1st Ward Aldermen Jeff Ballard (left) and Bob Tieman (right) | City of Peru Website
1st Ward Aldermen Jeff Ballard (left) and Bob Tieman (right) | City of Peru Website
City of Peru Committee of a Whole met May 12
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, May 12, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
City Clerk Jamey Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Tieman. Payton, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno present. Mayor Kolowski present. Alderman Ballard absent. Alderman Edgcomb arrived at 3:38 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
MINUTES
Mayor Kolowski presented the Committee of A Whole Minutes of April 28, 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)
IT
Stephen Rounds, Director of IT, reported they are ready for the airshow and anticipates it to be a much better experience this year.
WATER & SEWER
None
TEST
None
AIRPORT
Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning reported that Marquis, Inc. will be working on parking lot extension and noted that per the 2019 Development Agreement, the city would be responsible for the cost of half of the asphalt, estimated at $80,000-$100,000. Mr. Carls stated the extension would begin after the airshow.
Mr. Carls reported that traffic on Plank Road should be temporarily open to two-way traffic this weekend for the airshow.
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
None
STREETS & ALLEYS
Mr. Carls discussed and recommended the approval, on the next regular meeting agenda, of 10-year intergovernmental agreement with IDOT for the Maintenance of Municipal Streets for a term of July 1st, 2025, to June 30th, 2035.
ELECTRIC
Kevin Minnick, Electric Operations Manager reported on a presentation, at the next Committee of A Whole meeting, by BHMG regarding the 138KV Substation at Eakas.
Mr. Minnick reported the new transformer for Unytite has been received and scheduled to be installed in June.
Mr. Minnick reported on having a rate study performed for electric rates. Alderman Payton noted an article in the Chicago Tribune about electric rates.
ENGINEERING
Mr. Carls initiated a discussion of FY26 Capital Projects along with deferral ideas.
Mr. Carls initiated a discussion of a contractor that is continuously not fulfilling its obligation to the city and how to deal with him.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Committee authorized Country Kids Produce to put out signs from May 1st to October 31st
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE (Code Enforcement, Police, Fire, Landfill, Cemetery, Parks & Recreation)
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Alderman Edgcomb reported that Community Service Officer Blake Frund will be providing an update/progress on issues throughout the city.
Alderman Sapienza reported that properties on Plain Street from 4th to 7th need to be addressed. Police Chief Sarah Raymond stated she would get it looked at.
POLICE
Police Chief Sarah Raymond reported she applied for a grant for social worker position and looks hopeful.
Chief Raymond reported on the implementation of Juvenile Police Academy this summer for grades 5th-8th.
FIRE
PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King reported that Dimmick has approved purchase of brush truck to donate to the City of Peru.
LANDFILL
None
CEMETERY
PSM/Chief King reported the cemetery looked great for Mother’s Day and commended the crews on their great work.
PARKS & RECREATION
Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events reported on the following:
• Discuss RTV quotes
◦ Leone’s -Belt Drive
◦ Ladd Farm Mart-Transmission Drive
◦ Not apples-to-apples bids
◦ Recommends approving bid from Ladd Farm Mart and asked for approval at the next regular meeting
• Discuss firework show for the 2025 Airshow for $15,000
◦ Asked for approval at the next meeting agenda
◦ July 3rd bids will be bids to be presented at a future meeting
• Discuss contract and scope of work from Iron Sleek
◦ Has not received proposal yet
• Discuss concrete work at Veteran's Park for $17,932.00 from Ladzinski Cement Finishing
◦ Will be in the May 21st disbursements
• Discuss annual field maintenance proposal from Advanced Turf Solutions in the amount of $11,675.56 and $7,133.78 for all 2025 sports diamonds/fields
◦ Will be in the May 21st disbursements
• Discuss OSLAD playground/exercise equipment
◦ Equipment needs to be ordered before June 1st to avoid price increase
◦ Will discuss with finance and place on next regular meeting agenda
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
FINANCE COMMITTEE (Finance, Human Resources)
FINANCE
Finance Officer Tracy Mitchell initiated a discussion of budget reductions for FY26. Ms. Mitchell noted we are a lot closer to approving the budget but there is still work to be done.
Alderman Payton reported the city needs to adjust rates sooner rather than later before we fall further behind.
Alderman Payton thanked Ms. Mitchell for all her hard work.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Human Resource Director Kim Reese initiated a discussion on Recreation Camp stipends and reported the request for approval will be on the next regular meeting agenda.
OLD BUSINESS
Alderman Tieman asked for update on pool committee. Alderman O’Sadnick reported that Kmetz Architects will have a concept plan in 2 weeks.
NEW BUSINESS
Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert reported on sales tax ordinance to be approved at the next regular meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
CLOSED SESSION
Alderman Edgcomb 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 Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus, and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Ballard absent. Motion carried.
Closed session began at 4:45 p.m. and ended at 4:56 p.m.
Alderman Payton made a motion to reopen the meeting. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno present. Alderman Ballard absent. Mayor Kolowski present.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Lukosus made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion and motion carried.
Meeting adjourned 4:57 p.m.
https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/minutes/committee-as-a-whole-1/committee-of-a-whole-minutes-2025/6912-committee-of-a-whole-minutes-05-12-25/file
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