City of Peru City Council met June 5.
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, June 5, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno present; Ballard Absent: Mayor Kolowski present.
All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
PUBLIC COMMENT
PRESENTATION
Police Chief, Sara Raymond made the following presentation: On March 22,2023, Peru Police Officer Bradley Anderson heard the LaSalle Police Department being dispatched to Mickey’s Massive Burrito for a male with a gunshot wound. Officer Anderson responded to the business to find an adult male on the ground, with a greying skin color, surrounded in blood. He was informed the male had been shot in the upper leg area. Officer Anderson, a trained and certified paramedic, began immediately rendering care. He was able to locate the entry wound, identify the wound to be an arterial bleed, and immediately applied direct pressure. He was later assisted by the LaSalle Ambulance service in applying the tourniquet he carries on his person, as well as continual direct pressure to the wound. The victim was ultimately transported to a medical facility. Without the efforts of Officer Anderson and his response to the business in LaSalle, it is without a doubt the victim would not be with us today. Officer Anderson’s training, skill set, and his will for not only law enforcement, but also the fire service and paramedic service are commendable. He values all emergency services and takes regard to providing service for each in whatever situation is needed. It is my privilege to stand here today to be able to present this life saving award to Officer Bradley Anderson.
Phil Valle, on behalf of the Catholic War Veterans Post 1229, presented a check for $1000 to Fire Chief, Jeff King. Mr. Valle thanks the fire department for their service and commitment.
MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS
Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of May 22, 2023: the Treasurer’s Report for April 2023; and the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service Inc. Activity Summary for April 2023. Alderman Payton made a motion the minutes and reports be received and placed on file. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion; motion carried.
FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Alderman Sapienza presented the following disbursements for payment on June 7, 2023:
FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES
General Fund $887,738.06
Insurance Fund 125,762.46
Garbage Fund 75,773.25
Utility Fund 969,641.55
Landfill Fund 21,631.44
Airport Fund 10,746.55
Total $2,091,293.31
Alderman Sapienza 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, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; Ballard absent; motion carried.
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
Alderman Edgcomb made a motion to approve quote from J&M Displays in the amount of $32,000 for July 3 celebration. O’Sadnick seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; Ballard absent; motion carried. Mayor Kolowski announced this will be the last year for the fireworks celebration on Water Street. Mayor Kolowski explained the plan is to move the fireworks activities to Veteran’s Park and make the event more family friendly.
Alderman Edgcomb made a motion to approve quote from Cunningham Recreation in the amount of $116,100.20 for Sunset Park Playground renovation project Alderman Tieman seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; Ballard absent; motion carried. Director of Recreation, Adam Thorson, reported this improvement to Sunset Park will be the first of many planned improvements across the park system. Adam Thorson announced the city received a grant for $25,000 to offset the cost of these improvements and anticipate we will be able to secure this type of grant in coming years.
REPORT OF CITY ATTOREY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented the minutes of the May 31, 2023, Planning/Zoning Commission hearing on petition of Bill and Kathy Vohs concerning property located at 2511 Rock Street, Peru, IL. Alderman Edgcomb made a motion the minutes be received, placed on file and concur with the recommendation. Alderman Payton seconded the motion; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6769
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITION OF BILL AND KATHY VOHS CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2511 ROCK STREET IN THE CITY OF PERU, ILLINOIS
Alderman Edgcomb made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Payton seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; Ballard absent; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6770
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE UNDER THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PERU AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITION OF MICHAEL PERRY CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2510 FIFTH STREET, PERU, ILLINOIS
Alderman Payton made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; Ballard absent; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6771
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF AN EASEMENT FROM GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LASALLE (1345 Chartres Street, LaSalle, IL 61301 – PIN#: 17-09-449-000)
Alderman Lukosus made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; Ballard absent; motion carried.
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 6772
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 6489 ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR TEMPORARY PART-TIME EMPLOYEES OF THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND SPECIAL EVENTS DEPARTMENT”
Alderman Payton made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; Ballard absent; motion carried.
RE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF PERU CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS
The proposed ordinance outlines numerous requirements for an operator to obtain a license to run a short term rental or B&B, including a $250 application fee, a $50 deposit for a lawn sign for notice of a public hearing and at least $500,000 of liability insurance through a provider or a hosting platform. Mayor Kolowski initiated a discussion regarding the proposed Short-Term Rentals ordinance stating the he in in favor of the changes in the ordinance to protect the City of Peru and most importantly the residents of Peru. Mayor commented that he prefers the plan to request permission and have a public hearing. Alderman Sapienza asked if we could select only permissible locations or zoning and eliminate the rest of the city. Alderman Jim Lukosus asked whether a regulation identifying an area where short-term rentals and bed and breakfasts were prohibited would be considered discriminatory. Schweickert said it could be susceptible to a challenge. Alderman Moreno commented on his previous experience serving on the planning and zoning board, noting, having a lawn sign in front of a potential rental property stuck out to him as a short-term rental owner could approach the city with a letter of support from the community. Alderman Moreno stated as a council, I don’t think we are going to sit up here in favor or against that if someone in that community doesn’t want them in their neighborhood. Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert explained that after an operator submits an application to the city, they will be referred to the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and a date for a public hearing will be set, according to the draft ordinance. Once the public hearing is scheduled, the city will mail a notice to the properties within 200 feet of the subject property. If the application is approved, the operator will be required to pay a $150 inspection fee every year prior to license renewal. Alderman Sapienza said the council may want to consider stretching the notice to 300 feet because of the potential noise. Mayor Kolowski said the most important consideration to him is to protect the citizens and the city. Alderman Sapienza stated he is in agreement with the mayor with regard to protecting the citizens. Alderman Sapienza suggested we look at 300 feet and give those people a real definite say and think about the percentage of people to say yes. Alderman Sapienza also noted his concerns with noise given there are permissible limits after hours. Alderman Edgcomb stated the people who have reached out to him would like the see council try to push the rentals into business districts in the area.
PROCLAMATIONS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
MAYOR’S NOTES
Mayor Kolowski reported he spent some of his weekend handing out the Peru Downtown TIF façade program application and received overwhelming support.
Mayor Kolowski congratulated the St. Bede girls’ softball team on their State Championship. Adam Thorson reported on the following:
• The first Music Under the Oaks is June 9th featuring the Kevin Kramer group and the Boy Scouts will be selling food. June 17th is the Touch a Truck event in conjunction with the IV Pistol Shrimp (11am -3pm)
• Peru Recreation summer camps start June 12th
Clerk Bartley commented that the Taste of Illinois Valley raffle tickets that have been going out in utility bills this month and this idea has been very successful.
Mayor Kolowski announced the Peru Municipal Band summer season start June 17th at Maud Powell Plaza.
Mayor Kolowski reported the IV Pistol Shrimp home opening weekend was well attended and received many compliments regarding the Schweickert Stadium improvements.
Alderman Edgcomb noted the cemetery is looking great and he received many positive comments
CLOSED SESSION
Alderman Lukosus made a motion to go into closed session 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 Sapienza seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno present; Ballard absent: Mayor Kolowski present.
Closed session began at 7:50 p.m. and ended at 8:17 p.m.
Alderman Tieman made a motion to reopen the meeting. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion. City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno present; Ballard absent: Mayor Kolowski present.
PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Lukosus made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Payton seconded the motion and motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
https://www.peru.il.us/city-government/forms-and-documents/minutes/regular-council-meeting/2023-cm/6107-regular-meeting-minutes-06-05-23/file
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