PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC COMMENT
PRESENTATION
CENTRAL STATES REGIONAL TOURNAMENT REPRESENTATIVE TIM TREVIER TO DISCUSS 2012 CENTRAL STATES TOURNAMENT
COMMITTEE REPORTS ALDERMEN
1. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE Potthoff & Radtke
(Wage-Negotiations, License)
Approve a $2,500 donation to the Central States Tournament
2. PUBLIC WORKS Waldorf & Lukosus
(Electric, Street & Alley, Water & Sewer)
Approve expenses for Community Development Director Bob Vickrey to attend the APPA Convention in Washington D.C.
3. PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Ferrari & Perez (Fire & Police, ESDA, Health)
Motion to authorize the police department to purchase 2 new police vehicles form Schimmer Ford with governmental bid assistance with said purchase to be made with the use of drug fund monies and further that the vehicles being replaced are to used by the fire department and public works department
4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Ankiewicz & Mayszak (Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds)
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT FOR PUBLICLY FUNDED REVOLVING FUND SERVICES WITH THE NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS, NEW BUSINESS, PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS ITEM NO. 1 Communication from Rodney Perez of Operation Prom-ise requesting permission to close Peoria Street between 4th and 5th at 7:00 p.m. on March 27th for the filming of Operation Prom-ise
PUBLIC COMMENT CLOSED SESSION
MEETINGS HELD TO DISCUSS THE OPERATION BY A MUNICIPALITY OF A MUNICIPAL UTILITY OR THE OPERATION OF A MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY OR A MUNICIPAL NATURAL GAS AGENCY WHEN THE DISCUSSION INVOLVES (i) CONTRACTS RELATING TO THE PURCHASE, SALE OR DELIVERY OF ELECTRICITY OR NATURAL GAS OR (ii) THE RESULTS OR CONCLUSION OF LOAD FORECAST STUDIES
ADJOURNMENT
56 comments:
Public Comment welcome here at all times.
Does anyone know what the APPA convention is all about and why our volunteer economic developer needs to attend on our expense? The most information I can find on the convention leads me to believe it's about power and electricity. I would think it would be more beneficial to the city for Mr. Potthoff to attend. Explanation please!
Does the agenda item purchased vehicles with drug money actually endorse selling drugs to buy more vehicles? Wow. I thought that was banned.
Wow!!! A couple months ago the Peru fire department go a BRAND NEW command vehicle at $29,000 dollars approx. Now, older police vehicles are going to be used by the fire department. You have got to be kidding me!! Like the chiefs of fire and police department didn't know this was coming. Waste if taxpayers money of $29,000. That monies could have been put towards a pool!! Is there air conditioning in all these vehicles??? Drivers will be cool this summer, but not our children. Is anyone paying attention to what's been going on in Peru??? The fire department did not need a new command vehicle at the taxpayers expense! Wake up people.
Chief King announced that the new truck purchased for Asst Chief Jim Duncan would not be used by Duncan but added to the PFD fleet and used with equipment that the FD already has for fighting fires. Duncan will receive one of the used police dept cars when the PD's new cars are put into service.
Really? Spend $29,000 on a command vehicle for fire department use. When chief king drives a command vehicle(expedition, purchased a couple years ago for $50,000?). Sounds fishy! Chief king trying to cover up an expense of $29,000. That was not necessary by the taxpayers. I'm sure the command vehicles are full of equipment too!!!!! Check minutes of board meeting to see what chief kings comments were when requesting approval for a new command vehicle. See if everything adds up/or makes sense.
But Lois weren't we told that the assistant chief had to have this vehicle to haul all his equipment? And, that they had to have one with a plow attached so they could get the fire engines to a fire during a snow storm. What happened to those reasons for purchasing the vehicle they did?
Lois thanks for posting the agenda, although I usually look on the cities web site anyway. As I was looking at past water/sewer committee meeting minutes, (February) I noticed a water dept. employee Ken D. talking about backflow prevention. That is a good thing, but is this individual state liscened in backflow prevention? It is my understnading he is not,so how can he be in charge of this? Another oversight?
"Peru Marketplace, developer of the retail complex that will soon open a new Olive Garden restaurant, has offered to pay the way for Peru elected leaders and invited state and federal elected officials to attend the March 25 La Salle County Mayors Association dinner at Olive Garden, Mayor Scott Harl said."
The mayor stated that the reason for this was because of all the comments that were made. I would like to add that it was comments made by fiscally responsible citizens of the city about paying for the Peru electeds getting their meal for FREE.
Peru marketplace developer paying $25. In news tribune today. Is he paying $25 per person or what?????for elected leaders and invited state and federal elected officials to attend mayor harl's conference at olive garden. Very vague in my opinion, and who is paying the rest???? It's a good thing some concerned taxpayers pay attention. Wondering who is invited from peru's police and fire departments? Are they elected positions??? From my knowledge they are appointed positions. Nothing mentioned about appointed positions by our mayor Harl who may have been invited for dinner and beverages. Who pays for appointed positions who attend??if they attend. Curious!
It is my understanding that the developer will pay for all the elected officials from Peru plus anyone on the county or state or national level. It was never very clear as to what department heads were invited and I understand that was to be at their own expense.
It was so easy at all previous dinners held by this group where everyone paid their own way and for their spouse or girlfriend who came with them. Why the mayor of Peru decided to pay for the officials I don't understand unless he was going to personally pay out of his own pocket and I don't even think that would have been a good idea.
If department heads are going, then the police chief and fire chief would be going. I again believe that almost all of them should be paying their own way as the city is paying them good salaries.
Regarding Operating Prom-ise. The only person who is mentioned into promoting this event is alderman/fireman Rodney Perez. Does or has anybody within the fire department (asst. Chief Duncan, Fire Chief King, etc.) helped Rodney with this??? Doesn't Rodney promote this at L/P basketball games? Why does he seem to be there by himself???? Thanks Rodney!!!!!!! How much is this event costing us taxpayers? I can't remember what the
Radio station said about costs a few months ago, but I remember being shock at the expense. It a great idea, however a wrecked car with great props on high school property for the whole school year would also be effective. Maybe Rodney Perez will answer these questions. Thank you!
The ice skating rink surface that was graciously donated to the city of Peru is sitting there in a haphazard heap blowing in the wind. Had it been removed properly and folded and stored away we could possibly keep it for future use. Is this how we thank donors for their generosity? Why was it removed in such a manner and left there to be destroyed?
Did mayor Harl invite the superintendent of peru's Schools, principals of all Peru schools and All of the ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS? In my opinion these positions are very important to our community and our children, who possibly will be elected to run our city in the future. One thing Peru has going for them is a great school system that speaks for itself! And there is no political jargon going on! How refreshing is that? Just a thought.
As I observe the workings of the city, one thing keeps running through my mind and that is we are entering into the election year cycle as just about 1 year from now many terms will be up and people will be deciding who they wish to retain and who they don't. You are going to see more visibility of our officials and more projects announced and lots of feel good stuff going on. Although I don't know if we will have more money as in sales tax or will we be seeking more grants, loans etc. to see the fulfillment.
Will assistant fire chief Jim Dumcan be driving one of the retired police vehicles to his personal full-time job??? Who pays for that gas if he does?? So, a new $29,000 command vehicle purchased and approved by peru's city councilman a couple months ago is going to sit (most if time) and wait for a fire call with supposedly some equipment in it. What??? That purchase was stupid. Especially when there is another command vehicle that should be used if needed. Don't all our fire fleet apparatus have storage. Etc... For all equipment?? Seems like
Reasons for certain purchases are changing when taxpayers pay attention. Someone is a good salesmen to the council. The saying is the same, " trust your salesman, they're giving you the best deal..".
Why invite the School Board ? They do nothing to save our tax dollars . They don't even go out for bid on their services like they're suppose to . When was the last time they bid the snow service or lawn care ? They employ a lawn service (The King) that pays his employees cash and dont contribute to social security ,unemployement , or Taxes. Not to mention they arent even US citizens . The services on product for the kitchen isn't bid out either . Also office supplies and maintenance . This is all set up by state laws that all services are to be bid out from food to snow ! It must be because they are in Peru they think they also can do what they want !
4:03
The cost of Operation Prom-ise is completely funded through fundraising efforts by students, and volunteers throughout the community that has teamed up to support this great event, such as Lori Janko Wilke who has spear- headed the fundraising efforts.
This is roughly an $18,000.00 event with no costs, or contribution from the city, except for their representation of support. In addition to that..This is done strictly on a voluntary basis for me.. without a dime of compensation. (which I'm sure was your next question.)
The community support by local businesses,Law enforcement, L-p, St.Bede,Hall,and PCH Schools,along with local,and surrounding emergency responders has been overwhelming.
The community event will be held on Wednesday, May 2nd with doors opening at 6:00 pm.
Hope to see you showing support of what our youth has done to send this strong message of the consequences from making irresponsible decisions.
Thanks for expressing your concerns.
P.S. We could use more volunteers if you're willing to step up to make a difference:-)
815-245-7566
As a citizen of Dimmick Township , I personally would like to know what happened to the snow plow for their current Brush truck bought by Dimmick Township and given to Peru Fire ? Are they going to start a plow business or something ? Why the need for another pickup with another plow ? They can do whatever they want with your tax dollars but city vehicles shouldn't be allowed to be used for personal use or for the Asst. Chief to use for his employement . Sounds like the Fire dept. might start taking on work plowing the school like the public works dept did last year . Peru , what a joke . First you steal our land to create a TIF district and now the tax payers pay for all the "Fat Cats" to get fatter .
Being Peru Marketplace developer is paying for certain elected officials on March 25,2012 to have a meal at Olive Garden I anticipate that all sales taxes will be in order.
The only reason he is paying is because of concerned taxpayers and the blog.
I found the local newspaper very weak in its reporting of last nights council meeting particularly on the Mayors Dinner. A shame that the paper does not conduct any local political investigating.
The weakness of the paper only increases the political power of the blog. When the power of the blog is realized it will be very interesting to observe the changing of attitudes by certain political figureheads towards past forgotten friends.
Peru's School system is as corrupt as the city management system . It's a joke ! I bid on some school services but they take the lowest bidder who undercut everyone because he has no overhead . He pays no payroll taxes , unemployment tax or insurance on his men . He does pay his employees cash which in the long run screws Peru's "great" school system because they lose out on all those tax dollars that go right in the owners pocket ! So suck on that Peru !! Leader of the Valley ?? Hire legitimate companies to do your work not "the King " ! He's just as bad as hiring one of your relatives to do your work .
Haha , we need a slot on the adgenda for council meetings where this blog should be read every week . Think Harl would allow that ? Think they would all sit there and sqirm in their cushy seats ?
9:42
How much money does Dimmick school receive from the TIF district which keeps your property taxes low? Gimmick has the quite a nice little advance school for 65 students thanks to "stealing your" land and keeping your property taxes low! Your should send Peru a thank you!
Lower your bids and you also can get the job!!!
Maybe the snowplow you are referring to was used to plow Perez's driveway last year, as neighbors witnessed!
I am willing to bet that all police, firemen and city employees get their driveways plowed.
I doudt that is true Lois . I pay a Peru Fireman to plow my driveway with his personal vehicle from his company . Half the time he won't even take money from me . This same company donated gift certificates to the Eccless Benefit last year in order to raise money for Eccless . I'm sure certain "special" fireman get their driveways plowed by a city vehicle but don't make them all out to be corrupt , please .
I think it is just a matter of them being available if they are needed fopr public service.
I for one can not believe there are that many micro-managers out there that think they can run a fire dept.I guess those who mirco manage dont understand what happens to water at below 32 degrees. So maybe Dimmick resident you will understand the reasons on not wanting the only truck with a snow plow to also have water on it. But thats right you are trying to manage outside your smarts. As for the fireman driveways gettting plowed that would be welcomed as if they were responding to my house on fire i would want them there as quick as possible, but once again not thinking other then for themselfs or personal agendas against our fire chief. I am sick of seeing the fire dept slammed for only trying to do a job that not many are standing in line to do. Step up and help rather than critize. Peru Firefighter
Lois,
I must confess!! "12:38 is stating the truth". "Yes yes"..The Blizzard of 2010 was a horrible mess.
Thanks to several of us firefighters that spent the night at the firehouse responding to rescue calls throughout that "wicked snow-stormy night that came through with a vengeance".
We had several calls that stormy, freezing, cold wintery night. cars off the road, with people stuck in their vehicles. But thanks to our fire-plow.. it led the way plowing through the snow with the rescue truck following slowly behind. (like Rudolph leading the Rescue open sleigh)
By the time the sun came up we had about 2 hours of sleep with aching backs; due to sleeping on the cold, blistering concrete floor, using a fire jacket for a pillow, while listening to blistering wind pounding against the flag pole. at times enjoying 4-5 minutes of cat naps wondering if mice were scurrying across the cold floor. Then.. only to be awakened by the tones of a dispatch echoing through the fire house walls
But Lois!! We knew if we were going to make it home to get relief and rest on our sleep comfort mattresses, We had to go out one more time to assist our fellow firefighters with getting their vehicles plowed out.
My personal vehicle was parked at home in the garage. I knew if I was going to respond to anymore fire-calls over the next few days I was going to have to plow out my 50 ft driveway.
The sad part is..Our FD plow couldn't get through the 8ft snow drift i had on the side of my house. Bummer, because I had to call a construction company to bring a bobcat to plow it. Wasn't happy about paying a 75.00 plow job but hey! "Pager Goes, We Go!! (if not snowed in that is)
Well, "Thanks again 12:38 for allowing me to share the Flashback story of "Blizzard of 2010" It makes me sure appreciate the winter of 2011;-)
Thank you,
Rodney Perez
4:30 PM
I hope you understood that I think the citizens should understand and welcome having their police force and fire department ready to go when an emergency strikes and if that includes cleaning driveways for them, fine with me.
the city employees dont get their driveways plowed-that was just a rude comment lois-another lie, nothing factual about it.
I am not opposed to city employees having their driveways plowed. What is rude about that?. It means you are doing important work for the city and want you to be able to get there and work. I did not mean anything nasty as you interpreted. Why is everybody so testy about getting some help?
The city certainly wastes a lot more money in foolish ways than helping their employees get to work. The kind of waste I continually see approved at council meetings makes a clean driving surface seem like peanuts.
So say if i work for IVCH , IVCH is responsible for plowing my driveway in order for me to get to work if they need me to come in ? This is ridiculous ! This is how corruption starts and continues . It's going to snow in the winter . Plan for it . Buy a snowblower with YOUR money ! Pay the neighbor kid to come over . Or better yet do it yourself ! Once you start using my tax dollars for plow your driveway and every other city employees driveway , where does it stop ? That's why employees were told to stop plowing their relatives driveways 5 years ago . That's why Bleck had to stop plowing his mother's driveway . The city doesn't need to plow its employees driveways or you better start a list of everyone that wants it done. We are all taxpayers that paid for those plows and we deserve to be plowed out too then . This town is ridiculous !
and "Peru Firefighter" you better educate yourself , yes water freezes at 32 degrees but not if its moving . If that truck is running the vibration will not allow the water to freeze . Why do you think back in the day the water truck had a plow on it and would plow the city streets ? Because water in motion will not freeze. I cant imagine there are many corn field fires in a snow storm either . Drain the water . See if we think alittle we all can save money by using what we have and not buying what we want . Peru Taxpayer.
it was a rude comment lois, i know for a fact they DO NOT get their driveway plowed, i dont think they ever expect too, i could see firemen, policemen perhaps but i am positive the rest never have.
10:34 AM
I know for a fact that medical workers have had help with snow in their driveways in order to get to work but I also know it was not in Peru. Some cities work together and some cities don't. I will leave the blog readers to figure out what Peru is. When a community works together, it works and when it doesn't, well it just doesn't work well.
The big blizzard of 2010 was bad. But I never had my driveway plowed out by the fire dept or any other city vehicle. I had a snowblower and a shovel. My driveway was on the north side of my house so the drifts were pretty big. I used my snowblower and what my snowblower wouldnt go through I used my shovel.
If Alderman Perez is getting his drive plowed by city equipment, one has to wonder what other city services he benefits from personally. I think it is a slap in the face to the rest of the hard working people who do not get preferential treatment.He can spin it however he wants to make it look like it is ok for him to have such treatment, but in the end it's WRONG!
7:56 PM
Would you be saying the same thing if they were helping him to come and fight a fire at your house? or to come to an accident scene in which you happened to be involved?
Dang.....all this time I could have been getting my driveway plowed? I wish I would have known that, I never would have bought that snow blower.
Where does the belief,
Two wrongs = One Right
seem fair to a few for only fewer?
I as most others have to shovel or snow blow my own driveway. I also have to prepare for inclement weather and I get to work on my own without anyone else's assistance every day.
If a certain few are to receive preferential treatment it should be those who are sick and confined and may have to be taken to emergency medical care etc. If someone is able to work they are able to shovel their own snow or make arrangements for it to be shoveled at their own expense not the taxpayers.
Lois,
7:56 must not realize it wasn't " Alderman Perez" during the blizzard of 2010. I wasn't elected until April, 2011:-)
Pat Riordan,
Please correct me if i'm wrong. The FD snow plow was seldom used to plow out firefighters driveways, and only used to do so, if a FF really needed it to help free their vehicle to help call response. In the years I have been there I only recall 3 times when it was used to plow a FFs driveway.
I have no objections with the FD using the plow to plow out firefighters if needed. For the most part.. all FFs do shovel themselves out.
Pat, I wish my driveway was the size of yours I would have saved 75.00 and shoveled it too, I'm surprised you had a snow blower for your driveway with 2 teens it's a 10 minute job for them. Ha
Well Pat... Hope all is well out where it really snows:-)
Peru Taxpayer,
Your knowledge of all things is amazing, however, I'm not surprised by your LACK of knowledge of fire equipment. True; water freezes at 32 degrees, but the freezing process is slowed dramatically by the movement of the water. What you are not taking into account is the fact that sometimes its much colder than 32 degrees which causes the water to freeze much faster. Also, its not the water in freezing in the tank that can be the problem; its the water freezing inside the pump cracking pipes and breaking valves that will be the issue.
As long as we're still bashing the fire department, it sure is funny and they sure show their true colors now that they we're told they won't be getting paid for extra activities like parades. No one represents Peru in any parades any more and they keep changing the dates of things because noone will volunteer. Good job council. Good job men.
I always see the FD plow up in the subdivision on Marquette Rd. plowing driveways . I take it firefighters live in that area .
Rodney I, can only remember seeing the plow out a handful of times in my 15 years of service. But only once or twice non fire related. They had the big V plow for the tanker but scrapped it for lack of use. Business sense-The pumps are drained and caps removed from the fire trucks after calls so no pumps or pipes crack in freezing weather.
The next thing we city of Peru taxpayers will see is the firefighters residences lawns being cut! Just in case there at the fire station/restaurantvacations/bars waiting for a
Fire call . No time to do their own personal maintenance! Any Yes, it was stated that the fire dept. Needed a new command vehicle with plow. Joke! If weather that bad, the big city plows would be able to plow to get
Fire equipment to the scene. Fire Chief King needs to realize that Peru is not Plainfield, Aurora, etc... Unnecessary spending. What is mutual aid?? Pun! I know what that is..
Man i hope there is an opening on the FD so i can join and eat steak and shrimp at picnics all the time on the taxpayers and get my lawn cut and snow plowed . If they get paid 30 some dollars for a fire call , how much tax dollars do they get for plowing driveways ? I'd like mine done by hand though so the metal plow doesn't scratch my new driveway .
Why would any business want to come to Peru ? This Blog makes peru look like a huge joke . You'd think Blago ran Peru . However there's alot of facts and proof on paper that back up Peru's corruptivity . Harl needs to be run out of town for doing nothing to straighten out his departments and our town .
Anon 12:43 You really aren't blaming this blog for the condition s that Peru is in are you? I think that this and the other two blogs have been very beneficial to Peru. I do question the effectiveness of the local newspaper and wish for the impossible - a second newspaper for the area.
Would it be possible for a interested group to publish a weekly or bi-weekly political report of Peru if financial help such as a a subscription price was included.
Thank goodness for the blogs because they are the only tools presently available for open expression.
Wow! Its amazing how quick people are to bash the police, fire, and ambulance departments. To them I say, walk a day in their shoes. Strap on a gun and bullet proof vest and deal with the idiots the officers do. Throw an airpack on your back and run into a burning building for little or no pay. Clean up blood and puke after you just did CPR on a neighbor you've known forever and watched him die in the back of the ambulance. Until you are ready to do any of these things, give our workers a break and shut the @#$% up!
Just because these guys do their jobs doesn't give them the right to be corrupt and join in on the cities wasteful spending . Or steal city services that us common folk aren't given .
It' possible and very likely that the chiefs of Peru are not happy with these blogs. People don't like the truth! I was involved in some capacity with the Peru fire department for many years! I will tell you that it's 100% correct that up off Marquette road the firemen that lived up I'm that area had their driveways plowed by city trucks when there was
Very little snow!!!!'. City employees were bored with nothing to do, I guess. As a matter of fact the now fire chief jeff king had a ATV with snow plow. I wonder if he has plowed his driveway the last two winters or has his landlord or has the city? Also, there were also occasions when fireman were signed in for firecalls by other fireman. My family is retired from the fire department and we no longer live in Peru!!! Truth always prevails eventually.
Who remembers the hugh high billboard north on 351 (Raccuglia road), that was promoting operation promise? I think it was last year around this time of year. Had picture of wrecked vehicle with Peru fireman posing
around car. Rodney Perez was on this billboard, who is the fireman who is involved with program of operation promise. Curious though who paid for this billboard??? And Rodney is concerned about peru's donations
to clubs and events. This billboard gave him some PR! Wow!! Really? Why on that big billboard in that area?? How Many high school students drive up that way and would benefit fr that sign?? Yes, we taxpayers saw it when traveling to I-80 to work!! Bad choice of location and waste of money. Rodney, the community however thanks you for your services for operation promise.
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