News Trib Peru council debates project signs, concert spending

/8/2012 5:39:00 AM Peru council debates project signs, concert spending

Share With Friend Alderman Dave Potthoff questioned some spending at Monday’s City Council meeting and criticized Mayor Scott Harl, leading to a split vote. The city spent $4,173 on grass seed and fertilizer for parking areas at theIllinoisValleyRegionalAirportfor a Concert for a Cause scheduled July 13. Potthoff noted that the parking took 32 acres of city land out of farm production for which the city collects $200 per acre, or $6,400. Potthoff asked why the money was spent and who approved the disbursement. Harl said the spending on the concert is “a work in motion” and the city could be reimbursed for the costs from concert promoter, Merry Noonan of Peru, or donate it to the cause, which this year will fund computer equipment atTrinityCatholicAcademy,La Salle. “This (spending) has already been approved,” Potthoff said. “It can’t be discussed after the fact.” “You can recoup everything by charging the promoter,” Harl said, adding that the public property committee knows about it. Later in the meeting, Bob Ankiewicz of the public property committee said the committee was not informed. “But we are aware of it now. We are taking more steps,” Ankiewicz said. Potthoff, of the accounts and finance committee, had another spending beef. Harl had signs built and erected showing that nearby street work in the city is supported by a new half-percent sales tax that began Jan. 1. The cost of the signs was $1,466. As for the street signs, Harl asked: “What’s wrong with showing your residents what you’re doing?” “Our money could be used in a much better fashion,” Potthoff said. Potthoff said these items should not be discretionary, and asked the mayor if these outlays were at his discretion. “Yes,” Harl said. “If you want to micromanage down to the dollar, do it.” The concert and sign spending showed up in semimonthly disbursements to be approved at the meeting. Potthoff motioned to approve them, “minus those two areas,” and instead of a second motion, it prompted more discussion. Aldermen Mike Radtke and Jim Lukosus eventually motioned to approve disbursements. The vote was 5-2, with Potthoff and Alderwoman Sherry Mayszak voting “nay.” Alderman Dave Waldorf was absent.