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 27
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
A Committee Of A Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Ken Kolowski in the Peru City Council Chambers on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 3:30 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
MINUTES
Mayor Kolwoski presented the Committee of A Whole Minutes of May 19, 2025. Alderman Payton made a motion that the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion; motion carried.
PRESENTATION
Mr. Dan of BHMG presented the results of an Electric Cost of Service Study.
PUBLIC WORKS (IT, Water & Sewer, TEST, Airport, Buildings and Grounds, Streets & Alleys, Electric, Engineering)
IT
None
WATER & SEWER
PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King reported on an invoice from Stott Contracting, LLC in the amount of $15,325.00 for the Quik Trip lift station inspection and asked for it to be approved at the next regular meeting.
TEST
Chris Perra, President of TEST, reported that all plants are close to all be connected to fiber.
AIRPORT
Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning reported the T Hangar project will be starting soon
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
None
STREETS & ALLEYS
PSM/Fire Chief King reported that the new street sweeper is here, crews have been trained, and it will be operating on Wednesday. PSM/Fire Chief asked to notify the residents on schedule and route.
ELECTRIC
Kevin Minnick, Electric Operations Manager, reported on boxes of failed 3-phase meters and is working with Scott to find a resolution and came to an agreement last week. Mr. Minnick reported they will start changing out more meters.
Mr. Minnick initiated a discussion of “Grid Resilience Technologies for Municipal Utilities and Cooperatives in Illinois” workshop and grant opportunities with the 4010(d) Grid Resilience Formula Grants.
ENGINEERING
Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning reported that Phase II of the Plank Road project is nearing the end,and that Phase III will begin later this week.
Mr. Carls reported there will be a walk through on Thursday for the Rte. 6 Water main project.
Mr. Carls reported the 6th Street sewer separation project is almost complete, just waiting on?
Mr. Carls reported he will be attending an IDOT seminar on Wednesday.
OLD BUSINESS
Alderman Lukosus reported he, along with Cary Miller will provide a full report on the air show at the next regular meeting.
Alderman Lukosus reported that he and Eric Carls attended the ICSC Convention in Las Vegas and made a lot of contacts and it piqued some interest. Alderman Lukosus stated it would be beneficial for the city to have a booth at future event.
NEW BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE (Code Enforcement, Police, Fire, Landfill, Cemetery, Parks & Recreation)
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Committee discussed code amendments pertaining to low-speed vehicles, non-highway vehicles, low-speed electric scooters, bicycles, low-speed electric bicycles, low-speed gas bicycles and recommended further discussion and a future meeting.
POLICE
None
FIRE
PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King reported that brush truck is ordered with an expected November 2026 delivery date.
LANDFILL
None
CEMETERY
PARKS & RECREATION
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
FINANCE COMMITTEE (Finance, Human Resources)
FINANCE
City Clerk Jamey Mertel informed the council of a delinquent notices format change, noting that changing to a post card type notice will save approximately $300 a month in postage and one hour of labor per week.
Clerk Mertel reported that residents will receive an auto draft/paperless billing option form in the June utility bills.
Clerk Mertel reported that currently 17.7% of residents are enrolled in paperless billing and 34.9% of residents are enrolled in auto draft. Clerk Mertel hopes the mailing will improve the numbers to help save the City Clerks office money and time.
Finance Officer Tracy Mitchell reported the auditors were here last week and will return in July.
HUMAN RESOURCES
None
OLD BUSINESS
Initiated a discussion regarding downtown redevelopment program.
Finance Officer Tracy Mitchell reported she will be sending out the draft budget in the next 48 hours.
NEW BUSINESS
Clerk Mertel presented a petition for special use and variances with respect to property commonly known as the “Halm Farm” generally located north of May Road and East of Illinois Route 251 (PINs 11-33-315-000 & 11-33-401-000). Alderman Tieman made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and referred to the Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION
Alderman Edgcomb made a 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; meetings where setting of the price for sale or lease of real estate owned by the public body is being considered. Alderman Payton 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 5:23 p.m. and ended at 5:51 p.m.
Alderman Tiemam made a motion to reopen the meeting. Alderman Payton 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 Payton seconded the motion and motion carried.
Meeting adjourned 5:51 p.m.
https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/minutes/committee-as-a-whole-1/committee-of-a-whole-minutes-2025/6933-committee-of-a-whole-minutes-05-27-25/file
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