Peru City Council Addresses Water Leaks, Grants and Downtown Vacancies

The Peru City Council met Jan. 20 at City Hall to address water system problems, grant opportunities, emergency alerts and a proposed ordinance targeting long-vacant downtown buildings during its regular session.
Mayor Katy Novak presided. Council members Theresa Westfall, Josh Whisler and Rachel Brown were present. Brent Brown was absent.
City Clerk Dennis Kirkpatrick told the council the city is seeking a new auditor after its previous firm dropped Peru as a client for the current audit year. He also outlined a payroll change that will keep paydays on the 15th and end of the month while shifting pay periods to reduce payroll adjustments.
Deputy City Clerk and Grants Coordinator Mary Williams reported progress on a competitive playground grant, noting that Peru’s smaller request may improve its chances. She also highlighted upcoming Community Development Block Grants, workforce housing funding and a weatherization assistance program through Southeast Nebraska Community Action, adding that few local residents have applied despite broad eligibility.
Facilities Manager Donald Roberts reported an active water leak near Seventh and Washington streets that could require emergency council action. He also said recent inspections found damage to a sewer line near City Hall, likely caused by utility boring. A trenchless repair method is being considered, and cost estimates are pending.
Roberts also updated the council on lead service line requirements, saying fewer than 10% of Peru’s water connections are expected to need investigation or replacement before a 2029 federal deadline.
City Clerk and Deputy City Clerk we approved to attend the Nebraska Municipal Clerks Institute and Academy on March 15-20 in LaVista. The Maintenance Supervisor was also authorized to attend the Nebraska Rural Water Association Annual Conference on March 9-11.
The council was updated by Renee Crtiser of Nemaha County Emergency Management and Dakota Schulenberg, Emergency Response Coordinator at Nebraska Public Power District’s Cooper Nuclear Station on transitioning to the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), which delivers emergency alerts to cell phones. Outdoor warning sirens are expected to be phased out by 2027 once state approval is finalized. 
Council members gave first reading to a proposed ordinance regulating vacant commercial buildings downtown. The measure is intended to encourage maintenance and redevelopment but will be reviewed further before additional readings. No motion was made to advance the reading. Community member Kim Allgood told the council that Peru’s downtown “feels like a ghost town,” citing buildings such as the closed grocery store and others that have sat vacant since 2017.
The council approved the purchase of a new utility line locator to comply with state digger hotline rules and discussed, but did not act on, providing city-issued phones for maintenance staff.
Finance committee members reported the general fund is near break-even but said water operations remain a concern, as the city is billing for less water than it purchases. FEMA reimbursements tied to past waterline projects are pending and expected later this year.
In addition to reports, Mayor Novak announced her intention to close certain working committee sessions to improve efficiency and rotate council members assigned to finance committee meetings. The proposal drew concern from the public. Resident Kate Wickoff said, “Finances should be transparent. This is taxpayer money — my money.” Council President Theresa Westfall added that it “felt fishy.”
Novak responded that the working sessions would remain accessible through reports at council meetings, where residents can ask questions before votes occur. She said committees will complete an output sheet after each meeting to summarize discussions and proposed actions for inclusion in the council packet, which will be viewable at City Hall. Novak also encouraged residents to volunteer to serve on committees.
Moving regular council meetings to Tuesdays was also discussed to allow more time for council members to review claims and documents.
Several items, including sewer repairs, technology upgrades and grant applications, are expected to return to the agenda in the coming weeks.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. at Peru City Hall, 614 Fifth St.