City of Peru City Council met May 6

Andy Moreno, Alderman 4th Ward | City of Peru Website

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

May 30, 2024

City of Peru City Council met May 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 on Monday, May 6, 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

Resident Angel Farmer addressed the council speaking on the following:

• No handicap parking at Sunset Park; asked council to research.

• Complimented Police Chief Sarah Raymond

• Complimented Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia

• Complimented Officer Brendan Sheedy

• Mayor Kolowski has good intentions regarding:

◦ Bathrooms

◦ Streaming meetings

◦ Park improvements

• Complimented PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King’s participation regarding the Safe Haven Baby Box program.

PRESENTATION

Illinois Valley Rugby Club

Fran Baker of the Illinois Valle Rugby Club addressed the council. Mr. Baker reported the non-profit rugby club which started in 2019 has recently moved to Veteran’s Memorial Park with 500-600 people. Mr. Baker talked about the culture of the club and noted there are 22 high school players. Mr. Baker thanked Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events and sponsors.

Police Lieutenant Doug Bernabei was in attendance in place of Police Chief Sarah Raymond who is attending the National Command Course, in Washington D.C. (The National Command Course is a training course hosted by the FBI). Lt. Bernabei stated Chief Raymond is one of 47 chosen to attend.

National Command Course (NCC)

In 2020, the National Command Course (NCC) was first developed to fill a void in FBI strategic leadership training programs for policing executives.

In the United States, law enforcement agencies with fewer than 50 sworn employees comprise over 80% of departments, yet leaders of these agencies often lack funding and/or manpower availability to send employees away for weeks at a time to attend nationally recognized executive leadership programs. The inaugural session of NCC took place in 2021 and will continue to graduate 100 law enforcement executives annually. This one-week program includes numerous benefits, such as improved relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, increased liaison between departments resulting in more effective policing, and enhanced public safety overall.

Topics include:

• Strategic leadership

• Image management

• Officer wellness

• Preventing targeted violence

Participants must be the chief executive of a domestic law enforcement agency with fewer than 50 sworn personnel and cannot be a graduate of the National Academy, NEI, or LEEDS.

You must be nominated to participate in NCC. The Training Division solicits nominations annually.

Introduction of Peru Police Department's new therapy dog, Haven

School Resource Officer Brian Zebron, Lieutenant Art Smith, and LaSalle County States Attorney Joe Navarro was in attendance to introduce new therapy dog, Haven. SRO Zebron stated Haven is an 8-week old St. Bernard who will assist our community with emotional support, mostly in our school system.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro stated comfort dogs are important aspects of any community; adding, you don’t know what’s going on in their home, and to come to school, if they have a problem and either see Rookie (Ottawa’s comfort dog) or Haven comes into the picture, it helps them, it soothes them and that’s worth a lot.

SRO Officer Zebron stated the kids love seeing Haven. SRO Zebron stated you can see their eyes light up, you can just see that big change in behavior and that’s what really what I want with the dog is someone who is going to allow kids and adults to come up and pet them and have fun.

SRO Officer Zebron stated the pup was given her name, Haven, by the La Salle/Putnam County Educational Alliance for Special Education and the La Salle, Marshall, Putnam Regional Office of Education 35 students. The students were given a list of three names that had been dwindled down from the 18 to 20 suggestions, provided by the La Salle State’s Attorney’s Office, ROA 35 Academy, Peru Police and LEASE. SRO Zebron said he provided the students with the names’ meanings and students were able to fill in a name if they wished. Haven won by four votes. Daisy and Rosie tied for second, and Ruby was fourth. SRO Zebron stated that when you look up what Haven means it’s a place of safety or refuge, which is really what we want, so, the name kind of fits perfectly.

SRO Zebron stated in three days, Haven has managed to live up to her name – being deployed twice to assist students in need which is why we wanted a dog like this. SRO Zebron stated if you look at the COVID era, some of the kids growing up there is a lot of mental health issues.

Peru Police Chief Sarah Raymond stated Haven’s presence will bring endless benefits to the community, especially during the summer whenever a need arises. Chief Raymond stated she will be able to come out, and just from mere presence put a smile on people’s faces. Chief Raymond stated Haven creates calm and comfort to people who may be in need.

Chief Raymond stated the department is hoping to have more community involvement with Haven to attend different events, potentially meet and greets.

Chief Raymond stated the Police Department will accept donations for food, veterinary appointments, and other supplies.

The La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office paid for the full cost of the dog. The approximate cost is about $2,175. SRO Zebron will complete the training, as there is no certification right now, for a comfort dog.

Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of April 22, 2024, and Special Meeting Minutes of April 29, 2024. Alderman Payton made a motion the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion; motion carried.

FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Alderman Sapienza presented the following disbursements for payment on May 8, 2024:

FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES

General Fund $468,581.22

Insurance Fund 144,605.26

Garbage Fund 78,442.09

Utility Fund 766,309.56

Airport Fund 43,707.64

Total $1,501,645.77

Alderman Sapienza made a motion the disbursements be received, placed on file and bills paid in the usual manner. 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.

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE

Alderman Tieman made a motion to authorize execution of an Asset Disposition Services Agreement with Propertyroom.com. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion. Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert reported he performed due diligence and recommends utilizing. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

Alderman Payton made a motion to approve the purchase of two 2024 Ford Interceptor squad cars with a purchase price of $46,797.97 per car (total $93,595.94 paid out of the police budget) and one 2025 Ford Interceptor squad car with a purchase price of $48,607.97 along with a Hyundai Tuscon administrative vehicle with a purchase price of $32,501.03 (total $81,109 paid out of the police drug fund). 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.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning reported the General Fund Street program is underway with milling coming soon. Mr. Carls reported alternate street parking west of Centennial Park.

Kevin Minnick, Electric Operations Manager provided progress report with hydro repairs and restoration and planning stages for long term improvements.