REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO, November 17, 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 Bruce Hill, Phalen Vancil, Scott Meier and Derrick Maupin were present. Also present were Police Chief Terry Strike, Fire Chief Brian Wetzell and Cindy Slock of the Tiger Cubbies Day Care Board. Village Clerk Kathy Leathers recorded the written and digital minutes.
Mayor Hill led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the November 3, 2015 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Remarks from Guests
Tampico Fire Chief, Brian Wetzell, advised the council the Fire Protection District is working on the old ambulance building and the water line is bad. He asked Mayor Hill if the water line from the building to the shut-off is their responsibility. Mayor Hill told him actually, yes, but Tom Pierce said he would work with the district on the water end. Wetzell told the mayor they didn’t know where they need to go. Mayor Hill advised Wetzell to talk to Pierce. She said he may have a better way that is more feasible and he could help them out with. Mayor Hill stated as far as the sewer….. Wetzell said it is already there and is fairly new pipe so it should be fine. Wetzell said it is just the water line, it went down and was pre-90’s and went through the wall. He said it is all galvanized so they will replace it and move it anyway. He just wanted to know if it was their responsibility. Mayor Hill advised him to talk to Pierce.
Cindy Slock, President of the Tiger Cubbies Needs Assessment Administrative Board, spoke next. She wanted to say “Thank You’ to all the board members. She said it has been over a year since Mayor Hill had approached her about the Day Care. She told the Council the Day Care officially received their license today and they are an official day care. Slock said she had sent out an official update today just to the board members but she just wanted to express gratitude as a board and also give the council a quick update and invite them personally to their Open House which is November 22nd. Slock told the Council they will begin operating on November 30th. Slock said her child was the first to be enrolled. Slock personally gave council members their invitation to the open house and thanked them. She also thanked Commissioner Hill since he has done a lot of the work himself. Slock also said Day Care Administrator, Sarah Kuepker, has held an orientation with her recently hired staff. Slock said their board has been up front with the day care employees and the need for them to be flexible in these first few weeks or months in getting into a routine. Slock stated if the council ever has any questions to please feel free to contact her or any of the day care board members. Slock reported there have been a few bumps in the road, here and there, but they really wanted to make sure they had everything in place and had a good board and had a quality center, which she is very confident that they do. Mayor Hill said she would like to thank Connie Cooper for getting the village “kick started”. Slock said she has been invited to the Open House and will be here. Mayor Hill told Slock they have done a fantastic job and have made her dream come true. Hill said it went from concept to reality because of them, [the day care board]. Slock said their board is excited to switch from getting the day care up and running to
actually just opening for business now. The mayor also said she hopes no one feels slighted, there have been so many who have helped. Slock said they have sent out several invitations to everyone who has donated and community members who have supported this effort. Mayor Hill said she thinks they will see more interest when they come and see at the open house, too. Mayor Hill thanked Slock.
Commissioner Hill reported on the status of the new Emergency Siren installation. He reported it will be here before Thanksgiving. Commissioner Hill also told the council he has been in touch with Whiteside County so they have that all in the works. Mayor Hill advised Rural Development called her today and they are fine with everything. She reported the village received a lot of money from them and they will come out and take pictures. Mayor Hill said Rural Development is happy for the village and they think the village is in line; so is Sharon Pepin’s office. Mayor Hill stated the village is still all good all the way around.
A motion was made by Commissioner Vancil, second by Commissioner Meir to approve Resolution No. R05-15-11-17 authorizing the permanent transfer of funds from the Water and Sewer Department funds to the General Fund in the amount of $7,500.00. The transfer was discussed at the last council meeting. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier, Vancil and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Maupin, second by Commissioner Sigel to approve Resolution No. R06-15-11-17 authorizing the permanent transfer of funds from Sewer Department Funds to the General Fund in the amount of $7,500.00. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier, Vancil and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Discussion turned to a proposed rental agreement for the gym at the RCC. Mayor Hill asked council members if they had seen anything that needed to be changed. She told them she will be having Village Attorney William Shirk read through it too to make sure there isn’t something that he sees that could trip the village up. Mayor Hill told those present the village has had a few small issues here and there when the gym has been rented. She said she has compiled a list of do’s and don’ts and what the renter is responsible for and understanding. The Mayor said it will help the village to have some guidelines and it will help track who can and cannot rent the building as well; the liability. She stated the agreement would need to be signed when they come in to pay the deposit and make their reservation and that way they understand and will have a copy with them. Mayor Hill said she doesn’t think it is too strict or rigid but it makes it clear the renter is responsible and if they were to bring in a bounce house it will be another $10. Mayor Hill told the council they could go case by case but if they do damage something they are responsible. Hill would like to have a check list before it is rented to identify any potential issues or hazards. She advised right now the renter needs to bring in their own towels and soaps because people have taken off with them. The Mayor stated the day care things will have to be locked down as well. Mayor Hill asked if anyone has an extra refrigerator they need to get rid of for use in gym rentals. Commissioner Hill said it may be possible to put the extra one on the stage in place of the walk-in cooler. Mayor Hill said the village will need to get rid of it since it has been leaking terribly and is not cost efficient to run. Mayor Hill will send the draft of the agreement to Shirk for review and hopefully have it for the next meeting.
A building permit was issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, to Mary J. Sigel for a new roof at 300 N. Lincoln.
Reports of Village Officials
Commissioner Vancil gave council members copies of proposals to repair fencing at the ball diamond and Booth Park. Vancil told them page two of the proposals is for fencing in the south diamond outfield. He said it’s for the break-away fence he had discussed with them at the previous meeting. He reported it is almost like a snow fence and no one would be hurt if they run into it, it will fall down
and come back up with no problems; nothing is broken, no one is hurt. Mayor Hill asked if it is just a boundary. Vancil said right, it makes it have a more official feel for the kids or if the Recreation Committee is able to bring in softball tournaments. He said it will help utilize both fields. Vancil told the council he knows some of the prices seem kind of high but it’s what happens when stuff is let go. Mayor Hill replied the council would have to look at the budget and kind of pick and choose what to do. Vancil said on that note, the basketball court is definitely what the committee wants done first. It would be the basketball court and then the south diamond. He said the basketball court is unsafe as far as the west fencing with it being split as it is. Vancil reported he had discussed with the fencing contractor a 10 ft fence so it is one solid fence. He said if done that way, the safety hazard would be eliminated. Mayor Hill advised they could do some fund raising, too. She also told the council to keep their eyes open since there is sometimes federal funding for parks too.
Vancil next reported the Recreation Committee is also on the ball for everything with the Father / Daughter Dance on January 16th. They have a DJ lined up now and will discuss food and snacks at their next meeting.Mayor Hill asked Vancil if there has been anything more with the Chili Cook-off. He advised he thinks the committee will go with the Crystal Cork anyway. Commissioner Maupin advised separate insurance for such an event with beer and wine would be more expensive that what they thought it would be. Vancil told Mayor Hill they will get it all straightened out at their next meeting. The Committee has also considered having the event without alcohol.
Clerk Leathers asked Vancil if anyone had gotten the concession stand building ready for winter. Vancil said he believes Wendi Ketchum had been over there to empty it about a month ago. Leathers advised public works will be shutting the water off out there if they have not done so already.
Mayor Hill reported Joan Johnson had sent her statistics on visitors to the Reagan Birthplace. Mayor Hill said they have had visitors from all around the world. Volunteer hours spent keeping the Birthplace open and giving tours totals over 1,593 hours. Mayor Hill said it is commendable for them to take that much time. Mayor Hill read that there have been 1,478 visitors that included Thailand, Sweden, South Korea, Scotland, Russia, Poland, Norway, The Netherlands, Tampico, Mexico, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Finland, England, The Czech Republic, China, Canada, Bavaria and Australia as well as from 48 states. Mayor Hill said it’s pretty impressive and they should be commended for keeping it open and helping tourists. Mayor Hill said this is huge, it’s a lot of people in town on a daily basis and all the more reason to pick up your yard, be nice to people. Mayor Hill said there are people from all over the world and each person is an ambassador for the town at all times. Mayor Hill advised sometimes they see potential in the town. She said Mike Scuteri is a perfect example, he came a few years ago and now his sister is here, they are building a future here. The mayor said we can only hope for more good people like that.
Mayor Hill told the council Joan Johnson also gave her an invitation to the Reagan Trail Association held December 3rd at Wise Guys. It’s part of the Reagan Trail and they go over everything with tourism and if anyone on the council would like to go just give her a call so she may RSVP. Mayor Hill said Johnson would really like someone from the Council representing the village.
Mayor Hill reported the village received a thank you from Anita Elgin’s family and from the Whiteside County Probation office who hosted an event at the RCC for families.
CGH is having a Healthy and Bright Holiday Ceremony on November 24th.
Commissioner Hill advised Jerry Tuft has all the village signs, [coming into town] repainted. Commissioner Hill said hopefully he and Tom, [Pierce], will get time to get other one up if anyone wants to volunteer to help. Mayor Hill explained the sign out at the ball diamond got damaged several
years ago. She said they had ordered from the original sign maker over in Prophetstown, the original sign that’s on the post cards so people who come to visit and see that post card are asking where is that sign. Now they will be able to go down there and they can take pictures around it, they will have the post card and it will tie it altogether from the beginning. Mayor Hill said it is huge, bigger than the old one. Commissioner Hill told them 8ft x 8ft.
There were no communications.
Commissioner Hill advised the boiler is operating again. He has been working on it the last few days. Mayor Hill commended Commissioner Hill for rebuilding parts to get the boiler up and going.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Maupin with a second by Commissioner Vancil. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier, Vancil and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 PM. The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, December 1, 2015 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 1st DAY OF December, 2015
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
