People like to compare them to the Library Board both composed of appointed members. The Library operates in the open and have a regularly scheduled Board Meeting each month at the same time. It is posted ahead of time and anyone is free to attend. Also I can see how the money that the state mandates the city of Peru give to them is being spent on. As last year, they did some internal improvements to the building etc. They provide programs for the community and maintain a web site for our convenience.
The Recreation Commission meets irregularly and not sure if there is public notice or not. I do know they met Feb. 14 but those minutes are not online yet , minutes of January 10 are available and in the minutes of that mtg, it is stated that they approved the minutes from November which are not online and should be.
They are given $50,000 from property tax and another 25,000 from the General Fund . If you want to check out the information it is located in the 2012 Operating Budget, page 25 and 26 on the city web site.
Appointed members of this commission are Janice Grabowski, Barbara Pyszka, Bryan Hartman, Ray Zbrowski, John Chuck Deisbeck, Tom Stuart, and Ron Kelsey. According to the minutes Bryan is now President.
I do believe this commission was previously called the Peru Park Board. You might like to read the minutes for Jan. 10, 2012 and see that they have many plans for Peru's recreation programs including a new baseball field, improved and repaired soccer fields, resurfacing tennis courts and of course Pickle Ball Courts which actually sounds like fun for all ages.
34 comments:
Thank you Lois for this post. I have many times tried to find out how and why this board was established and what their purpose was. No one seems to have a clear understanding of why council approval is needed for even the smallest of issues but they have no say in how our tax dollar is spent by the Rec committee. I have always thought that our parks were maintained and overlooked by our Public Property aldermen.
Don't we have a recreation director that we pay almost $10,000per year? Shouldn't that person scour the parks for necessary improvements and changes and report their findings to full council? Why do we pay a rec director, give money to a rec committee to do with as they please, and pay personnel for taking care of the parks? Seems as though there could be a better way to do this and save some money in the process.
It seems that something is missing here, a total lack of oversight on the part of the council to see how taxpayer money is being spent by the Recreation Commission. The council needs to step up to the plate and start asking questions about how the money is going to be spent before it actually is. How legal is this arrangement regarding the use of taxpayer money without oversight?
Ah! Yes! as one blogger previously stated Here Comes Summer. Will it be another summer of frustration. Remember last summer a summer in which the swimming pool was shut down and summer help increased from 38 the year before with a swimming pool to 41 without a pool and LaSalle operated with a pool at considerably less manpower.
This political tool of increasing summer help will be stretched to its fullest limit this summer considering it is definitely a vote getter and elections are next April. I sincerely pray that the summer workforce is not increased to such a extent that the contact for employee shirts is over $20,000.
Peru's ability to upkeep and furnish their parks was embarrassing at best last year and only topped by not putting Roosevelt Schools playground equipment in a much needed area of Peru. Instead it was given to Dalzell who has over $100,000.00 in their own park and recreation fund.
Yes Peru has a recreation director who is paid $9,900 per year and should be reporting the conditions, needs and activities of each individual park to the city council.
But who in Peru does report on their own area. The Mayor , other city administrators and council members annually attend the IML meetings and as of yet none of this administration has brought back a report on their activities.
Incidentally has there ever been any discussion of privatizing certain departments in Peru? The cemetery department with some of its immediate needs which have been brought up would be a great candidate for openers?
Two other topics which should be openly discussed are the hiring of a city manager and the Treasurers position will be up for election. Will this be a Treasurer or a Budget Director election and at what salary? Who is going to guarantee that a elected official can perform this job? There is entirely too much confusion of this elected $24,000 per year city occupation. Is it a $6,000 per year job raised $18,000 per year depending on the persons qualifications that is elected to the position?
If public comment at the city council meetings is to become a matter of pick and choose and like and dislike there is small wonder that after three years many are still waiting for the first town hall meeting conducted in the manner that was promised.
When will the airport bid be let? Since all contacts $20,000 and above are to be bid it will be interesting to observe what this airport plays out to be on the cities profit and loss sheet in the future.
@6:29 I have have a feeling that the public comment was intentionally left off of Monday's meeting. They knew there would be questions regarding that stop sign and they wanted no questions asked. The citizens of Peru can see right through their little games they like to play.
Regarding my earlier post, that they do not neet to get council approval, I believe this year for the first time they will be obliged to go out for bids on anything over $20,000 and maybe the council will have the authority to make the decision on the bids that have come it. I guess that would be a good question to ask them.
If you look at the summer help hiring list you will see that 90% are all relatives and a few neighbors of current city officials and current and past city employees . That is why there is no accountability for these teens and early 20's employees . Nobody wants to tell one of their bosses or coworkers kids what to do . Especially Bleck . He can't even tell his employees what to do ! What a waste of money that everywhere else businesses and such are getting the same amount of work done with less employees and a little more management from its current management system and a little backbone. Peru has alot to learn about saving money !
I think this "Pickle Ball" game sounds exciting but I do have several questions concerning the location of the courts and the needed equipment. First of all since the court requires lines and 4 to 5 courts are to be added to an already basketball court will the basketball court be eliminated? Next, since there is no storage unit at 28th street park where will the equipment be stored? Also, has there been any thought to the added traffic that may possibly occur if this program takes off and running? Have the residents in the area been asked for their opinions much as those around Baker Lake were asked how they felt about a "small fireworks display"? It was also mentioned that the only cost to the city would be for the court striping.
Whose going to purchase the necessary equipment? The Rec Commission? And, where do they get their money?
Looking at the minutes of this Jan. 10th Rec Commission meeting it reads as though the "Pickle Ball" suggestion has been approved and permission given to order the necessary equipment. I don't understand. Doesn't this have to be presented to full council to be discussed and then voted upon? Can the Rec Commission just do with the City Parks as they see fit? Would love to know answers to some of the questions posted above how and why this committee was given such power.
Anon 1:08 I'll second your motion and like to know answers to your questions. Most likely this committee has never been given such power but has just grabbed it on its own as other committees or commissions have.
This committee practice has been enabled by the fact that once you are appointed to a committee in Peru it becomes part of your personal domain until the day you resign. A persons tenure on a committee is decided upon by themselves and they are never taken off or anyone given a opportunity on a specific committee until a opening is created by a resignation or death.
11:14 And just think that the fireworks would have just been for one day...this could go on for months depending on the weather. The least they could have done was talk to the residents that live near the park for their thoughts.
I have ordinance #1374 in front of me. It is "an ordinance establishing a playround and recreation board in the City of Peru, Illinois. Passed and adopted May 10, 1957.
Section II says The Playground and Recreation Board shall consist of 5 members.
Section IV says the term of office of the members of the Playground and Recreation Board shall be 5 years or until their successors are appointed. The Mayor appoints a successor.
Section VI says the Playground and Recreation Board shall have the authority to expend such moneys as shall be provided by the city council for recreation purposes.
Section VII says the amounts of money realized from the levy and collection of taxes for recreation purposes as levied by the city council of the City of Peru, Illinois shall be placed in a special "Recreation Fund" and shall be expended by the Board in the equipment, operation and maintenance of such playground and recreation centers, said fund to be dispersed under the direction of said Board.
So unless this ordinance has been amended since 1957, it appears the Board has the authority to buy whatever they feel is necessary for playgrounds and recreation. This ordinance is on the city's website. However, expenditures over $20,000 have to be approved by the city council. There are more than 5 members on the board, so that requirement must have changed since 1957.
Hope this helps clear some things up.
Sherry Mayszak
Have any of the members been on longer than 5 years? Thank you for the information alderwoman Mayszak. Maybe it's time for the council to look at some of these old ordinances and see if any revisions need to be made to accomodate today's needs.
all that clears up is its business as usual in Peru and not only can department heads and the mayor do what they want but also the Rec Committee can do what they want too .
Sherry: We understand ordinances need to be followed but our question is has anyone from our council or the rec commission checked to see if the proposed location is a feasible sight? Have people in the neighborhood been asked if they foresee any problems with this addition to the park? Weren't the people surrounding Baker Lake approached when discussion involved moving fireworks there?
May 10, 1957, Robert "RUB" Potthoff was Mayor and Don Baker was a alderman, everything north of Shooting Park Road was farmland, and man had yet to land on the moon. Many things have changed in the last 55 years and it appears that some of the things which have not should be revisited. The publishing of this ordinance only re-emphasizes what Anon 5:33 has stated.
A playground and recreation board was passed and adopted May 10,1957 by ordinance. By ordinance when was this board dissolved and by ordinance when was the Peru Recreation Commission created. The board calls for five members the present acting body has seven. It appears that the city council had best pick up the taxpayers money and resume stewardship of it rather than giving it out to a unauthorized group of seven.
No better proof of this is the management of the Roosevelt School playground equipment being in Dalzell rather than in a park in Peru.
Yes, I need to check to see if the ordinance has been amended since 1957. If not, it should be reviewed.
Alderman Perez took the initiative to question residents around Baker Lake about the fireworks.
Were any of the residents around Baker Lake asked their opinion of having soccer played there? I think that if you live around a park, you should expect that things will be taking place in that park.
I would have to bet the last $2.00 in my purse ( I spent $2.00 since last week.. I had 4) anyhow.....That all of the aldermen read this blog ( well, all but the sausage puller)
With that said: Which aldermen if any will step up to the plate to demand an updated Rec Ordinance?
Will it be:
A. Alderman Potts
B. Alderman Saus puller
C. Alderman Waldorf
D. Alderman Ferari
E. Alderman Perez
F. Alderman Ratke
G. Alderwoman Mayszak
H. Alderman Lukosus
or I. NON of THE ABOVE
Any takers?
Sherry: The 2 first ward alderman also walked the street by Baker Lake and asked residents how they felt about the fireworks. If you recall, they didn't approve and the discussion ended - NO FIREWORKS AT BAKER LAKE! However, you misunderstand what is being said here. No one is against Pickle Ball All we're asking is that every avenue be explored before jumping into something new (i.e. parking, storage of equipment, eliminating basketball court, etc.). And yes, who else but those who live around the park could give you better insight as to problems that could occur and maybe be avoided. I really appreciate your information and contact with the citizens of Peru. Wish more aldermen took as much interest as you do. Thanks for listening.
First off, if I ran this blog I wouldn't allow anon. posters when they call aldermen demeaning names. They are cowards hiding behind anonymous.
Second, I was a rec board member for 25 years and not once did we allow money to be spent foolishly. You can criticize the fireworks till the cows come home but it did bring folks into Peru and was a happy event for the community. Bashing the rec board when you know nothing about it is simple and takes a simple mind to do it. Members sometime (during summer months) put in many hours without a single penny of pay.
Lastly, I'm sure the bashers' children, through the years, have taken advantage of the many summer programs conducted by the rec board. So, all you rec board bashers identify yourselves so we can have an open and fruitful debate.
Cecil: I thought the ordinance stated that each member shall only serve a 5 year term? Apparently the ordinance as written has not been followed throughout the years.
First off, let's get the relevant and overlooked facts out there: not so long ago, the baseball field underwent scrutiny and regulation and currently sits without a single player due to the fear created by deterring signage. Now, will the basketball court undergo the same prejudicial treatment due to a few disgruntled surrounding homeowners with connections? More importantly, when was the last time a bunch of kids congregated to play pickle ball???
Saus puller ... that made me chuckle . Haha
The ordinance says "5 years or until their successors are appointed".
Anon 1:45, it would be Alderman Ankiewicz and I who would begin the process of reviewing the ordinance since it falls under our committee.
I think the Rec Board does a great job. I personally know a couple of the members, and they are upstanding people. We are LUCKY to have them. It's easy to criticize but before you do, walk a mile in their shoes.
I don't know how long each member has been on the board, but if any of them has been on longer than 5 years, I would guess it is because nobody else wants to do it.
If anybody wants to talk to me about their ideas on changing the ordinance, please call me at 815-488-0562.
Sherry I too know some of the members and they are good people but this committee like almost all the committees in the city tends to have members who are on it too long. And it seems to go back to what we all are hearing on this blog. It is not what you know but who you know.
I do not happen to be believe that there are not other people who would like to spend several years on a committee but not a lifetime. City Hall has not exactly held open their arms and welcomed people to take part in city government by serving on a committee. I am absolutely sure that many people are intimidated by long standing committee members or fear that they would not know enough to be on any committee. Of course that is not true. On most committees it is a learn as you go process, just as being an alderman is and I believe you can relate to the process.
A citizen cannot volunteer or put in for a position if a vacancy is not announced. When each of the committee members 5 year term is up (according to the ordinance 1 should be up every year) an announcement should be made so any interested parties can come forth. Then, if no one steps forward that member remains on the committee. I agree with Lois that I find it hard to believe that there aren't interested citizens out there who are just not made aware of vacancies on this and other boards. Does anyone even know whose 5 year term is up this year and when? Who should be on top of this?
Sherry: I don't think anyone is saying that the Rec Commission is not doing a good job or that its' members are not good people (at least I'm not). What I believe people are questioning is why are some residents asked how they feel about something being put in their back yards while others are not. Who better to make recommendations and point out possible concerns than those that live around the park.
Sherry, where and when does the Recreation Commission meet?
Sherry, when was the Rec Board dissolved, and the Rec Commission created?
From what I've read the nets for Pickle Ball are moveable. If they will be stored (under lock and key) how will citizens get access to them?
Anon 11:07 Everyone will be given a key.
LOL anon 6:48. wouldn't surprise me one bit,
28th street Park is a Public Park and despite what you may think it is still a public park. Parks have activities. I believe you may be the same resident that wanted fireworks at Baker Lake. Much different when a blaze of fire falls on your roof compared to a pickel ball bouncing in a public park. Lets get that bike trail going again! Great job Park Commission keep those activities going. Don't let this blog control progress.
Of course it's a public park and of course parks have activities. A bit sarcastic aren't we? Just curious as to where the equipment will be stored and how citizens will gain access to it (as the nets are supposedly moveable). And me thinks you exaggerate quite a bit with the blaze of fire falling on roofs from the TINY display of fireworks that was suggested by an alderman.
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