Public Property Meeting July 25, 2012

Public Property Committee Meeting – July 25, 2012 6:30 p.m. at City Hall Present: Bob Ankiewicz, Sherry Mayszak, Scott Harl, Gary Bleck, Mike Perry, Jim Lukosus, Mike Radtke, Rodney Perez, Dave Potthoff, Dave Waldorf, Dave Bartley, Bob Pyszka, Gary Hylla, Marsha Perez, Linda Dzierzynski, Lois Carroll and Doug Schweickert

Alderman Ankiewicz made a motion that the minutes of June 16, 2012 be received and placed on file. Alderman Mayszak seconded the motion; motion carried. Unfinished Business

Recreation Commission Ordinance – On the agenda for the regular council meeting tonight is “An Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Peru Chapter 74, Article III Concerning Playground and Recreation Board”. Ankiewicz came up with the changes he wanted in the ordinance and had Schweickert draw up the ordinance. Mayszak had 3 things she wanted added to the ordinance. They were: Section 1, Article III

Sec. 74-69. Term of Office; Vacancies
1. Members must maintain a 65% attendance rate per year (8 out of 12 meetings) or they will be removed from the Commission.

Sec. 74-70. Powers and Duties
2. Any plans to add to a park, playground, recreation center, and any other recreational facility or modify a current park, playground, recreation center, and any other recreational facility must be approved by the City Council.

Sec. 74-72. Recreation Fund; Use
3. Any expenditure over $5,000 must be approved by the City Council. Discussion followed with many aldermen adding their opinions on how these changes should be worded.

It was decided:
#1 - To add “to be reviewed by the Mayor and with the Consent of the City Council”. #2 - To change “plans to add” to “structural changes”. At the end to change “City Council” to “the committee, then forwarded to the council, subject to a public hearing”. #3 – To change at the end “City Council” to “Public Property Committee, with any expenditures over $20,000 to be approved by the City Council”.
Alderman Perez asked to add that the fireworks bidding process should be started in September, put out to bid by proper procedure and bids to be received by October 1 of the current year.
Swimming Pool – Mayszak reported that the Fun Fair that was held on Saturday, July 21, 2012 raised $1,407.32 plus there was a $500 donation received.
Mayszak asked about keeping the current bath house at the pool. Bleck stated he thought it would cost as much or more to remodel this bath house as to build a new one. Mayszak will talk with Mike Perry after the meeting to get his input.

Airport – Ankiewicz reported that Merry Noonan will soon be giving the city a check for $9,000.00, which will go to the airport account.

Regarding the United Way Airplane Pull, Ankiewicz talked with Julie Sloan and she requested two police officers there because there will be a beer garden. The event will run from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Deputy Chief Pyszka stated that would be overtime for the police officers and would cost about $750 to $800.

Meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

Mayor Scott Harl said he would like to see a set of parameters and guidelines for this, as well as the public comment section of meetings.

"Mayor Scott Harl said he would like to see a set of parameters and guidelines for this, as well as the public comment section of meetings." Taken from the N.T. report by Jeff Dankert.

Definition of Parameters. : limit, boundary —usually used in plural the parameters of science fiction.

Does this sound like Public Comment will be limited to only this or that?

There is so little public comment now because there is no public at most meetings, that I wonder what limits he can legally make beside time.

One More Time - Fireworks.

During a discussion of the procuring of the fireworks by getting bids by October 1 in order to get the best buy for the money, the topic came up about low level fireworks or the huge aerials that are lots more money. Ald. Radtke went to Hennepin this year to evaluate their fireworks in comparison to those of Peru. He thought they might not be as good because they did not have the aerials. I understand that Hennepin is near the river which runs right next to the city thus necessitating a lower level of fireworks.

The question was then asked that since people go to Water St. to watch the fireworks why do we need the expensive aerials. The answer was so that people who don't go to Water Street to see them, can see them from a location other than the festivities area. Was this something always in the planning or a reason to maintain the expense of the usual fireworks?. Everyone has to know that we have had so many disagreements, discussions etc about the fireworks and the location. This year we even had a special family area on Water Street. A no alcohol area on Water Street. And now we are told that you don't need to go to Water Street to see the fireworks, we will bring them to you.

Soon the Council Will Have the Room to Themselves

Fewer and fewer people are attending Peru City Council Meetings. Beside the News Reporters, Department Heads, Engineers, and about 5 people, that was it. Actually all the action had taken place at the Public Property Meeting where one could see the city in action and let it be said that the 3 of us non elected residents walked out very discouraged about the representation the citizens of Peru have at this time.

The Learning Curve for the 38th St Intersection

This was the first time, we ventured up to watch how people react to the instructions for maneuvering through the intersection. I see no way this will turn out the way the officials hope it will without actual physical barricades to prevent cars from going into business parking lots to turn around and that cannot be done. We saw the people in the bank lot and strip mall parking lot do the expected drive through. Surprising the number who did U turns in the roadway. Actually a few of them turned left when there was not a car on the 38th st, coming in to make a right turn. We actually had quite a laugh watching how creative people were when they wanted to go east after coming down Venture.

Plan B is what?

Friday Open Forum

I have thought about this for awhile and I will try to keep Friday open for your thoughts even if the topic has not been written about previously.

Amy said...

La Salle Peru is on the down slope. That much is obvious. Myself and several people who have graduated within the last ten years have all discussed this and agreed that LP is running itself into the ground.
The decision to rid the school of teachers that are "tough" on their students is just the administration bowing to the demands of terrible parents raising terrible kids and getting bent out of shape when the kid gets called out.

What happened to the days when we celebrated these teachers and coaches? Their firm styles helped form us into strong human beings willing to fight for what we thought was right. They garnered our respect and were the ones we remembered long after graduation.

Now we are shoving them to the side because some parents can't stand the idea that their little angels aren't the perfect cherubs that they think they are.

LP is letting BAD PARENTS run the school. Take a look at this generations Highschool kids and take it in. Because they are the bieginning of the end.

Thank you LP... for shaming us Alumni into hating that we ever went here. 11:25 AM, July 27, 2012

How does an ordinance become city law?

Well it appears that in Peru anybody can propose an ordinance and if you happen to have a 2 person committee and Peru has several, each person can send a proposal to the city atty with the way they want it to read. Remember the atty charges for everything he does. That is what happened here in Peru.

The Public Property Committee consists of Sherry Mayszak and Bob Ankiewicz. Two weeks ago Ald. Ankiewicz submitted a proposed ordinance to the city atty, the way he wished it to read and not in consultation with the other member. This ordinance was about changes to the Recreation Commission. He did not do this cooperatively with Ald. Mayszak and actually had it put on the agenda for both meetings tonight.

The hour long Public Property was attended by the Mayor and Dept. Heads and many aldermen. Ald. Mayszak presented her ideas and they were discussed and it was agreed to make changes to this proposed ordinance with input from the other aldermen attending who were Potthoff, Waldorf, Perez, Radtke and Lukosus.

Now we go into the city council meeting and this goes into the would you believe category. Ald. Ankiewicz tried to have his version of the ordinance voted on in spite of the fact that many changes were agreed upon just a hour before at the committee mtg. Ald. Mayszak spoke up and suggested it be tabled since so many changes had been put into the ordinance and Ald. Ankiewicz's answer was "we can make changes later". Fortunately Ald. Perez and Ald. Radtke also said they would like it tabled and the ordinance was put to rest for the night. I'm not sure what the mayor thought. Not one of our prouder moments, lets hurry with those video cams.

About Time Someone in Springfield Had Their Thinking Cap ON

NEW LAW: Public meeting agendas must be ‘sufficiently descriptive’ to let the public know what might happen. (Public Act 97-0827)

Read Carefully Agendas for Public Property and City Council

PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2012
TIME: 6:30 P.M.
PLACE: 1901 4TH STREET

ROLL CALL: Alderman Ankiewicz, Alderman Mayszak

I. APPROVE MINUTES OF JULY 9, JULY 11, & JULY 16, 2012

II. NEW BUSINESS

· Discuss proposed ordinance regarding Recreation Board

III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

· Discuss Friends for the Peru Pool Fun Fair results
· Discuss swimming pool bath house

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT V. ADJOURNMENT

---

AGENDA

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2012 ROLL CALL 7:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC COMMENT COMMITTEE REPORTS ALDERMEN
1. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE Potthoff & Radtke (Wage-Negotiations, License)
2. PUBLIC WORKS Waldorf & Lukosus
(Electric, Street & Alley, Water & Sewer)

Motion to approve paving of road at the Electric Department
Motion to approve paving of radius at 38th Street; Frontage Road south at Wenzel and patching on Midtown Road
3. PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Ferrari & Perez

(Fire & Police, ESDA, Health) Motion to authorize a $250 donation to the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department for equipment upgrades and use of the Mobile Command Vehicle

4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Ankiewicz & Mayszak
(Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds) Motion to approve engineering agreement with Chamlin & Associates for consulting services at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport for the lighting equipment replacement project

REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN TRI COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF PERU CONCERNING ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT WITH MERCHANT CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC FOR LEASE OF EQUIPMENT

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PERU CHAPTER 74, ARTICLE III CONCERNING PLAYGROUND AND RECREATION BOARD

Venture Drive

We Can All Dream Can't We (A link)

http://www.vortex-intl.com/en/splashpad-experience.htm?gclid=CP3M9_qZrrECFWkCQAodhxwALQ

How cool is this?

Do You Like This New Design?

Peru is changing traffic rules at 38th Street and Venture Drive to ease congestion at the intersection.

The changes are scheduled to take effect Monday and will pose a learning curve for drivers, Mayor Scott Harl said.

Jim Clinard of Chamlin & Associates, engineering consultant for the city, explained the changes and provided a diagram.

There will no longer be a stop sign at Venture Drive for westbound traffic on 38th Street coming from Route 251. This traffic can turn left, go straight or turn right without stopping.

Traffic from the south and from the north on Venture Drive still will have stop signs but motorists can only turn right. This will direct southbound traffic west to Peoria Street, and northbound traffic east to Route 251.

Eastbound traffic on 38th Street still will have to stop, and can turn right or go straight but can no longer turn left onto Venture Drive.

The city also will change Peoria Street intersections with Wenzel Road and with 38th Street to three-way stops. by Jeff Dankert News Tribune

This Was Once a Nice Sign Free Neighborhood

This picture was taken several weeks ago and then the bike went home and now it is back again, but is parked totally on the street.

Just beyond this bicycle in the 28th street park are numerous pieces of playground equipment for children to play on and children being children it would seem that this is definitely a safety issue as a child would not be seen darting out into traffic, being blocked from view by the sign.

Evidently one of the neighbors called the police not once but several times and explained this to the Peru Police Department explaining that the ordinance did not allow this to be there, parking was to be allowed only in a parallel parking position and not horizontal as this bike is. The police department thought it was a matter of interpretation and said the sign did NOT have to move. I thought that everything in this town revolved around safety.

Stop signs are frequently put up in what the PPD calls unprotected intersections for safety reasons so why would they allow this to remain in the road as a pedestrian hazard.

In fact I remember a discussion with again the First Ward aldermen about a stop sign that was put in a 14th and Pine by the request of one resident. This was not a high traffic area and in fact one of the very few accidents to occur there was AFTER the stop sign was put in. The sign was put in for safety.

Sec. 110-406. - Parking of bicycle.permanent link to this piece of content
No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle or against a building or at the curb in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic. Sec. 110-402. - Safe operation of bicycles.

There are no sidewalks in this subdivision, residents must walk upon the roadway.

Governance and Civic Engagement (link)

National League of Cities with lots of interesting links to read.

n early 2009, the City of Upper Arlington brought together a diverse group to ask: How can we nurture a shift in public discourse to a place where all voices are encouraged, heard with respect and kindness and have our passions and visions meet in shared responsibility for our community’s future?

Isn't this an intriguing concept? Where all voices are encouraged heard with respect

Computer Virus Attack This Monday

I have always had anti virus installed on my computer and luckily no problems for many years. Monday we got hit and it shut down my computer, couldn't do anything. Quickly took it in for repairs. Today we got a call from a relative in Ottawa to warn us that computers visiting the Ottawa times were getting a virus. Yes that is where ours came from. The computer repair business has said that they now have 12 computers from that attack in for repairs and I am sure other repair shops have computers from the virus sneak attack. It came into our computer under the guise of a flash player update.

Nice to have that old computer in the closet that we haven't used for the last year.

Is Your Opinion Different Than Our Officials?

Peru officials voiced satisfaction at Monday’s city council meeting with Friday night’s Kid Rock concert at Illinois Valley Regional Airport.
Police and emergency response officials were highly visible during the show. Police chief Doug Bernabei said there were no incidents, arrests or fights.
A bus got stuck in the mud, five articles were reported lost, one lost article was recovered by the owner and two people were transported to the hospital for existing medical conditions, Bernabei said. The plan for covering the concert was developed by Bob Pyszka, Peru police deputy chief, Bernabei said.
Fire Chief Jeff King also said the event, one of the largest ever in Peru, went off without much trouble.
Police moved people away from the stage when high wind and lighting occurred in the afternoon, Alderwoman Sherry Mayszak said.
Clean-up also was prompt, aldermen Rodney Perez and Bob Ankiewicz said.
The event was part of Concerts for a Cause, which benefits schools or organizations in the area. The recipient of the Kid Rock concert is Trinity Catholic Academy in La Salle. The school plans to buy new classrooms computers.By Jeff Dankert

I ws not present and have no opinion on this subject at this time.

A Peru Vision From About 1968 for the Landfill

Taken From Recreation Minutes June 12

Peru Recreation Commission 06/12/2012 Meeting, City Hall The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm by Bryan Hartman, President. Board members in attendance were Janice Grabowski, Ray Zborowski, Ron Kelsey along with Peru Recreation Director, Lynda Kasik. Absent were John Deisbeck, Tom Stuart, and Larry Weide.

Guests in attendance were Mayor Scott Harl, Alderman Bob Ankiewicz, Jeff Dankert (observing for the News Tribune) and at the Commission’s request, Mike Richetta, representing Chamlin and Associates. Mayor Harl addressed the Commission, providing a rough estimate from Len Trovero Construction and a second rough estimate from Ladzinski Cement Finishing Company for a double Pickleball court at 28th Street Park. Dimensions would be 64 X 64 feet. This would give the City of Peru the option of converting the newly painted Pickleball courts back to a tennis court if the Pickleball program is not successful, but still provide the public with access to the sport of Pickleball. The estimates were just for the pad and excavation. The estimates did not include painting, striping, fencing, nets and lighting. The estimates were for $25,000.00 and $17,635.00 respectively. The Commission thanked the Mayor for having the vision to perhaps in the future create additional Courts at 28th Street. The discussion was tabled until our Budget meeting in January 2013.

New Business: Lynda updated us on numbers for the Summer Recreation Programs; Cheerleading Camp-50 participants, Baseball – 40 participants, Arts & Crafts – 100 participants per day, tennis – 50 participants. The Programs are going well and are well attended. The playground equipment for Nickeloid Park has not been ordered yet. Dave Bartley informed us Public Works had not done any investigation into a piece of equipment. American Nickeloid donated $4000 to be used for playground equipment at the Nickeloid Park. A discussion followed that the Rec Commission could match the $4000 if needed to purchase something adequate. Lynda will investigate and report back to the Commission. Janice updated the Commission on the tennis, pickleball and basketball resurfacing project. All courts should be open for play this weekend. Janice will meet with Frank Taylor on some signage necessary for the courts. One small sign (already present at 28th Street Park) per court to read “No skateboarding, no rollerblading, no bicycles, tennis shoes only.” Also, Janice will get Frank’s approval on a temporary banner announcing Pickleball Clinic information for 28th Street Court.

Ray asked the Commission to brainstorm on ways to raise money to offset the cost of the annual firework display. This would be for next year’s display. A 50/50 raffle is a consideration. Discussion was tabled until next meeting. Also a motion was made by Ray Zborowski to place a port-a-potty at 28th Street Park for the months of May through October at a cost of $65 a month to the low bid of Steve Michelini. There was one there two years ago. The motion was seconded by Ron Kelsey and unanimously approved. Meeting closed

Summer Heat Getting to Our Alderman

Tonight at the council meeting during the public comment I asked 2 questions, nothing that would or should cause anything more than the answer I was looking for.

I asked if they realized that there were members of the Recreation Commission that were attending less than 50% of the meetings? Immediately Ald. Waldorf yelled at me "why don't you volunteer" and on and on. Of course my question was asked right after Ald. Waldorf and Ald. Ankiewicz has commented on what a wonderful job the Recreation Commission does, period.

Second question, what about the advertising sign attached to the tricycle sitting in Grabowskis driveway on Marquette Rd. as it has sat there for several weeks and I wanted to know if a permit had been obtained but Frank Taylor did not know. I then mentioned that this type of advertising was not included in the recently passed sign ordinance and that it was starting to look pretty tacky sitting in his driveway all the time. the ordinance also states that if the sign is not expressly permitted in the ordinance it is not allowed.

Mayor Harl said it was no different than a truck with advertising sitting in someones driveway. I disagree. Ald. Ferrari then exploded that I was bringing up pickleball again and that I was always complaining about something and then he mentioned "that blog".

I Will reread the sign ordinance once again.

My thanks to Ald. Perez and Ald Potthoff for bringing some reasoning to the process.

I relay this information for all my bloggers who always tell us to express our feelings at city council. I did and they try to eat you alive.

But to be fair they were not happy with Ald. Perez when he tried to get information on the fireworks bidding process and let him know also.

First Ward Aldermen Seem to Have Favorite Constituents

Tonight 2 of my friends who live next to the 28th Park had a meeting with Alderman Mike Radtke and Alderman Tony Ferrari along with Brian Hartman (Rec Com President) and Jim Grabowski (Pickleball Ambassador) to resolve all the tension and problems created when the tennis court was replaced with a pickleball court.

I talked to them after the meeting, they both felt that they were mocked and treated with disrespect as evidently the aldermen and the others felt no need to treat them any differently. They were told they were the only ones complaining which is not true. I as a resident of Peru am once again embarrassed by my city government. The other night the Mayor said that he could do nothing to help them and now those at this meeting could not even find a way to make this work for everyone concerned. I think we need new people at city hall who will work with all the people and not for just a few of the people.

If you have an ordinance that gives too much authority to an unelected recreation commission than the solution is SIMPLE CHANGE IT. Times change and we don't need to live with a city ordinance that was created in 1957 and is no longer effective in 2012.

What is Appropriate on this Blog

I have just received a post signed Geo which I am not going to put on this blog. We are not here to discuss non elected individuals, this is about government and those who have chosen to put themselves into that arena. Regarding the names given to Ald. A., no in my naivete, I did not know what was referred to as others who I asked did not either. Maybe it was a male joke not discussed in polite company.

I will not post about someones personal life and what they have or have not done and whatever problems they have encountered even when aware of them.

I do have boundaries. Sometimes I will ask the individual about putting the comment on if I know them well enough, sometimes the answer is yes and sometimes no.

No favoritism, just a bit of knowledge. I understand what you were saying but it does no good to continue on down that path when situations change.

CITYWATCH: OPEN MEETINGS - What say you, Citizen Bloomington?

CITYWATCH: OPEN MEETINGS - What say you, Citizen Bloomington?


Appears this is a contagious illness!

Is This Legal? Morris?

AGENDA

PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY, JULY 9, 2012
TIME: 6:00 P.M.
PLACE: Morris Municipal Pool
ROLL CALL: Alderman Ankiewicz, Alderman Mayszak
I. Meeting at Morris Pool II. ADJOURNMENT

Will it take legal action for Peru to listen?

Consider that the newly created Peru logo (created not by the city) is "Act First Think Later" is continuing to cause more issues because of more poor decision making. Everyone from the top (Mayor) to the (Aldermen) to the Recreation Commission believe that once they make a decision, it is etched in stone and legal binding and cannot be rescinded.

Rumors abound about seeing how legally binding this is considering the repercussions that have resulted from the action of the above mentioned governmental bodies.

Peru's red letters wait for second chance - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Peru's red letters wait for second chance - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Have You Ever Heard This Star Spangled Banner?

Maybe We Should Rethink How WE Celebate July 4

I have a cousin in Nevada who posed pictures on FB of the way they celebrate the 4th in her city and it made me wonder about how we in Peru celebrate this national holiday of the United States.

NewsTribune launches paid plan for website - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

NewsTribune launches paid plan for website - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Area residents ready for fireworks (With Slideshow) - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Area residents ready for fireworks (With Slideshow) - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

The Day Afterwards

I only got as close to Water Street as driving over RTE 251 bridge as I never had plans to be there especially on such a hot muggy night. Sorry but I prefer the a/c when the weather is that uncomfortable. Myself and others now realize we paid $1,000 a minute for the fireworks and I ask myself and you, could we have put that money to better use as we are always told there is no money in our budget. Well it appears there is money if you really want something and have influence.

Will the city workers be down on Water Street today for cleanup at double time? Will we find out how much extra $ was spent on more police on duty?

Would we be better putting that money into the Peru Pool Funding?

We raise our children telling them, they can't have everything yet that is exactly what is happening in Peru. So many things are only a "want" not a "need". And I can't help but add did we "need" a pickleball court which has turned into a private club and the city paid for it and now makes excuses why.

From what families are saying, it appears that the beer drinkers and the beer tent got the best part of the deal, they surely got the best location and people were fooled into thinking they would be in a family friendly alcohol free zone. I was under the impression prior to the fireworks, that it would be an alcohol free zone, period. No alcohol brought in in coolers. Anyone think you can't get drunk when you are sitting down drinking?

Sometimes I think we are tempting fate with the festivities sandwiched in between active RR tracks and a very treacherous river.

Bus Routes to Water Street for Fireworks

Three buses will shuttle spectators down to Water Street for the fireworks. Buses will run 5:30-11 p.m. and pick up and drop off at intersections on each route.

All buses will start at the southeast corner of Fourth and Calhoun streets.

Two buses will proceed onCalhoun StreettoPutnam Streetand down toWater Street. They will return via Brewery Hill (Pike Street), Main Street and Calhoun Street to Fourth and Calhoun.

A family bus with wheelchair access will travel down West Street, Center Streetand Plain Street to the family area at Maze Lumber, and will return the same way.

The buses are provided by Illinois Central School Bus, Peru CSO and sponsors.

Stephanie Piscia FOIA/OMA Compliance Officer City of Peru

saukvalley.com | Police want to be paid up front for Mumford & Sons concert in Dixon IL, Sterling, IL and Rock Falls IL

saukvalley.com | Police want to be paid up front for Mumford & Sons concert in Dixon IL, Sterling, IL and Rock Falls IL

Weather Forecast Peru, IL | Peru Weather | Wunderground

Weather Forecast Peru, IL | Peru Weather | Wunderground

Ottawa's Fireworks Display

Celebrate America's Birthday in Ottawa, Illinois with Fireworks on the 4th! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and join us at the High School or along the Illinois River for a spectacular show! Join us before the fireworks begin for Xmas in July for Bianchi's Pizza and pop. Starting at 7:30 p.m. winners of "Ottawa (First's) Got Talent" will perform on Ottawa Township High School's King Field, while being broadcast on WCMY-Radio. Make sure to be watching the sky between 9 and 9:30 p.m. as skydivers from Skydive Chicago will be landing on the field during the "Star-Spangled Banner." Local veterans from American Legion Post 33, VFW Post 2470 and AMVETS will present the colors on the field at approximately 9:20 p.m. and the fireworks display will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. where the Illinois meets the Fox River. Concessions will be available at OTHS.

Peru pool backer pitches ideas to city - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Peru pool backer pitches ideas to city - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Fireworks in Peru tomorrow I guess

Sure is hard to get any information about what is going on tomorrow. All I can say is that sometime tomorrow a beer tent will be set up manned by the CSO in the alcohol zone.

I don't know what is happening in the No Alcohol zone but $2000 was supposed to be allowed for that area but no one including the city web site gives us a clue.

How many thousand do you believe will be there this year? Many we should have a jar of jelly beans and try to guess how many, that might just as successful as getting information from city officials. Not one word was mentioned tonight at the council other than they believe the danger issue has been resolved at the demolition site.

Agenda Highlights of the City Council Mtg July 2

PRESENTATION Leslee Hoenscheid Sandberg of the Friends for the Peru Pool fundraising committee to speak about the outdoor pool

Motion to approve IVAC Membership fee in the amount of 14,413.00
Motion to waive permit fees for the Lily Pads expansion
Approve $1,000 donation to the Peru Rescue Station to help defray the costs of new narrow band radios and pagers.
Motion to approve $200 donation to the Spring Valley Walleye Club for their annual sign advertisement

MINUTES OF A JOINT ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS AND PLAN COMMISSION HEARING HELD ON JUNE 27, 2012 CONCERNING THE PETITION OF STEPHEN B. GIBSON II AND DENNIS KLABEL REQUESTING A TEXT AMENDMENT AND SPECIAL USE TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1807 FOURTH STREET, PERU, IL

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A TEXT AMENDMENT ADDING MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO AS A SPECIAL USE UNDER SECTION 11.04(d) (11) TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PERU AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITION OF STEPHEN B. GIBSON II AND DENNIS KLABEL

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE UNDER THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO THE CITY OF PERU, IL AS SOUGHT BY THE PETITION OF STEPHEN B. GIBSON II AND DENNIS KLABEL CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1807 FOURTH STREET, PERU, IL

AN ORDINANCE REDISTRICTING THE WARDS OF THE CITY OF PERU, ILLINOIS Clerk Bartley

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERU AND IBEW LOCAL 51 PUBLIC COMMENT CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT

Pickleball: New sport comes to Peru

Stephanie Szuda, stephanies@mywebtimes.com, 815-431-4087

When Jim Grabowski visited The Villages, Fla., he couldn't believe the pickleball craze.

"They have 115 pickleball courts," he said. "You can't get on them in the morning or early evening."

Grabowski, a tennis player for 40 years, quickly learned why it's so popular.

"It's much easier (than tennis) to play, much easier to learn and it's much more social," Grabowski, of Peru, said. "Everything's so confined. You're just always interacting."

Played with a hard paddle and a whiffle ball on a court one-third the size of a tennis court, the sport combines the elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.

For the past five months, Grabowski and other Peru residents have been working to bring pickleball to their city. About two weeks ago, five courts opened at the 28th Street Park, at 28th Street and Marquette Road. So far, the response has been positive, Grabowski said.

"On the seventh day, with no planning whatsoever, all courts were busy," he said.

The Peru Recreation Commission gave Grabowski a $3,000 budget, but he said not even half has been spent. The four pickleball courts, once tennis courts, will be converted back to tennis courts should pickleball be unsuccessful.

Grabowski and other players are running clinics from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the new court to introduce people to the sport. A local pickelball website is up at www.positiveinperu.com, including a clinic schedule.

The court is open to all, and anyone with questions can call 815-830-3102.

Recreation Funding Budget 2011 (use this link)

ONE YEAR LATER SAME DISCUSSION AND SAME PROBLEM