Illinois Valley Times

City of Peru City Council met April 8

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, April 8, 2024, at 7:00 P.M.

City Clerk Dave Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno present, Mayor Kolowski present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

PRESENTATION

Police Chief Sarah Raymond presented Police Det. Amy Sines and Officer Alec Lindemann the Life Saving Award for saving the life of a woman at the Peru high rise. Chief Raymond reported on March 16, officers were dispatched to the high rise in reference to a person in a mental health crisis sitting on the outside ledge of the seventh floor. Ofc. Lindemann responded to the call and immediately recognized the person as someone he had contact with before and understood the severity of the call.

He directed other officers and Peru EMS to stage in an area not in view of the person in crisis, knowing they would fixate on the response. Ofc. Lindemann said he spoke with the person and realized they were not going to come back in willingly. So, he kept talking to them, eventually earning enough trust to move closer. Ofc. Lindemann stated they kept talking about how their mental health was impacting them and how they couldn’t deal with it anymore. Chief Raymond reported that Detective Sines arrived on scene and began talking to the person in crisis while Ofc. Lindemann gathered further information.

Det. Sines discovered the person had taken the remainder of the prescription medication and they began to sway back and forth, tethering falling off the edge. Det. Sines reported that Lindemann put himself out the window while she “held on and braced. Det. Sines stated he was able to pull them in and get them without anybody getting hurt. Chief Raymond stated that without the quick actions of Ofc. Lindemann and Det. Sines there is no doubt this could have ended tragically. Ofc. Lindemann, who is from the Peru area, has been in law enforcement for four years and with the Peru Police Department for two. He said he was grateful for the commendation and the opportunity to help someone. Ofc. Lindemann stated he don’t have a lot of time in, but it kind of reinforces that I am improving, or I am getting better. Ofc. Lindemann stated they are all CIT trained, so specifically for mental health I think that helped a lot. Det. Sines, a certified crisis negotiator stated she joined law enforcement to make a difference in a positive way in her community and to help people who couldn’t help themselves. Det. Sines stated that she would hope that if she was ever in a position like that, someone would have the same compassion and concern for her Police Chief Sarah Raymond introduced newly selected Police Officer Tyler Wolf. Chief Raymond reported that Officer Wolf graduated from Princeton High School in 2004. He began his law enforcement career in 2013 with the Bradford Police Department, before serving with the Princeton Police Department for the last eight years. Chief Raymond stated Ofc. Wolf has a great personality and will fit in really well with the department. Chief Raymond stated it’s always good to bring people who have that knowledge base of being a police officer and nice to have somebody that you probably don’t have to train as long. Ofc. Wolf stated that working in law enforcement has been a part of his family, as his grandfather used to take pictures for the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office. Ofc. Wolf stated that although his family was involved and his grandfather had told him he should join he wanted to “do his own thing” but, he found it exciting. Ofc. Wolf stated, “I want to do this,” he said. “This is great. I want to help people. I want to be there. It’s been super rewarding ever since.” Ofc. Wolf said he applied to work at the Peru department for the advancement opportunities. There are more job opportunities, whether it be detective, K-9, there are several different options. It kind of broadens my horizons to further my career. Ofc. Wolf lives in Princeton with his wife, Emily, and their four children and he enjoys attending their events and being a part of the community. One way he is able to do that is through his 1957 fire truck. Ofc. Wolf stated he uses it for things like the Homestead parade and things like that around town. Ofc. Wolf stated it kind of gets him into the community outside of being a police officer. Ofc. Wolf stated he purchased it from the city for $1 and uses it for car shows, as well.

PROCLAMATIONS

Brandon Miller-Guss, Executive Director of Illinois Valley Regional Dispatch Center read aloud a proclamation proclaiming April 14-20, 2024, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in the City of Peru. Peru Police Department telecommunicator Christie DeGroot, IVRD telecommunicator Rachel Sienkiewicz, IVRD telecommunicator Lindsey were in attendance and received a huge thank you the City of Peru Officials for their recognition of our telecommunicators as they are the vital link between our citizens and emergency responders.

MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORTS/ACTIVITY REPORTS

Mayor Kolowski presented the Regular Minutes of March 17, 2024, Building Permits-First Quarter Report 2024 and the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service Inc. Activity Report for February 2024. Alderman Payton made a motion the minutes and reports be received and placed on file. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion; motion carried.

FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Alderman Sapienza presented the following disbursements for payment on April 10, 2024:

FUND NAME TOTAL EXPENSES

General Fund $577,434.31

Garbage Fund 78,442.09

Utility Fund 592,884.00

Landfill Fund 240.00

Airport Fund 6,196.04

Total $1,255,196.44

Alderman Sapienza made a motion the disbursements be received, placed on file and bills paid in the usual manner. Alderman Tieman seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

Alderman Payton reported FY 25 budget meetings have been conducted with all departments.

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE

Alderman Moreno commented on the Veteran’s Park diamond conditions.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Alderman Moreno made a motion to approve an Engineering Service Agreement with Chamlin and Associates for the OSLAD Grant Administration not to exceed $20,000.00. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

Alderman Sapienza made a motion to approve Chamlin & Associates as the selected consultant for the Illinois Valley Regional Airport for a period of 5 years. Alderman Lukosus seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to approve Crawford, Murphy, Tully, Inc. as the selected consultant for the Illinois Valley Regional Airport ALP Update. Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried. Finance Officer Tracy Mitchell asked about budgetary figures for the retainer. Eric Carls, Director of Engineering and Zoning explained that the current projects are in the budget but future approvals will be added.

Alderman Ballard made a motion to approve rewind of an exciter with Ideal Electric in the amount of $16,000. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

REPORT OF CITY ATTOREY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

PROCLAMATIONS

Clerk Bartley presented a proclamation proclaiming April 2024 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Alderman Payton made a motion the proclamation be received and placed on file. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion; motion carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Lukosus made a motion to seek external applicants for the position of Crew Foreman within the Electric Department. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion. Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

Alderman Sapienza made a motion to approve Downtown TIF Commercial Renovation Program application of Starved Rock Properties, LLC and award grant funds in the amount of $4,000 for TIFeligible expenses at 2000 4th Street (PIN#17-17-434-005). Alderman O’Sadnick seconded the motion.

Clerk Bartley called the roll with Aldermen Ballard, Tieman, Payton, Edgcomb, Sapienza, O’Sadnick, Lukosus and Moreno voting aye; motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Clerk Bartley presented a petition the City of Peru for Annexation of Territory Generally Located West of Airport Road and North of Gunia Avenue (23.5± Total Acres). Alderman Tieman made a motion to receive the petition and place it on file. Alderman Ballard seconded the motion; motion carried. (Public Notice of Proposed Annexation to be held on May 6, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.)

Clerk Bartley presented a petition from POJO Limited Partnership requesting approval of a final plat of subdivision for property located at 1840 May Road. Alderman Payton made a motion the petition be received, placed on file and referred to the Planning/Zoning Commission for review and recommendation.

Alderman Tieman seconded the motion; motion carried.

Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Rita Studzinski, Chapter Leader of the River Valley Chapter of The Compassionate Friends requesting permission to hold the annual walk at Baker Lake on September 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Alderman Tieman made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion; motion carried.

Clerk Bartley presented a communication from Sue Gillio of Music Suite 408, requesting permission to hold Summer Tuba Fest at Centennial Park on July 28, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Alderman O’Sadnick made a motion the communication be received, placed on file and permission granted. Alderman Sapienza seconded the motion; motion carried.

MAYOR’S NOTES

Mayor Kolowski reported that after 435 days, the former IVCH, St. Margaret’s Health-Peru has officially opened as OSF Saint Elizabeth. Mayor Kolowski thanked Senator Sue Rezin, Representative Lance Yednock, Fire Chief Jeff King, Police Chief Sarah Raymond, Director of Engineering and Zoning Eric Carls and Corporate Counsel Scott Schweickert for their tireless efforts.

Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events reported on the Taste of the Illinois Valley flyer that raffle tickets will again be mailed out in upcoming utility bills.

PSM/Fire Chief Jeff King reported the TBM Avenger Reunion and Salute to Veterans event is one month away.

PUBLIC COMMENT

CLOSED SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Payton made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Alderman Edgcomb seconded the motion and motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:39.

https://www.peru.il.us/government/agendas-and-minutes/minutes/regular-council-meeting/regulhttps-www-peru-il-us-administrator-index-php-option-com-docman-view-category-ar-meeting-minutes-2024/6485-regular-meeting-minutes-04-08-24/file