The Peru City Council met last night as required by ordinance that they meet each week and since a change in the ordinance several weeks ago, it was also a formal meeting.
It lasted approximately 30 minutes and they discussed absolutely nothing that was of immediate concern or could not have waited until next week. The cost to the city was 760.00 or just about 25.36 per minute for the 8 aldermen to be in attendance at the meeting. .
Since the aldermen are opposed to any more increases in taxes to get the city out of debt maybe they should seriously look at and propose a change in the number of meetings which they are paid to attend which would cut the city expenses.
It would only take 4 of the aldermen to vote yes on this proposal and I believe that Mayor Harl would break the tie with a yes vote.
The matter of their biggest concern last evening was whether Bob Vickrey who will be retiring from his position as VP of the News Trib., and has volunteered his time and abilities to the City of Peru , as a Community Development Director, should sign a paper indicating he will not benefit from that position financially from anything he does. This is a position that appeared to have developed out of thin air and I don't know whether Mr Vickrey proposed the title or whether it came from the Mayor or Council. This is definitly uncharted territory for the city.
17 comments:
It is the most asine thing I ever heard of, to have a meeting to decide if a volunteer, needs a special title, or make any money off the deal.
Come on Aldermen, do away with $760., weekly. Twice a month is more than you need to make any decision. You would save the City $1520, a month. Please use your heads.
Does anyone realize that our County Board only meets once a month and at about 1/2 the pay. They also get paid for committee meetings, but they only have them once a month too. So, if my information is correct, they earn approximately the same amount of money for one month as our aldermen earn for one meeting. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong but, if I'm right does any one else think this is ridiculous (especially during these hard economic times)?
Does anyone recall the attorney the city used for prior TIF;s?
Lois have you discovered who, how, and why the position of Community Developement Director was created?
Anon 1:20 You are close. County board members get $60.00 per meeting whether it be full board meeting or committee, and they only meet once a month. If you would happen to have two meetings in one day, say two committee meetings you only get paid for one. They also get paid for their mileage but LaSalle County is big so many of them are coming from all corners of the county.
10:10AM
The city works with an atty from Bloomington by the name of Tom Jacobs. He was here a couple of weeks before the most recent Tif was passed. Herb Klein may be the local atty who works with Jacobs.
10:12AM
I think it was the decision of Mayor Harl to take up the offer Vickery made to volunteer his services and then the Mayor presented it to the Council who also agreed to it.
The "Why" I don't know nor do I understand. As far as I know Mr. Vickery has not attended Council Meetings or been involved before with the city in any capacity.
The News Trib used the term "hire" but since Mr Vickrey is not to be compensated for his services, he was not hired and he does not have a job description. Perhaps he will be the Mayor's personal assistant.
The reason I questioned the TIF attorney's name is because if you look on the News Trib web site under Peru Tif you will see a comment made by Tom Jacobs ""**error**"". Wonder if this is in regard to the Tif itself or to Mr. Vickrey appointment. Food for thought!
Lois, I believe Mr, Vickrey is also interested in running for the County Board.
Lois, you stated that the aldermen are opposed to any more increases in taxes to get the city out of debt!?! Yes they are - when it comes to a 5% utility tax that Mayor Harl, justifably, requested a year ago. But, the key to the drama is that the council is not opposed to any more spending to get the city out of debt.
This situation and lack of good judgement in business decisions (for example: generator sets, new city building when Mirror building was available) should be motivation for anyone interested in being an aldermanic candidate for next spring's election.
The Peru City Council is required by ordinance to meet each week for a formal meeting. It is ridiculous to meet on a Wednesday and then a following Monday. The Peru City Council changes ordinances to accomodate their own whims. Why not change the present ordinance to have a meeting every 2nd week for a specific time frame - say 1 year and then if this appears to be a decision in the correct direction - change the number of meetings to once a month and special meetings called by the mayor at his discretion.
$95.00 X 8 = $720 X 52 = $37,440.00 per year
$95.00 X 8 = $720 X 26 = $16,720.00 per year
$95.00 X 8 = $720 X 12 = $8,640 per year
This 1 meeting per month would give aldermen more time to pick up their own mail (saving mailing dollars), study the prospective itineraries and be prepared to make voting decisions.
Another ordinance is not difficult as how many ordinances has the city had in the 1st quarter of 2010 and at what cost per ordinance. Are there any additional costs per city council meetings besides the aldermen - such as building inspector?
Anyone volunteering for a position such as created recently should sign a legal document indicating that they will not receive any financial benefits as a result of the position. This volunteer should be bonded and required to abide by a code of ethics. As you stated, this is definitely unchartered territory for the City of Peru. It is so much easier to start with a strict set of disciplines than to have to correct a weak set. The person in this position will be an agent for the city and the city will be liable. I do not understand why it is even questioned? If any volunteer has reservations about signing this kind of document then they should not be representing the City of Peru. It is unfortunate that most people do not understand the ramifications of volunteering for boards - they are responsible for the actions taken and can be held liable. Alderman of any City carry that same responsibility.
Lois, so Vickery made the offer to the city?
ANON 5:17
Do you think Tom Jacobs comment ""**error**"" was directed at the TIF or Mr. Vickrey's appointment?
I, for one, am not against the aldermen meeting 4 times a month as a full city council ready to do business IF they do their homework in advance of the meetings. As they wish to have their information mailed to them at our expense versus stopping at City Hall to pick it up, then they should be knowledgeable and ready to discuss the issues and information they've had time to read prior to the meeting.
If that is not the case, I see no reason for us to be paying wages for aldermen who are present at a meeting in which no business is transacted. Perhaps they could go back to the old way but with pay only for formal meetings
The aldermen get paid for meetings. But what do they do in their neighborhoods? Do they walk them, look for ordinance violations, and talk to their constituents? Or do they just send a neighborhood complaint straight to the police department without having to get involved.
Based on folks I've spoken with, one never sees one's alderman unless it's time for reelection. So in addition to the payment they receive for attending the council meetings, what exactly are their other responsibilities?
I still wish someone could put some insight into Tom Jacobs comment (and I quote) - ""**error**"". Was he trying to tell us something?
7:07 PM
Can you give me the date of that article? I tried looking through the News Trib for any TIF articles but did not come up with the one you are referring to.
Lois - It's been removed.
Lois, that error was on the Newstrib.com under the most commented article, which happened to be the day after the meeting when they approved the TIF.
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