City of Peru City Council met June 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
A public hearing regarding FY 2021 budget was held at 6:30 p.m.
Finance Officer presented the proposed FY 2021 budget which includes $1.9 million in pension contributions.
Finance Officer Justin Miller stated the city collects 4% of the overall property tax bill and stated the average homeowner pays the city $110.00 in property tax. Finance Officer Justin Miller stated all property tax collected go toward the Police and Firefighter Pension Funds.
The pension fund contribution was part of a larger budget for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2021. Finance officer Justin Miller advised residents that at first blush the budget appears to show a deficit, but the seeming shortfall will be closed by $2.1 million in carryover cash the city amassed for capital improvements.
Finance Officer Justin Miller stated it’s not as if we’ll be digging into reserves for the $2.1 million, we have that on hand.
A regular meeting of the Peru City Council was called to order by Mayor Scott J. Harl in the Peru City Council Chambers on Monday, June 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo present; Alderman Waldorf absent; Mayor Harl present.
An invocation prayer was presented via zoom by Pastor Tom Redig of St. John’s Lutheran Church. All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Harl reported a resident who wanted to remain anonymous donated nine trees to be planted in the cemetery. Mayor Harl also noted the resident also payed to have them planted. Mayor Harl thanked the donor for the gracious donation.
Mayor Harl stated the cemetery is looking very nice and noted the new employee along with the outgoing cemetery employee. Mayor Harl also noted newly hired Parks, Recreation and Special Events Director Adam Thorson is also helping out at the cemetery during this slow time.
PRESENTATION
MINUTES
Mayor Harl presented the minutes of the Public Hearing Meeting of May 26, 2020 and Regular Meeting of May 26, 2020. Alderman Waldorf made a motion that the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Mayor Harl presented the Treasurer’s Report for April 2020 and City Clerk’s Report for April 2020. Alderman Radtke made a motion the reports be received and placed on file. Alderman Payton seconded the motion; motion carried.
ACTIVITY REPORTS
Mayor Harl presented the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service Activity Summary for April 2020. Alderman Waldorf made a motion the report be received and placed on file. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion; motion carried.
FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Alderman Buffo presented the following disbursements for payment on June 10, 2020:
FUND NAME - TOTAL EXPENSES
General Fund $1,246,890.01
Insurance Fund 17,326.11
Utility Fund 805,551.86
Airport Fund 5,864.98
Total $2,075,632.96
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, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Alderman Radtke made a motion to approve $10,000 donation to Illinois SBDC at Starved Rock Alliance. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Alderman Payton made a motion to renew Boiler & Machinery Insurance with Liberty Mutual through Dimond Brothers Insurance in the amount of $69,659. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Alderman Payton noted a 5% increase and the issue with 2 of our generators. Alderman Payton stated one has been excluded our jet engine is now on a catastrophic rider, so the increase is not bad. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to approve quote from Ladzinski Concrete Finishing Co. in the amount of $12,990 for sidewalk replacement along Bluff Street. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Alderman Lukosus made a motion to award bid for the Eakas transformer, to the lowest bidder, T&R Electric in the amount of $82,843. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Alderman Ballard made a motion to authorize the mayor to execute proposed Rebuild Illinois Grant Application. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert minutes of Planning/Zoning hearing held on June 3, 2020 concerning the petition of Petition Daniel G. Baumgarten And Ann E. Baumgarten concerning property located at 1901 Pine Street, Peru, IL. Alderman Ballard 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. 6483
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE UNDER THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PERU AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITION OF DANIEL G. BAUMGARTEN AND ANN E. BAUMGARTEN CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1901 PINE STREET, PERU, IL
Alderman Ballard made a motion the resolution be adopted as written and read. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented the minutes of Planning/Zoning Commission hearing held on June 3, 2020 regarding the petition of John P. Atkins and Gina L. Atkins concerning property located at 1916 Fulton Street, Peru, IL. Alderman Waldorf made a motion the minutes be received, placed on file and concur with recommendation. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6484
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE UNDER THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PERU AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITION OF JOHN P. ATKINS AND GINA L. ATKINS CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1916 FULTON STREET, PERU, IL
Alderman Lukosus made a motion the resolution be adopted as written and read. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6485
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PERU, LASALLE AND BUREAU COUNTIES, ILLINOIS, PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $10,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2020, PROVIDING THE DETAILS OF SUCH BONDS AND FOR A LEVY OF TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON SUCH BONDS, AND RELATED MATTERS.
Alderman Lukosus made a motion the resolution be adopted as written and read. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6486
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR MAY 1, 2020 TO APRIL 30, 2021, BOTH INCLUSIVE
Alderman Payton made a motion the resolution be adopted as written and read. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
City Clerk Dave Bartley presented a proposed resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-22
RESOLUTION COMMITTING LOCAL FUNDS (REBUILD ILLINOIS GRANT-NORTH AREA TRUNK SEWER PROJECT)
Alderman Lukosus made a motion the resolution be adopted as written and read. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
PROCLAMATIONS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman Buffo addressed the issue with over-crowding of state parks and asked why the city isn’t allowing access to park equipment and benches. Alderman Buffo stated he would like to initiate a crew to take down the caution tape and re-open the parks. Mayor Harl stated the decision on when to reopen parks amid the COVID-19 pandemic is not up to him. Alderman Buffo stated restaurants can have people sit at picnic tables and the residents should be able to use the city’s picnic tables. Mayor Harl encourage Alderman Buffo not to speak as an alderman to direct residents to violate the governor’s directive. Private citizen Aaron Buffo via zoom encouraged all residents to go out and enjoy the parks to their fullest. Mayor Harl encouraged Alderman Buffo to get council support and other city officials agreed that there was little difference between park picnic tables and outdoor restaurant dining, they agreed that the city needs to continue to follow the governor’s orders. Police Chief Doug Bernabei noted we would state the governor’s orders and ask them to stop using equipment and potentially warn before a trespassing charge would be make.
NEW BUSINESS
Clerk Bartley addressed the council regarding a proposal for providing utility account holders a post COVID-19 payment agreement. Clerk Bartley to prepare agreement and present at next council meeting.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Clerk Bartley presented a petition from the City of Peru requesting rezoning of previous annexed properties located on the west of the City along Illinois Route 6. Alderman Ferrari 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.
Clerk Bartley presented a petition Chris Ellberg of Illinois Valley Animal Rescue requesting permission to hold an IVAR Pet Festival on Saturday, September 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m at Baker Lake. Alderman Ferrari made a motion the petition be received, placed on file and permission granted per Governor Pritzker’s recommendation. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion; motion carried. Noting the permission was subject to the directive of the Governor.
Clerk Bartley presented a petition Bob Zeglis, Kids Running Clinic Committee/Starved Rock Runner, LTD requesting permission to hold the annual Kids Running Clinic at Baker Lake on Monday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. from (July 6th-August 10th). Alderman Ferrari made a motion the petition be received, placed on file and permission granted per Governor Pritzker’s recommendation. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion; motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrari made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion and motion carried. Meeting adjourned 8:10 p.m.
https://www.peru.il.us/city-government/minutes/regular-council-meeting/2020-rm/june-2020-cm/4955-regular-meeting-minutes-06-08-20/file
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