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.
56 comments:
@Lois Ratke has always been on the side of Bob, even before the election. He just had you people fooled. His gramps is a long time Baker supporter and Mikes influence came from him through Bob. Just remember to do a bit of a background before backing someone.I'm sure Don appreciated you guys getting his man in.
I realize that $20,000 may not seem like a large amount to some, but to me it seems like too much to ask a committee of non-elected members to manage, especially when we are talking per expenditure and not as an annual budget. Am I alone in this line of thinking?
5:22 I had that concern before the election but was promised by Radtke that he was bring fiscal responsibility to the board. I guess I misunderstood him. Will not support him again. His gramps was definately a supporter of Baker based on his comments. Wonder if there is a township relationship here.
Am I missing something? $9,000 only? I was honestly expecting about 5 times that amount.
Chamlin engineering costs?
Lost revenue from field rent?
Utilities?
Police security on Overtime?
City staff for Saturday cleanup?
Seeding the field?
How much per ticket were we suppose to get?
City taxpayer money to benefit private religious organization?
Shame on every city official that supported a private organization with today's very limited taxpayer checkbook. How much did you contribute to Cops for Cancer? United Way? IVAR? Relay for Life? Pool fund? March of Dimes? Local youth sports?
Somebody had to have received some personal benefit from this fiasco. Wonder who?
Anon 5:24 No you are not alone in this line of thinking. Now what can and will be done about it?
7:46 nothing can or will be done about it. The Baker regime is in to stay. The almighty great thing of it all is Harl finally came around to realize what team to play with.
All that needs to be done now is to flip 2 more aldermen and mission complete then the Deli will be back up and running.
9000.00 is a little short i think too . wonder if they donated the rest too ms noonan cause ?
Has anyone found out how much is going to LaSalle Catholic school?
I think we as citizens of Peru need to co op the Marine slogan with a few changes such as men and women.
We’re Looking for a Few Good Men
The United States Marine Corps has been using the slogan, "We're looking for a few good men," for well over two hundred years now. It began in 1779 when Capt. William Jones advertised for a "few good men" to enlist in the Corps, thinking that would be all that was needed. It became a challenge or a dare to young men back then and continues to be even today,
Peru is now now looking for a few good men/women to step up before the next election of April 2013.
What a shame. I sure am glad that I do not live in Peru. Such corruption - then and now!
So who would you support then, Lois?
In reading the ordinance the wording reinforces the work of the recreation commission!
And who are you trying to get out of office? Didn't you just get in new Mayor and several new aldermen? And some new recreation committee members? Maybe the city would be better off with the group of 3 you describe? You can change the fireworks and then what?
Looks like alot of micromangement by a few that want to manage something but lack the experience, education or knowledge to do anything of real value. In the minutes provided above we read alot of she wanted to have this or save the pool house or bids must be done by the stated time of a interested vendor. Is this for real? No wonder people are calling the Attorney General. When is the next election?
12:08 PM
Running a city is no different than running a business. If you are in need of a service, absolutely the bids must be in by a certain time. No business would put up with waiting until the last minute unless there were plans in place to obtain either a prearranged deal or the poorest of the lot who couldn't find anybody else to hire them.
The sooner you get something taken care of correctly than you can move on to the next issue.
How long has the problem with the fireworks be hanging on? Lets get next year taken care of by Oct. 1 and move on to other city business.
12:08 PM
Improving ordinances on the books is long overdue. Long time aldermen have become so used to "this is the way that we have always done it" that they fail to realize there are better ways to do things. I noticed you could not help yourself when you consistently used the pronoun "she". This city is long overdue in bringing "she" into the political process of the city and I say to the Mayor, Thank you. And now that we realize what an excellent aldermen "she" can be, I hope it will encourage more women to step up and help the city to become all that it can be and not the long time "way we have always done it". No longer Leader of the Valley.
What the new aldermen lack in experience, they more than make up with dedication, education and common sense knowledge. As I read through your posting I thought. "What is wrong with this picture" No doubt there is still too much influence upon this city by outside forces and most people in this city are more than aware. They know who drives what car and they know when it can be seen at certain local businesses.
Back to the fireworks? Go to the rec meeting and you will or don't want to hear the real story. Its simple....The committee got various prices and provided the companies with the date. Nobody on the committee had a behind the scene deal. Why this is a big issue or why would a city council member outside of the recreation committee call a company to get a price and date? Maybe that question should be directed to that individual?
Outside forces? Do you mean the local unions or the Democratic party at the Township? And how is that going? Its time...take the GPS off of Don Baker's car and realize that he's not the outside influence that your upset about.
You forgot about the 2 fireman paid overtime to work the concert with 2 city vehicles. I thought the grass seed alone was $40,000 ?? What about the 8-10 city workers up there all week long working on cleanup, putting up fence, etc?? And then the cleanup after. What a joke! And our mayor approved and authorized all of this with our money! !
3:12PM
Called the City Clerks office today and we have not received the $9000 yet. I will get an itemized bill for the $9000, IF they billed her properly.
3:07 PM
The forces you have mentioned may have influence on the mayor but that is not whom I am speaking of. I am talking about the men who represent you and vote on the issues in committee and council meetings. I'm not pulling this out of the wind but instead have followed the trail left by them.
2:53 pm
Maybe it just boils down to we need fresh faces on the recreation commission to look at things differently and see like must people do that this whole fireworks fiasco is exactly that. NO competent business would stay in business if they conducted their purchasing in that manner. The Out of Business sign would have been put on the door a long time ago.
@Lois 3:12
I am not sure but based on the estimated attendance and 1 dollar per ticket that the paper reported as the agreement, it seems like it is the correct gate fee payment. A little strange that it is nice and round at 9000, but it is possible there were only exactly 9000 sold.
I don't think there is any other formal agreement to pay for anything else, but it is probably all spelled out in the ordinance agreement.
3:52 PM
I think you are right about the $9000 being from ticket sales.
This is from the Public Property Mtg. from June 4:
Ankiewicz reviewed the expenses the City has incurred as a result of this concert. Total
amount so far is $18,689. Ankiewicz wants to get this amount from Noonan
I have not heard that this was paid back to the city and have not heard her donation to the school.
Its funny that ald.ank has taken on the wrath of those because he has a difference of opinion. If it was a "he" that he has differences would we be still playing the gender card? I support those with the best record of service not those based on the he or she.
If your going to save the bathhouse, why not save the whole pool? The bathhouse is falling down! Lets get some Common Sense in those meetings. OR AT LEAST SOME SENSE.
Lois :
on another subject , did they ever come out with a detailed cost too city for concert ? or if the 9.000.00 is all they got or took , and how much tax payers money did they loose ? Thanks
Everyone should support those with the best record of service and not allow their decisions to be based on gender distinction.
Included in this best record of service is the ability to work with others and to treat everyone as
a professional. There should be no gender issues under any circumstances.
The last amount I heard at a committee mtg was that Noonan owes us the amount of 18,689 plus 9,000 for the ticket sales. I know the nine thousand has not been paid and have not heard about the rest.
If those are making rules for term limits on the recreation board and attendance rules, why not set those same limits for themselves?
Let's see, recreation board meets once a month, city council meets once a week. How much effort does it take to make one meeting a month. Either you want to be on the board and you attend the meetings, or step aside for somebody who does want to be there. Nothing was added about term limits.
11:28 so its ok to miss other city committee meetings but not the rec. board? Whats good for the goose is good for the gander! Different set of rules for the rec. board? Somebody must be mad and wants to spank those rec. members. Must be the popular topic of fireworks or the all-american sport of pickleball? Can't be the swimming pool, I hope we all remember that its closed by the veto power. I don't think its about the wonderful summer programs or fantastic parks. I don't think those aldermen have objections to the celebration of Halloween or Christmas parades. Why such discussions about the recreation members? Fireworks and Picklesports. Shame on them for trying to bring a little sunshine to the Illinois Valley.
1:53 PM It would be across the board and apply to all Boards.
1:53 There really are no set of rules for the rec commission. Other committees have guide lines to follow and have to report to someone higher up. The rec commission makes their own decisions and needs no one's approval. Sometimes that's a good thing but sometimes it creates controversy. A committee or commission needs to know when to seek advice from our outside individuals especially since they're using tax payer money. They also need to research a decision with all who would be involved before they jump in, get their feet wet, and then realize problems exist.
It would make most people happier if those rays of sunshine were to everyone's liking with less money spent. The method of throwing money against the wall until some of it sticks shows a lack of good business knowledge.
6:39 More money was spent on signs on the blacktop than pickleball games. The approval for the rec.committee is the Democratic approach that the committee follows, just like a library board or zoning board or city council.
9:47 In my opinion both of those expenses were a waste of taxpayers money and both expenses were for the satisfaction of an individual (not the community as a whole).
9:47 The rec commission did not follow the Democratic approach, they violated the Open Meetings Act in January and April when they voted on pickle ball without it being on the agenda. The agenda must be specific on items that are to be voted upon. If you do not believe me go to the attorney general's web site and read The Act. jb
11:49 your definition of violations of the open meetings act is a bit creative. To provide a recreation service to the City is much different than voting on a tax increase. No reasonable person would attempt to file or cry to the Attorney Generals office about a fireworks supplier or pickleball court. Anybody can cry or claim foul play, the reality is that nothing was violated. In today's day and age some of those publicity hounds will look for anything to spotlight their personal cause or interest.
1:49 PM
You are wrong and any violation of a particular law is just that a violation. The Atty Generals office considered this a violation. Is that enough of a ruling for you?
The rec Com does not deal with taxes, they deal with recreation, so please don't try to make something right when it is wrong. If you don't think that they are an important committee within the city, then lets eliminate them and let the council handle it all.
1:49 Call the attorney general's office and see what they have to say. Believe you me, you will be surprised to find out that the rec commission did indeed violate the Open Meetings Act more than once.
2:59 Again it comes down to your explanation and definition of the Open meetings Act. Your call to the office may be defined, but still lacks the fact finding proof of the matter. To eliminate a committee because of a few targeted responses by a few councilmen looks to be the complete opposite of Democracy.We can't wait to see who steps out on the ledge to take up this cause to eliminate the voice of a group of volunteers that represent the recreational needs of the town of Peru.
3:19 PM
Please don't give us the law "per your ideas", the OMA is defined by the office of the Illinois Attorney General and sorry but this is their ruling directly from their office. You do know that everyone that lodges a complaint gets a personal response from them. BTW it appears that the recreational needs of a few are definitely being met up at the 28th street pickleball court. The rest of the residents are probably being told to go sit on that ledge. It is really time for the Recreation Commission to step forth and have a public meeting and to explain why they went against the neighborhood for the enjoyment of approximately 10 to 20 people and they don't all live in Peru. Kind of funny isn't it?
Now tell me once again about meeting the needs of its residents. Also I would like to know why they were not at the Peru Family Fun Fair to offer a helping hand. lots of parents and kids there enjoying "recreation".
Peru Parks are way behind the times of other communities. Peru Parks playground equiptment are CRAP, the sand has weeds growing up through it at every piece of playground equiptment! What are the duties of the individuals on that committee? The Parks spends our money on fireworks and a ruthless pickleball game that only a few can enjoy.Spend our money on refurbishing our parks or resign and let others take over. That committee is Worthless!!!!!
Volunteers are only worth a praising when they do some productive work, what have they done for us lately besides spend spend spend???????
3:19 Nobody said anything about eliminating the rec commission but it is a known fact that they did violate the OPA. If you have any doubt get the facts and then personally talk to the attorney generals office.
Everybody gets a response, but that does not mean a law has been violated. A response is much different than a violation. And yes their are people who want to take the committee away and do it themselves!
4:57 AM
Yes it was a violation but the 60 day window they allow had past.
@Lois 4:57
Are you saying no civil legal action was taken within 60 days of the discovery by the office? Why didn't the states attorney move on it when notified?
The 60 day limit has nothing to do with the actual date of the meetings, as I understand it. I am confused.
Either way if the attorney general offered a response stating violation, it should be all that is needed to make a strong case to invalidate the actions taken at said meetings, whether or not the actual members are prosecuted under OMA .
First I was not involved personally but from a reliable source this is what happened. Let me explain that the Recreation Com meets each month but their minutes are not approved until the next months meeting. Probably several more days elapse before these minutes are posted to the web.
So there is actually a very short window of time to possibly realize something was not right.
This is because the AT only allows a complaint to be made up to 60 days after the actual occurrence so unless you were physically present you would not immediately be aware of what happened and what unannounced votes were taken.
Evidently the city council does not keep track of what the Rec Com does and I believe the Mayor and one council member were present at at least one of the meetings.
I was going by this. As I read it, there was 60 days to act after notification of the violation. Maybe I am reading it wrong.
(5 ILCS 120/3) (from Ch. 102, par. 43)
Sec. 3. (a) Where the provisions of this Act are not complied with, or where there is probable cause to believe that the provisions of this Act will not be complied with, any person, including the State's Attorney of the county in which such noncompliance may occur, may bring a civil action in the circuit court for the judicial circuit in which the alleged noncompliance has occurred or is about to occur, or in which the affected public body has its principal office, prior to or within 60 days of the meeting alleged to be in violation of this Act or, if facts concerning the meeting are not discovered within the 60-day period, within 60 days of the discovery of a violation by the State's Attorney.
The states attorney was not notified. The first violation occurred in January, and the second in April. The ambassadors was present as a visitor in January asking the city to purchase the pickle ball equipment. That same night they voted to allow him to order the equipment. It should have been put on the agenda for the February meeting and then a vote could have been taken. At the April meeting the ambassador was again at the meeting as a guest. It was that night that they voted to permanently make the tennis courts at 28th St. pickle ball. Again those motions should have been specific on the agendas for the following months.jb
2:51 Sounds to me like anyone who discovers facts past the 60 days can simply notify the states attorney of the details,, get confirmation of violation from the states attorney then take legal action within 60 days of that discovery of violation. But I am sure an attorney can sort it out better than a blogger. It does seem to be written in a confusing manner.
Either way I would guess the actions taken at a meeting in violation of the OMA might be easily challenged at a later date by injured parties.
10:01 I understand where you're coming from and it makes sense to me. We will be further investigating this issue. Believe you me it's not over yet! Thank you for your input.
"IF" still is not a violation!
10:50 AM
"IF" what? Remember many comments may come in between the time you are commenting and others are too. Please relate by time or at least date to what you are commenting on.
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