REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL – OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
October 21, 2014
7:00 PM
Reagan Community Center
Mayor Kristine L. Hill called the regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council to order at 7:00 PM.
Commissioners Toby Johnson, Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Derrick Maupin were present. Police Chief Terry Strike was also present. Village Clerk Kathy Leathers recorded the written and digital minutes.
Mayor Hill led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance
At 7:10 PM, Mayor Hill turned the meeting over to Sharon Pepin, CFPS, Inc., village grant writer, for a public hearing on obtaining a DCEO Grant for a storm warning siren. [See Public Hearing Minutes] The hearing closed at 7:25 PM and the Regular Meeting session resumed.
Minutes of the October 7, 2014 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Mayor Hill suggested the council wait until later in the meeting to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2014 Closed Session Meeting in case a closed session review was needed.
On a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill, approval was given for a fence permit to Jennifer Morales at 204 N. Fremont Street. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The fee of $10.00 was paid.
On a motion by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Maupin, a Class A liquor license was approved for the Kickback Saloon, (Bonnie Anderson), 102 N. Main St. from November 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015 for a fee of $400.00. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The fee was paid.
On a motion by Commissioner Maupin, second by Commissioner Sigel, a Class A liquor license was approved for the Old Town Pub n Grub, (Julie Stees), 124 S. Main St. from November 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015 for a fee of $400.00. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The fee was paid.
On a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill, a Class E liquor License was approved for Casey’s Retail Company, dba Casey’s General Store #1304, 201 S. Main St, from November 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015 for a fee of $600.00. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The $600.00 fee was paid.
Local resident, Al Morthland told Commissioner Maupin he and others are still getting dirty water in town. Commissioner Maupin told the resident he hears rumors of people having dirty water on Facebook and when he calls in and asks the utility clerk if there have been any complaints of dirty water, she tells him Village Hall has not had any complaints lately. Maupin advised when he digs into it a little bit farther and try to figure out what is going on, it seems like no one is telling the village they have dirty water. Maupin continued by telling Morthland it makes it really hard to come in and say, “something’s not right” and “how are we going to clear this up?”, when nobody is actually complaining. Maupin said people should complain in the right forums. That being said, Maupin continued, it seems like the people that are complaining on Facebook are all on the west end of town, correction the east end of town. Maupin said when he discussed the issue with Tom, (Pierce), he found out that, the east side of the village has the oldest section of piping. Maupin said the dirty water is believed to be mostly from the scouring from the ice letting free this winter and that the ice drew big gouges out of the pipe. Maupin advised the village has one
of the chemical levels at the maximum to try and settle it down. Maupin said people feel the village should flush the hydrants more but that just gets all the chemicals out of the system and no longer makes the water stable and it will actually get a lot worse in terms of dirty water. Morthland stated from all he has heard it’s been all throughout the town not just one side. Maupin repeated nobody has called in, nobody has gotten in personal contact with him and all he’s seen or heard has been hearsay. Maupin stated he’s not sure what he is supposed to do, he obviously cannot knock on everyone’s door and ask how their water is. At this point, local business owner, Bonnie Anderson, added her complaints that her business water faucets have had brown stuff coming out of them. She has even brought some of that into village hall and has had Commissioner Sigel look at it. She also said she recently washed a load of clothes at her home that came out completely black, three times. She stated there is a water problem. Commissioner Johnson said it’s a matter of how the village has to take care of it and it’s probably not going to be an instant fix. Johnson told the resident, there are steps being taken, he told her he couldn’t take a filter to the water and clean it out completely, it has to be done a certain way. Commissioner Maupin said he is not accusing anyone of lying but was interrupted by Al Morthland telling Maupin he’s the commissioner and he has the right to talk to people. Maupin asked Morthland if he should knock on everyone’s door and ask how they’re doing. Morthland told Maupin that is what he is getting paid for. Maupin said the issue is not going to change overnight. The best the village can do is try and figure it out and the village is working down the project list as the money becomes available. Maupin said the council cannot just go and put the village five (5) million dollars in debt to fix a water system that has been ignored for fifty (50) years. Maupin stated that’s why the bills got so high, nobody, the previous councils, wanted to do anything about it and now everyone is paying for that neglect. Commissioner Hill agreed with Maupin and said the village had such a rough winter and because what happens when the pipes freeze, so many froze because people didn’t turn their water on and let it trickle a little bit. Commissioner Hill said the pipes expand when they freeze and then when they thaw out it goes back down. Hill stated when it does, all that loose stuff, inside of that pipe breaks free and that’s what everyone is getting. Mayor Hill reported the village has been working with Water Solutions Unlimited as mentioned before at a previous meeting. Mayor Hill said the council is trying to do their best in resolving these issues and keep the water as safe as possible. Mayor Hill said she has a well at her residence and she takes some of her laundry to her mother’s, right in the center of town, to have them bleached so it’s kind of hit and miss where the issues are coming up. Mayor Hill said she apologizes for any inconvenience people are dealing with, it’s not a good situation, but the council is doing their best in dealing with it. Commissioner Maupin said the simple answer is the village cannot filter it right out the well anymore that what is already done. Maupin said if the water is getting polluted, it’s happening somewhere in the lines and it’s not feasible for the village to install filters at everyone’s house. Commissioner Maupin asked who’s to say that it’s not on the resident’s end, what if there is something wrong when it comes into the resident’s house, at that point, it’s not the village’s problem. Commissioner Maupin said he cannot magically fix it overnight and Tom, (Pierce) tells him the village is doing every thing it can. Mayor Hill said so is Water Solutions and they are experts in this field. Mayor Hill said the report says it is like picking a scab when we’re flushing the water system because then you’re pulling more out of it, you’re forcing more through it so it’s possible even normal use is stirring it up. Mayor Hill said the more it’s allowed to settle back down, the better able it would be to get clean water through. Mayor Hill said the village would be looking at a couple of million dollars to run all new water lines through the town. Anderson commented that’s why the water bills were raised. Mayor Hill told Anderson, there are several things on the infrastructure list and yes we are building up a reserve to have the money to do the water tower and do these other things and get the grants as they become available. Anderson asked about digging a new well. Mayor Hill said there are several issues to work through and it is inconvenient at times. Commissioner Hill said it takes years to get grants and restructure all this stuff, look at Rock Falls, Sterling, every where is the same, because things are getting so old now. Anderson said she realizes it does take time and she has the Willett, Hofmann report, stating she bought it from the city and she has read it extensively. Anderson said she understands that, but for the council to deny that it has been brought up to the board is a bad rap and it upsets everybody. Anderson said the council needs to let the people know what the council is doing. Mayor Hill said the council has done that and it has been brought up at other meetings including the most recent one.
Commissioner Maupin told Anderson that’s what council meetings are for. Maupin said this is the village
forum to tell residents what the council is doing. Maupin said people are more than welcome to come. Maupin stated if you hear people having water problems, rather than bash the town, tell them to talk to him. Maupin said let’s just try and clean it up. Maupin said he would try to handle it to the best of his ability but everyone needs to understand there is not going to be an overnight solution. Maupin said he would talk to anyone as long as they remain civil with him. Maupin stated he would not tolerate screaming and yelling, name calling or anything but as long as it’s a civil conversation, they can talk to him whenever they want. Maupin said he would do his best to make it right and he doesn’t want to call anyone a liar but at the same time….Maupin said maybe the council needs to sit down with a map and start marking off where we’re having the bad issues and see if there is a pattern or figure something out. Maupin said until everyone who has it communicates it in the proper forum then we’re going to have a hard time figuring this out.
Anderson said she understands the council’s need to have all the information available from all the parties who are having lousy water, but the council does know that it is happening. Maupin stated he has seen people complaining about it, he’s seen them complaining about a lot of things on Facebook that aren’t necessarily as true as what it really is. Maupin said if they would take the time to make a phone call to him and let him know they are seriously upset about their water then that means a lot more than taking three (3) seconds to post something angry or agree with someone on Facebook. Morthland said most people know that it doesn’t do any good to come to the meetings. Maupin told him that was absolutely not true. Morthland accused the council of spending the money from higher water bills for everything else instead of putting in reserve for the water. Mayor Hill advised there are other funds and they are not related to spending money out of the water/sewer funds.
Anderson also asked the council if they had heard anything on washing the sewer lines that day. Mayor Hill advised they were jettted in preparation for sending a video camera through the lines. Anderson told Maupin it backed up the smell really bad at her business today. She advised she told Tom, (Pierce), and it was so bad she couldn’t even be in the building. Mayor Hill advised she had not had a chance to report to Commissioner Maupin as yet. Maupin told Anderson if she could help him and point people toward him, that would be fine. Maupin said he would not ignore those who contacted him. Mayor Hill advised the council has covered the topic as much as it can for the time being and the council should move on.
Commissioner Maupin advised he has heard absolutely nothing from Mediacom and advised it is time to become pesky again. Mayor Hill stated the council should just hang in there, it’s not hurting the council in any way to leave it undone.
On a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill, a resolution of support was approved for a DCEO Grant for the new storm warning siren. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Clerk Leathers asked to be excused for a brief time to sign, seal and copy the approved resolution for Pepin to take with her to file with the grant application.
Mayor Hill asked for a motion to approve a proposal by the Illinois Rural Water Association to video inspect approximately 3,000 linear feet of sewer main at $.70 per foot plus labor and mileage at a cost of $3,052.00. Commissioner Maupin made the motion, with a second by Commissioner Sigel. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Clerk Leathers told the council a resolution to appropriate Motor Fuel Tax Funds for annual village street maintenance was overlooked after approving the agreement with the Whiteside County Highway Department for annual street maintenance. On a motion by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Maupin, the resolution was approved in the amount of $31,578.69. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill reported the Village Audit is complete and if council members have any questions they should contact the village clerk and if she does not have the answer, Wipfli will be contacted to find it. The Village Clerk will have the Annual Audit on file in Village Hall.
The October 7, 2014 Closed Meeting Minutes were approved as presented at this time.
Building permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker; 304 E. Market for a new roof.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill reported the Brat Fest went well. Mayor Hill said it was not the turn out they were hoping for but there were two large weddings in the area and more may have attended otherwise. Mayor Hill said those that came were able to have a positive experience and THPAC will realize a small profit.
Mayor Hill reminded everyone there is to be no burning in the Village on Halloween. Trick or Treat hours are 4:30 – 7:00 PM.
Mayor Hill advised Toys-for-Tots registration will be Wednesday, November 5, 2014 here at the RCC. Mayor Hill said the newspaper reported it at the old village hall address but it is here at 202 W. Second St. Pickup will be on December 20th at the Rock Falls Armory.
Mayor Hill asked council members if they were okay putting off re-painting the welcome signs at each entrance into the village. She advised the village only received one bid and it was high. Mayor Hill would just as soon revisit the issue in the spring. Commissioner Hill advised the vintage welcome sign has not been put up near the ball diamond. Hill stated he would like to add a backing to the sign to cut down the chances of strong winds taking it down. Mayor Hill and Commissioner Hill advised the sign is a replica of the one on Reagan Birthplace post cards.
Commissioner Johnson reported the Running Club had a really nice presence at the recent Quad-City Marathon. He said 6 or 7 runners participated and finished together for the most part or in groups along with a handful of spectators there to cheer them on. He said it was really nice to see that.
Mayor Hill asked Johnson if the ball diamond was ready to be shut down. Johnson advised it is ready to be shut down. He also told the council he had checked into getting lime for the ball diamonds but apparently there is a lime shortage this time of year and most trucks are busy hauling grain. Johnson said it will still be okay to lay the lime into November.
Mayor Hill reported the daycare is really doing well. She said there have been lots of donations and there is an updated list that Cindy Slock and Staci Shaffer have put together so it will be mailed out to residents. Mayor Hill said it’s coming along really great and getting excited. She said there are even kids signing up already.
Clerk Leathers asked the council if they are still intending on sending out a mailing regarding having residents allow their water to run during cold temperatures. Commissioner Maupin advised he is working on the letter to get the wording just right as far as a policy of minimum billing when temperatures drop to a certain temperature or for an extended period of time. Commissioner Maupin said the village will be open and flexible about minimum billing.
Clerk Leathers reported a communication from Rock River Energy Services about some cities and states banning door-to-door marketing by energy providers using deceptive and aggressive tactics in misrepresenting themselves and enticing individuals to change their natural gas or electricity service provider. Leathers advised the village also received a letter from Nicor that would allow municipalities the option of spreading winter heating costs over an extended period of time to allow them to stay within their
budgets.
Commissioner Johnson advised he had “tweeted” out his excitement in starting this daycare. He said he had mentioned a few “bigger”people just to generate a buzz. Johnson said he got “re-tweeted” by Michael Reagan.
Mayor Hill mentioned that she and Chief Strike had gone to Chief Darrell Farringer’s visitation. Farringer had passed away last week at the age of 52. Mayor Hill advised he had shared his expertise with her, Commissioner Hill and Chief Strike. She said he was very community and safety conscious. Mayor Hill extended her sympathy to the family.
On a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill, bills were approved to be paid as presented. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill.
The meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM. The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be November 4, 2014 at 7:00 PM in the Reagan Community Center located at 202 W. Second Street.
Kathy A. Leathers _____________
Clerk
Kristine L. Hill__________________
Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS _4th__ DAY OF __November________, 2014
**These minutes ar enot official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk **
