City of Peru City Council met June 22.
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 7:10 p.m.
Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard present; Alderman Buffo absent; Mayor Harl present.
An invocation prayer was presented via zoom by Reverend Charles Johnson of First Congressional Church.
All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
PRESENTATION
Mayor Harl address residents’ concerns regarding Peru Downtown TIF line item on the 2020 real estate tax bills. Mayor Harl read the prepared letter below.
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 22, 2020
TO: City of Peru Residents & Taxpayers
FROM: Mayor Scott J. Harl
SUBJECT: Peru Downtown TIF District Dear Residents & Taxpayers:
It has come to the City’s attention that there may be questions about the Peru Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District as it relates to how it appears on the 2019 payable in 2020 Real Estate Tax Bills recently issued to property owners by the La Salle County Treasurer’s Office.
If you own property within the City of Peru and it is also within the Peru Downtown TIF District, then a line on your real estate tax bill will appear stating “TIF PERU IV DOWNTOWN.” Note that there is NO TAX RATE associated with the TIF District. However, some portion of the dollar amount that you pay is re-allocated to the City for economic development purposes as authorized by the Redevelopment Plan. The amount that is re-allocated to the City’s Special Tax Allocation Fund (the “TIF Fund”) reflects only a portion of the taxes that you would be paying even if the TIF District did not exist. In summary, please be advised of the following:
• The creation of a TIF District does not cause an increase in your property taxes. Only an increase in your property’s assessed valuation or an overall increase in tax rates affect the amount of real estate tax you are billed for each year. Assessed valuations are determined by the Office of the LaSalle County Assessor and individual taxing district rates are established independently by each taxing district which levies taxes on your property.
• A TIF District does not create a new taxing district.
• A TIF District does not create a new tax, or change the tax rates. Solely by residing within a TIF
District does not raise or lower the amount of real estate taxes that you pay. On behalf of the City of Peru, I hope you find this information helpful.
Thank you,
Scott J. Harl, Mayor City of Peru, IL
Mayor Harl stated the only thing we tax for is police and fire pensions and if you look at the line item for the City of Peru, it’s zero. Mayor Harl noted if a Peru resident's tax bill went up, it's because their home value rose. Mayor Harl noted his taxes went up; La Salle County records show the taxable value of his home climbed 3% over last year.
Mayor Harl also noted the City of Peru has the 3rd lowest tax rate in the state.
PUBLIC COMMENT
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia presented a communication from Joe Edgcomb requesting permission to hold the LaSalle-Peru/Mendota to Peoria St. Jude Run on July 18, 2020; following approvals:
• Placing signs throughout Peru at some of the intersection letting drivers know about our run and we would then have them removed after run day.
• Spray chalk our St. Jude Baby Stencil (2x2 and 4x8) on the side walks around town as we would like to have a scavenger hunt for our runners to make run day more fun.
• Hy-Vee (Kyle) has giving us the ok to can shake, if the City of Peru approves (collection would be outside and can shakers would follow social distancing as much as possible and would wear masks).
Mr. Edgcomb addressed the council and asked for permission to set up a tent at the Maud Powell Plaza where participants can begin and finish the run. Alderman Payton made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
MINUTES
Mayor Harl presented the minutes of the Public Hearing Meeting of June 8, 2020 and Regular Meeting of June 8, 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 City Clerk’s Report for May 2020 and the Sales, Home Rule, Use and Telecommunication Tax Receipts for March 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 Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Alderman Sapienza presented the following disbursements for payment on June 24, 2020:
FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES
General Fund $363,072.36
Insurance Fund 62,416.70
Garbage Fund 68,306.40
Utility Fund 1,836,123.56
Landfill Fund 12,022.00
Airport Fund 5,281.36
Total $2,347,222.38
Alderman Sapienza 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. Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; Alderman Buffo absent; motion carried.
Alderman Radtke made a motion to approve Annual Membership Investment of $3,000 to Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. Alderman Payton seconded the motion. Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with
Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; Alderman Buffo absent; motion carried.
Alderman Payton made a motion to approve Annual Membership Fees of $3,088.50 to NCICG and asked City Engineer Eric Carls how many grants are in the works at this time. City Engineer Eric Carls stated currently there are four open grants at this time. Alderman Radtke seconded the motion. Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; Alderman Buffo absent; motion carried.
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
Alderman Lukosus made a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute proposal from BHMG for Engineering Services for Water Street Substation Design. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; Alderman Buffo absent; motion carried.
Alderman Ballard made a motion to approve proposal from Universal Asphalt & Excavating Inc. in the amount of $28,350.00 for various water main patching. Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; Alderman Buffo absent; motion carried.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented the minutes of Planning/Zoning hearing held on June 10, 2020 concerning the petition of Jeremy Moorman and Nicole Moorman regarding property located at 203 Calhoun Street, Peru, IL. Alderman Sapienza made a motion the minutes be received, placed on file and concur with the recommendation. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6487
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE UNDER THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PERU AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITION OF JEREMY MOORMAN AND NICOLE MOORMAN CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 203 CALHOUN STREET, PERU, IL
Alderman Sapienza made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; Alderman Buffo absent; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6488
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF AN EASEMENT FROM MR. SPARKLE AUTO SPA LLC (PIN: 17-16-130-001)
Alderman Ballard made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Radtke seconded the motion. Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; Alderman Buffo absent; motion carried.
PROCLAMATIONS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Council tabled the motion to receive and place on file the Pool Feasibility Study. City Engineer Eric Carls said it was put on the agenda by mistake and the council won’t act until the July 20th council meeting.
City Engineer Eric Carls noted the city received requests under the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the final copy, which the city hasn’t received. City Engineer Eric Carls stated that once it is received at the July 20th meeting, it will made available for the public.
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to approve past due payment account agreement for utility bill account holders. Clerk Bartley via zoom addressed the council regarding the COVID-19 payment agreement. Mayor Harl stated the agreement should be approved by resolution but Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert stated a simple motion would suffice. Alderman Radtke seconded the motion. Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Waldorf, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton and Ballard voting aye; Alderman Buffo absent; motion carried.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia presented a petition from GK Real Estate requesting rezoning of the Peru Mall. Alderman Payton made a motion the petition be received, placed on file and referred to the Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrari made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion and motion carried. Meeting adjourned 7:32 p.m.
https://www.peru.il.us/city-government/minutes/regular-council-meeting/2020-rm/june-2020-cm/4974-regular-meeting-minutes-06-22-20/file
Alerts Sign-up