Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru City Council met Sept. 9

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, September 9, 2024, at 7:00 P.M.

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

PUBLIC COMMENT

Resident Janet Mayszak addressed the council regarding a racoon infestation emanating from a house located on the 2700 block of 6th Street.

Good evening. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak tonight and address the council.

My name is Janet Mayszak my husband Paul and I have lived on the 2800 block of 6th Street since 1974. We are the second longest resident in our neighborhood. In those 50 years it has usually been a beautiful quiet areil. Of course there have been minor disturbances. Where don't you find those?

However, the past several years we have been plagued by a raccoon infestation. It Is emanating from a derelict house on the corner of the 2700 block. I believe you are all familiar with this residence. The city has been undertaking the cleanup of the yard. I know a number of the neighbors offered to help the owner with the yard at one time but the offer was refused. He said he had a plan for his yard. What that plan was I could never tell. I certainly appreciate the effort the city has made to clean up the eyesore. It has made walking past it much easier each day.

We first noticed the problem when our pond was disturbed one morning and we found all of our Kol gone.

We didn't know what we were dealing with at the time so we set out a small trap. It was sprung the next morning, food gone but nothing in itrame thing happened the next few days. So we invested in a trail cam.

That night it was obvious why we weren't catching anything. The raccoon was extremely large. So we found a much larger trap. The videos were very interesting. It would go around and work out how to get out the food without springing the trap. It was so big it could go in and back right out. The most raccoons we saw at one time on the trail cam were three.

My husband was also concerned about the danger of releasing such an animal. What if it attacked? So we called the police for help. They said they couldn't help us. I called animal control. I got the same response.

I then contacted the humane society. I was advised it was a $500.00 fine to trap them. They said to try to get a professional trapper.

The activity seemed to die down for us for a while.

This summer however they have been back. This time they had been concentrating on our front porch. They had torn apart and destroyed our cushions for our porch furniture and were chewing apart our side steps.

Unfortunately, I didn't think to check the security camera on the porch during that time period to check for activity. It was gone when I went to check as our system only saves for one week.

We also had an incident after the last storm. We had taken our American flag down as the pole was bending and laid it down on the porch. Before my husband could fix the pole the flag was gone two days later. I saw on the video something on it but couldn't quite see what it was. Flag was chewed up and we found pieces of it. Several days later I found it at another neighbor's house. I don't know if that's as far as it could go or it just got stuck there. At any rate, I was grateful to get it back as it held special meaning to me.

I had heard rumors of a neighbor seeing the raccoon going into the house so I spoke to them. Mr. George Needs told me that he saw the raccoons climb in through the roof of the house. So apparently they are living inside. He said I could use his name but didn't want to come this evening,

Another neighbor had two major incidents that cost her considerable amount of money. The raccoons got in somehow through her walls. She said she could hear it snoring when she was trying to sleep at night.

Can you image hearing that? The next time they got through her ceiling fan and ripped that up. She had to hire someone to get rid of them. It was very difficult to find someone. Then she had to pay for damages.

Another neighbor on the 2700 block told me another person had all their koi eaten. Both he and another had taken it upon themselves to trap and release. Together they have gotten probably close to 60 or 70.They assumed the raccoons were living in the garage of the house. I wasn't about to tell him about the fine possibility. They are doing the neighborhood a service as far as I am concerned.

We do need help. I shouldn't be up to us to risk getting a hefty find or needing to go through proper channels to do it correctly.

Lt. Art. Smith called me shortly I spoke to Mr. Lukosus about this problem. He basically told me what the conservation dept. did. He did suggest that I apply for a special permit to trap. He suggested to hiring a professional trapper. I pointed out that we are seniors on a fixed income. He said maybe the whole neighborhood would pitch in. Now I ask you. Why should the neighborhood need to pay to get rid of this problem?

I honestly don't know if there is a solution to this. If they are living in the house it wouldn't be fit to live in or resell.

Another concern is that there is a daycare directly behind this house. I realize they don't normally go out in the daytime but you never know. And should they become cornered or feel threated they can get violent.

Once again, thank you for your time.

Alderman Edgcomb agreed the city should step in with animal control.

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert noted there are provisions in the code pertaining to and stated paperwork is underway to file a complaint at the county.

PRESENTATION

MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS

Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of August 26, 2024. Alderman Payton made a motion the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.

FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Alderman Sapienza presented the following disbursements for payment on September 11, 2024:

FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES

General Fund $717,145.17

Insurance Fund 142,508.83

Utility Fund 1,250,955.63

Airport Fund 5,107.87

Total $2,109,717.50

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, Sapienza, Edgcomb, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman O’Sadnick absent.

Motion carried.

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to execute an engineering service agreement with Chamlin & Associates, Inc. for the T-Hangar Pavement Rehab project at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Sapienza, Edgcomb, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman O’Sadnick absent. Motion carried.

Alderman Ballard made a motion to approve a change order with JW Ossola Co. for the JR Subdivision Water Main Extension in the amount of $29,931.40. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Sapienza, Edgcomb, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman O’Sadnick absent. Motion carried.

Alderman Ballard made a motion to approve a change order with JW Ossola Co. for the JR Subdivision Electrical Extension in the amount of $17,184.00. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Sapienza, Edgcomb, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman O’Sadnick absent. Motion carried.

Alderman Sapienza made a motion to award 2024 MFT Program to Advanced Asphalt in the amount of $323,013.70. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Eric Carls noted the project is from City lay down yard to the east Ctiy limits.Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Sapienza, Edgcomb, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman O’Sadnick absent. Motion carried.

Alderman Moreno made a motion approve quote from Advanced Asphalt Co., in the amount of $20,520.00 for 40x12x6 Class B concrete patch on Plank Road just north of Illinois Valley Excavation. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Sapienza, Edgcomb, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman O’Sadnick absent. Motion carried.

Electric Operations Manager Kevin Minnick reported Unit 15 is back in service.

Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning thanked the police department for their help with milling of Rte. 6 and expect continued inconveniences.

REPORT OF CITY ATTOREY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:

ORDINANCE NO. 6879

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCES AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITION OF TERRENCE KUNKEL CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1723 10TH STREET, PERU, ILLINOIS

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, Sapienza Edgcomb, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman O’Sadnick absent. Motion carried.

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:

ORDINANCE NO. 6880

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 110-93(a) OF THE CITY OF PERU CODE OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING STOP SIGNS (Green Street and Main Street)

Alderman Sapienza 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, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman O’Sadnick absent. Motion carried.

PROCLAMATIONS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Thanked Alderman Payton for his efforts to getting the September 26th town hall meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

MAYOR’S NOTES

Mayor Kolowski asked Human Resource Director Kim Reese to report on the Health & Wellness Golf Outing benefiting the annual Blue and Red Christmas event. Ms. Reese reported there were 81 golfers and proceeds from the outing will go to the Blue and Red Christmas Charity.

Alderman Lukosus reminded the council of the Fly In Breakfast at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport on September 15th

Police Chief Sarah Raymond reported the Peru Police Department, along with OSF Healthcare will be conducting a car seat safety check and health and wellness day on September 21st. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

CLOSED SESSION

Alderman Payton made motion to go into closed session to discuss 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. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye.

Alderman O’Sadnick absent. Motion carried.

Closed session started at 7:40 p.m.; ended at 8:14 p.m.

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

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Payton made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion and motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 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-2024/6649-regular-meeting-minutes-09-06-24/file