REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
May 19, 2015
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, Scott Meier, Mike Sigel and Derrick Maupin were present. Police Chief Terry Strike was also present and Village Clerk Kathy Leathers recorded the written and digital minutes.
Mayor Hill led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the May 19, 2015 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the May 5, 2015 and May 19, 2015 Closed Session Meetings were approved as presented.
Resident Beth Etheridge asked the council if they could revisit the burning issue in town. She told the council she is tired of every time there is a nice day and people can open their windows or hang their laundry out, someone is burning. She said last week someone burned from the afternoon, all night and into the next morning. She stated they were green branches and they stunk to high heaven. Etheridge said they wanted to sit out on their patio that night but couldn’t it smelled so bad. She said their house was all closed up and when they got up the next morning, her beauty shop smelled like there had been a fire in it and she had people coming that day. Etheridge advised they did put it out. She also said last night someone was burning again. Mayor Hill said residents are allowed to have recreational fires but if they are wet or smoking they should be put out. Etheridge said they smolder all night long. Etheridge said she has even noticed someone burning furniture. Mayor Hill advised Etheridge to call her and she would call them. Etheridge said she wished there could be days when burning is allowed or something like that because the 7:00 thing, nobody pays attention to that. She said you finally get a nice day and you can’t even open your windows because somebody is burning something and it’s never when the wind blows toward their house it’s always towards everybody else’s house. Etheridge said she knows that over in their neighborhood there are people who are on oxygen and those people can’t even go outside because it would kill them and let alone all the little kids here in town with asthma. Mayor Hill said that’s why the village has the dump site out there too. Etheridge said last night at T-ball she could smell somebody’s smoke while they were sitting there. She said she thought here we are at a T-ball game, how many of these little kids have asthma and somebody in town is burning again. She said she just wondered if the council could come up with a better plan because
she doesn’t think anyone follows it. Mayor Hill said the council needs to know, too so they can get the police department on it even if it is the next day as long as they know who’s doing it. Etheridge wondered if campfires were supposed to be out by 7:00. Mayor Hill stated she thought it was 10:00 if they are minding it and it’s not smoking as long as they are right there with it. Chief Strike advised the ordinance states if it bothers someone, it has to be put out. He told Etheridge if she would let him know who they are, he can send them a letter. Etheridge said she did not want to be the wicked witch of the neighborhood, but this is getting out of hand. Etheridge said she just wondered if the council could come up with some other plan like certain days or something. She said she can’t imagine leaving in the morning, having her windows open and coming home and somebody has lit a fire. Commissioner Johnson said he thinks it has happened to all of us. Chief Strike said he would pull out the burning ordinance, review it and see if there is something they can do. Strike said maybe just give them one day to do it. Mayor Hill stated the village has not sent out their letter this year yet maybe it can be done again and include that, remind people rather than…we are watching you and you will be fined if you are in violation. Etheridge said her thing is, the village has the dump site out there. Commissioner Johnson said one of his children is severely affected by the smoke with asthma and they have had to go inside several times with the door and the windows closed when it is a beautiful day and they should be wide open and the air should be flowing through. He said they just don’t have that opportunity because it seems like it is constant over there. Johnson said he has never addressed it with Terry either so it is partly his fault. Mayor Hill said to let Terry know. She said let them know and stated they seem to know when they, [police], are around. Mayor Hill said she doesn’t see a point in the day time burning now. She said it’s spring take it out there, [dump site], there is nothing that dry to be burned this time of year. Mayor Hill there will be a letter going out with the economic survey soon. Mayor Hill said she didn’t want to overload it but it would be good to include. Etheridge wondered if people have sticks and things like that, if they bundle it up and put it out by the road if the village would pick it up. Etheridge said she thinks if people would just do that instead of burning green wood, cause it just smokes forever.
On a motion by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Maupin, a fence permit was approved for Anita Stickel at 109 S. Benton Street. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Meier, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried and the fee of $10.00 has been paid.
Discussion was held on approving the sale of the 2005 Chevy Impala. Discussion was held as to the date and time sealed bids will be accepted. The council may decide to have only one meeting in July depending on everyone’s vacation schedule. The council suggested having the bids turned in by noon on July 6, 2015 with the council opening those bids at their next meeting after July 6, 2015. On a motion by Commissioner Meier, second by Commissioner Johnson, to approve Ordinance No. O01-15-06-02 Authorizing the Sale of a 2005 Chevy Impala Deemed to Be Surplus Property with bids to be accepted until noon on Monday, July 6, 2015 to be opened at the first meeting in July. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Meier, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill told the council someone had been interested in purchasing the industrial size gas stove and ovens in the RCC kitchen but she has not heard back from them. The Mayor suggested the council put it out for bids like they are doing with the surplus police car. She told them if the village does not receive any interest or an acceptable bid, it could be taken down and taken for salvage. Mayor Hill said that way it can be taken out of there and it will be out of there by the middle of July one way or the other. Mayor Hill said she would rather see an electric stove in there with the day care and renting the gym and stuff, there are just too many chances of leaving the gas on in there. She said the lines are old and the work they would have to put into that one, it’s just not worth having it in there and taking the risk. Commissioner Johnson asked if the council would take any bid over the estimated value of salvage at that point. Johnson asked if there was any idea what it would be worth. Mayor Hill thought if somebody would want to make an offer and come and pull it out for the village and take it. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Meier to approve Ordinance No.O02-15-06-02 Authorizing the Sale of Industrial Type Stove and/or Ovens Deemed as Surplus Property with bids to be taken until noon on Monday, July 6, 2015 and to be opened at the first meeting in July. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Meier, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Commissioner Sigel asked the council to consider a donation to the Prophetstown High School Junior Class 3 on 3 Fund Raising Tournament in July. Mayor Hill stated she is not against it in a sense, but the village typically donates to the Library, Historical Preservation, those types of things. She said the council could donate a little to recognize them as well but that is up to the council. Commissioner Johnson said the council budgeted for donations and were not even close to the council’s giving potential last year. Mayor Hill suggested a donation of $50.00 to show that the village acknowledges their efforts. Commissioner Johnson said that would be acceptable, he said it would be one thing if the village was already committed financially to donations. He said he doesn’t mind. Commissioner Sigel told the council the money raised goes to the Junior Class After Prom event. Sigel said anyone who donates is put on the event shirts. A motion was made by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Maupin, to approve a donation of $50.00 to the PHS Junior Class After Prom 3 on 3 Fund Raiser. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Meier, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A Resolution to enter into an inter-governmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation, on behalf of the State of Illinois, for maintenance of Municipal Streets was discussed. Mayor Hill told the council the agreement is for ten (10) years and basically reimburses the village for maintenance on Main Street. She said they changed a few things down in Springfield but not enough to affect the village. The Mayor stated the village will now have more it will be reimbursed for. Mayor Hill said the council just has to make sure and designate the proper person to sign and conduct business with the state. Mayor Hill recommends the office of the Village Clerk. She said that way it won’t be constantly changing names after elections and such. A motion was made by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Maupin, to approve Resolution No.
R01-15-06-02 Authorizing and Inter-Governmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation on Behalf of the State of Illinois for Maintenance of Municipal Streets. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Meier, Sigel and Maupin. Mayor Hill abstained. The motion carried.
Building permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, were: Jack Leathers, 315 E. Booth – Deck.
Reports from Village Officials
Commissioner Johnson reported Sterling Fence had been down and straightened the fence and replaced a lot of the pipes the council had talked about. Johnson said the pipes for the fence were too thin to start with when they built it and so every kid that hung on it bent it. Johnson said the pipes are another grade up and they won’t bend. Johnson said they fixed the backstop that was a problem over there and if anybody talks to the council or asks them, the backstop still has two outward poles and then the crossbar does not attach to those. He said it’s from separation over time and they can’t reach it. Johnson said it is safe right now the way it stands, it just looks a little funky, it doesn’t look like the standard connections right now but it is safe. Johnson said the fields, [Ball Diamonds], really came together.
In addition, Commissioner Johnson advised the council Dennis Electric re-attached some conduit to a pole at one of the lights at the ball diamond. Johnson said it was just flapping in the wind. He told the council, the wiring was just fine, they reattached the conduit to the pole. Commissioner Johnson reported the same pole’s lights are not functioning. He said Dennis Electric will be contacting Professional Electric or another company that has a truck big enough to reach the lighting. Johnson said games can still be played with out the one pole/lights.
Comments were made at how nice the ball diamonds are looking. Commissioner Maupin said he was glad it turned around so greatly in two weeks. Johnson said it just came together. Johnson also said some people have mentioned the other field, the smaller field. He said the baseball program doesn’t need it and they won’t play on it at all. Johnson said the numbers are so far down it won’t be needed other than for practice. He stated it is just going to continue to get mowed, it’s not going to get limed. He said it is just going to be a grass field over there and the program is not going to spend the money to maintain the lime over there in case any one asked. Commissioner Sigel asked about the lines to the bases. Commissioner Johnson said they could be chalked. Sigel also stated someone had asked him about putting additional lime at Booth Park. Commissioner Meier said he had gotten some and he would see if public works could get some more to put in between the bases.
Clerk Leathers advised while on the subject of Booth Park, Tom, [Pierce], would like to go back to keeping the restrooms locked and having those who wish to use the park pick up the key to the restrooms at Village Hall. She said just leaving them open has just been a mess. Mayor Hill said the village had been looking for funding to improve the bathrooms and make them handicap accessible. She had heard that another area town had just gotten nailed for that. Leathers said most people who want to reserve the park usually call Village Hall. They could be informed at that time they need to pick the key up a day or so ahead of time. Commissioner Johnson said that would be the only way he would consider repairs to the bathrooms.
Commissioner Johnson said he should comment that it was nice to see the park the way it was at the T-ball game the other night. He said there were tons of people there, kids, the skate park was being utilized and the playground was being utilized and the basketball courts were being utilized. Johnson said it was fantastic. An audience member suggested they should have had a concession stand. Johnson said he believes they will have one there next week.
There were no communications.
Clerk Leathers talked with the council about the increasing Work Comp and Liability insurance rates. She explained those funds are paid with property tax money and they come out of the general fund but to be fair, a lot of the liability insurance and work comp should fall under water and sewer. Leathers said she sent an e-mail off to the auditors requesting their input. Leathers said it is difficult with the amount the village is allowed for the insurance cost to levy the larger amount for those two categories. She advised them the council should make the permanent transfer from water and sewer into those two funds. Commissioner Maupin said he thinks that is fair since most of the work comes through water/sewer. Leathers said insuring the infrastructure itself, the lift stations, etc.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Johnson and a second by Commissioner Meier. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Meier, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM. The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 7:00 PM in the Reagan Community Center located at 202 W. Second Street.
Kathy A. Leathers Kristine L. Hill
Clerk Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS 16th DAY OF JUNE, 2015
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
