Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru City Council met March 11

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, March 11, 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 

Ali Brayboy announced her candidacy for LaSalle County Board 

PRESENTATION 

The Peru BB Gun Club was recognized for its back-to-back wins against the Oglesby BB Gun Club in their annual shootout March 1. The team was presented with a and congratulated on its victory. The  shooters won 1,741-1,717 against Oglesby. Mayor Kolowski said the team had won once in 10 years, and now it has won back-to-back matches. Mr. Krolak stated the club is looking forward to going for a three-peat next year. Mayor Kolowski stated it is a great thing for the city and the police department to  sponsor. “You think it’s just teaching them to shoot BB guns, [but] no,” he said. “It’s discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship. I go down there every Monday night. It’s fun to watch, and the kids are  loving it.” Peru BB Gun Club co-directors Joe Michael and Bill Krolak presented highlights of the season, recognized the club’s dedication to the sport and thanked parents and volunteers for their hard work and time. Mr. Michael stated the club had 34 shooters this year, nine marksmen (265-274 out of  300), eight sharpshooters (275-284 out of 300) and six expert shooters (285-300 out of 300). Aubrey Eitutis was the top shooter of the season. 

Peru Fire Chief Jeff King gave a brief background on newly appointed Fireman Brandon Hamblen and welcomed him to the department before he was sworn in. PSM/Fire Chief King stated that Mr. Hamblen began his career at Big Rock before transferring to Coal City. He was a lieutenant at the Morris Fire Protection District before coming to Peru and has been in the fire service for 10 years and has accrued several certifications. Mr. Hamblen, who recently moved to La Salle with his family, said he can’t remember a time he didn’t want to be a fireman. He worked a few blue-collar jobs but always found a way to pursue his dream career. Mr. Hamblen stated it’s all he’s ever wanted to do. Mr. Hamblen stated he took some labor jobs but resorted back to wanting to be a fireman. Mr. Hamblen said he took the test two years ago to become a full-time fireman in Peru. Mr. Hamblen stated Peru was the first to call with a full-time position, so he took it. PSM/Fire Chief King stated that a lot of his certifications are going to help us right off the bat. He’s experienced and he was a lieutenant, so he’s proven himself. Mr. Hamblen stated he is looking forward to everything he is going to learn during his time in Peru and his professional advancement. Mr. Hamblen stated the experience is pretty similar to Morris and looking forward to gaining the same experience that he gained there and furthering his career. 

Mayor Kolowski conducted the swearing in of Firefighter Brandon Hamblen. 

MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS 

Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of February 26, 2024, Peru Police Department Report for February 2024 and the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service Inc. Activity Summary for January 2024. Alderman Payton made a motion the minutes and reports be received and placed on file. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.

Alderman Sapienza presented the following disbursements for payment on March 13, 2024: FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES 

General Fund $414,446.55 

Insurance Fund 159,565.57 

Garbage Fund 75,808.95 

Utility Fund 575,742.68 

Landfill Fund 5,000.00 

Airport Fund 4,887.29 

Total $1,235,451.04 

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 renew Utility Fund-CD Maturity of $454,444.73- for 9 months @  5% with LaSalle State Bank. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with  Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried. 

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE 

Alderman Edgcomb made a motion to retain Brown, Hay + Stephens for legal services relating to closure of Landfill #2. 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. 

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE 

Alderman Ballard made a motion to authorize entering the State bid for road rock salt for 2024-2025 and motion to authorize Mayor Kolowski to execute all contracts. Reducing from 2500 tons to 2000 tons. 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. 

Alderman Ballard made a motion to approve proposal from On-Site, for Aerator By-Pass repair/replacement, in the amount of $46,513.58. 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. 

Alderman Sapienza made a motion to approve Quote Evaluation and Contracting Assistance from PSE  (Power System Engineering, Inc.), in the amount of $12,800 for SCADA System Replacement. 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.

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve purchase/replacement of Unit 1 at Hydro Electric Plant  from Ideal Electric Inc., in the amount of $496,340. 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 approve maintenance and repair of Unit 4 at Hydro Electric Plant, for an amount not to exceed $70,000 (multiple vendors). 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 Moreno made a motion to approve River Docks crane services for $30,972 for hydro generator removal. 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. 

Alderman Moreno made a motion to approve pad mount transformer from T&R Electric for  $14,500. 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. 

REPORT OF CITY ATTOREY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled: 

ORDINANCE NO. 6836 

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE AS SOUGHT BY THE  PETITION OF ANDREW M. BUCK AND JANELLE R. BUCK CONCERNING PROPERTY  LOCATED AT 19 GUNIA AVENUE, PERU, ILLINOIS 

Alderman Tieman made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Ballard 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 ordinance entitled: 

ORDINANCE NO. 6837 

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE AS SOUGHT BY THE  PETITION OF TAMARA GAULL-GATZA CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1802  26TH STREET, 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 Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried. 

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled: 

ORDINANCE NO. 6838 

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE DONATION OF CERTAIN  SURPLUS REAL ESTATE TO PERU FAITH ASSEMBLY OF GOD, INC.

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

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled: 

ORDINANCE NO. 6839 

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF AN EASEMENT FROM ES&G  LEASING, INC. 

Alderman O’Sadnick made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Sapienza 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. 2024-06 

A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND RATIFYING EXECUTION OF A BILLBOARD GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT WITH LINK MEDIA SERVICES, LLC, d/b/a LINK MEDIA OUTDOOR 

Alderman Ballard made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. 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. 

PROCLAMATIONS 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

NEW BUSINESS 

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 

Clerk Bartley presented a petition from Illinois Valley Leasing Co. d/b/a as Illinois Valley Auto Group requesting variances for the property located at 3315 Frontage Road. Alderman Payton made a  motion the received, placed on file and referred to the Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion; motion carried. 

Clerk Bartley presented a petition from ABYPERU, INC. seeking approval of Final Plat of Popeye’s Peru  Resubdivision. Alderman Payton made a motion the petition be received, placed on file and referred to the Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the  motion; motion carried. 

Clerk Bartley presented a petition from Peyton Roop seeking variances from the Zoning Ordinance for  the property located at 1627 1st Street. Alderman Sapienza made a motion the petition be received, placed  on file and referred to the Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. Alderman  O’Sadnick seconded the motion; motion carried.

Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Jerry Bacidore, Senior Vice Commander of LaSalle VFW Post 4668 requesting permission to hold a “ruck march” in the City of Peru. The date is pending, but typically, the first Sunday in November. The council tabled the communication to obtain further information. 

MAYOR’S NOTES 

Mayor Kolowski reported on the GAF Introduction Day event and thanked Economic Development Director Bob Vickrey and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia for their efforts. Mr. Vickrey reported on a proposed GAF roofing academy. 

Mayor Kolowski reported on the upcoming opening of OSF Saint Elizabeth-Peru (former IVCH, St. Margaret’s Health Peru hospital) and stated it is a huge win for Peru. 

Mayor Kolowski reported on the record-breaking sales tax for December 2023. ($70,000,000). Mayor Kolowski also noted the city is receiving sales tax from the cannabis dispensary.  

Clerk Bartley encouraged everyone to support Alderman Bob Tieman as he competes in the 2024 ROCKSTAR at Starved Rock Lodge on March 13th.  

PUBLIC COMMENT 

CLOSED SESSION 

ADJOURNMENT 

Alderman Tieman made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion and motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41.

https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/minutes/regular-council-meeting/regulhttps-www-peru-il-us-administrator-index-php-option-com-docman-view-category-ar-meeting-minutes-2024/6458-regular-meeting-minutes-03-11-24/file