Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru Public Services Committee met Jan. 6

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

ROLL CALL: Aldermen Edgcomb, Payton and Tieman present. Alderman O’Sadnick absent.

MINUTES

Alderman Payton made a motion to approve the Public Services Committee Minutes of December 9, 2024. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion; motion carried.

PRESENTATION

None

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Alderman Edgcomb commended CSO Blake Frund for his continued work regarding code enforcement.

POLICE

Police Chief Raymond reported the new part-time officer has started and initiated a discussion regarding making the position full-time. Chief Raymond stated she will lose an officer in April to a year-long deployment and another to retirement in December. Chief Raymond asked for consideration to go ahead and make the position full-time to keep police department at full strength.

Committee asked for the amount of overtime paid when staff is short.

FIRE

PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King reported that call volume has almost doubled and looking into a Lexipole grant that would help cover the cost for employees. PSM/Fire Chief King reported the grant could be used for upcoming building upgrades as well.

PSM/Chief King reported the city currently bills for emergency calls and initiated a discussion on the possibility of contracting out the billing. 

PSM/Fire Chief King reported that the City of Ottawa is working on radio grants and will report when he has more information.

LANDFILL

PSM/Fire Chief King reported piles are being rotated at the landfill per IEPA requirements.

CEMETERY

PSM/Fire Chief King reported a tree branch came down and damaged a portion of the fencing and contacted MAP Quality Fencing to repair.

Alderman Lukosus reported on a proposal to gift the city with an enhanced entrance sign at the entrance of the cemetery. This would replace the wooden sign at the entrance.

PARKS & RECREATION

Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events reported on the following:

• 28th Street Park upgrades complete; ground restoration will begin in the spring.

• Sunset Park roofing system (last part of park enhancement), low bid from Tieman Builders in the amount of $12,200.

• Washington Park sidewalk installation is complete, ground restoration will begin in the spring.

• Bid opening for chiller system for ice rink will be on January 9th.

• Ice ring is open due to cold weather

Alderman Edgcomb inquired on how to get a park named after someone. Committee stated discussions should begin with the recreation advisory board.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

None

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

CLOSED SESSION

None

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Payton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.

https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/minutes/public-services-minutes/public-services-committee-minutes-2025/6774-public-services-committee-minutes-01-06-25/file