DATE OF MEETING: Monday, March 3, 2014 TIME: 10:00 AM
PLACE OF MEETING: Peru Municipal Building
1901 4th Street, Peru, IL 61354
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Dave Waldorf, Alderman Jim
Lukosus
OTHER PERSONS PRESENT: Chris Perra, Amanda Glover, Jim Potthoff, Mike Perry,
Police Chief Doug Bernabei, Clerk Dave Bartley, Matt Debo, Kevin Heitz
PUBLIC PRESENT: Mike Hart, Tom Riordan, Todd Bogatitus
MATTERS DISCUSSED:
The committee approved the minutes of the February 17, 2014 committee meeting.
Chief Bernabei told the committee that he and Chief King have a board at City Hall with all
current and upcoming Public Works projects that gets updated daily if anyone would like
to see what is going on.
Mike Perry said that FEMA will not be funding the rock columns for the Water Street
project. He noted that the water and sewer re-routing was in progress and should be ready
to bid by the next meeting. It was noted that the road portion of the project will not be
happening until after October due to interference between the rock column installation
machinery and the Ameren high voltage lines. Alderman Lukosus said that he met with
Representative Mautino in Springfield who knows that the rock column and city share of
road repairs on this project will cost $300,000 and is working on trying to get the City
funding for it.
Dave Waldorf noted that it was his understanding that Opperman Construction is waiting
for the weather to get better before continuing on with the area 1 phase 1 sewer separation.
Chief Bernabei said that the temporary road is working as expected.
Mike Perry told the committee that the area 1 phase 2 sewer separation advertisement for
bids went out last week. He said that this would be a base bid and alternate bid process.
Center St. to West would be base bid, estimated at ~$600,000 and West St. from Center to
4th St. would be an alternate bid item, estimated at ~$400,000.
It was noted by Mike Perry that the contracts have not been received back yet for the Pit
Stop lift station improvements, thus a start date is still pending.
Dave Waldorf noted that it was his understanding that the water treatment plant piping
project is ready to be put out for bid so he asked Clerk Bartley to include it on the next
council meeting agenda. Chris Perra said that the re-piping would allow the plant to
receive water from wells 8 & 9 by bypassing the ground storage tank. Mike said the
project is estimated to cost $60,000 - $80,000. Mike and Chris both told the committee
that the pipes that will be re-piped are large ductile iron and that there are many buried
utilities, etc. so the City is not capable of doing the project themselves.
Chris Perra said that the raw water main that runs from the Red Door to the water plant has
no way to be flushed which can cause sediment to find its way to the water plant. Chris
said that two hydrants somewhere near Centennial Park would allow for proper flushing.
Chairman Waldorf said that the City is currently able to get a discount on the hydrants and
that the project could be completed by Public Works. Mike Perry said that the permit
would be easy to get and could be obtained in 30-45 days. Chairman Waldorf asked that
this item be put on the next council meeting agenda so the entire council is aware of the
upcoming project. Chief Bernabei asked how many man hours this project would take.
Chris said that two hydrants shouldn’t take longer than a day to install.
It was noted by Dave Waldorf that there is a pre-construction meeting with Trovero on
March 12th for the Shooting Park Road STU. Chairman Waldorf asked if an estimate has
been received for Pulaski Street. Matt Debo said that would come from non-MFT and it
would need to be added to the bid. Chief Bernabei asked if 18th Street was included also.
Matt said that 300 feet of it was included. Mike said that he would update the road listing
with the changes the council requested and he would have documentation for the next
council meeting showing what is to be bid for the 2014 street maintenance program.
Chairman Waldorf said that the City would be performing the monitoring at the landfill by
utilizing TEST’s equipment. Chris Perra said that he would show the guys how to
perform the monitoring when they were ready. Mike Perry said that Patrick Engineering
would be coordinating with the City on this project also.
Alderman Lukosus said that Jim Potthoff will be retiring soon and that someone needs to
be put in place now. He asked to have this item added to the next council meeting agenda
so an advertisement for an apprentice could be sent out. He suggested the committee talk
to the finance committee prior to the council meeting.
Kevin Heitz told the committee that the apron expansion project at the airport was done and
that it is being closed out right now. He also said that the circuit separation project was
done and being closed out too. He told the committee that January 17 was the bid opening
for the GA apron rehab and that there were seven bidders. It was estimated to cost
$431,000 and D-Construction came in at $379,247.50. This project will be completed
from May – July of this year and will take 73 days. Kevin provided a handout to show the
rehab to the entrance road and the parking lot. He said that this has been 100% submitted
to the Aeronautics and is estimated to cost $225,000. The handout showed extending the
asphalt beyond the OSF area and also showed possible future corporate hangers. He said
that this project has an April 25th bid letting, with construction being done in July and
taking less than 30 days. He told the committee that the runway 18 36 north taxiway
extension would be paid for with discretionary funding. There are two discretionary bid
openings, (one in March and one in June) and possibly one added later in the year (either
August or September). Alderman Lukosus said that the City lobbyist is working on trying
to get the funding. Mike Perry said that the construction for this would not take place until
2015.
Clerk Bartley said that he has been in contact with the Department of Aeronautics in
regards to the concerts at the airport due to an email they received from Kristy Mrowicki.
He assured them that there are no concerts scheduled as of yet and that there would be no
change to the footprint of the concert(s) if there are any this year. Clerk Bartley said that
the Department of Aeronautics would be keeping very close tabs on the City to ensure their
compliance with any future concerts. He told the committee that an audit of last year’s
concerts will be done and that the City has been fully cooperative. Chairman Waldorf
asked if the concerts were worth having. Clerk Bartley said that they can and have
benefited the area. He said that there were some initial fixed costs with the first concert
such as the land. Chief Bernabei said that responding to unfounded claims is not the best
way to utilize City employee’s time.
Chris Perra said that Tonka would be at the water plant early next week to start work on the
softener rehab. He also told the committee that due to an IEPA inspection, a deep
basement foundation leak at the west wastewater treatment plant needs to be fixed. Due to
the location of the leak there is no way to fix it by digging up outside the building so he
obtained a quote to have epoxy pumped in and cemented over. The water leaking in is
ground water. The project is estimated to cost $7,000. Mike Perry said that the basement
is 20’ below grade and that fixing the crack utilizing epoxy is much better than relying on
the sump pump. Clerk Bartley said that he would have this item put on the next council
meeting agenda.
Alderman Lukosus said that the timing was great for his visit to Springfield. He said that
he met with Frank Mautino who was also meeting with IDOT. Representative Mautino
was optimistic that he could get something done for funding of the City’s project. He said
that he also met with a member of Senator Durban’s staff and that the City lobbyist is doing
great things.
Mike Perry said that the Urban Limits and Federal Aid Highway Network map has been
updated to include roads that were recently added, such as Donlar Road and North 31st
Road. He said that surrounding areas were also updated. Kevin Heitz said that since
road usages have changed so should the map. Mike said that he would bring the updated
map to the next council meeting. Clerk Bartley said that he would add this item to the next
council meeting agenda.
Chief Bernabei passed out a copy of the memo between the City and the Township
outlining the exchanges of services between the two. Clerk Bartley asked if this should be
put into an ordinance. Chief Bernabei said that it could be done now and amended later is
need be. Clerk Bartley said that he would get the memo to Attorney Schweickert.
Chairman Waldorf asked Clerk Bartley to inquire as to the whereabouts of the Professional
Fee Reimbursement Agreement that Attorney Schweickert was also working on. Matt
Debo said that the county would like to give the county portion North Pulaski Street to the
City. Alderman Lukosus said that the 1993 agreement between the City and the County
states that even if the road is given to the City that the Township has to maintain it forever.
Matt said that it makes no sense that the county has it as it is only 1400’. Kevin Heitz said
that Matt should ensure the county still has enough roadway if they give this section away
as that is the only way they generate income. Chief Bernabei said that he would work on
this with the Matt and the Township Board.
Chris Perra said that he received a water complaint from a resident because her fixtures
were corroding. Upon further inspection the resident has a water softener. Chris told the
committee that the City already softens the water and by further softening it with the at
home softener she made the water very corrosive. Chairman Waldorf asked Clerk Bartley
to add this item to the next council meeting agenda so the community could be made aware
of this issue if they have home softeners.
Clerk Bartley said that he received two requests for sewer bill relief. The resident at 2003
12th Street had a frozen and broken pipe. The sewer bill was $75.15. The resident at
2731 2nd Street has been in the hospital and had a pipe burst that the City discovered. That
sewer bill was $268.40. The committee agreed to reduce the sewer portion of the bill only
by half.
Mike Perry said that he met with Chief King in regards to the King’s Inn Demolition and
Asbestos Abatement. He said that the contractor is currently putting together an asbestos
abatement plan. He told the committee that the original agreement says that the City will
pay for third party air monitoring after the abatement which will cost an estimated $5,000
or less. He said that the abatement would begin in April.
Chief Bernabei said that he received seven bids for mowing and trimming services
throughout the City. He said that two bids did not include the required insurance
certificate so they would not be reviewed as they did not comply properly with the bid
specs. He said that the landscape bids were also received but they would be forwarded to
the public property committee. He told the committee that by the beginning of next week
he would give his recommendation and lowest bidders to them. He said that his
recommendation will be to go with the lowest bidder on individual parks and to keep the
cemetery and airport in-house as they are a very different kind of cut and maintenance.
He said that Baker Lake and the landfill will either go to the lowest bidder or require the
City to go out for different proposals. The landfill bids that were received were for 26
cuts, but it could be reduced by stunting the growth of the grass instead.
During public comment, Mike Hart asked if there have been any cuts made in the non-MFT
projects for the year. Chairman Waldorf said that the council is waiting on the bids before
any decisions are made. Mike Hart also asked if there would be less summer kids since
there would be less grass to cut. Chief Bernabei said that there would be less hours
worked by the summer kids. He also said that the Affordable Care Act was changed last
week to not include summer help in the total numbers. Chief Bernabei also said that he
would be looking into getting a trailer for the mowers as it is unsafe and against the law to
be riding them on City roads.
There being no other business to come before the committee the meeting was adjourned at
11:05 am.
17 comments:
These are not minutes, but a simple outline of 20 subjects to be discussed by a 2 man committee, of which neither understands anything about public works.
Read these so called minutes and think if you understand them.
Four years from now when different people are the members of this committee what value will these minutes be to them. Anyone who would accept this as being a recorded history of a meeting has had very little experience as a active member of a organized group. Are Waldorf and Lukosus the 2 members of the Public Works Committee?
thank you for letting me know I had put the wrong information on initially.
How come the parks were just cut but only cut parts of them . And do we need to pay extra for weed trimming? Shouldn't that be included? The college kids could've done a better job than the professionals. Who oversees this ? Pubic property or Pubic Works ??
7:26 PM
Please be specific about the park you are talking about because I have heard very good reports of parks being mowed and weeded in record time by the new company.
Responding to allegations? Replying to legitimate requests to see how tax dollars as being spent and how the city and charities actually benefit from one business getting rich, well that's the job of a city employee.
Washington park for starters . it wasn't weeded? Ball diamonds not cut . pool area not cut . 24" tall grass along curb where pool was . Centennial park not weed whipped either .
As of today, all the parks are in good mowed condition, they were checked for me. Perhaps your information was a bit outdated.
Please be advised I am appalled Mr. Bernabie is accusing me, a private citizen, of wasting employee time and taxpayer dollars regarding Concerts for a Cause. I find it disheartening Mr. Bernabie blatantly dismissed a constituent's concerns regarding accountability even though enough documents were submitted to support an "audit" by the State of Illinois Division of Aeronautics (IDA).
As a concerned taxpayer if the topic was on the agenda; I clearly would have attended the meeting to defend my request for accountability and present the several years of accumalated documentation that was submitted to the FAA and IDA. The sad part is that I would have to defend my request for accountability when apparently the State of Illinois Division of Aeronautics determined enough evidence existed to require an "audit".
Furthermore Mr. Bernabie should education himself by reviewing the "Terms and Conditions of Accepting Airport Improvement Program Grants" which is signed by the Mayor EVERYTIME airport funding is received from the State Block grant pertaining to federal funds. Special interest to Section A "Sponsor Certification for Selection of Consultants" is interesting. I am curious if Clause 1 regarding the "fair and open competition" was followed when Chamlin Engineering was awarded consulting services? Or Clause 2 regarding consulting services over $25,000.00? Perhaps Mr. Bernabie is not qualified or knowledgeable to be a "Super Chief".
Mr. Bernabie is delusional if he believes it is not the civic responsibility of ALL citizens of these United States to question the functions/dysfunctions of our government. Obviously accountability is not a character trait Mr. Bernabie possess.
Kristy Mrowicki
Kudos to Kristy M. She is one person who sticks up for herself and others. If everyone had the courage and intelligence that Kristy has Peru wouldn't be in this fix.
Yes, Kristy would make a great administrative assistant for Mayor Harl. She is forthright, honest and knows government procedures and how a city works. If Kristy held this mentioned position the city would not be in the present pickle it is today. Her government knowledge goes a lot further than Peru.
How about it Mayor, one easy appointment with many positives to it. After five years of being Mayor you surely know that having a administrative assistant would be a huge cost saving position for the city.
I just went by Pulaski Sq. And it wasn't weed trimmed. Its easy to tell because the grass around objects is twice as tall as the rest of the grass . It is like that at all parks !!
@2:33 PM Kristy would be fantastic choice for Mayor Harl to make. What is a administrative assistants pay?
You are so correct in your evaluation of Kristy's ability but she would be a difficult hire because Kristy is not related to anyone in city hall nor has any association with anyone of city hall.
Administrative Assistants make in the range of $40,000 at city hall. Pretty sweet!
I think responding the a taxpayer's FOIA request is part of what city employees are supposed to be doing. Is he suggesting not responding to a FOIA?
What's the policy when a person is hired as a full-time employee regarding vacation days? Can they take vacation only after being full time for 3 1/2 months? Who keeps the accounting of vacation days for employees?
Receiving an audit on any level meaning personal, businesses or govermental requires true documentation to insue that an audit. For instance if a person who would be considered a "whistleblower" has information and/or documentation to warrant an audit, the agency or IRS makes the call whether or not one is to be done. HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY. Taxpayers deserve TRANSPARENCY in goverment!
Apartment building at 2810 2nd st. Looks like a junkyard. Worse than the projects. What can be done?
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