City of Peru City Council met Sept. 14.
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 7:00 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.
All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
PRESENTATION
Police Chief Doug Bernabei introduced Ms. Michelle DePompeis as the latest addition to the police force and said the attitude she will bring to the department is welcomed with open arms. Chief Bernabei stated San Diego’s loss is certain to be our gain and in our short interaction, Officer DePompeis is certain to be a welcomed addition to our community and police agency. Chief Bernabei stated Officer DePompeis is a high-energy person that seems to have all the attributes to be a successful police officer and we can already see she will bring an empathetic and positive approach to law enforcement. Chief Bernabei stated that with law enforcement ever-evolving, he sees Officer DePompeis as part of the future generation of officers that focuses on a community-first approach and credited Peru residents for the forward-trending police agency. Chief Bernabei stated the Peru police department is ahead of the curve and has been practicing the tenants of community-based policing for many years as the evidence of our success is clear by the support we receive every single day from the Peru community.
Mr. Cary Miller, TBM committee chairman, stated that organizers would need to know by the end of October whether the council would support the spring event that takes months’ worth of planning. Mr. Miller explained to
the council the event has grown in the past five years and it may be one of the last opportunities to honor aging World War II veterans. Mr. Miller stated other communities, including Terre Haute, Ind., showed interest in taking over as hosts of the event. Mr. Miller stated the event was initially postponed in May, organizers tried to relocate it to Terre Haute in July, but they were unable to get it off the ground because of a loss of sponsorship funding. Mr. Miller emphasized organizers wanted to keep the event in the city, because so many volunteers have put work into making it a success.
Mr. Miller stated you can't put a monetary value on it, as it has so much more value. The council agreed the financial support wasn't an issue.
Mayor Harl said the event which centers around the World War II planes and also serves as a salute to veterans, fills hotels, restaurants and puts Peru "on the map." Mayor Harl noted the city was featured in a magazine in Japan and it gives our city recognition.
Alderman Buffo stated there's no better way to start the summer of 2021 and he would like to put the summer of 2020 behind us.
PUBLIC COMMENT
MINUTES
Mayor Harl presented the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 31, 2020. Alderman Payton 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 General Fund and Miscellaneous Funds Report for June 2020; Sales, Home Rule, Use and Telecommunication Receipts for June 2020 and Utility Report for two months ending June 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 July 2020. Alderman Ferrari made a motion the report be received and placed on file. Alderman Payton seconded the motion; motion carried.
FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Alderman Buffo presented the following disbursements for payment on September 16, 2020:
FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES
General Fund $1,197,329.93
Insurance Fund 29,185.41
Garbage Fund 68,306.40
Industrial TIF Fund 10,338.00
N Commercial TIF Fund 5,455.50
Utility Fund 2,351,244.13
Airport Fund 2,393.56
Total $3,664,252.93
Alderman Buffo made a motion that the report be received, placed on file and the bills be paid in the usual manner. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Waldorf absent; motion carried.
Finance Officer Justin Miller initiated a discussion regarding COVID upgrades to Video/Audio-Conferencing in the Council Chambers to support electronic attendance of Public Meetings. Finance Officer Justin Miller reported on the challenges of Zoom meetings and recommended the upgrades to fully accommodate electronic meetings and attendance. Finance Officer Justin Miller stated he planned to utilize the CURES Fund for the upgrades. Alderman Radtke stated he was supportive of collecting information and pricing.
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
City Engineer Eric Carls reported the 2020 Curb and Sidewalk program has gone to bid.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6505
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 110-93(a) IF THE CITY OF PERU CODE OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING STOP SIGNS
Alderman Radtke made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion. Reported the ordinance is mostly housekeeping and safety. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Waldorf absent; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented the minutes of the Planning/Zoning Commission hearing held on September 2, 2020 concerning the petition of Pretium Packaging, L.L.C., Gary Quesse and James Quesse concerning property located at 4444 & 4438 Hollerich Drive in the City of Peru, Illinois. Alderman Sapienza made a motion the minutes be received, placed on file and concur with the recommendation. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6506
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING VARIANCES AS SOUGHT BY THE JOINT PETITION OF PRETIUM PACKAGING, L.L.C., GARY QUESSE AND JAMES QUESSE CONCERNIG PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4444 & 4438 HOLLERICH DRIVE IN THE CITY OF PERU, ILLINOIS
Alderman Lukosus made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion. Reported the ordinance is mostly housekeeping and safety. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Waldorf absent; motion carried.
PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Harl presented a proclamation proclaiming September 17-23, 2020 as Constitution Week. Alderman Ferrari made a motion the proclamation be received and placed on file. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion; motion carried,
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events presented a plan for a multi-purpose ice skating boards system and submitted a proposal from Iron Sleek in the amount of $26,774.80. Alderman Ferrari made a motion to approve the proposal. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ferrari, Lukosus, Radtke, Sapienza, Payton, Ballard and Buffo voting aye; Alderman Waldorf absent; motion carried.
Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events recommended the City participate with the Starved Rock Runners club to sponsor a 5K run walk on October 10th. The Council was supportive.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Starved Rock Runners requesting permission to hold a 5K race in the City of Peru on Saturday, October 10th; police assistance and abide by COVID-19 safety measures. Alderman Ferrari made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion; motion carried.
Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Illinois Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra requesting permission to hold a free outreach concert at the Maud Powell Plaza on October 10th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will abide by COVID-19 safety measures. Alderman Radtke made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Sapienza 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 7:57 p.m.
https://www.peru.il.us/city-government/minutes/regular-council-meeting/2020-rm/september-2020-cm/5074-regular-meeting-minutes-09-14-20/file
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