I did attend both meetings this evening but not sure I am ready to write up what I witnessed. I would say the most of the council were unaware that sitting in the audience was a City Manager from a city in California. I hope that this video does not do a disappearing act but we did have a citizen doing a video of part of it, just in case.
Council will meet 2x a month next year at the same rate of pay as when they had 4 meetings for most of this year. Ald. Perez objected stating if time spent on city business is less, so should their salary be.
Looking around during the mtg, I did observe a lot of head shakings going on and I surely do understand their sentiments.
41 comments:
TEST really needs to get a new license plate as it is so visible at the unofficial meeting after the Official council meeting is over. Surprising who chooses to take part in this and to think they just passed a NO Bid contract to this company a few weeks ago.
What is their license plate??
TEST
Seen this evening by a person at the city council meeting tonight was Alderman Waldorf turning off Ald Perez mic after the meeting. I guess he was giving him the message that he did not like his earlier comments. This is not the first time it happened but the first time someone actually saw the incident.
Alderman Waldorf needs to grow up! 2015 can't come soon enough.
11:15 PM
Amen
Watching the actions and facial expressions tonight was like kindergarten was in session.
A city manager from California?
Reall????
Who paid for him to come to Peru?
Or did Steve waste another persons time like he did with the ladies from the water treatment co. from down south.
Bob
The meeting was over and he turned off his microphone? Whats the big deal? Was he going to use his microphone after the meeting?
The Newstribune stated the Ald.Perez voted to table the resolution and then turned around and voted for the swimming pool resolution. I bet Harl confused him with the resolution language.
Its a good idea to have back up video at the meetings, I am geeting tired of watching Breaking Bad, Netflix reruns. Good sleeping material. I can't understand why anybody would waste their time watching, downloading the Peru city meetings.
What do other cities pay elected officials? Will Ald.Perez donate his pay? And when he donates his pay will others follow?
Who paid to fly in the expert from California, which city does this expert manage? I hope it wasn't from the pool fund or taxpayers pockets.
7:46 AM
Now wait and think, I did not say she was here for any purpose, I said she was at the meeting as an observer and furthermore she came with her friend a former Peru resident to talk to the pool committee and stayed for the council meeting. They paid for their own transportation.
Put your reasoning hat on before you jump to conclusions.
9:12 AM
My suggestion to you is the same as the one I just gave 7:46 M.
Put your reasoning hat on before you ask and you will answer your own questions.
In your blog heading you gave readers the impression that a City Manager from California attended the meeting. Mentioning the title of city manager would tell the readers that they were there in a professional capacity. What information did they give?
California huh? That state is definitely not financially stable. Arnold was too busy with other stuff on his personal agenda I would imagine. Peru however could save a ton of money hiring a city manager. Get rid of the dead weight and unnecessary spending.
Why would anyone notice or care if a city manager was in the building? The leadership of the city clearly does not want a pool and is trying to get everyone to shut up about it.
Vote them out next election. That simple.
The referendum means nothing. People will want a pool, just not want a property tax increase. It's a decent sized city, lots of kids. It is not a luxury to have a pool, its expected.
Many ways to save money for a pool or fund it have been proposed. Many ways to cut costs, or get volunteers or non union construction. All shot down.
The money is there for a pool. Harl just wants to spend it elsewhere.
10:20 You have been given the opportunity to vote on the issue. It's democracy at the highest level. Volunteers to build a pool? Where are these volunteers? Non-union construction? Where are these non-union companies willing to build a free pool? Expected is the word that many are using. Expect for everyone else to pay for you and your family members. Food, health care, shelter, cell phones, and free pool time. What's next?
Hey, "Bob"
Why don't you just ask Steve, you know, like, face to face?
Oh yeah, that's what I thought, "Bob".
If these are typical microphones used in many conference settings I don't think that you can turn them off. There are only two settings on the bottom of the mic push to talk or push to mute. Seems like the Hot Head just want to be heard all the time and does not want to have to push the button to talk. Good luck Peru if you have him as an alderman for 4 more years.
12:01
Can't.
I have no idea who Steve is.
Just know it was stated that he got the two women from down south to come to council meeting to stir up more trouble for our alderpersons.
Simple as that.
Bob
Hope you see that I signed my name, but I dont see yours.
To :9:12
From: Rodney Perez
Appreciate your concerns and and question regarding the microphone.
Allow me to explain in detail; The sound system has a main power switch which is shut down after every meeting. That's what cuts the mic power off.
On the bottom of each mic has a switch for a couple settings- 1. Push to talk = When we speak we hold down the button.
2. Push to Mute= when u push down and speak the mic is Mute.
What has been done with my mic in the past was someone flipped switch to "Push to Mute"
Last night my wife watched as Alderman Waldorf turned my mic over as my back was turned after the meeting.
I went over to check my mic to find he switched it to " Push to Mute"
Referendum:
I made it clear my Yea vote was not in support for a referendum that we already know will not be supported. My Yea vote was my continued support with always allowing the people to be heard. I will never vote Nay when it comes to giving the people a voice.
The People's Voice at the Ballot Box will be to say NO to a property tax increase to fund a pool, which mirrors my voice.
I want a pool and I will vote No to the question because there is a plan B along with other ways to fund a pool without a tax increase... It will take longer but will eventually get done as long as the will to do so has support... from the administration to the people raising funds.
To try and cut off the hopes, hardwork, and dreams of this committee, contributors and the people who want to have a pool is wrong, and a sign of poor leadership.
If the current administration doesn't support what the FFPP is doing then step aside from the cause until the next election so the dream, vision, and goals can move forward.
Talk is cheap, Actions show true support!
Thank You!
Rodney:-)
11:44 We will not be given the opportunity to vote on whether we want a pool or not. What we can vote on is an increase in our property tax to pay for a pool or no pool at all. What about those who want a pool but definitely cannot afford on increase in their taxes. Maybe down the road the government could come up with some help or some grants could become available. But, this referendum will allow the mayor to state "I gave the people a choice and they didn't want a pool because they didn't want me to raise their taxes". Our council has offered nothing as far as support and positive feedback to this pool committee. Not one red cent!!!
11:44 I have NOT been given the opportunity to HEAR other funding source, or to see if a non union bid wouod be much lower (not free), nor has the Mayor allowed the most knowledgeable and dedicated citizens to give their ideas about getting volunteers and using volunteers, union and non union.
Yeah, city pools are a real sign of government waste and lavish spending. How dare families expect a government to waste 800 k on a no bid then cry that there is just no way to build the union pool without having a separate tax?
Why not have a referendum asking whether of not the Pool should be a priority over other expenditures? Or if a portion of sales tax shouod be designated to pool only funding? Or city employees take an across the board pay cut to help fund the pool? Or that all salaries be rolled back to a given point in history?
Or that some other sort of bond be issued that is paid back out of Peru Pool admissions fees over time. I would bet you would have volunteer staff actually run the pool for savings each year. That would not take away any precious bulldozers or pipe fitter job from the precious union.
To: 9:12
From: Rodney Perez
In regards to your question of donating back?
That's a very good question to research. However I would prefer to donate it back instead of placing it in a fund such as general. I'd prefer to have say of how it would be used. Not much confidence in our current spending procedures:-)
Rodney's got the right idea. Why buy something and expect to pay for it. The new generation of it's not my problem, let my parents pay the bill. Its just a few million dollars for the pool, lets charge it.
9:12. The big deal about turning off Rodney's mic is the alderman who did that is acting childish and foolishly. Has he ever turned anybody else's mic off? It's a big deal because it's called "bullying".
12:51. It WILL DEFINITELY BE GOOD LUCK for Peru if we have Perez as alderman for another 4 year. It'
s actually our only hope for a voice for the people and fiscal responsibility.
Bob, I believe Lois only mentioned a city manager from CA because this woman would be able to compare how things are done in Peru to how things are done in her town in CA. Just an observation on Lois' part, but an obvious jump to a conclusion on your part.
Ms. Tobler introduced the lady from Ca. as being a city manager of the town she lives in. Lois mentioned this in the blog and many have become very defensive. WHY?
To those that are so concerned: don't worry I assure you that after witnessing one city government meeting in Peru she has seen enough to happly return to her position in Ca. In fact she left the Peru City Council meeting before it was over.
9:12 Your one statement sums up what is wrong in Peru. You can't understand why anyone would watch council meetings.
It is the same attitude as commenting on bringing in "troublemakers" to show other ways or bids.
You clearly want all the citizens to just sit back and let the smart leaders make the decisions. I remind you that this is democracy, not Papacy. Keep your infallibility in the Catholic Church.
Since the council meetings have been cut in half, but their pay remains the same, how about each alderman takes half of their pay and donates that money to the pool fund? See, money can be found if our mayor and council would be willing. What happened to the popular saying by our mayor? "Mr. Hylla how will we pay for that?" Reply by Mr. Hylla "We have the cash. We'll write a check."
Rodney at 1:34 By stating that you cannot support the referendum tells the pool committee that their efforts are wasted.
9:56. Quite the opposite. The pool committee does not support the referendum either.
Anon 9:56 The manner in which the referendum is written is accomplishing exactly what those who wrote it want.
NO ONE IS SUPPORTING THIS REFERENDUM.
Think to the past and remember a State Income Tax which was established in the 70's for 3 years which is still in existence and increased to 5%.
Think to the recent past and the initial statement made by Mayor Harl when he voted in the "Harl Tax". Orginally he said there would be a sunset on the 1/2% Sales Tax increase for street improvements of 5 years. You will see Harl find a reason to increase sales tax before his recent term is up and the sunset of 1/2% never taken off by him.
Historically once a government body establishes a tax it does not take it off.
Getting back to specifics and Peru, Illinois what would be the comparison in manhours of continuous street blacktopping to the building of one swimming pool which lasted from 1928 to 2010? How many hours would a operating engineers need in manhours to build a pool which lasted 83 years and to upkeep that pool in comparison to building streets and maintaining them for 83 years in Peru? Besides Chamlain consulting Engineers does not do pools.
Peru your future is that you are going to see a lot, lot, lot of street work but no swimming pool!
3:56 your manhour point is totally lost. Do you support a pool or not? Harl didn't vote on the tax, the majority of the city council did. Why didn't Rodney let the people decide on that tax?
4:26 PM
Sorry to say you are totally confused because that is exactly what Ald. Perez did by voting for the referendum. There was no vote on the tax, only the referendum. Please get your facts straight.
Anyone can get a referendum on the ballot with a petition. Think about it. This is just a game to Harl. I can get a referendum that says the city donates so much a year to the pool fund! And say they get the money from the impound fees or something like that.
12:51 A little bird is chirping telling us you should be concerned with your own microphone and limited time in office.
Anon 12:51 My compliments, for someone who most think does not have enough brains to know how to turn the mic upside down you extended your abilities to place it on mute. Are you also the technical genius of the video recording equipment, what is the policy at city hall which is determining what is to be censored and what is to be shown?
Presently the policy is increasing the participation in blog viewership greatly. Thank you, and thank you to the individual who is recording the meetings. The council should consider paying this person. What will the pay per city council meeting be in 2014for each alderman? What was the pay per city council meeting in 2012 and 2013?
11:52. Thanks for thinking I should get paid for recording the meetings. I also volunteer whenever I can. I volunteer for the pool committee, I helped with the flowers this summer, for the past 2 years I have done the landscaping at the airport, and I helped with Operation Prom-ise. Rodney and I used to have 2nd ward quarterly meetings to hear the residents' concerns. I believe volunteering is being part of a community and is especially important if you're an aldermen. That kind of volunteering that Rodney does is motivating. Too bad the other aldermen and mayor aren't out there getting their hands dirty too. Peru could be a much better place with more volunteerism, but volunteerism is squashed at city hall.
11:52 I can positively tell you that whatever the pay was when there were 4 meetings per month it will remain the same while only holding 2 meetings per month.
Better yet pay for meetings in 09,2010,2011,2012,2013,. Let's see how pay has been increased since Harl in office. High increase in pay each year so alderman sway his way?????????????!!! Would not be a surprise.
OH, DONT FORGET THE CONCERTS, PARKING VOLUNTEER ATTENDANTS FOR SOMEONES PERSONAL $ GAIN. FREE TICKETS HANDED OUT TO THOSE WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR THIS? Top secret you know. Just a very good possibility.
8:43. Wonder what that would average out to hourly? Average I said. Is our city attorney going to get a reduction in pay/salary due to the fact less hours spent at meetings. A reduction here alone would save a few thousand a year I would assume. Let's say for instance 1 1/2 hours per meeting. That would be 3 less hours a month(approx.), at $200 per hour which is $600 per month, which in turn would be $7,200 per year for less meetings. Based on 2 meetings a month not four. Is the city on a billable hourly contract with the city's attorney? Or does the city pay a flat salary for attending meeting only? Regarding attorney's fee. Just thinking of more ways to fund a pool. Being fiscially responsible.
A pay reduction for all city employees who attend less meetings per month in all departments. This would be a wonderful way for the city to lower its payroll.
No free tickets for the concerts.
Are you trying to make Rod look bad? I think you're just adding another thing he volunteered his time for, which just makes him look that much better! Thanks!!
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