Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru City Council met July 14

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, July 14, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. 

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

PUBLIC COMMENT 

PRESENTATION 

Police Chief Sarah Raymond spoke on the School Resource Officer of the Year award and reported is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions and dedicated service to juveniles within their agencies, local community and to the law enforcement profession within the recent year. 

Mayor Kolowski presented School Resource Officer Brian Zebron and K-9 Haven with the School Resource Officer of the Year award. 

Chief Sarah Raymond nominated SRO Zebron for his exemplary service while working with students, faculty and staff at La Salle/Putnam County Educational Alliance for Special Education and the La Salle, Marshall, Putnam Regional Office of Education 35. In her nomination letter, Chief Raymond stated that SRO Zebron has dedicated his time and efforts to all the juveniles in school and made significant contributions to the juveniles and the school alike. 

Chief Raymond reported he has implemented programs within the daily school day including drug education, bullying, and social and emotional learning,” she said in the letter. “He started and now maintains a therapy dog program and is partnered with his K9 Haven who is a 1-year-old Saint Bernard.” Raymond said not only did he design and implement the program and train Haven, but SRO Zebron also knew that simply having a dog by his side with the juveniles in school would facilitate trust and above all, conversation with a police officer. 

SRO Zebron stated it’s an incredible feeling to receive the award because he knows that the work has been able to help some youth. SRO Zebron stated, “I’m so lucky to work with an amazing team at the Peru Police Department”.  

SRO Zebron also spoke on the Junior Police Academy that started today. SRO Zebron stated the class has 30 participants and first time in the area to offer something like this. 

MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS 

Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of June 30, 2025, City Clerk’s Report of Cash Received  for May 2025, and Peru Police Department Monthly Report for June 2025. Alderman Lukosus made a motion the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion; motion  carried. 

FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE 

Alderman Tieman presented the following disbursements for payment on July 16, 2025:

FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES

General Fund $848,691.90 

MVP TIF 3,803.76 

Utility Fund 3,580,430.65 

Airport Fund 55,651.16 

Total $4,488,577.47 

Alderman Tieman made a motion the disbursements be received, placed on file and bills paid in the usual manner. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion. Alderman Payton absent. Motion carried. Finance Officer Tracy Mitchell reported the disbursements are very high at $4.5M,but include the large power bill of $1.7M and the payment for the Water St. transformer of $1M. We are using Utility Fund Investment Reserves for the transformer. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Payton absent. Motion carried. 

Alderman Ballard made a motion to approve donation to Central Region Sr BB Tournament $5,000 (consistent with past 3 years; $2,500 pre-Covid). Alderman Tieman seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel  called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman,Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Payton absent. Motion carried. 

Alderman Tieman made a motion to approve Cops 4 Cancer $500 (consistent annually since 2005- exception 2021 Golf Outing $12,371.10). Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye.  

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE 

Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events reported the Music Under the Oaks that was scheduled for July 11th is rescheduled for September 19th. 

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE 

Alderman Ballard made a motion to approve a proposal from Midwest Environmental Consultant Services in the amount of $7,341.50 for asbestos abatement at 1410 8th Street. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Payton absent. Motion carried. 

Alderman Moreno made a motion to authorize execution of proposal from Chamlin and Associates for Slough Bridge Inspection. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Payton absent. Motion carried. 

Alderman Moreno made a motion to award the airport parking lot expansion paving to Universal Asphalt, in the amount of $190,513.25. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Payton absent. Motion carried. 

Alderman Sapinza made a motion to authorize the city engineer to seek bids for the Baker Lake Trail. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Payton absent. Motion carried.

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve the inspection and treatment of wood poles with OSMOSE  Utilities Services Co. for a price not to exceed $50,000. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Payton absent. Motion carried. 

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve annual dielectric testing of vehicles, equipment, and tools with irby utilities for $12,891.75. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Clerk Mertel called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman  Payton absent. Motion carried. 

REPORT OF CITY ATTOREY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 

Clerk Mertel presented the minutes of the July 2, 2025, Planning/Zoning Commission Hearing on the petition of Elizabeth Watson concerning property located at 2623 Market Street, Peru. Alderman Lukosus made a motion the minutes be received, placed on file and concur with the recommendation. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Clerk Mertel presented a proposed ordinance entitled: 

ORDINANCE NO. 6961 

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING VARIANCES AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITION OF ELIZABETH WATSON CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2623 MARKET STREET IN THE CITY OF PERU 

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

Clerk Mertel presented the minutes of the July 2, 2025, Planning/Zoning Commission hearing on the petition of Tom Etzenbach, as trustee of the Geraldine H. Etzenbach trust, concerning property located at 1815 Calhoun Street, Peru. Alderman Lukosus made a motion the minutes be received, placed on file and concur with the recommendation. Alderman Moreno seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Clerk Mertel presented the minutes of the July 9, 2025, Planning/Zoning Commission continued hearing on the petition of Illinois Valley Food Pantry, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, concerning property located at 4133 progress boulevard, Peru. Alderman Edgcomb made a motion the minutes be received, placed on file and concur with the recommendation. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion. Motion  carried. 

Clerk Mertel presented a proposed ordinance entitled: 

ORDINANCE NO. 6962 

AN ORDINANCE DECLARING CERTAIN POLICE VEHICLES AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE THEREOF TO SHIMMER FORD OF PERU FOR SERVICE  MAINTENANCE CREDIT, OR OTHERS

Clerk Mertel presented a proposed ordinance entitled: 

ORDINANCE NO. 6963 

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT FROM SF FARMS, LLC (Merdian/Dalzell Road & Shooting Park Road, Peru – PIN: 17-18-108-000) 

Alderman Edgcomb 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, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Payton absent. Motion carried. 

Clerk Mertel presented a proposed ordinance entitled: 

ORDINANCE NO. 6964 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF PERU’S GENERAL FUND EMERGENCY RESERVE POLICY 

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

Clerk Mertel presented a proposed ordinance entitled: 

ORDINANCE NO. 6965 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF PERU’S UTILITY FUND EMERGENCY RESERVE POLICY 

Alderman Ballard 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, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye. Alderman Payton absent. Motion carried. 

Clerk Mertel presented a proposed resolution entitled: 

RESOLUTION NO. 2025-12 

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PROPOSAL FOR EXCHANGE OF REAL ESTATE PURSUANT TO 65 ILCS 5/11-76.2-1 

Alderman Edgcomb made a motion the resolution be adopted as written and read. 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. 

PROCLAMATIONS 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Mayor Kolowski initiated a discussion regarding an alternate design for the N. Peoria Street water tower and asked for feedback. Alderman Edgcomb stated the council has wasted enough time on the subject and said he would doesn’t want to discuss the matter and to paint it whatever the mayor wants but that he would not be voting again. Alderman Sapienza reiterated that all eight aldermen were in unison with the Area 251 design and noted the multimillion advertising platform. Alderman Moreno stated he would like to move on to bigger and better things. 

NEW BUSINESS 

Alderman Jason Edgcomb inquired whether the city’s garbage contract with Republic Services contains any provisions for customers to recoup fees during the current labor dispute. Clerk Mertel stated he’d read the contract and, although not aided by an attorney, there did appear to be language suggesting relief may  be had, noting there are provisions that give them leeway on that. Mayor Kolowski reported there is “some movement,” and was further advised that a potentially consequential meeting is set for Tuesday between labor and management. Mayor Kolowski reported the main thing is we want to get back to normal, and as for refunds, “that’s going to be at a later date.” Mayor Kolowski also noted the 800 number for Republic Services is also working. 

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 

Clerk Mertel presented a communication from Amber Leibov, of Santa’s Elves of Illinois Valley, requesting permission to hold a back-to-school supply giveaway at Centennial Park from 2pm-5pm on Saturday, July 26th. Alderman Edgcomb made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Clerk Mertel presented a communication from Colton Reiter of Illinois Valley Outreach, requesting permission to hold the 4th annual Praise in the Park event at Centennial Park on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Clerk Mertel presented a petition from Spirit Halloween requesting temporary signage from July 18, 2024 to November 4, 2025 at 1307 38th Street. Alderman made a motion the petition be received, placed on file  and permission granted. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

MAYOR’S NOTES 

Mayor Kolowski thanked PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King, Electric Operations Manager Kevin  Minnick, Public Works, Police Department, Fire Department and Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events Adam Thorson for the successful Rock the River event. Mayor Kolowski thanked Police Chief Sarah Raymond for the successful Warriors and  Guardians 5K. 

PUBLIC COMMENT 

CLOSED SESSION 

ADJOURNMENT 

Alderman Moreno made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion and motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/minutes/regular-council-meeting/regular-meeting-minutes-2025/6993-regular-meeting-minutes-07-14-25/file