PERU RECREATION COMMISSION
AGENDA for Monthly Meeting, October 9, 2012, 6:30pm, City Hall, 1901 4th Street, Peru
1. Call to order by President, Bryan Hartman
2. Guests: Linda Dzierzynski and local Pickleball Ambassadors
3. Reading of the Minutes of the last meeting
4. Treasury Report
5. Communications
6. Unfinished Business
7. Discussion on the first PickleBall season and subsequent motion
8. Discussion on participation with Concerts for a Cause
9. New Business
10. Next Meeting
11. Adjournment
49 comments:
Did they discuss having the Concerts at local parks? That sounds like a great idea to me. Baker lake can hold 10,000 pretty easily and would be a great concert venue.
I realize that the agenda of a small city is often very informal and often itemized as being based in a friendly atmosphere.
What I find hard to understand is Number 2. Guests: Why would one individual be identified by name and than all others be identified as a group? Does Peru have a organized group identified by the Recreation Board as Pickelball Ambassadors in their minutes? If not why aren't the individuals identified by name? This reference appears to be a call of arms and a strength in numbers.
Peru is still in a government form of Democracy, Isn't It?
Also Number 8 is another proposed open can of legalities that this non elected group of 5 to 7 committee volunteers have no legal power to represent the balance of Peru citizenship and should never have. If each individual of this group wants to privately volunteer their time to a concert there is no objection but as a committee representing a government body they are overextending what they are intended for by great extremes.
Thanks for the morning laugh. Needed it today.
Does anyone know who the local pickeball ambassadors are besides Mr. Grabowski.
Nothing that involves 10,000 people will ever be held at Baker Lake.
11:00 I disagree. It is a park. It's for everyone and these concerts only raise money for charity and put the city on the map for tourism. I think everyone in Peru would support these concerts at the parks.
There would be no need to show any profit to any governmental agency like the FAA. Think how much more could go to the charities. This is just the kind of action the Rec Board is set up to handle. Stop being negative and let's get positive in Peru.
8:53 That call to arms is the form of bullying that the players have been using since this started in May, by bringing people from Hoffman Estates to a city council meeting. They will continue to use their force until they no longer feel threatened that their game will be moved to a different location. Also in response to your other question, they do not want their names individually used as they are made up of city employees, business owners and members of the recreation committee. Please understand that not one committee member has offered a solution or compromise regarding the location of the pickle ball court.
11;09 Believe you me 11:00 is absolutely right. Nothing of significance will be allowed to happen at Baker Lake because of the influential people who surround it. If you recall sometime ago an alderman suggested having a small fireworks display in that location. The rec commission denied the request stating that someone might fall into Baker Lake. Things and changes are only approved of if they affect individuals who have no pull or influence in this city. You're idea has been suggested by others and has fallen on deaf ears and been met with opposition from the rec commission.
11:53
That may have been true in the past, but I think that is changing and Ms. Noonan will be able to use her positive influence to help have some concerts at the city parks. Baker Lake is a natural. it is beautiful, and has easy access from I 80 and many directions, as well as lots of available street parking for easy access to the park. It would only be a few weekends each year and if the surrounding residents did not like it they could leave for those days, close their windows and doors or even move. They could always join in on the fun as well, even grill out.
Parks are for everyone, not only neighbors and these concerts are for the kids and the troops, so we should all get behind them like the Mayor has done and stop all the negativity. Gary Hylla has shown how they are a great money maker and profitable and he is much more experienced than anyone on these blogs. Noise is not an issue because it is a park, so I do not see why the city and FAA should be taking money from the kids at the airport when it could be going to charity! No one will fall into any lake because Ms Noonan runs a tight ship and always puts up a fence with the city workers!
Stop the negativity and start supporting the Rec Board and let them help bring these concerts to the parks like other cities do all the time.
If they are finally doing that at this meeting I say we should support them not criticize them!
12:24 You are way off base with your post. And, by the way, no one is bashing the rec board they're just stating facts. One of the reasons the board did not want to hold the 4th celebration at Baker Lake was because of "lack of parking". I agree with you that Baker Lake is a beautiful location for many activities but it will not happen.
12:55 You could park on the grass and bus people in. There are also fields to the north. These concerts are not like fireworks, they are for charity and they bring hundreds of thousands of dollars in tourist revenues in to the city and also are great for business development. One concert at a time they are putting Peru on the Map for tourism. Many Baker Lake neighbors would be for Concerts in the Park. I say show your support for them at the meeting instead of saying no without thinking. Applaud the Rec Board for thinking outside the box and using the parks for something that are non profit and benefits charity and the community.
Where did you get the idea that the rec board was looking into having concerts for a cause at our local parks? Are you POSITIVE this is going to be discussed IN PERU?
The total normally donated to charity from concerts has been in the low 20's. Now profit figures of hundreds of thousands of dollars are quoted for local concerts.
With this difference where is the balance of revenue ending up?
What business development besides the promoter pockets has a concert created in Peru?
If Gary Hy and the mayor are so financially experienced why did they first agree to $.50 per ticket and upon receiving outside interest get pushed up to a $1.00 per ticket. Worse than that how much did the city lose financially from the concert? The last figure mentioned was over $22,000 that was never paid back. The taxpayers represented by the mayor and treasurer lost city funds on the concert. WHY?
If the "Double H" team (hy & harl) thinks this is so lucrative let them invest their own money and not the taxpayers. Government officials who desire to use government funding for private enterprise should in good faith not enter the next city race for office, or prepare to have Perus' problems taken outside of Peru which may already have reached the time to be done.
Just who are these Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from the Ball of Pickel? If they pray to plead their cause, should not their names be recorded in the official scroll of records? Have they formally presented their credentials to His Majesty, King Harl the Knucklehead? If these ministers of dubious sports refuse to offer their credentials, then they should be expelled from our fair land never to return again.
12:24 you do realize Peru paid over $20,000 for the last concert, right. Your comment about putting up a fence with city workers is a good example. Why should the city (citizens of Peru) pay for that service? Why doesn't Ms. Noonan pay somebody to put up the fences. You do realize she makes money from these concerts and does not give away all profits. How much will the city continue to pay for questionable economic development? $20,000 to Ms. Noonan, $36,000 to MCS, plus what is paid to IVAC.
Anon 6:19 There is $36,000 budgeted yearly for promotional expenses besides the $13,200 for IVAC. $12,000 per yrear for 3 years for MCS and than Mr. Vikery.
What is difficult to understand is that if property is placed within a TIF to make it attractive for growth why has a promotional firm been hired to zero in on TIF growth. Everyone knows where the blighted area of Peru is and it has never been considered for a TIF. The worst job in the world has to be a employee of a politicians clothes cleaning establishment it must really stink,they are just so full of it!
6:19
I believe even the ordinance stipulates all the proceeds from the concerts go to charity, and I have never ever seen a single newspaper article or statement in all the years that did NOT say all the proceeds from these concerts go to charity. They are always called charity concerts and look at the name, Concerts for a Cause. Why would they do that if they were not donating every penny of profit to charity.
Some of you are so cynical.
I firmly believe that a vast majority of people in the Illinois Valley, as well as the sponsors of these concerts, are very certain that the city makes sure every penny of profit goes to the charity. Ms. Noonan just does this for the kids and charity. If anything else was happening do you think the News Tribune would not have investigated and told the story. The News Tribune coverage always is positive and supportive. Maybe all of you should be that way too. The more of these concerts at the Peru parks the better for the city. I for one cannot wait to see how the Rec Board is planning to use the parks to help these charity concerts and get the city more involved and more behind it.
7:14 PM
I really hate to burst your bubble but the city has absolutely nothing to do with how much money is distributed to charity. The N.T. investigates very little. And yes Ms Noonan makes a profit or she would not be going through all of this. She sells liquor and food and lots of it at a good price and a good profit.
Lois, have you ever read the ordinance for the concerts? That might be a good FOIA request. I am sure Kristy has, perhaps she could give you a copy.
Someone has been totally misinformed regarding these concerts for a cause. They do not bring in 100's of thousands of dollars in tourist revenues. Yes Mr Noonan does a good job and yet she donates to someone but she gets a great deal of free help from the city and also makes a sizable profit for herself. I don't know where you got the idea that these concerts will be moved to the parks by the rec commission.
7:14 What are you smoking? City verify there is no profit to Noonan? Noonan makes more money on these events than she gives to charity. And more than likely, she DOES NOT have a Not-for-profit FEIN to report under. I've searched for it. She is probably taking the money into her business and then making a charitable donation to HER CAUSE to make the transaction appear on the up and up. Seems like a lot of cash changing hands. Should have quite a few 8300's on file, right Merry?
9:10 I am sorry but you must be mis informed. For many years every article publicizing these concerts and reporting on them has clearly stated they are charity concerts and the proceeds go to charity. Look it up yourself.
There are laws in Illinois about fundraising and I am certain that the city and Ms Noonan would not violate them. Businesses go out of there way to say what part of donations go to charity when it is some kind of split deal. A business is very careful not to leave any grey area about this stuff, especially a city has to be. You cant be publicizing you are throwing a Charity concert unless it is a Charity concert! All proceeds must go to charity and I am sure the goodwill and advertising is all that Lous LaGrotto gets.
9:29 PM
It is my understanding that she, Ms Noonan is not registered with the state of Illinois as a fund raiser.
Having a multiple band festival will require usage of more than one public park, so I advise all concerned residents to attend the meeting. Once the Rec Board moves on something it is set in stone in this town, and these concerts have lots of backing. Pickle balling ain't the only loud party Harl and his buddies like. The pickleball neighbors warned you, only a matter of time till they brought their parties to your neighborhood.
7:14 & 9:31. Noonan absolutely, positively makes money from these concerts and does not give all profits away. It might be stipulated that the charity gets the gate money and she gets the food/drink money, but have you seen her new house and in-ground swimming pool & matching pool house? That kind of money does not come from selling pizzas at the restaurant.
The Pizza Lady donates the profit from the ticket sales. The profit from selling beer and food stays with her / the pizza business. The suckers such as the City of Peru donate their time and other resources. Instead of asking for a buck a ticket, the City should also be asking for a buck a beer.
Looks like you girls have convinced me to take out a petition for alderman. If you know anyone in the fourth ward that would be willing to sign it then that would be a big help
10:35 I have never seen that breakdown explained anywhere but here on a blog. Do you think the consumers who buy tickets know that it not a charity event? People are just supposed to assume it is for profit? That does not seem right to me.
Why isn't it put in the ads and all the tribune stories? Something like net proceeds from ticket sales, or 5 percent of ticket sales go to whatever the cause is. I don't think most consumers are reading this blog or hanging out at local bars where everyone speculates and accepts she makes money. I find it hard to believe she would risk breaking the law, or the especially the city would risk being charged with consumer fraud.
The concerts are Concerts for a Cause and that alone implies they are a charity event, not for profit. The city asks for volunteers for Petes sake. You don't do that for a profit business. Sponsors put up big amounts, you think they do that for a private business? They do it for the kids and soldiers. How could anyone think a business would use our children and soldiers that way, to make money. It is ludicrous.
9:10 I am sure all these comments are coming from the Rec Commission meeting agenda for tonight. If you notice number 8 states a participation with Concerts for a Cause.
Some 50 years ago the citizens of Peru became so dissatisfied with their elected officials and the city management platform that they formed a citizen group that was very productive in directing Peru back to a positive course.
This group proved to be a positive role model and ultimately lead city government into achieving their goals. These role models became so influential in the city that some of its members became aldermen and city leaders.
History proves that this is a revolution that reoccurs again, again and again. If there are enough citizens out there with a few strong leaders, now may be the time where Peru will again move forward instead of backward.
Until some form of positive action is taken, Peru leaders are continuously debating the same age old problems, ie the pool, the fireworks, the streets, etc. No acceptable conclusion is ever reached.
The last 4 years have proven to be the new against the old. No one was willing to give the inch to gain the foot. The only answer has been to increase the sales tax.
Peru now is a taxing body who funds private entities at tax payers expense. Show me what has been gained.....Concert for a cause cost the city (how much$$$$$$)NO ONE KNOWS EXCEPT THE MAYOR, CITY TREASURER, CITY CLERK AND possibly the aldermen. City Rec has now instituted pickle ball for the few and some out of towners. WE NEED A CHANGE - got one 4 years ago but that did not prove to be the answer. Perhaps we need another change - this year lets vote with knowledge and not just because we wanted a change!!!!
6:59 AM
Where did you see or hear that the city of Peru asked for volunteers for this concert. All the city employees were paid that had anything to do with preparation for the concert. Security or Peru police (off duty) were paid by Ms Noonan but I am sure some on duty had to do traffic control.
If Noonan is in fact running these events as charity, please show us the appropriate documentation from the state listing the events nad/or this portion of her business as not-for-profit. I have researched Concerts for a Cause and her name personally. I can't find anything. Anybody can slap the name "charity" on an event and fool the public. Unfortunately, she took taxpayer money from Harl as Mayor of Peru to run her private event. Once again, show us the documents. P.S. Did she have a liquor license for that location? Was sales tax reported for that location on that day? I think it should have been. Lots of cash changing hands people. Open your eyes.
Lois
From past council or public property meeting minutes, I read that volunteers were solicited. I believe it may have been for a concert before this last big one where everyone got all worked up about the city being paid for everything. The city does a lot for charity groups, don't see how this different.
11:22 AM
Yes you are right, that was the concert where the proceeds went to the Peru Pool Fund and volunteers were solicited to work at the concert.
I knew I remembered volunteers, and she always asks for volunteers from the charity too, so you know all proceeds are going to them. We had benefits all the time at my old store and you can't have the charity working for you if you are not giving all the proceeds. Thats the law and everyone knows that. That is why I stick to the argument that it is and always has been non profit and all the rest of the opinions are just sour grapes. No city or business would risk breaking any laws for something like this, it would not not worth it.
12:53 Do you really believe that any concert that sells alcohol and food and attracts 10,000 people does not make more of a profit than around $25,000? That is around the amount that is usually given to the beneficiary of the concert for a cause.
Leave Baker Lake alone; let Ms. Noonan continue to buy her way to her own property to have the concerts.
How many times will the Park Board discuss pickleball? And how many times will those pickleball ambassadores have to attend these meetings?
1:54 Why leave Baker Lake along? I think it's a perfect venue for a big celebration of some kind whether it be a concert or fire works. Don't you think that's what the rec board has in mind? That's what somebody seems to be insinuating.
The pickleball ambassadors have not had to attend any meetings other than those they chose to attend. And since you seem interested in them tell us who they are.
I hope lots of people come to the rec board meeting tonight. Watch the Pickleball players maneuver the board members.
The Pizza Lady is not breaking any laws by keeping the profits from alcohol and food sales. It is always stated clearly that the profits from the "gate" go to charity. She is not a registered as a 501C (not for profit) corporation. Therefore, she has no obligation to tell anyone how much money is made and how much she is paid for her services. Even a bona fide charity skims off the top to pay their people. This is what is called "overhead" and you should always check to see how much overhead your favorite cahrity has before you give them money. But in this case, the Pizza Lady can do whatever she wants - and she keeps all the money from beverages and food. This has been an open secret for years. Caveat Emptor! And... why the heck won't she allow people to bring chairs! Imagine... drinking, smoking "stuff", and eating for hours and not being able to sit down. No thank you! I'll go to an actual concert venu before I go to another Pizza Show.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? SHORT TERM MEMORY PEOPLE. DONT ANY OF YOU REMEMBER A FEW YEARS BACK WHERE THERE WERE ISSUES WITH PARKING AROUND BAKER LAKE FOR KIDS SOCCER. That was a minute amount of vehicles attending kids soccer games! And now discussing concerts there and fireworks with the possibility of several hundre vehicles if not a thousand or so!!! IVCH HAS A CAT SCAN MACHINE TO CHECK ONES BRAIN!!!'
If I was able to afford to live around baker lake, and pay $10,000 + a year in property tax, I sure in the heck wouldn't want large concert venues or 4 th of July fireworks at baker lake. I live in a $100,000 house but I fully would understand the property owners around baker lake.
5:43
It is hardly clearly stated. In fact , proceeds from concessions and gate were lumped together in the ordinance I believe. Show me a single printed ad in the fast 5 years, or a single sign, or a single interview that details how these proceeds are defined. In absence of a clear statement otherwise it is most reasonable to assume that proceeds refers to the net proceeds from the event.
Particularly for the many visitors who come from outside the area.
6:10 So you are saying that rich people who live by parks should not have to listen to loud noises and crowds but middle income people should have to do it? That's funny, I thought people were considered equals in most parts of the country.
I'm actually at poverty level and I'm also a very hard worker. When baker lake came into existence and people purchased lots there to build their homes, I'm sure they did so with never a thought that a concert of 10,000 people would be there or a Hugh fireworks celebration. Would you want a bunch of drunks, stoned people walking around your property, in your yard?? I can't imagine any homeowner would want that! I'm stating, let's respect the homeowners no matter what. Unlike the nuisance of pickleball. Rarely venues like has been discussed here you don't see in the middle of neighborhoods. People aren't there to look at the park, they're there to get drunk and throw beer cans, cups, trash on the ground and hopefully remember what the venue was!
9:21 glad you explained. I agree with you 100 per cent.
9:21 Neither did I think a tennis court would be added 20' from my back yard when I purchased my home. Tolerated that for 15 years and never complained even though balls hit the house, people knocked on the door looking for their balls, and kids climbed my fence looking for their balls. Now I have a noisy, boisterous group of adults playing a noisy game in my back yard and I've been told "too bad, you decided to live by a park. Anything goes." So, people who live near any park beware. It could happen to you someday!!!
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