Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru City Council met Jan. 29.

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, January 29, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno present. Mayor Kolowski present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

PRESENTATION

August Querciagrossa, CEO of Western Region, OSF HealthCare and Dawn Trompeter, President of OSF HealthCare St. Elizabeth Medical Center and OSF HealthCare St. Paul Medical Center reported on the April 7, 2024, opening of OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center – Peru.

INUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS

Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of January 15, 2024, Treasurer’s Report for December 2023, Building Permits-Fourth Quarter Report 2023, Building Permits-Annual Report 2023, Peru Police Department Monthly Report for December 2023, Peru Fire Department 2023 Annual Report, Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service Inc. Activity Summary for November 2023, Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service Inc. Activity Summary for December 2023, Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service Inc. Activity Summary for Year 2023. Alderman Payton made a motion the minutes and reports be received and placed on file. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion; motion carried.

FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Alderman Ballard presented the following disbursements for payment on January 31, 2024:

FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES

General Fund $348,667.16

Insurance Fund 140,132.21

TIF Funds 36, 288.40

Utility Fund 941,426.91

Landfill Fund 7,516.96

Airport Fund 16,980.87

Total $1,491,012.51

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 Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

Alderman Tieman made a motion to authorize renewal of Utility Fund CD through Central Bank $288,000 for 6 months at 4.5% on 2/1/24. Alderman Payton seconded the motion. Finance Officer Tracy Mitchell reported $1,000,000 in CD’s will be renewing in the next 30 days six months. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE

PSM/Fire Chief King reviewed the 2023 Fire Department Annual Report and noted there were 516 total fire calls and 82 calls so for this month.

PSM/Fire Chief King announced that one of the full-time firefighters is leaving to join another fire department and will be waiting on a new list.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Alderman Moreno made a motion to approve the Area 5 Phase 2 Sewer Separation & Water Main Reconstruction to the lowest responsible bidder D Construction in the amount of $4,782,631.39. Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning reviewed the bid tab and recommended the award to D Construction noting the following:

• Engineer’s estimate of $4,850,000

• Five bidders

• Businesses and residents will be notified by mail.

• No contract schedule yet

• New additions to Westclox Avenue and St. Louis Street with curb bump out and more signage and crossings.

• Working to keep infrastructure out of the roadway.

Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

PSM/Chief King reported efforts will continue to fill and monitor potholes and watermain repairs.

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve quote from Inman Electric Motors in the amount of $142,950 for the repair and maintenance of Unit 4 at the Starved Rock Hydro Electric Plant. Alderman Moreno inquired about Inman Electric Motors. Reported they are a well-qualified local vendor and competitive price wise. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented the minutes of the January 24, 2024, Planning/Zoning Commission hearing on the petition of Keeley James Olivo concerning property commonly known as 1830 4th Street, Peru, IL. Alderman Sapienza made a motion to concur with the recommendation.

Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Payton, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; Aldermen Ballard, Tieman and Edgcomb voting nay; motion carried.

Discussion and potential action on the recommendation to concur with the Planning/Zoning Commission regarding the Petition of Keeley James Olivo for a Special Use pursuant to Section 11.04(d)(15) of the Zoning Ordinance to operate a Body Art Establishment at 1830 4th Street, Peru, IL. Alderman Sapienza made a motion to concur with the recommendation. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion; motion carried.

Alderman Sapienza commented on the city’s significant investment in the corner with the purchase, demolition and parking lot. Alderman Sapienza additionally noted the purchase and improvement to 1830 4th Street and stated the requested use is not consistent with the goal from retail.

Alderman Tieman asked for more discussion to consider the worthiness of the business. Alderman Tieman stated the previous business pizza and bar have not been restricted due to multiple other locations on the same block. Alderman Tieman stated he believes the owner wants to move to the city and open their business. Alderman Tieman stated an occupied store front is better than empty.

Aldermen Sapienza and O’Sadnick stated they believe it is best for the 3rd Ward.

Alderman Payton stated he sees both sides and would prefer this topic be discussed further.

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed resolution entitled:

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-04

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN ILLINOIS CASH FARM LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERU AND STEVE MICHELINI d/b/a MICHELINI FARMS (MVP Subdivision Lots 2, 3 & 4)

Alderman Ballard made a motion the resolution be adopted as written and read. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed resolution entitled:

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-05

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH CHAMLIN & ASSOCIATES, INC. TO COMPLETE A LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORY

Alderman Ballard made a motion the resolution be adopted as written and read. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

PROCLAMATIONS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Lukosus motion to authorize HR to seek applicants for Full-Time IT Help Desk Technician.

Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Alderman Edgcomb stated he thinks the city should find outside vendor rather than hire a full-time employee. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; Alderman Edgcomb voting nay; motion carried.

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to authorize HR to seek applicants for Full-Time Electric Department Maintenance Mechanic, Computer Relay Technician. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

Alderman Moreno made a motion to seek internal candidates for Full-Time Electric Department Crew Foreman. Alderman Payton seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to seek internal candidates for Full-Time Electric Department Foreman of Maintenance & Generation. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Illinois Valley Animal Rescue requesting permission to hold the annual Pet Fest at Baker Lake on Saturday, September 21st from 11am-2pm. Alderman Tieman made a motion to receive the communication, place it on file and concur with the recommendation.

Alderman Ballard seconded the motion; motion carried.

Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Tiffiney Hill, Bereavement Manager with Vitas Healthcare requesting permission to hold their first annual Butterfly Release at Baker Lake on June 29, 2024, from 12pm-2pm (This event in honor of the patients and alongside families they’ve had the privilege to care for). Alderman Tieman made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion; motion carried.

MAYOR’S NOTES

Mayor Kolowski expressed his gratitude for the upcoming opening of OSF Healthcare St. Elizabeth’sPeru and thanked the following:

• IL State Representative Lance Yednock

• IL State Senator Sue Rezin

• Fire Department, Police Department and EMS

PUBLIC COMMENT

CLOSED SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Payton made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion and motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45.

https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/