Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru Committee of a Whole met July 7

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 Monday July 7, 2025, at 3:32 p.m.

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

PUBLIC COMMENT

MINUTES

Alderman Lukosus presented the Committee of A Whole Minutes of June 23, 2025. Alderman O’Sadnick made a motion that the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion; motion carried.

PRESENTATION

None

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

IT

None

WATER & SEWER

PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King reported crews are addressing several water main breaks around town.

TEST

None

AIRPORT

Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning reported on September bid letting for crack sealing, followed by pavement markings on the T-Hangar runway.

Mr. Carls reported on Request for Proposals for surfacing extension for the Marquis hangar.

PSM/Chief King reported that D&M Landscaping sprayed for weeds.

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS

Mayor Kolowski reported that Electric Operations Manager Kevin Minnick and Eric Carls, Director of Engineering are working on razing the blue building on Water Street.

STREETS & ALLEYS

None

ELECTRIC

Mr. Minnick reported the Eakas grid was completed last week for plant one expansion.

Mr. Minnick reported the crew leader position will be posted internally

ENGINEERING

Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning, reported that the Plank Road Widening project is on the 4th phase of construction. Mr. Carls stated that final phases will be modified for businesses and residents for 2-way traffic, approved by IDOT.

OLD BUSINESS

Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning, inquired about the status of the water tower design. Alderman Sapienza stated there are eight yes and why are we trying to come up with another idea. Alderman Payton stated the design is there and the mayor’s idea is too generic. Reported the city sports center is on path to move forward tying in the concept of the design. Alderman O’Sadnick inquired if two different sides can be done. Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert suggested painting the tank a light color and the tower a darker color and still use the lights that were previously ordered. Mr. Carls stated the design choice needed to be decided “yesterday”. Alderman Moreno stated that social media was not presented in the right fashion and misrepresented what the council is working on.

Alderman Lukosus stated only a small part of the story was told on social media. Alderman Sapienza stated the purpose of the bold design is to draw attention to outside communities, not for the citizens of Peru. The residents don’t need Peru to be written on the tower. Aldermen Payton and Tieman stated the feedback they received was 60/40 positive. Alderman Tieman reported that two businesses have reached out to be part of the city center and this is a steppingstone to what the council is trying to accomplish. Mayor Kolowski asked how many sides are painted and suggested the word PERU with a plane. Alderman Payton reiterated the council has a week to figure it out and will on the next regular agenda for approval. White tank and blue tower is how it will be painted for now.

NEW BUSINESS

Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning, initiated a discussion regarding a proposal from Chamlin & Associates for the Slough Bridge inspection. Mr. Carls reported that IDOT requires an annual inspection, and the proposal will be on the next regular council meeting for approval

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

CODE ENFORCEMENT

None

POLICE

Alderman Payton reported the Police Department was awarded $70,000 grant for part-time social worker and grant is renewable if applied for every year. Alderman Payton stated the program will be supported as long as the grant is available. Alderman Payton asked for formal approval of the position at the next regular meeting.

FIRE

None

LANDFILL

None

CEMETERY

Alderman Sapienza reported the landscaping around the new entrance sign looks beautiful.

Alderman Lukosus reported that Deputy Clerk Stephanie Piscia is researching minutes to see if second columbarium was discussed as the first one is full.

PARKS & RECREATION

Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events reported fireworks went off without a hitch and were amazing.

Mr. Thorson reported that the West Field at Veteran’s Park will be shut down for maintenance in the middle of this month.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Sapineza entertained the idea of an E Bike committee. Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert reported on meeting with Police Chief Sarah Raymond and feels it can be hammered out without the formation of a committee.

FINANCE COMMITTEE (Finance, Human Resources)

FINANCE

Finance Officer Tracy Mitchell initiated a discussion regarding self-insurance reserves, along with general and utility reserves. Ms. Mitchell stated ordinance will need to be looked at.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Human Resources Director Kim Reese presented and reviewed health insurance options for GLP-1 coverage

OLD BUSINESS

Mayor Kolowski reported the Baker Lake trail resurfacing project will not be an additional cost to the budget and approval for the project will be on the next regular agenda.

NEW BUSINESS

Committee discussed and recommended $500 donation to Cops 4 Cancer with formal approval at the next regular meeting.

CLOSED SESSION

Alderman Payton 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 and meetings where setting of the price for sale or lease of real estate owned by the public body is being considered. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Edgcomb absent. Motion carried.

Closed session began at 5:25 p.m. and ended at 6:02 p.m.

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

Alderman Edgcomb absent. Mayor Kolowski present.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Payton made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion and motion carried.

Meeting adjourned 6:02 p.m.

https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/minutes/committee-as-a-whole-1/committee-of-a-whole-minutes-2025/6982-committee-of-a-whole-minutes-07-07-25/file