Present: Bob Ankiewicz, Sherry Mayszak, Scott Harl, Gary Bleck, Mike Perry, Jim Lukosus, Gary Hylla, Dave Potthoff, Marsha Perez, Justin Loger, Lois Carroll and Linda Dzierzynski
Meeting called to order by Alderman Ankiewicz at 6:15 p.m.
Alderman Ankiewicz made a motion that the minutes of May 16, 2012 be received and
placed on file. Alderman Mayszak seconded the motion; motion carried.
Unfinished Business
Recreation Commission Ordinance
Ordinance #1374 “An Ordinance Establishing a Playground and Recreation Board in the
City of Peru, Illinois” was passed and adopted on May 10, 1957.
In the ordinance it states that the Board will consist of 5 members and each member shall serve 5 years or until their successors are appointed and have qualified, except that the members of the first Board appointed shall be appointed for such terms that the term of one member shall expire annually thereafter.
The Board shall be vested with the control and management of all existing parks, playgrounds and recreation centers, and shall direct the equipment, maintenance and conduct thereof, and shall make suitable rules and regulations for proper and orderly direction and management of the same.
The Board shall have the authority to conduct programs in playgrounds and recreation centers and in buildings located thereon, and may employ such supervisors, playground leaders and other employees as they deem proper, and shall have the power to furnish and control such equipment and supplies as they deem proper.
Ankiewicz suggested adding “Board shall have authority to plan and execute community celebrations within the City of Peru as part of their duties and authority".
Discussion followed about the original number of members. There are currently 7 members on the Board. Mayszak was told by Recreation Commission President Bryan Hartman that at some point, they were granted permission to have 7 members. We will need to research to see if the ordinance has been amended since 1957.
Discussion followed about the term of 5 years and that not currently being followed. The term is 5 years “or until their successors are appointed and have qualified”, so the ordinance is being followed as written. Suggestions were made to have a request made yearly for interested individuals to be on the Board because a citizen may want to be on the board but unless somebody resigns, there is never an opening. This year when Barb Pyszka retired, 3 letters of intent were received, proving that if there had been other openings, there were other citizens who would have been interested.
Mayszak will contact Board President Bryan Hartman to see if he has a list of dates when each Board member got onto the Board.
Ordinance #1067 – “An Ordinance Creating the Office of Superintendent of Parks” was approved on April 30, 1937.
Section 4 of this ordinance states “the duties of the Officer shall be to have general supervision and charge of all parks now in the City of Peru, Illinois, to see that all of said parks are properly kept up and maintained, to have supervision of all employees who are working in said parks, and in general to do and perform all work necessary to keep said premises in shape, and to follow the orders of the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Peru, Illinois, in and about keeping up said parks.
Section 5 states “that in addition to the foregoing duties said Officer shall have police powers of the same kind as are conferred upon Patrolmen……………” It was discussed and noted that there is nobody that fits this ordinance and this ordinance should be abolished.
Pickleball – Discussion followed about changing the tennis courts at 28th Street Park to 4 Pickleball courts. The Recreation Commission wants to introduce Pickleball to the area and after much thought, decided 28th Street Park tennis court would be the best location. They would have to take away the tennis court lines and paint it with Pickleball lines. Several neighbors of 28th Street Park are not in favor of this as they see that the tennis court is being used for tennis. Mayszak went to check out 28th Street Park again. There are 2 full sized basketball courts and she thought one of those basketball courts could be used for Pickleball instead of taking away the tennis court. This way there would be a tennis court, a Pickleball court and a basketball court. The only issue would be the fence around what would be the new Pickleball court. Mayszak suggested using the pool fence once the pool is demolished.
Brownfield Grant – Mayor Harl explained that this grant only applies to city owned property. The grant provides funding for a recipient to compile a listing of sites that could possibly be a brownfield. A brownfield is real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The site is contaminated by a controlled substance, contaminated by petroleum or a petroleum product or minescarred land. Harl said the only property he could think of that would qualify is the building on 6th and Peoria. The committee will ask Heidi to proceed with filling out a grant request for this property.
Shooting Range – SPW Bleck reported that the road work is almost done. They are waiting for the water to evaporate so they can install drain tiles. The water is almost gone. There will be two 15 x 60 pads constructed and a shed for the shooters to keep out of bad weather. This will all be paid for with confiscated drug monies. Billboards – All 2 x 16 advertising billboards have been rented. On North Peoria Street, Debo has the south side and Maze Nail has the north side. On the West end of Peru, Maze Lumber has the west side and Connecting Point has the east side. On the Bottom Road, Water Street Pub has the upper sign, and Vlastnik’s has the lower sign. So far, Water Street Pub and Debo’s have paid. Their rental dates are May 18, 2012 to May 18, 2013. We will establish rental dates for the other companies once their signs are up. Airport
Concert Excerpted from an email from Al Mlacnik from IDOT Division of Aeronautics – “Rob Hahn (from the FAA) informed me (Al Mlacnik) this morning that the airspace/safety review of FAA Form 7460 submittal is still currently under review at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Comments will be forthcoming as soon as we receive them from FAA. The Division review is limited to grant assurance compliance. Sponsors (City of Peru) are required to self certify compliance by virtue of the Application process. Neither the Division nor FAA will issue a formal approval for these non-aeronautical special events. The ultimate responsibility for operational safety at the airport belongs to the Sponsor.
Bleck called Hertz (farm management) and was told $200 an acre rent for the land around the airport because the city controls what farmers can plant there because of height restrictions. Because of that restriction, land rents for less. The police department, fire department and ambulance service all bill Merry Noonan separately for their services.
Another organization has asked for approval to use the airport for a fundraiser. The committee will look into the details of this event. Frontage Roads – Mayor Harl said that the police would like to rename the 3 Frontage Roads for easier identification when they get a call. The three roads are the road in front of Coronet Dodge, the road in front of Szott’s, and Dalzell Road to Plank Road. Mayszak asked about how the businesses would be affected with having to change letterhead, etc. because of an address change. Harl said they could give each road a secondary name for easier identification, but keep the frontage road address and their mailing address. The committee will ask Chief Bernabei to look into renaming these roads.
Shooting Park Road – Mike Mrowicki has purchased the Bernal property on Shooting Park Road. The city needs to look into putting in tiling for draining because standing water is still a problem in that location.
City Owned Real Estate – Justin Loger asked if random parcels of city owned real estate are being sold. He said small parcels of city owned real estate could be sold to homeowners next to the city owned parcel and get the real estate taxes from those parcels of land off the city’s books. Ankiewicz said this is being looked into. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
18 comments:
The one enclosed comment by Ald.Ankiewicz should make steam come out of everyones ears. Does that now mean that the Rec. Com. will now have control over the Maud Powell celebration? And if Peru has a Fun Faire, would they have control over that too?
Why don't we include the series of Band Conerts, that is certainly recreation for some.
Just get on the Rec. Com. and you don't even have to work on being elected, you can pretty much control all the activities that take place in Peru.
Worried about changing letterhead? That was a concern! You have got to be kidding and then you wrote that up in public minutes. We have more problems than pickleball, letterhead cahnging and renaming streets?
Of course the City is ultimately responsible AND liable for the safety at the concert...especially since the property is not being utilized for its original intent-an airport. Of course ordinance 4891 authorizing the agreement states a line of nonsense
2(c)
User is responsible for insuring the provision of adequate ambulance, fire, security, and safety protection (emergency protection)...User shall provide such emergency protection according to City of Peru's requests, industry standard, insurance company requirements...
Did anyone read the ordinance before agreeing to it? What the minutes state and the ordinance states are definitely two different issues. From reading above if the fire, police, and ambulance is going to be covering the concert for a private event because it is CITY PROPERTY who will be covering the services for the residents? If the already CITY PAID employees are covering this private event because it is CITY PROPERTY is the CITY billing the event organizer? If CITY EQUiPMENT (police cars, fire trucks, etc.) are being utilized to protect CITY PROPERTY for this private event than CITY EMPLOYEES must be operating the equipment. Or Is the CITY renting the CITY EQUIPMENT for the private event? How can each department "bill" for services when the contract/ordinance states the User will provide the services yet the City is ultimately responsible/liable for the property and safety?
Kristy
There is no reason for fire trucks of any nature be at this event, unless pyrotechnics are involved or some other justifiable fire hazard. Aside from that, the venue poses no more risk than any other large event at any other space, public or private. To use the justification that their "spot lights" are needed for security is a sad attempt. Illinois law does not permit firemen to detain anyone, so the thought of PFD being used as security is simpleminded. Police and ambulance personnel are a different story. While the City must provide emergency services to the Airport, and is ultimately responsible for the property, they must also follow accepted practices, or risk opening themselves up to an even larger envelope of liability. While the City may have authorized the event at the airport, it does not absolve the the promoter of the event from the incurred cost of having extra police and emergency medical personnel on hand. Likewise, just because extra emergency responders are at the concert, does not mean there are not ample resources to protect the City. I would imagine, it is no different than the concerts in the past or the annual fireworks on Waterstreet.
Business sence !
you can call it what you want but , the city will find out how the so called other concert's stoped because of what wasn't paid or damage fixed !
Dear b.s.
You are mistaken the event does pose a risk- a risk to the taxpayer because we (the City) are ultimately responsible for publicly owned property. I could be mistaken but Liability law would argue the property was not used for its intended purpose (an airport) therefore the taxpayer ultimately assumes all responsibility for accidents.
Besides that Grant Assurance has not been ascertained and I assume you would agree that would be necessary with your B.S.?
Kristy
Lois, please continue to post the minutes to the meetings. The cities web site is not user friendly.
First things first, I'm not in agreement with the way this whole thing was done, however, the City authorized it, and its going to happen.
Second, I never said the city was free of liability. Anyone can sue anyone at anytime for anything. When you open the "intended use" argument, you're opening a can of worms. You could argue its a general aviation airport, therefore no special events are to take place such as the kids day. You could do the airplane rides, but that's it. Special events take place in public venues that were not intended for such things, all the time. Concerts and other special events have taken place at small airports all across the country. The airport is owned by Peru. The FAA has very little jurisdiction over the day to day operations. Dealing with federal grants in the past, they're more likely to look favorably at the city for the community involvement.
Business, I do wish we had a way to actually track the people in the Illinois valley who do attend the concert, also how many people in Peru attend the concert versus how many people fly in from somewhere else and also how many drive in from other cities.
There does not seem to be much enthusiasm "on the street" for the concert and as you see most comments that come in are not from wannabe concert goers.
I wish the city would put as much effort into an actual community event like Ottawa and La Salle do and not into a money maker for a few.
i did ask the police chief if he was going to use drug dogs and didn't think so. But I can say with almost certainty that drugs will be there, how much I don't know.
Any large gathering brings drugs and underage drinking. I have seen these activities on Water Street, LaSalle Fest, or the Oglesby Fun Days. The number of tickets sold should be a good indication of attendance, though it will only be 80-90% accurate. The amount of things this City could accomplish are innumerable given the right leadership and a few interested citizens.
Do ya think those 5000 ecstasy pills confiscated last week were for the concert?
B.S. I do not agree with your generalization that any large gathering brings drugs and underage drinking. I have been at numerous athletic events throughout the state at which no drinking or drugs were allowed, underage or adult. I have also been at dance recitals and plays at which no drinking or drugs were allowed. When those in charge display and enforce the rules they are percentage wise adhered to.
The amount of things ALL cities could accomplish are innumerable given the right leadership and a few interested citizens. Two examples are the village of Utica and the largest city of LaSalle County, Ottawa.
Many years ago LaSalle had a annual St. Patricks Day and parade organized by a gentleman named Jimmy Keyes. As the day and parade grew so did the number of volunteers.
10:25 You are comparing a Kid Rock concert to a dance recital. I guess the ball game that you went to must have been a little league game. Have you ever been to Wrigley field in July for a evening game? Or even a concert? You can't ban drinking at a concert. You need to have alcohol to make a profit. Take your head out of the sand. You will have drugs and drinking, its the sign of the times. I think the last Johnny Kaye concert at Centennial Park had people that had alcohol and I even smelled a bit of Pot, probably for medical reasons. What's the big deal!
When I made the generalization of a "large event", I was referring to events that gather several thousand people together, not several hundered, as in your examples. It's not necessarily a sign of the times, just a matter of fact. If you get a large enough group together, you are going to have a few bad apples. Post and attempt to enforce the rules all you want, you will not be able to catch everything. You have these activities taking place all around you, everyday, in people's homes. If you think for a minute that they will hesitate to act out in a public place, you must not get out much.
Anon 2:09 Consider it a sign of your times not the rest of ours. Anon 2:57 Consider it your matter of fact not the rest of ours.
Anon 10:25 stated that "when those in charge display and enforce the rules they are percentage wise adhered to", which is very true and expressed in a positive form.
Anon 2:57 you write that "Post and attempt to enforce the rules all you want , you will not be able to catch everything" which is also very true and expressed in a negative approach.
Both of you have expressed your opinions onvery limited geographic area, specific types of events and your limited access and experiences. Its a big world out there be brave and explore some of it.
Why would the city be providing tile for drainage of privately-owned property?
7:34
The City doesn't "need" to-if I recall properly this was another project Harl was working on (we know how that cost us taxpayers) with the farmer West of Sycamore Lakes.
Kristy
4:41, What you call a negative approach, you also call very true in the same sentence. Negative or not, it is the world we live in. As far as my limited experiences, in your view, I have visited and worked venues of all sizes, with varied audiences. It is from that experience, I made the generalization.
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