Infrastructure Committee Mtg. 11/30

Tonight a meeting was held at city hall by the Infrastructure Committee which is supposed to hold their meetings and announce them 48 hours ahead of time to allow any interested citizen to attend. Following their usual schedule, it would be held on this coming Monday Dec. 5. Much to my surprise this committee did not publicly post on the internet the day and time of this meeting which is against the Open Meetings Act. I checked and there is no agenda available. Was this planned?

Application for Peru Firefighter Position

The City of Peru Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will be accepting applications to establish an eligibility list for the position of Firefighter for the Peru Fire Department. This is a full time position for a career minded individual

Qualifications: • Must be a U.S. citizen • Must be at least 21 and UNDER 35 years of age at time of application and posting of final eligibility list (unless exempt under provisions outlined in the Illinois Fire and Police Commissioners Act)
• Must have High School diploma or equivalent
• Must have valid driver’s license at time of hire
• Must have an Illinois Firefighter II certification issued by the Office of the state Fire Marshal (OSFM)
• Must have current and valid Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, or EMT-Paramedic License at application deadline and at time of hire
• Must have a current and valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Card at time of application deadline.
Cards considered valid only if dated within one (1) year prior to 1/9/2012
• Must have no felony convictions
• Must be able to pass a physical agility test, written examination and oral interview
• Upon conditional offer of employment, applicant must pass a medical exam, polygraph test, psychological exam, drug screening and extensive background investigation
• City residence required within six months of hire
• Must complete and confirm an online application and submit completed release of documents and other required documents (see CHECKLIST) by 12 noon on Monday, January 9, 2012
For a complete job description or to apply visit www.publicsafetyrecruitment.com 01798

Most Homes Selling For Less Than Last Year « AM1220 WLPO News

Most Homes Selling For Less Than Last Year « AM1220 WLPO News

Agenda for City Council 8/30

AGENDA

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011

ROLL CALL 7:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COMMITTEE REPORTS ALDERMEN

> 1. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE Potthoff & Radtke
(Wage-Negotiations, License)

Discuss wage for Budget Officer

2. PUBLIC WORKS Waldorf & Lukosus

(Electric, Street & Alley, Water & Sewer)
Discuss 2012 Street Program
Discuss use of ½% sales tax
Motion to authorize Chamlin & Associates to review infrastructure road program to prepare for bidding

3. PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Ferrari & Perez (Fire & Police, ESDA, Health) 4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Ankiewicz & Mayszak

(Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds)

REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING “AN ORDINANCE FIXING WAGES FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF PERU, ILLINOIS”

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING SECOND HAND DEALERS

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING MEETING DATES FOR THE CITY OF PERU FOR CALENDAR

YEAR 2012 FOR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING MEETING DATES FOR THE CITY OF PERU FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2012 FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING DRAINAGE EASEMENT (SELLETT) UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC COMMENT

CLOSED SESSION MEETINGS HELD TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY,

INCLUDING HEARING TESTIMONY ON A COMPLAINT LODGED AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE OR LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY TO DETERMINE ITS VALIDITY

MEETINGS OF A MUNICIPALITY OPERATING AS A MUNICIPAL UTILITY, POWER

OR NATURAL GAS AGENCY TO DISCUSS CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE, SALE OR DELIVERY OF ELECTRICITY OR NATURAL GAS AND THE RESULTS FOR LOAD

FORECAST STUDIES ADJOURNMENT

Christmas in Utica « AM1220 WLPO News

Christmas in Utica « AM1220 WLPO News

Happy Thanksgiving Day to All of You

Wishing all of you a day of rest and relaxation, at least most of you as I know many of our public service employees and health care people will be working on some of this day and will get a shortened version of the Holiday.

Enjoy your food and your family.

We will be spending our Thanksgiving day for the first time ever with children and grandchildren at one table and we are very thankful. A day to appreciate our blessings and to share what we can.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

News Tribune - News - Local - Movements promote local shopping

News Tribune - News - Local - Movements promote local shopping

Great idea for many small communities. I may live in Peru but I wholeheartedly support people supporting the Mom and Pop stores in their own town. After all that is what makes for a vibrant community and actually contributes to the community spirit of a town.

I only wish we had more in our city.

An infrastructure improvement project by an other name is still an infrastructure improvement project

Call it what you will, the project formerly known as the "EAKAS" something-something or other is exactly what the commercial / industrial area north of Interstate 80 has needed for a long long time. I suspect the project came out of committee (Public Works) titled the EAKAS project because a portion of the overall project involves the equipment and engineering needed for upgrades to the west Wastewater Treatment Plant which will be used to process the EAKAS waste-stream. The truth of the matter is the collection system which accepts wastewater from north of I-80 is currently operating near capacity during normal conditions simply because the system was never properly expanded and improved as the area continued to develop over the past twenty to thirty years. There was never a plan to expand the collection system. There was never a commitment from previous elected officials to do what needed to be done to accomodate future expansion in that area. I've said it before and I'm saying it again, the previous Peru administration was all too content to hail themselves "Leader of the Valley" while most of our infrastructure remained vintage 1950's and 60's. This project, like so many others, is long overdue and must be done in order to increase the collection system capacity for all customers in that area. Ironically, I'm told the sewer problems in that area have resulted in toilet and drain back-ups at several restaurants and businesses, including one of the most recent additions up there owned at least partially by former Mayor Don Baker. Proof positive that as they say, "What goes around comes around". As for Alderman Potthoff's poorly veiled assertions that residential areas will be slighted if we spend infrastructure money in industrial or commercial districts. I disagree, we have just started a commitment to improve "all" aspects of our crumbling infrastructure. That commitment will come with a long term plan and an understanding that we have a lot of catching up to do. Dave Potthoff saw a political opportunity to "muddy the wastewater" if you will, and as he has done so often, cast the lone "nay" vote for a project that he and the previous administration knowingly neglected for many years. Speaking of which, perhaps we could name the project in honor of my mentor and aldermanic legend, Jack O'Beirne. As an alderman and chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee for more than twenty years, O'Beirne is as responsible as anyone for the deplorable condition of Peru's water distribution system as well as the wastewater collection system. Naming a sewer improvement project after Jack just smells right to me.

News Tribune - News - Local - Peru has first project for infrastructure sales tax

News Tribune - News - Local - Peru has first project for infrastructure sales tax

EAKAS?

Public Meeting Ald. Mayszak and Ald. Perez Today

Ald. Perez and Ald. Mayszak scheduled a public meeting for today to make themselves available to their constituents and those of any other ward who wished to come for one hour from 1 PM to 2 PM.

It was generally agreed that it was well worth the time to attend. The aldermen answered any and all questions and others generally contributed to the conversation. A great comfortable atmosphere to brainstorm ideas for the city and to field concerns by residents.

This was not a formal meeting and was held in the community room at city hall. They hope in the future others will attend to have questions answered, to offer their opinions and feel comfortable talking about what you think the city is doing right or wrong. Ald. Ferrari is the only other alderman who came for a short while but the offer had been extended to all of them.

Today some of the topics were the ambulance service, garbage cans are not in the parks, why?, the ice skating rink and why is it not centrally located within the city?, the new fire dept. vehicle purchase, park district, is it a good idea?

If you were there, what did you think?

Peru committee to meet with PSI ambulance service « AM1220 WLPO News

Peru committee to meet with PSI ambulance service « AM1220 WLPO News

All of this activity and I had to stay home with the sniffles. Sounds like it was a busy meeting.

At last a discussion and the residents will even be allowed to be informed, I am impressed. Mark this one on your calendar!

Gold store allowed to open in Peru but a city ordinance is likely to follow « AM1220 WLPO News

Gold store allowed to open in Peru but a city ordinance is likely to follow « AM1220 WLPO News

JUST IN TIME FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

And our asst bldg inspector wants to treat it as a jewelry store? Anyone else wonder why this person is still a Peru city employee. I guess he is encouraging a fast track to further destruction in whats left of downtown Peru.

Note from the Safety Committee meeting of 11/7/11

The Committee also discussed the possibility of the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service losing the contract for transfer’s from I.V.C.H. on December 1st.

And Part II

Aldermen Ferrari and Perez along with Mayor Harl to discuss getting facts and figures about the Fire Department and possibly having their own ambulance.

A year ago I would have been impressed with the possibility but now I have serious doubts due to so many allegations that have been lodged against the Peru FD and I have heard of nothing showing the community they have changed anything.

News Tribune - News - Local - La Salle wants to 'light up' downtown

News Tribune - News - Local - La Salle wants to 'light up' downtown

Something for the people to enjoy. Hint Hint

News Tribune - News - Local - Peru police seek clues in 17 car burglaries

News Tribune - News - Local - Peru police seek clues in 17 car burglaries

News Tribune - News - Local - Peru sinkhole a tunnel to the past

News Tribune - News - Local - Peru sinkhole a tunnel to the past

Building and Zoning Inspector Job Description Updated 06/09

Why Townships Don't Add Up Part One Overview

Why Townships Don't Add Up Part One Overview

Police look for man in Peru « AM1220 WLPO News

Police look for man in Peru « AM1220 WLPO News

Job Descriptions Ignored When Hiring

What is the point of writing up job descriptions if you do not use them?. The city found it necessary to write up job descriptions for department heads when they were audited under the new system within the last year. The Clifton Gunderson auditing company evidently required that we utilize a system where job descriptions must be present.

I have the job description for both the Supt. of Public Works and the Zoning and Bldg. Inspector.

Without a doubt we are ignoring both the qualification aspect and also what they should be required to do because they are not doing it. Why would the city put themselves into such a position by ignoring rules they have established for very important jobs within this city. Many residents have become aware of the discrepancies and even city employees realize this situation and again we all know where "the buck stops". When government at any level is not functioning at its best level, it is up to those who head this city to take hold of the reins and do what is right for the city and not for those who while drawing a good salary are not doing what they should be doing. There is enough blame to cover all those involved in the top level of the city government and please start running the city as the business that it is.

Old Brewery Tunnels on Lower Pike Street

On Oct. 20, the N.T. did an article titled Sinkholes reveal old brewery tunnels. According to the story, "Two sinkholes on the lower end of Pike Street in Peru revealed an old stone arch tunnel that once was used by the Star Union brewery which closed in 1966." According to records, The company brewed beer from 1893 until it was shut down in 1966. I went down to get my first look at the sinkhole today after talking to a local couple about what they might possibly have been used for. Is this what a sewer system would have looked like circa 1893? It doesn't seem practical that Star Union Brewery that was a very small brewery at that time would have required something the size of those tunnels to transport sewage into the river. These tunnels were definitely meant to last a very long time. If the tunnels extended in all directions from the current sinkhole, why? Anyone heard stories through the years through families about these tunnels? Is it history that should be further explored?. What is on top of the tunnels looks like tons of fill. Definitely fascinating to see and wonder about.

News Tribune - News - NCI - Military uniform exhibit opens for Veterans Day

News Tribune - News - NCI - Military uniform exhibit opens for Veterans Day

Halloween on Marquette Road Trick or Treat

On Halloween evening between 5 and 7 somewhere around three to four hundred treats per household were handed out to the little trick or treaters and even some not so little ones, I was told. There was so much traffic that ESDA and several Peru Police cars came out to attempt to manage the traffic. Keep in mind that this street is one of the busiest streets in Peru on a normal traffic day and now throw in all the extra cars because so many people decided that this was the place to be on Halloween. Although this is not new and started years ago when families decided that better treats could be obtained in the newer additions of town. This year it seemed to have reached the exploding point. If it had been necessary to get an ambulance through, I am told it would be difficult. Cars parked along the sides of Marquette Rd. and children running back and forth and on the roadway and I hope that adult supervision was present. The topic was presented to the Peru Police chief but he really did not have an answer. Do you?

Just wondering about the helicopters

We were wondering about the medic helicopters that used to fly over our house almost daily and sometimes more than that. During the construction period at IVCH, I know they changed the way transfers were handled and ambulances brought the patient to the airport. Is this a permanent change? There was an open house at IVCH on Sunday and I assume the new units are now open. Anyone know if helicopters will again be landing at the hospital or will it only be from the airport? They are not landing at the hospital or we would be hearing them.

News Tribune - News - Local - County board committee turns down marketing plan

News Tribune - News - Local - County board committee turns down marketing plan

How Proud are you of our parks?

We hear periodically about things in our parks that need to be repaired, repainted or replaced. It is the people of Peru who see the problems and I would hope they mention them to their alderman who should go to the proper person. Is the Superintendent of Public Works Gary Bleck responsible for managing the department and the people who are responsible for maintaining our parks. If so from the looks of this bench, it appears he is not getting the job done.

I know that Bleck and the Aldermen and the Mayor are aware of this particular bench because I was at the council mtg where the issue was brought to their attention and I believe that was in the summer. And as you can see nothing has been done. Is the city waiting for another lawsuit because a child insured himself on this broken piece of park equipment? I guess if Central States was going to be at that park, it might have been taken care of, do you think so?

I Thought the City was Responsible for Our Parks Was I Wrong?

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know who a citizen should approach when they see things that are questionable, broken, or in a sad state of disrepair or just a simple question on something they witnessed? Some time ago I mentioned a broken bench in one of our parks that could be dangerous for little children to be around. Several months later that bench is in worse shape. Is it the cities responsibility, public works department, recreation commission, aldermen, park board, who? Some of our park equipment is in dire need of restoring and a fresh coat of paint. Who should be responsible for that? Just asking where to seek answers?

12:04 PM, November 01, 2011