Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru City Council met May 5

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 5, 2025, at 7:02 P.M.

City Clerk Jamey Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno present. Mayor Kolowski present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

PRESENTATION

MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS

Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of April 21, 2025 (1st Meeting), Regular Meeting Minutes of April 21, 2025 (2nd Meeting), Treasurer’s Report for March 2025, and City Clerk’s Report of Cash Received for March 2025. 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 May 7, 2025:

FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES

General Fund $603,388.75

Insurance Fund 164,274.15

Garbage Fund 81,393.84

Utility Fund 1,701,320.05

Airport Fund 11,399.09

Total $2,561,775.88

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 Mertel 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 approve purchase of Kubota tractor from Ladd Farm Mart in the amount of $39,968.20. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Motion carried.

Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events, reported on the Grand Valley University Baseball tournament, Cinco de Mayo baseball tournament, and rugby all utilized Veteran’s Park over the past weekend and noted the positive feedback regarding the events. Mr. Thorson also noted the rugby team will be at Veteran’s Park on Thursday at 6 p.m.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to deny the non-responsive low bid of $212,460.00 from Midwest Well Services, Inc. for the Well 9 Rehab project. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel 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 award the Well 9 rehab project to Great Lakes Water in the amount of $216,110.00. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel 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 proposal from Cruz Concrete in the amount of $28,750.00 for sidewalk replacement on Water Street. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Mayor Kolowski stated the work should be done by July 3rd. Clerk Mertel 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 the purchase of eight 1200W LED Sport/Stadium Lights from Commercial LED Lights for an amount not to exceed $16,319.92. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert reported the lighting is for the water tower on N. Peoria Street. Clerk Mertel 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 contract extension with Peru Greenhouse for the City of Peru planters,0% increase for 3 additional years. ($165.00 per planter; $6.50 to water each planter). Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Motion carried.

Alderman Moreno made a motion to approve the hauling / loading / storage / installation services for the power transformer purchased with HWP Rigging for $43,400 (Center Street Substation). Alderman Payton seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moren voting aye. Motion carried.

Kevin Minnick, Electric Operations Manager reported that he is working on the application process for the RP3 Designation for the City of Peru Mr. Minnick stated the designation is given by the American Public Power Association (APPA) to utilities that demonstrate high proficiency in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. Mr. Minnick noted there are only two other communities in IL with the designation (Naperville and Rock Falls).

REPORT OF CITY ATTOREY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert presented a proposed ordinance entitled:

ORDINANCE NO. 6942

AN ORDINANCE FIXING WAGES FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF PERU, ILLINOIS COMMENCING APRIL 27, 2025 AND ENDING APRIL 25, 2026

Alderman Payton made a motion the ordinance be adopted as written and read. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Motion carried.

PROCLAMATIONS

Mayor Kolowski presented a proclamation proclaiming May 17-24, 2025 as Safe Boating Week. Alderman O’Sadnick made a motion to receive the proclamation and Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Motion carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Payton made a motion to terminate Professional Services Consulting Agreement with Robert F. Vickrey d/b/a Oval Wacker Consulting. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Motion carried.

Alderman Tieman made a motion to approve Part-Time Meter Reader Agreement for Mary Kramer.

Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Motion carried.

Alderman Payton made a motion to re-appoint John Atkins to the Peru Police Pension Board for a two-year term ending April 30, 2027. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Motion carried.

Alderman Edgcomb made a motion to re-appoint Tom Payton to the Peru Police Pension Board for a twoyear term ending April 30, 2027. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Edgcomb, Sapienza, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Payton abstained. Motion carried.

Alderman O’Sadnick made a motion to receive and place on file a resignation letter from Jamey Mertel from the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, effective immediately. Alderman Payton seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Motion carried.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Clerk Mertel presented a communication St. Bede Academy requesting use of Veteran's Park Schweickert Stadium to host the class 1A IHSA Sectional baseball tournament. Dates are May 28 (semifinal games at 4:30 & 7:00), May 31 (championship game at 10:00). Alderman Payton made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Alderman Edgcomb stated there will be a charge for admission. Motion carried.

Clerk Mertel presented a communication from Ax Church requesting permission to host the annual Hope Week Kickoff at Centennial Park on Sunday, June 1st. Alderman Tieman made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Clerk Mertel presented a communication from Zack Cinotto of Riverfront Bar & Grill requesting 1 hour

extension of “Day Hours” to 11pm on Friday, May 23rd. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion. Motion carried.

MAYOR’S NOTES

Alderman Edgcomb reported that Veteran’s Banners are up and reported the Peru CSO will be placing a new order. Alderman Edgcomb also stated the retired banners can be picked up at city hall.

Alderman Edgcomb reported on the CSO Golf Outing that raised $5,000 for United Way. Alderman Payton thanked the Peru CSO for all their work.

Mayor Kolowski reported that the City of Oglesby hosted the Illinois Valley Baseball League Opening Ceremonies this year and that the City of Peru will host opening ceremonies next year. (Consolidation of LaSalle, Peru, Oglesby Little Leagues)

Mayor Kolowski reported the Peru Girls Softball conducted their opening ceremony at McKinley Park and had a great turnout.

Reported on this weekend’s Kids Fishing Rodeo at Baker Lake beginning at 9 a.m.

Alderman Lukosus reminded the council of the upcoming TBM Avenger & Salute to Veterans Reunion event next weekend and reported planning is progressing nicely. Alderman Lukosus also reported that the Boy Scouts will be serving breakfast on Saturday, May 17th.

Alderman Lukosus noted that the TBM Avenger & Salute to Veterans Reunion event is listed in the Top 10 airshows according to USA Today. Alderman Lukosus noted the very rare commendation along with the event free to spectators.

Kevin Minnick, Electric Operations Manager reported that on May 15th, the IMEA will present the System Achievement Award in Springfield, with Mr. Minnick and Mayor Kolowski representing the City of Peru.

PUBLIC COMMENT

CLOSED SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Sapienza made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion and motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/minutes/regular-council-meeting/regular-meeting-minutes-2025/6913-regular-meeting-minutes-05-05-25/file