“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.”

Samuel Adams

Friday, December 27, 2013

Portion of the Agenda for City Council Meeting Monday Dec. 30 .....Any Thoughts??

PERU FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT for period ending December 21, 2013

Motion to approve ordering one new police squad car under state bid with the trade in of two used police squad cars with said car to be paid for with police department
enforcement funds

4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Perez & Mueller
(Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds)

REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERU AND METROPOLITAN ALLIANCE OF POLICE, PERU POLICE DISPATCH CHAPTER #642

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERU AND PERU PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 4751 OTHE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS FOR THE PERIOD MAY1, 2013 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2016

AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING TEMPORARY CO-SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
(CHIEF DOUG BERNABEI AND FIRE CHIEF/ZONING INSPECTOR JEFF KING)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS

62 comments:

Anonymous said...

Does Peru require an ordinance for the appointment of temporary superintendents? Does the city require that a superintendent (even if by name only) be on their agenda?

Anonymous said...

What???? I guess our Police and Fire Chiefs don't have enough to do. Now they will be babysitting the PWC Department.

Anonymous said...

OMG! It just gets funnier and funnier at city hall! Really Bernabei and King as co-SPW? LOL!!! How are they qualified to do that job? I sure hope it's only til they find a suitable replacement for Mikos. LMAO!!! Unbelievable!!! Who are the public works guys going to take orders from? Hahahahahahaha

Anonymous said...

Another sign Harl has destroyed Peru, also I blame Waldorf and Luckosus for not backing up Mikos!

Anonymous said...

Why not combine twp hwy commissioner and city sup then you could coordinate more coverage and joint efforts!

Anonymous said...

OMG is it April 1st?

Anonymous said...

I see that another rec board member has resigned. What is going on with that committee?

Anonymous said...

All I gotta say is " Hahahahaha " . Leader of the valley? Ya right!!

Peru Town Forum said...

This proposed appointment makes no sense. Will there be an ordinance created to add this to their current positions, will they receive extra salary for the additional work? Will a job description be created for a co superintendent? I guess more than anything is I would like to know who developed this plan and is there a time limit or can temporary turn into months or years. Will their be the same type of procedure used to hire a new superintendent with the same job description.
I do remember being railed at when I asked some questions when the current super was hired. Of course they will both report to the mayor just like they do now.

Anonymous said...

How in the heck is fire chief and police chief qualified in any shape of form to do that? Those two are making themselves look stupid. alderman, are you kidding me? MR. POTTOFF, you need to speak up. This City is getting worse by the second. Harl resign. This city needs re-structured.

Anonymous said...

unbelievable what is happening with this city. A news reporter from the paper needs to do more reporting as to what's going on in the city of peru. What raises are these two receiving?

Anonymous said...

Council members or taxpayers who attend meeting, fill out index card, and direct question to Bernabei and King as to their knowledge and qualifications knowing anything about SPW. King has no qualification to be the building and code officer for crying out loud.

Anonymous said...

Insanity. Is Harl doing all this because he may be resigning? Just a thought. Lois, great question regarding a pay increase if there is one. Will that be disclosed at the council meeting?

Anonymous said...

Qualification? Any experience in public works?

Anonymous said...

I think this is a very good idea because both the police and fire department are well managed and highly respected. In a temporary capacity I see no problem with this and with the well tenured employees of the PW the management of day to day affairs shouldn't require much oversight. It may also offer some cost savings. Maybe even some of the alderman could step up and aid in the transition.

Anonymous said...

Another one of Harl's appointments. Why does this city allow its mayor to make appointments? It seems that Harl appoints with favoritism rather than reviewing applicants resumes in order to perform or oversee a job description.

Anonymous said...

9:02
Why a good idea? What do they know about public works? Managing a department with knowledge is one thing. Jack of all trades in the city of peru. That would be like appointing me to build a house when I don't know much about tools.

Anonymous said...

It's really not knowing how to use tools because that is an illogical analogy. It is more about managing resources and utilizing the experienced manpower of the public works department.

Anonymous said...

8:10 I heard it was because of the public outcry about the ice rink, they couldn't handle the heat!!!

Anonymous said...

Been reading these blogs over the last couple years. Somebody who would be able to explain what has been happening in the city should call channel 7
News. They have a website. Heck, channel 2 also. Wouldn't hurt. They investigate people credentials and would report their findings on the evening news. Oh, that's right, some people might like the publicity.

Anonymous said...

I wonder what Local 150 thinks about this. The other thing I wonder about is that important State Committee Hurl was appointed to - you know, the one that is controlled by Michael Madigan. Oh... and did you hear that Big Mike has been turning in petitions for a fake Republican challanger? Yes, that is right folks, Big Mike has been turning in fake petitions for years to take the Republican spot on the ballot - very creative. That guy, just like HURL and EVERY OTHER ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT is a criminal and should be tossed in JAIL!

Anonymous said...

For anybody who doesn't think this city is corrupt needs to be diagnosed by a professions shrink.

Anonymous said...

Police Chief Bernabei has the responsibility of the security of the city and how many people, he is also a trustee of Peru Township and a Co Commander of ESDA. He also is in charge of drug enforcement in Peru Now he is going to accept additional responsibility of being Co Superintendent of Public Works. If he has ample time to perform all of these responsibilities he is being overpaid as Police Chief or has he discovered how to add more hours to the day than us who only have 24.
Fire Chief King is supervising how many members of his fire department? I have been told that he also has a private business of his own. He also is Building Inspector a position which Peru has had a Building Inspector plus a Assistant Building Inspector in past years. He along with the Chief of Police are Co Commanders of ESDA. Where is he going to find the time to add additional responsibilities of a Co Superintendent of Public Works.
In each of the above titles mentioned the public does not care to have a Jack of all trades and a Master of None management arrangement. It is apparent that the Mayor and the two aldermen who represent the Alderman's Committee of Public Works are extremely shortsighted in management.

Anonymous said...

Democrats think they are above the law...look at election website..the committee to elect michael hocking and friends of joe oscepinski never filed any campaign finance forms and from being on inside of Democratic Party they both spent over the legal limits...both should go to jail!

Anonymous said...

What is going on here? I've heard while out in public that the City of Peru is not the place to live and raise a family like it use to be. Aren't the alderman voted in to oversee and manage the mayor also along with working with the people in their ward?

Justin Loger said...

11:05 I agree the corruption runs deep in this state, but the only way to end this nonsensical cycle is to start educating the electorate, using data and information that they should care about, rather than bashing politicians.

Anonymous said...

To: Lois
From: Rodney Perez

All of your questions will be answered at Mondays meeting. This is Mayor Harl's Appointment as is every other appointment. This would be a temporary appointment until the city hires a replacement. (Temporary as in 3-4 months)
The city according to ordinance needs a Public Works Supt. so by Jan 1st we'd like to have someone in place to "supervise" the PW Department Employees. With this temporary appointment there will be no wage increases as they would be simply assisting the mayor and city with the day to day operations of Public Works. I will say that Whenever I've made contact with Chief Bernabei to have something handled its always done immediately, and so far under Jeff Kings new position as code enforcement he has proven to stay on top and get things done. for instance; Crazy Ds. Sat for 2 years trying to get demolished and Jeff King had it done in a month.
If I choose to vote yes for this temporary appt. I assure it will be the right choice for the city.

Lastly... I do not have time this weekend to visit the blog and answer questions. However, if Anyone has any other questions, or suggestions for a temporary replacement please call me I'd love to hear it.

Thank You,
Alderman Perez
815-245-7566

Anonymous said...

No extra compensation for this temporary position. This is a perfect example that one of these person was appointed for 84k a year for a combination of positions back in Oct., evidently not enough work to deem that salary. Where will we be able to see the advertisement for hiring of a new SPW? I would be willing to bet one of Harls buddies will get the job! Or a friend of a friend. That's how he seems to work. This hiring process should have been in the making a couple weeks ago.

Anonymous said...

Great point 9:02. This is a temporary appointment until a full time superintendent is appointed and they are doing it for NO additional compensation. It is in today's paper. Say what you want, both men are capable leaders and I think appointing them to run a public works department on an interim basis is a good idea.

Anonymous said...

WILL THE LAST PERSON TO LEAVE PERU AFTER HARL IS DUNE ! PLEASE TURN THE LIGHTS OFF !!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Where is the agenda item for accepting the resignation of City Engineer Sean Mikos? Why is the council not going to accept the resignation in open meeting?
Why does the aganda not include an item under Public Works to address the resignation which is effective January 1, 2014?
Waldorf, Lukosus, and Harl are responsible for this resignation, so why will it not be addressed in open meeting?
This mayor and these aldermen are so cowardly that it is just astonishing.
Appointing the top cop and fire chief as co-SPW is just another blunder in a long line of political blunders in this administration. What a bunch of hacks.
I can actually hear the laughter rising from the surrounding communities.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Alderman. I also just got off the phone with the alderman and sure appreciate his opinions and prompt response. It sounds to me he will be voting yes but has an open mind incase something came up between now and Monday. I was totally against this crazy idea but things are much clearer now. I think this appointment under these two chiefs can help make a difference until a new person is hired. The alderman did say the city should hire a headhunter to expedite the hiring process and to get the best qualified person with managerial experience the city could get. Great idea. I think if anyone has any questions they should call him.
Thanks Alderman Perez

Anonymous said...

Excuse me, it wasn't Fire Chief King who actually got crazy d's done in a month. Could that ordeal have been purposedly done in a quick manner to try and make Harl look good for his appointment? What about Mr. Kings other business? That sends up a red flag to me blogger. Mr. Perez?

Anonymous said...

Seems to me that we are overpaying many people in their current positions if not many job requirements are necessary for some positions.

Anonymous said...

The temporary appointment is not at issue. After all, somebody needs to check in on the boys in the PW shop otherwise they will just sit around all day playing Euker and waiting for over time to kick in before they do any actual work.
As far as the long term solution goes, I have my doubts that Peru will be able to find a qualified candidate for the position. It will be a purely political position until Hurl is voted out. Something tells me Joe O is going to worm his but into the shop and take over. Campaigne disclosures are due in a few days. The list of donors may prove insightful regarding the next full time city employee. Every person and business on that is listed on Hurl's discolsure form gets somthing from the City.

Anonymous said...

Correct, it's know that king donates. Why wasn't a headhunter hired for the previous jobs that Harl appointed? You are correct people in surrounding communities were laughing back in October over Harls appointment. I actually work in the service industry and can't even begin to tell you what people were saying. Why didn't Harl appoint himself as temporary SPW?

Anonymous said...

As soon as Mikos turned in his resignation, the hunt should have been on for a new SPW. Why wasn't it? Who runs city hall anyway? Nobody with any vision of what future needs will be. What a joke.

Anonymous said...

To: 11.20
From: Alderman Perez

I'm not sure how you can say it was not Jeff King when I know for fact it was. I've been on this issue for the past year and continued getting the same ole story. As soon as King took over I asked him to stay on top of it and he did. Jeff copied me in on all correspondence between him and the property owners and he handled the situation in a professional, but stern manner. That's what got it done!

Thank You,
Alderman Perez

Anonymous said...

So,
Crazy D's is completely cleaned up? Wasn't it about 10 days ago that the Rat was blown up in front of there?

Peru Town Forum said...

Will this trial to hire a city engineer end now with the resignation of Sean Mikos? All the equipment recently approved, will we make sure we hire someone who has the capabilities to use it? The city did not give answers to what the citizens need to know by saying that the mayor has hired the PFD Chief and the PPD Chief to be co superintendents of the PW dept.
The fact that the mayor chose them leaves me with questions that need answers.

Anonymous said...

Rodney great job on both working with others to get that old truck stop torn down. I wouldn't give the Mayor any credit for that after all I'm sure he was the one holding up the process for his union people to get that job. If anything it makes him look bad especially to other 150 contractors for not stopping it again. This mayor has lost all credibility in this town. just spend a day at Johns place after a meeting night and you'll know what I mean.
Also great job giving us the information on current affairs. You are the only alder person willing to communicate with us. I read the paper this morning and laughed my ass off thinking it was April fools day or some sort of mis-print. I tend to trust you so if you vote for this temporary assistants position then I will support you. I've been thinking about it and really don't see what else you officials can do at this point. Just whatever you do don't let the Mayor screw this town up anymore than he has.

Anonymous said...

The mayor could find the cure to cancer and you wouldn't be satisfied with it!!!!

Anonymous said...

Anon 5:40 the mayor can't be trusted. Many people have drank his Koolaid hoping it was a cure all. It obviously failed. If you think I'm joking or exaggerating look at his roster of those who helped him with his fundraising and campaigns. I do believe if you check that list and check it twice you won't find the same names. I do believe even alderman Rod Perez helped him during a golf outing. We are just lucky Rod never drank the Koolaid. Mayor Scott Harl can't even make a gallon of Koolaid right let alone a cure for cancer.

Anonymous said...

I used to be proud to say I was from Peru. Now I am embarrassed. Now when people ask me, I don't say Peru. I just say "The Illinois Valley."

Anonymous said...

right on 6:25pm

Anonymous said...

This council needs to step back and get a grip on reality here before they allow Harl, Waldorf, and Lukosus to screw up another city engineer debacle. They should re-activate the Infrastructure Committee to find a suitable candidate, AND to ensure the new hire has the support he/she needs to actually do some ENGINEERING for the city. It was the Infrastructure Committee that initiated the idea of even having a city engineer in the first place.
Mikos resigned at least partly because he was not being allowed to be an ENGINEER! The mayor and Public Worst Committee provided zero support to Mimkos on that issue becuase they lack the courage to stand up to Chamlin & Associates. Chamlin has this council so screwed up and twisted that only an independent group like the Infrastructure Committee can provide the ethical guidance and support necessary for a new engineer to be successful. It's too late to save Mikos, and the next hire will be cut off at the knees just as quickly if we allow the Public Worst Committee to screw it up. We need "professionals" to drive this process, not rank amatuers who are more concerned about protecting the interests of Chamlin than the citizens of Peru.

Anonymous said...

i agree 540

Anonymous said...

I still can't believe we pay a fire chief over $1700 a week plus full benefits for a town that averages one structure fire a year. And an average of 5 calls a week . This is ridiculous . And now he's gonna get more pay for another title when he's only in town 3 days a week. Plus they expect us to believe he's not gonna get any more. Ya right. Slick Scotty at it again. Just resign please and quit ruining our town more.

Anonymous said...

speaking of slick, just got back from shopping and the city streets are very slippery. Did not see any city trucks out spreading salt though. Oh... that's right, there are some very important football games today. Can't let work interfere with that.

Anonymous said...

Every other town around has been out salting already. Peru has always sucked at snow removal since Bleek took over years ago. I guess crappy roads in peru will continue.

Anonymous said...

With the sharing of the Superintendent of Public Works as of Jan 1, 2014 I believe many of the snow problems of Peru will be eliminated along with many additional questionable practices. Sean was on the way to handling them but was running into a defensive line with a lack of backing and a offensive line that believes they know their jobs as to what has to be done and they don't have a need of leadership. Many have the mentality of the failure of individualism success and don't want to accept the winning attitude of the group concept known as teamwork.
The Co SPW idea is exactly what Peru needs at this time. Sean had to learn what he was facing in Peru politically and with some of the personnel of the PWD. His problems were increased by keeping Gary Bleck on the job to orientate him. The new Co SPW's are not new to what they are facing and will act accordingly. They both work well together and have a mutual trust. Sadly they have to fill this position but it is evident that they are needed to discipline not all but some of the Public Works Department. They are both excellent discipilnarians and will take all procedures that are needed, even some procedures that that will be disliked by many but will create a more efficient Public Works Department. Three months is a short period of time but it will be long enough for Chief Bernabei and Chief King to make a huge improvement. Best of luck to Sean and a huge thank you for a job well done. To the two Chiefs I wish you both continued success in Peru and I know that you are aware that you are temporary filling this position for a reason. One reason being that possibly it would be best to fill the SPW and engineering jobs seperately, another it is going to give everyone involved time to decide what qualifications and goals are needed from these positions, and also it enables two experienced professional Chiefs of a department to evaluate with hands on experience what their beliefs are of the DPW, what they can accomplish towards the department and what the SPW/Engineer, together or seperate positions qualifications are most important.
To all involved you have taken the worst of times and came up with a idea to make it the best of times.

Anonymous said...

11:39 What roads were you driving on? Sure you were in Peru? And what game was on at 11:39am? I just got back from shopping and roads were perfectly clear and so were all the parking lots. Come on, try to tell the truth every now and then and give a bit of credibility to this blog. FYI, the call out is determined by the police. Want to call them and complain about "your facts?" By all means, tell them the location of the slick spots so they could relay the proper information to the staff. Also, liquor store and bar parking lots don't count. lol

Anonymous said...

Don't blame Bleck altogether, Blame should start at the top as he is the boss. He should have a handle on everything and fulltime knowledge on every employees move.

Anonymous said...

just wondering about the appiontment of Bernabi and King to co-SPW. Is this just a plan to manipulate the on-going investigation at city hall? Did our mayor appoint these two gentlemen to aid him in the investigation? We all know that Libery Fire and Mr King have been asked to show financials many times with no responce to donating tax payers from Liberty or Mr King. It is very disappointing that one of our appointees does not even pay a peru property tax, does not seem right. And we have all heard about ones actions outside of city hall. Do we remember "the Baker boys", i think i would rather go back to that administration then keep this currnet one any day! We have a overpaid fire chief, and a building inspector who does not know how to build! How are we better?
Mr Perez stated that it took Mr King only a month to take down Crazy D's while it took the former building inspector 2 years to get it the the point it was! WHY? Our mayor should not have let it go that long without stepping in at the time, that is just poor management on his part! I have heard that our building inspector visited a job sight recently and did not even communicate his findings to the job sight forman before he left, the forman had to call city hall to get the OK to advance to the next stage of construction. Which was granted, Is this because he may not know what he is looking at? As a taxpayer I used to be very proud to live in Peru, however it is getting harder and harder to say that the last couple of years! Ii can only hope it will get better!

Anonymous said...

5:50, YOU ARE OFF YOUR ROCKER. And you have been twice bite. QUALIFICATION OF APPOINTED POSITIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION during the interviewing process. Which hasn't been done in Peru!

Anonymous said...

City Employees do as they wish without supervision or accountability. The public works department needs micromanaging and police chief Bernabei is the one for the job. My message to PW employees- Shape up or you'll be shipping out it looks like a new sheriff's in town. No more drinking on the job for certain park employees especially in the summer and Saturdays.

Anonymous said...

6:39. You sound connected. The games start at noon. I was driving on Shooting Park Road, Norh Peoria Street, and Midtown Road. All slick. However, the ice on Shooting Park Road was mitigatd by the "moonskape" condition of that road.

Anonymous said...

639 are you Sly Scotty coming back with your 50 pack of tacos heading home to watch the game alone!?

Anonymous said...

9:58, I ALSO HEARD THAT THE NEWLY APPOINTED CODE ENFORCER JEFF KING WENT TO A JOBSITE, WALKED IN, DID NOTHING, WALKED OUT. AND THEN THE CITY WAS CALLED TO SEE WHAT THE DEAL WAS. REALLY, IS THIS WHAT YOU GET IN PERU? WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE GOING TO BE WITH THIS ONE MAYOR HARL? MAYBE THE PEOPLE AT THE JOB SITE SHOULD GO TO A COUNCIL MEETING AND FILL OUT A CARD AND SPEAK REGARDING WHAT HAPPENED. Tonight would be good to go to meeting due to the fact fire department financial report is being reported. Maybe Mr. King can answer. Heard this, one in a half weeks ago approximately. So, all the questions by taxpayers and bloggers regarding qualification for Harls appointment have come life so to speak. There's a good chance this will be read by those in question. Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

Two bloggers said they heard. True? The only people who know the truth would be the people at the site. So whoever saw the code enforcer do this should come on this site and blog what happened. Also, who at city hall was talked to about the status of the job? Very interesting.

Anonymous said...

2:18pm-its true!!!

Anonymous said...

Why did the code enforcer not perform his job duty/requirements 1:39? Is Harl aware that the appointment of this person with this position didn't do their job?? Not right. A waste of taxpayers money to be paying this employee.