Public Comment
Presentation
Minutes
Mayor Harl presented the minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 1, 2017 (1st Meeting). Alderman Potthoff made a motion that the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
Financial Report
Mayor Harl presented the Peru Recreation Fund Cash Accounts Summary for April 2017. Alderman Potthoff made a motion the report be received and placed on file. Alderman Payton seconded the motion; motion carried.
Activity Report
Mayor Harl presented the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service Inc. Activity Summary for March 2017. Alderman Ferrari made a motion the report be received and placed on file. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
Finance And Safety Committee
Alderman Radtke presented the following disbursements for payment on May 17, 2017:
Fund Name Total Expenses
General Fund $534,387.29
Garbage Fund 16,445.90
Recreation Fund 215.38
Utility Fund 1889,027.26
Landfill Fund 10,283.87
IV Regional Airport Fund 12,756.34
Total $2,463,116.04
Alderman Radtke 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 Potthoff, Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; motion carried.
Alderman Potthoff made a motion to engage Azavar Audit Services to complete revenue audit. Alderman Radtke seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Potthoff, Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; motion carried.
Alderman Potthoff made a motion to engage Foster and Foster actuaries for GASB 45, 67 and 68 audit footnotes in the amount of $5,200. Alderman Payton seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Potthoff, Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; motion carried.
Public Services Committee
Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve expenses to remove, repair and install both bearings on one Hydro Electric Generator in the amount of $21, 800.00. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Potthoff, Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; motion carried.
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute agreement with Martin Equipment for lease of equipment (lease will begin upon conclusion of 2012 lease with trade-ins). Alderman Potthoff noted the included maintenance. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Potthoff, Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza and Payton voting aye; Alderman Ballard abstained; motion carried.
Report Of City Attorney/Ordinances And Resolutions
Assistant Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
Ordinance No. 6219
An Ordinance Concerning Small Cell Antenna/Tower Right-Of-Way Sitting
Alderman Potthoff made a motion that the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Potthoff, Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; motion carried.
Assistant Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed resolution entitled:
Resolution No. 2017-09
Proposed Downtown Tif District Inducement Resolution
Alderman Potthoff made a motion that the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Potthoff, Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; motion carried.
Unfinished Business
Alderman Lukosus announced the May 20th TBM Avenger event at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport and noted the following:
• Volunteer and safety briefing are in place
• Call to all veterans for a group photo at 12:00 p.m.
• Gates open at 8:00 a.m. Alderman Sapienza discussed the volunteer efforts as follows:
• Badge and registration
• Over 100 volunteers
• Trained and ready
• Thanked all the volunteers
Alderman Waldorf reported that Specialty Landscaping has been going throughout the city cleaning all of our various flowerbeds. Alderman Waldorf reported they are a little behind due to the rain. Alderman Waldorf also stated Specialty Landscaping will be focusing on the airport for the TBM Avenger event and Baker Lake for the fishing rodeo. Alderman Waldorf noted planters are completed along Rt. 6 as well as Water Street. Alderman Waldorf stated the city is looking for businesses or other volunteers to help weed and water throughout the year though an “adopt a planter” program. Alderman Waldorf stated the city will do the work until the program is developed. Alderman Waldorf stated through the long holiday weekend and hot weather, Peru Greenhouse will donate all watering with their crews and equipment so city crews won’t create overtime or run the risk the flowers die. Alderman Waldorf also stated Peru Greenhouse is graciously donating their product and labor to landscape the Maud Powell Plaza and the Welcome to Peru sign at the west end of town.
Alderman Waldorf provided a recap of the 4-year plan on redoing all the beds with rock and new plantings throughout the city:
• 2014
o Police Department and Fire Department o Airport (partial) o City Hall (partial) o Washington Park (partial)
• 2015
o Centennial Park; Sunset Park, Rotary Park o Baker Lake bathroom o Airport (partial/complete) o Cemetery (3 beds) o 5th Street lots (Debo’s & Vlastnik’s block)
• 2016
o IVAC lot (Peoria Street Reconstruction) o Pulaski Square o Rotary Park o Maud Powell wall o Shooting Park Road and Pulaski (2 areas) o Guardrail south of Centennial Road
• 2017-Forward
o Veteran’s Park o Baker Lake o Mausoleum/cemetery
Alderman Radtke asked for an update on the Main Street sewer structure and sewer pipe. City Engineer Eric Carls reported on relining and rebuilding the structure and the request for proposals.
City Engineer Eric Carls provided the following engineering update:
• General Fund Street Program is underway
• Sewer Separation Project
o Notification letters have been delivered o Road closure to begin Wednesday, May 17th
• Plank Road/Commerce Drive is underway
• Splash Pad site work is underway
o Building and splash pad contracts are complete
• MFT Road Program on Church Street will begin once Parkside school is out
• EWWTP Clarifier Project
New Business
Mayor Harl reported on a good neighbor award received from Horizon House to our Electric Department for their help over the years.
PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King reported on hydrant flushing and stated summer work will include GIS and flow testing every hydrant.
Alderman Radtke reported on a citizen request for 109 10th Street. PSM King stated he will address the issue.
Proclamations
Petitions And Communications
City Clerk Dave Bartley presented a communication from the Peru Veteran’s Memorial Group requesting permission to hold a Memorial Day service at Washington Park on May 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.; $600 donation to replace broken flags. Alderman Potthoff made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
City Clerk Dave Bartley presented a communication from the Peru American Legion and Peru Veteran’s Memorial Group requesting permission to hold a Flag Day program and retirement ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park on June 14th at 5:00 p.m. Alderman Radtke made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
City Clerk Dave Bartley presented a communication from Flint Hills Resources formally proposing a feasibility study regarding wastewater discharge. Alderman Radtke made a motion the communication be received and placed on file. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
City Clerk Dave Bartley presented a petition from Duncan & Brandt, P.C. on behalf of Tou Rest Motel requesting annexation for property located at 6 1⁄2 West U.S. Route 6, Peru, IL. Alderman Waldorf made a motion the petition be received, placed on file and referred to the Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
City Clerk Dave Bartley presented a petition from Jim Giordano requesting rezoning of 10 lots along the extension of Henry Street in the Peters-Thompson Subdivision. Alderman Waldorf made a motion the petition be received, placed on file and referred to the Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
Public Comment
Mr. Tom Riordan addressed the Council to voice his opinion on his recent termination from the Fire Department. Mr. Riordan stating that his termination was politically motivated and defending his right to share his opinions on Facebook. Mr. Riordan was with the department for 12 years, said violating the city’s social media policy was the reason he was given for being fired, but he said it was actually because he was a staunch supporter of mayoral candidate Rodney Perez. “When Rodney lost the election, we knew there would be payback soon to follow,” Riordan said. “This came in form of the delayed return of Rodney to the fire department after his leave of absence was up, discriminatory actions he had to take. In the meantime, Rodney filed a complaint with HR, which I was named a witness to his complaint. This whistle blowing was long overdue. This Friday, I was terminated from the fire department on grounds of violating the social media policy. Also, because Chris from the Peru Greenhouse said she felt unsafe with me as a fireman for the city.” Riordan had vocally disapproved of the city’s decision to contract Peru Greenhouse to plant flowers in the city’s planters. In the past, volunteers had done the job. “This was taken away by the police chief with no legitimate reason given,” Riordan said. He added the real reason is because Perez coordinated volunteer efforts. At the time the decision to make the switch was reached, Peru police chief Doug Bernabei said there were two main reasons for the switch; limiting the city’s liability and to have a more professional finished project. Mr. Riordan said in the past he had been suspended for violating the social media policy, but said it is his right to share whatever opinion he would like to share on social media and that his privacy settings were set to “Friends-only”. He said he had not changed his conduct in the five years since he was suspended, so he was puzzled as to why punishment was meted out after the election. Mr. Riordan said while his Facebook profile photos sometimes show him in uniform, he has also posted in the past that his posts only reflect his opinion. He also clarified a meme he shared mocking Chipotle was not anti-Hispanic but was instead making fun of repeated E.coli outbreaks. “Yes, sometimes on Facebook, the profile picture is me in a uniform, you seem to think you can control me and what I say,” Riordan said. “That’s not how this works.” He went on to criticize the Facebook activity of Peru police Chief Doug Bernabei and fire chief Jeff King and negatively characterized the conduct of city employees and Mayor Scott Harl. “I have witnessed sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying, homophobia, intimidation, harassment and people being made fun of because they’re handicapped,” Riordan said. “I have witnessed these come from the police chief, the fire chief and even the mayor.” Mr. Riodan stated he did not accept his termination and would fight to get his job back, which drew some applause from the 20 or so people in attendance.
King and Harl declined to comment.
Bernabei reiterated the city wanted to diminish liability and have the planting done by professionals.
Closed Session
Alderman Ferrari made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Radtke seconded the motion and motion carried. Meeting adjourned 7:37 p.m.
https://www.peru.il.us/departments/city-government/forms-and-documents/minutes/regular-council-meeting/2017-cm/may-2017-cm/3607-regular-meeting-minutes-05-15-17/file
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