City of Peru City Council met Feb. 27
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 on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Lukosus and Buffo present; Aldermen Ballard and Sapienza absent. Mayor Kolowski present.
All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. PUBLIC COMMENT
PRESENTATION
Kris Paul of Habitat for Humanity, LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam Counties addressed council and reviewed how to become a Habitat for Humanity homeowner and thanked the council for continued support.
Paul reviewed the following:
• How it works:
o Habitat homes are made affordable as they are built with many volunteers and businesses working in partnership with Habitat and future partner family homeowners.
o Homes are sold to families at a lower interest rate than conventional loans.
• Basic Qualifications:
o Need of adequate housing
o Willing to partner with Habitat including 500 “sweat quality” hours put in working on home or other Habitat project
o Household annual income may not exceed $62,000 for a family up to four but may be higher for larger families
o Ability to repay affordable families
o Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien
Police Chief Sarah Raymond promoted Officer John Atkins to patrol sergeant and Sergeant Art Smith to patrol lieutenant. Chief Raymond introduced the two officers and their achievements.
Sergeant Atkins joined the Peru Police Department in August 2002 as patrol officer, field training officer and undercover narcotic agent with the Illinois State Police and Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team. He’s a Spanish speaking officer, master firearms instructor and master control tactics instructor and teaches women’s self defense. In 2003, he was awarded the Illinois law enforcement medal of honor.
Chief Raymond stated Sgt. Atkins has no doubt earned this position and this promotion and has been aspiring to be a sergeant within the Peru Police Department since the day I met him when we tested for the same patrol positions. Chief Raymond stated she is extremely honored to be the one who promotes Sgt. Atkins as he deserves this and will continue to do great work and be a great leader for himself and the members of the Peru Police Department. Chief Raymond also stated Sgt. Atkins also has a bachelor degree in criminal justice and a minor in fire investigations along with more than 1,000 hours of continuing education and training. He began his career as a patrol officer at the Lakeside Police Department in Colorado and then as a patrol officer, field training officer, detective and corporal at the Fort Lupton Police Department in Colorado. He was given the officer of the year award in 1999 at Lakeside and in 2001 at Fort Lupton.
Lieutenant Smith began his career with the Peru Police Department in 2002 as a patrol officer. In 2007, he was assigned to the crime reduction team until 2008 when he became part of the Peru Police Department K-9 unit.
2017, Smith was promoted to sergeant and became the K-9 unit supervisor. He also became the operations team leader and supervisor of the Peru emergency response team. He’s a certified firearms instructor and certified field training officer. Smith has an associates degree in criminal justice from Illinois Valley Community College and has more than 1,000 hours of continuing education and training.
Chief Raymond stated the testing process for Sgt. Smith’s promotion to patrol lieutenant was competitive and all the candidates were highly qualified. Chief Raymond stated Art’s career thus far at the Peru Police Department speaks for itself. Chief Raymond also stated she has worked with Sgt. Smith for her entire career and can assure everyone that he has high standards, takes his job very seriously and has a passion for law enforcement. Chief Raymond stated she is proud to be the one to promote him.
MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS
Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of February 13, 2023; Treasurer’s Report for January 2023 and Peru Police Department Monthly Report for January 2023. 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 March 1, 2023:
FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES
General Fund $809,273.38
Garbage Fund 73,226.25
Utility Fund 1,893,600.19
Airport Fund 26,175.80
TIF Funds 29, 30,31 117,430.38
Total $2,919,706.00
Alderman Buffo made a motion the disbursements be received, placed on file and the bills be paid in the usual manner. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; Aldermen Ballard and Sapienza absent; motion carried.
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve bid for 3 – 2,500 ft reels of 1 aught primary underground Okonite cable from Anixter in the amount of $29,325.00. (To replace stock being used at Diamond Senior Apartment development). Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; Aldermen Ballard and Sapienza absent; motion carried.
Alderman Lukosus made a motion to go out for bid for 1 truckload (approx. qty 30-40) of 35’ class 3 wood power poles. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; Aldermen Ballard and Sapienza absent; motion carried.
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to authorize city engineer to seek bids for the Master Builder Way Roadway Construction. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; Aldermen Ballard and Sapienza absent; motion carried.
Alderman Waldorf instructed to open, receive and place on file proposals for purchase and/or development of City-Owned Surplus Real Estate-1721 Water Street, Peru. The following bids were received:
• Jerome Kennedy-$8,000.00
• Zack Cinotto, Rock Hard Construction-$5,000.00
• Mertel Investment Co.-$7,000.00
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to accept the high bid of $8,000 from Jerome Kennedy. Alderman Buffo seconded the motion; motion carried.
POLICE AND FIRE COMMITTEE
REPORT OF CITY ATTOREY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6730
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEC. 74-69 OF THE PERU CODE OF ORDINANCES AS IT RELATES TO THE TERMS OF OFFICE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Alderman Buffo made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; Aldermen Ballard and Sapienza absent; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PERU IN SUPPORT OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING
Alderman Buffo made a motion the resolution be adopted as written and read. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; Aldermen Ballard and Sapienza absent; motion carried.
PROCLAMATIONS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to re-appoint Steve Michelini, Ray Zborowski, John Fusinatto, Jeff Puetz, Linda Dzierzynski, to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for a term ending September 30, 2024. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to appoint Dan Eiten and Liz Grzybowski to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for a term ending September 30, 2024. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Clerk Bartley presented a petition from Nate Culkin seeking a text amendment and special aue for property located at the NW corner of Donlar Ave. and Unytite Drive. Alderman Buffo made a motion to receive the petition, place it on file and refer to Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
MAYOR’S NOTES
CLOSED SESSION
Alderman Edgcomb made a motion to go into closed session to discuss purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body is being considered, including meetings held for the purpose of discussion whether a particular parcel should be acquired, or where the public body is considering the setting of a price for sale or lease of its property and meetings held to discuss litigation “when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting”. Alderman Waldorf seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Lukosus and Buffo voting aye; Aldermen Ballard and Sapienza absent; motion carried.
Closed session began at 7:41 p.m.; ended at 8:22 p.m.
Alderman Waldorf made a motion to reopen the meeting. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Waldorf, Lukosus and Buffo present; Aldermen Ballard and Sapienza absent. Mayor Kolowski present.
PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Waldorf made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion and motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
https://www.peru.il.us/city-government/forms-and-documents/minutes/regular-council-meeting/2023-cm/february-2023-cm/6000-regular-meeting-minutes-02-27-23/file
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