City of Peru City Council met June 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
A regular meeting of the Peru City Council was called to order by Mayor Ken Kolowski in the Peru City Council Chambers at 7:06 p.m.
City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Sapienza, Lukosus and Buffo present; Mayor Kolowski present.
All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
PUBLIC COMMENT
PRESENTATION
MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS
Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of May 23, 2022, Peru Police Department Monthly Report for April 2022 and Peru Volunteer Service Inc. Activity Summary for Month of April 2022. Alderman Waldorf made a motion the minutes and reports 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 June 8, 2022:
FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES
General Fund $439,303.04
Insurance Fund 122,556.42
Garbage Fund 73,174.50
Utility Fund 565,685.41
Airport Fund 106,404.88
Total $1,307,124.25
Alderman Buffo made a motion the disbursements be received, placed on file and the bills be paid in the usual manner. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Sapienza, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Alderman Payton made a motion to approve fireworks agreement with J&M Displays in the amount of $32,000. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion, representing an increase of $7,000. Mayor Kolowski commented on the significant increase of 32% and noted J&M Displays stated shipping issues were the reason for the rise in prices. Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert said the city may be able to get out of the agreement if prices are deemed not to be fair to the market and must notify the company at least 30 days in advance. Alderman Sapienza stated he didn’t want the city locked into fireworks display in 2023, for fear the price may jump again. Alderman Payton said he would like to see a cost comparison of other fireworks displays to make sure Peru is not getting taken advantage of. Mayor Kolowski suggested the council could scale back the show if the cost was too much, but aldermen said the few thousand dollars were not worth the hassle. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Sapienza, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; motion carried
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to approve sole source award for Schweickert Stadium Grandstand and Press Box to Dant Clayton for $707,500. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Sapienza, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Alderman Edgcomb made a motion to approve sole source award for Schweickert Stadium Seating and Seating Mounting (577 seats) to Carroll Seating for $146,800. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion and thanked the Schweickert family. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Sapienza, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
POLICE AND FIRE COMMITTEE
Alderman Buffo made a motion to approve purchase of air-paks from MES in the amount of $157,719.00 for the fire department. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion. PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King reported this is the second half of the budgeted air pak purchase but it does represent a $27,000 increase and stated he will adjust other budgeted items to make up the overage. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Sapienza, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
PSM/Fire Chief King addressed issues at the boat launch. PSM/Fire Chief King stated he will be getting Ameren to put up poles and lights at the boat launch. PSM/Fire Chief King stated that has a plan to place signs and designated no fishing and parking for boat trailers only. Council discussed options for towing vehicles after hours. PSM/Fire Chief King stated there will be two signs on each side of the boat ramps that say “no fishing for boat launch and poles also will be added with chains that will extend all the way to the back of the lot to prevent people from parking there. Mayor Kolowski suggested the illegally parked cars be towed, and Police Chief Bob Pyszka said they can tow the cars if there is proper signage. This would include marking the tow zone and adding the hours and information of the towing company. Council also expressed its frustration with the littering problem. Alderman Buffo stated it is disrespectful and Alderman Payton said it is wrong people do this and the council can’t directly do anything about it. PSM/Fire Chief King stated the littering is coming from the people fishing in the boating area. He and the council are hopeful once the signs go up it will help the problem.
Police Chief Bob Pyszka reported on options with the K-9 due to the promotion of his handler Sergeant Matt Peters. Chief Pyszka stated Sgt. Peters wishes to continue to train with the dog on his own time.
Police Chief Bob Pyszka discussed options for lateral appointments and ruled them out after speaking to Finance Director Justin Miller. Chief Pyszka requested permission to have a one-time signing bonus of $3,000 with five years’ experience. Reported a side letter should be added to the FOP union contract to incorporate the benefit.
Police Chief Bob Pyszka reported on an evaluation of an intersection on Schuyler Drive to determine if a stop sign is necessary.
Police Chief Bob Pyszka discussed adding temporary no parking signs along the entry of Veterans Park. Chief Pyszka noted there is no parking or driving permitted in the park.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented the minutes of Planning/Zoning Commission hearing held on June 1, 2022 regarding petition of David M. Neill concerning annexation and zoning of certain property consisting of 46.9+ acres, commonly known as 35102 1500 North Avenue in unincorporated Bureau County, Illinois (Bureau County PINS 18-13-100-008 and 18-13-300-013). Alderman Lukosus 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 the minutes of Planning/Zoning Commission hearing held on June 1, 2022 regarding petition of Jordan and Meghan Lutes concerning property located at 1307 Herbert Street in the City of Peru, Illinois. Alderman Lukosus 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. 6662
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITION OF JORDAN AND MEGHAN LUTES CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1307 HERBERT STREET IN THE CITY OF PERU, ILLINOIS
Alderman Lukosus made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Sapienza, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6663
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LAND LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERU, LASALLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND JMX HELICOPTERS, LLC
Alderman Lukosus made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Sapienza, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
PROCLAMATIONS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Clerk Bartley presented a petition from Riverfront Bar & Grill requesting 1 hour extension of “Day Hours” and the 65 dba sound limit for outdoor music to 11:00 p.m. on June 11, 2022. Alderman Sapienza made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted but stated this is in accordance with what was discussed and agreed upon. Alderman Sapienza noted this permission is for one date only also noted any business that violates its special request likely will not get any future requests granted Police Chief Pyszka said previously his department will have zero tolerance for any businesses granted special requests that go beyond their deadline for live music, or allowance for decibel level. Chief Pyszka stated businesses that violate the city’s ordinance normally receive a warning, but ones that receive special requests and violate those allowances from the council will be ticketed. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion; motion carried.
Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Angela Edgcomb requesting permission to close Wynnewood Lane between Luther Drive and Sunset Drive on Saturday, July 2nd from 10am-10pm for a neighborhood block party. Alderman Payton made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion; motion carried.
MAYOR’S NOTES
Mayor Kolowski acknowledged and thanked the volunteers of Ax Church who participated in the Hope Week projects. Mayor Kolowski reported volunteers replaced playground mulch at Centennial Park and also completed amazing projects at McKinley and Washington Park.
PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King reported on the fire at the Grand Bear condominiums and noted the MABAS division and 61 departments who responded to extinguish the fire. PSM/Fire Chief King reported there were no injuries.
Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events reported approximately 1600 people attended the Pistol Shrimp season home opener at Veteran’s Park.
Police Chief Bob Pyszka reported Sergeant Rick Piscia retired this morning at 3:00 a.m. and congratulated him on his 22-year career at the Peru Police Department.
Alderman Tieman noted attending the Pistol Shrimp games and the compliments he received about the park and banners on Peoria Street. Treasurer Jackson Powell echoed the sentiment.
Treasurer Powell noted his and Clerk Bartley’s attendance and great night at the IV Sports Hall of Fame.
CLOSED SESSION
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to go into closed session to discuss meetings held to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Sapienza, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; motion carried.
Closed session began at 7:56 p.m. and ended at 8:30 p.m.
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to re-open the meeting. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Sapienza, Lukosus and Buffo present; Mayor Kolowski present
PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Payton made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion and motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
https://www.peru.il.us/city-government/forms-and-documents/minutes/regular-council-meeting/2022-cm/june-2022-cm/5731-regular-meeting-minutes-06-06-22/file
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