Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru Committee of a Whole met April 28

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

A Committee Of A Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kolowski in the Peru City Council Chambers on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

City Clerk Jamey Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno present. Mayor Kolowski present. Alderman Tieman arrived at 3:47 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT

MINUTES

Mayor Kolowski presented the Public Works Minutes, Public Services Minutes and Finance Committee Minutes of April 14, 2025. Alderman Payton made a motion that the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Motion carried

PUBLIC WORKS (IT, Water & Sewer, TEST, Airport, Buildings and Grounds, Streets & Alleys, Electric, Engineering)

PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King reported crews will be changing out a couple fire hydrants.

Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning reported on moving forward with resurfacing project in the amount of $580,000 and reject bid for crack sealing and restriping to which only bid was received. Mr. Carls recommended repackaging and rebidding the job.

Finance Officer Tracy Mitchell reported on MFT reimbursement.

Mr. Carls reported he is working with PSM/Fire Chief King on bid specifications for mower at the airport.

Mr. Carls reported they are working on parking for the TBM Avenger & Salute to Veterans event due construction on Plank Road.

Reported on demolition 1410 8th Street. (house behind park garage)

Mr. Carls initiated a discussion and recommended a proposal from Cruz Concrete in the amount of $28,750 for sidewalk replacement on Water Street.

Mayor Kolowski initiated a discussion regarding traffic issues near the newly renovated 28th Street Park. PSM/Fire Chief King reported that since there are no sidewalks in that area, crosswalks cannot be added.

Electric Operations Manager Kevin Minnick reported on the Eakas upgrade before 7-4.

Mr. Minnick also reported crews are replacing approximately 12 poles.

Mr. Carls reported on the resurfacing then marking of Rte. 6 along with a new guardrail to be installed at the old Butternut location.

Alderman Edgcomb asked if there was update on Slough Bridge. Reported no update.

Mr. Carls recommended accepting the bid from Great Lakes Water for the Well 9 project.

Committee discussed N. Peoria Street water tower painting/lighting. Committee discussed pros/cons of the new logo.

Committee reported final artwork will be presented at upcoming meeting.

Alderman Payton inquired about widening area near the water store for cars waiting in line and asked that once a solution was obtained, to post on social media.

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve temporary sign permit for Riverfront Bar & Grill. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Mr. Carls noted the temporary sign would be up from April 22-September 1st and will display sponsors for their volleyball league. Motion carried.

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve a temporary sign permit for the Illinois Vally Art Guild. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion. Mr. Carls asked for a reminder to be placed on social media and website that permits are required for signs to be erected within the city.

Alderman Lukosus initiated a discussion regarding contract extension with Peru Greenhouses for the City of Peru planters, with a 0% increase for an additional 3 years. ($165.00 per planter; $6.50 to water each planter), and asked for a motion to

Alderman Sapienza asked on budgeting for trees for the parks.

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE (Code Enforcement, Police, Fire, Landfill, Cemetery, Parks & Recreation)

PSM/Fire Chief King reported crews are preparing for the upcoming TBM Avenger & Salute to Veterans airshow.

PSM/Fire Chief King reported he is waiting on Dimmick to purchase new brush truck for fire.

Alderman Edgcomb reported the new cemetery entrance sign looks great.

Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events reported a proposed purchase of a Kubota tractor from Ladd Farm Mart.

Mr. Thorson reported that St. Bede Academy requested to host baseball sectionals at Veteran’s Park on May 28-31, 2025. Mr. Thorson reported on discussing the request with the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp and Committee agreed to let St. Bede host the event.

Mayor Kolowski reported on a conversation with AJ Querciagrossa from OSF HealthCare about the Peru campus and noted everything is going in the right direction. Alderman Payton also noted the discussion of OSF/PVAS transfers.

Alderman O’Sadnick reported there is no new report on the pool committee.

FINANCE COMMITTEE (Finance, Human Resources)

Finance Officer Tracy Mitchell initiated a discussion of General Fund Summary for FY26 budget.

Ms. Mitchell provided a utility fund summary.

Human Resources Director Kim Reese reported discussions regarding the wage ordinance will be discussed in closed session.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

CLOSED SESSION

Alderman Payton made a motion to go into closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard,

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

Closed session began at 4:57 p.m. and ended at 5:23 p.m.

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

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Tieman made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion and motion carried.

Meeting adjourned 5:24 p.m. 

https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/minutes/committee-as-a-whole-1/committee-of-a-whole-minutes-2025/6906-committee-of-a-whole-minutes-04-28-25/file