Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru City Council met July 1

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, July 1, 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

Members of the Illinois Valley Pickleball Club’s were in attendance to discuss repainting the tennis courts to increasing pickleball courts from four to ten, allowing the courts to be utilized as both tennis and pickleball courts. Illinois Valley Pickleball member and Peru resident Tom Shinnick stated Peru was the leader of the Illinois Valley and has the best pickleball courts in the area. Mr. Shinnick stated that Peru has led on the pickleball courts but has been both a blessing and a curse. Mr. Shinnick explained that it’s a blessing because we are bringing people of all walks of life together to play recreationally outside and it’s a curse because we have all these people and not enough courts. Mr. Shinnick noted there are four courts at Washington Park. Shinnick said those courts are in constant use during the day. Mr. Shinnick noted there are not enough courts on certain occasions for the huge increases in the number of pickleball players and the popularity of the sport, leading to long waits between games, causing anger and frustration among the players. Mr. Shinnick stated the Illinois Valley Pickleball Club has 203 active members, which does not include grade school, high school or college age players. Mr. Shinnick reported the club has had an increased membership of 300% since 2021, with players coming from coming from La Salle, Oglesby, Spring Valley, Utica, Rochelle, Tiskilwa, Princeton, Mendota, Toluca, Streator, Dixon, Sublette and Marseilles, as well as travelers stopping on occasion for one time play. Mr. Shinning stated that as the retail center of the region, the visitors that come to play pickleball also shop in the area increasing Peru’s tax revenue. Mayor Kolowski said he was proud of the courts and having so many people wanting to utilize the playing space is a good problem to have and discussions will be had with Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events, and at committee level and see what we can do. Member and resident Keith Pearse stated that while there are courts all over the region it’s a social sport so they enjoy coming together in one location, noting e play a very social format where we switch our partners and there’s a nice routine going out there that you could create at Washington Park. Mr. Pearse said the players really want to build onto the camaraderie moving forward. He mentioned there are different groups, even ones not associated with the club, that are often waiting to play at the park. Mr. Pearce stated you’ll get families in small groups, the young people coming out and is really getting some critical mass out there. Mr. Pearce also reported that it was brought up that some people may have stopped coming out to play in the evening because of the difficulty finding playing time. Mr. Pearce stated it is the belief of the club the solution for painting lines on the courts will provide the best lowcost solution for the community and said painting lines doesn’t cost more than building courts elsewhere, and of the courts on the ice rink, one of them is functional because of the sides. Mr. Pearce added that as a social community it would be amicable to put up some etiquette rules by the pickleball courts for new people.

Sue McKnight, a former tennis instructor and pickleball player, said she didn’t believe painting lines on the tennis court would interfere with the tennis courts. Ms. McKnight stated she has played on several tennis courts that have other pickleball lines or basketball lines like your indoor ones like at the YMCA, and you get used to it.

Alderman Edgcomb reported the city has schools that play competitive tennis on the courts at Washington Park and was told by some of those coaches that they will not be able to play on those courts for competitive school sports. Alderman Edgcomb asked McKnight if that was correct and she stated that according to her research, she believed it was incorrect.

Mr. Shinnick said if the club could get the three tennis courts lined, the park would go from four to 10 pickleball courts exclaiming they would be able to have tournaments and bring people in from outside the area. Mr. Shinnick again reiterated it is an opportunity for Peru to be pickleball capital of the valley, but also there’s economic opportunity there.

Alderman Sapienza stated he was concerned about the tennis players being dominated by the pickleball players if the council acted on the proposal. Mr. Shinnick said the pickleball players hardly see any tennis players there.

Ms. McKnight stated tennis would take priority, because tennis was there first and if there are three courts needed to be filled with tennis, the pickleball players would move on.

Pearse said the club could potentially add something to the rules of etiquette if it wished.

Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events Adam Thorson stated the city will be reaching out to St. Bede Academy as well as the tennis community for their input on the potential project and hopes to present his findings in about a week.

MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS

Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of June 17, 2024, and Treasurer’s Report for May 2024.

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 Sapienza presented the following disbursements for payment on July 3, 2024:

FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES

General Fund $646,379.77

Garbage Fund 78.479.03

Utility Fund 516,399.59

Landfill Fund 300.65

Airport Fund 9,017.86

Total $1,250,576.90

Alderman Sapienza made a motion the disbursements be received, placed on file and bills 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 Payton made a motion to approve proposal from Dimond Bros. Insurance, with CNA Insurance, for Boiler and Machinery coverage, in the amount of $95,857.00. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Alderman Payton reported on an updated statement of values cleaned up the list.

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 approve $500 donation to Cops 4 Cancer. 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 SERVICES COMMITTEE

Alderman Edgcomb made a motion to approve the hiring of selected candidate for position of part-time patrol officer. 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 Payton made a motion to approve sale of squad 46, a 2017 Ford Interceptor, VIN 1FM5K8AR4HGA37174, to Dalzell Fire Department for $2,000. 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 O’Sadnick made a motion to approve quote from 25/8 Xtreme in the amount of $32,565.00 for the Fun Zone at the Taste of the Illinois Valley. Cost assisted by and offset by sponsor revenue. 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

Motion to approve proposal from MCCI/Laserfiche for Cloud Migration of Records in the amount of $7,425, with an annual renewal of $3,255

Alderman Moreno made a motion to approve the following quotes from Northern Illinois Seamless Roofing:

• Raw Water Pumping Station- $17,975

• Headworks Building-$16,560

• Well No. 5-$14,860

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 the purchase of a 2022 Ford F-150 from Schimmer Ford, in the amount of $47,545.03. 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 repairs to Hydro Unit 1 split ring repairs for $19,800 with Alternative Repair Systems. 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 the purchase of a Small Utility Enterprise Agreement from ESRI Inc. A three-year subscription totaling $34,800.00 payable annually in installments of $11,600.

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.

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve the mPower Innovations suite of tools for GIS data management, Job Order management, Fiber management, and outage management. This includes integration with existing AMI and CIS systems. For $109,100.00. 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 Ballard made a motion to approve GPS and electrical asset data collection for the City of Peru electric distribution system with mPower Innovations for $176,865.00. 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 the minutes of the June 26, 2024, Planning/Zoning Commission hearing on petition of the City of Peru for annexation and zoning of territory generally located east of Peoria Street between 26th Street and Sunset Drive. Alderman O’Sadnick made a motion to receive the minutes, place them on file and concur with the recommendation. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion; motion carried.

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:

ORDINANCE NO. 6865

AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING AND ZONING CERTAIN TERRITORY CONSISTING OF 19± ACRES GENERALLY LOCATED EAST OF PEORIA STREET BETWEEN 26TH STREET AND SUNSET DRIVE TO THE CITY OF PERU, ILLINOIS PURSUANT TO 65 ILCS 5/7-1-13 (PINs: 17-08-416-000; 17-08-425-000; 17-08-428-000)

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 the minutes of the June 26, 2024, Planning/Zoning Commission hearing on the petition of Robinson Outdoor, LLC concerning property commonly known as 1121 Shooting Park Road, Peru, IL. Alderman Payton made a motion to receive the minutes, place them on file and concur with the recommendation. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion; motion carried. Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:

ORDINANCE NO. 6866

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF AN EASEMENT FROM CHRISTOPHER M. PERRA AND CHRISTY L. PERRA, AS CO-TRUSTEES (5th Street / Lot 2 of Hebel’s Addition – Part of LaSalle County PIN: 17-17-326-016)

Alderman Sapienza 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.

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed resolution entitled:

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-10

A RESOLUTION COMMITTING CITY FUNDS TOWARDS COMPLETION OF PLAZA DRIVE

Alderman Payton made a motion the resolution 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 resolution entitled:

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11

A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND RATIFYING EXECUTION OF A GAS LINE RELOCATION AGREEMENT WITH AMEREN ILLINOIS COMPANY FOR CERTAIN GAS FACILITIES ALONG PLANK ROAD

Alderman Lukosus made a motion the resolution 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. 6867

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 6863 ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE FIXING WAGES FOR SWORN POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF PERU, ILLINOIS, THAT ARE NOT PART OF A COLLECTIVE BARGANING AGREEMENT, COMMENCING APRIL 28, 2024, AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2027

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

PROCLAMATIONS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to promote internal public works candidate to the position of Parks Foreman within the Public Works Department. 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.

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to hire selected candidate for the position of Journeyman Lineman within the Electric Department. 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.

NEW BUSINESS

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Peter & Marcia Stefenel requesting variance for the property located at 1860 Pike Street. Alderman Sapienza made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and referred to Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion; motion carried.

Clerk Bartley presented a communication from COCAOL Investments LLC, seeking annexation of property located at 2 Terminal Road, Peru, IL. Alderman Sapienza made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and referred to Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation.

Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion; motion carried.

Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Cops 4 Cancer requesting permission to use the city billboards on Rt 6 and Peoria St to promote their July 27th summer event. Alderman Edgcomb made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Payton seconded the motion; motion carried.

Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Ramon Gavina requesting permission to block off the 200 block of Calhoun Street between Market Street and State Street for a block party on July 4, 2024. July 3, 2024 – resident called to change date. Alderman Sadnick made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion; motion carried.

Clerk Bartley presented presented a petition from Colton Reiter of Illinois Valley Christian Outreach requesting permission hold their annual Praise in the Park event at Centennial Park on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Alderman Tieman made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion; motion carried.

MAYOR’S NOTES

Mayor Kolowski thanked IT Director Stephen Rounds for his vigilance in cybersecurity in light of the recent auto industry security breach.

Mayor Kolowski reported on this year’s July 3rd activities:

• Pistol Shrimp game-Salute to Military

• Kids Activities

• Food Vendors

Alderman Moreno asked for clarification for the public poll regarding location of the fireworks. Mayor Kolowski explained the decision was made based on the opinion he received.

PUBLIC COMMENT

CLOSED SESSION

Alderman Edgcomb made a motion to go into closed session to discuss meetings where the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body is considered, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired 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 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.

Closed session began at 7:53 p.m. and ended at 8:18 p.m.

Alderman Payton made a motion to reopen the meeting. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion. City Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno present. Mayor Kolowski present.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ballard made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion and motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m.

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-2024/6580-regular-meeting-minutes-07-01-24/file