Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru Committee of a Whole met July 28

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 28, 2025, at 6:00 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 Kolowski presented the Committee of a Whole Minutes of May 19, 2025, and July 21, 2025. Alderman Payton made a motion that the minutes be received and placed on file. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion; motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Mike Kmetz with Kmetz Architects provided the committee with an initial design for a pool next to the splash pad costing around $7 million. Mr. Kmetz stated the next steps would be environmental work, more specific design drawings and bringing on a contractor that would cost thousands of dollars and have a best-case scenario for a pool opening in 2027.

Alderman O’Sadnick stated the pool committee polled neighboring communities for framework on budget for pool.

Alderman Payton noted the Ottawa pools operating budget is larger than they anticipated a few years ago.

Alderman Edgcomb noted that parking is limited at the proposed location. Mr. Kmetz reported that 14 parking spaces would be added. Alderman Edgcomb also inquired as to what are the next steps. Mr. Kmetz stated soil borings would need to be taken followed by preparing bid documents, requiring higher-level drawings, then released for bidding. Mr. Kmetz stated there are many variables including 6–9-month permit process.

Mayor Kolowski inquired about the cost of higher-level drawings. Mr. Kmetz reported on 7% contingency plus engineering costs. Mr. Kmetz estimated the cost would be approximately $500,000 with a cost of $375,000 to get to bidding process. Mr. Kmetz noted he consulted contractors for overall number. Alderman O’Sadnick stated the city needs to decide if they want to spend the money to get to that point.

Alderman Payton asked Mayor Kolowski how to find $375,000 after asking department heads to cut 13% of their budgets. Mayor Kolowski stated that if we don’t fund the pool now, it will never happen. Alderman Payton reiterated that he is concerned about adding extra debt to the city.

Alderman Tieman inquired about the design for sight of pool. Mr. Kmetz stated it was designed to match the splash pad.

Alderman Sapienza stated the proposed pool with operating cost approximately $200,000 in annual expenses will keep increasing over the next 20 years

Alderman Lukosus reported the city has used the hotel/motel tax fund for many projects and would hate to see it go away. Alderman Lukosus stated that money would have to be replaced somehow, possibly with raising property taxes to fund the account.

Alderman Tieman reported that he has been stopped by many people that comment no one told them the money wasn’t already there to fund the proposed pool. Alderman Tieman noted that residents have stated they did not know the proposed pool would possibly need to be funded by a 20-year bond. Alderman Tieman voiced his concerns about not having a concession stand, the size of the pool and no family lockers. Alderman Tieman noted that the IL Valley YMCA is available and where are the parents and children who are pushing for this.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Mike Ladzinski stated the city built a $16 million police station and urged the city to build the pool.

Ms. Eileen Helwig stated she has been waiting 34 years for the main water improvements that were in this year’s budget, until Mayor Kolowski cut the funding. Ms. Helwig stated there are many pools nearby and the city cannot afford to build a pool, noting this is a want, not a need.

Ms. Janet Mayszak stated the city should find the money to fund the proposed pool.

Mr. George Marple reiterated that only 49% of eligible voting Peru residents voted on the referendum. Mr. Marple also noted the city has not paid adequate attention to the infrastructure and said pools are a money pit.

Mr. Glen Flodstrom stated that if the police department was half the size, there would be funds to build a pool.

Mr. Mike Hart inquired about how much is in the pool fund. $144,000 and that engineering can be paid out of the pool fund.

Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning reported that over $30 million has been spent on infrastructure over the last 10 years.

Ms. Natalie Smigel noted the referendum vote should not hold as much weight as some are presenting it to. Ms. Smigel reminded the council they were elected to make the best decisions for the city, and we cannot use emotions when making decisions.

Mr. Mike Holloway stated the 424 capacity may be too small and lets “shoot for the stars” and build something we can use year-round.

Mr. Tom Riordan reported he has water and sewer that needs to be addressed, and the city has been mismanaged.

Mr. Vance Walsh reported on the characterization of the public being misled.

Mayor Kolowski stated he takes responsibility for infrastructure not being done and noted that if we do not build the pool now, it is over, as prices will only continue to rise. Mayor Kolowski then played a video from before his first election for everyone.

Ms. Sherry Mayszak reported she is tired, that she has been fighting this fight since 2011 and since then, splash pad and new police station were built. Ms. Mayszak stated the mayor needs your support and the voters spoke to using hotel/motel taxes to build a pool.

CLOSED SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Payton made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion and motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/minutes/committee-as-a-whole-1/committee-of-a-whole-minutes-2025/6996-committee-of-a-whole-minutes-07-28-25/file