REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
April 19, 2016 – 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, Scott Meier and Derrick Maupin were present. Commissioner Phalen Vancil was absent. Police Chief Terry Strike was also present. Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, recorded the written and audio minutes.
Mayor Hill led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the April 5, 2016 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Melissa Rossato, Manager of Casey’s General Store #1304, was present to request renewal of their liquor license. Following a review of the application, Commissioner Maupin motioned, seconded by Commissioner Hill, that a Class E Liquor License No. 100-18 for Casey’s Retail Company, dba Casey’s General Store #1304, 201 S. Main Street, be approved from May 1, 2016 to October 31, 2016. The fee of $600.00 has been paid. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A representative for the Tampico Men’s Club was not present at the meeting. Their liquor license for the Festive Days celebration will be tabled for the next Council meeting.
After review of a renewal liquor license application from the Kickback Saloon, Bonnie Anderson, Commissioner Hill motioned, second by Commissioner Meier, that a Class A Liquor License No. 100-19 for the Kickback Saloon, (Bonnie Anderson), 102 N. Main Street, be approved from May 1, 2016 to October 21, 2016. The fee of $400.00 was paid. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Commissioner Meier motioned, Commissioner Hill seconded, that a Mechanical Amusement Device License No. T-96, for the Kickback Saloon, (Bonnie Anderson), 102 N. Main Street, to operate certain amusement devices from May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017. The fee of $50.00 has been paid. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
After review of a renewal liquor license application from Old Town Pub N Grub, LLC., Julie Stees, Commissioner Maupin motioned, with a second by Commissioner Meier, that a Class A Liquor License No. 100-20 for the Old Town Pub N Grub, LLC, (Julie Stees), 124 S. Main Street, be approved from May 1, 2016 to October 31, 2016. The fee of $400.00 has been paid. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Commissioner Maupin motioned, seconded by Commissioner Meier, that a Mechanical Amusement Device License No. T-97 be approved for the Old Town Pub N Grub, LLC, (Julie Stees), 124 S. Main Street, be approved from May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017. The fee of $50.00 has been paid. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A fence permit application for the Old Town Pub N Grub, LLC, Julie Stees, 124 S. Main Street, was reviewed by the council. On a motion by Commissioner Maupin and a second by Commissioner Hill, the fence permit was approved. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The council next reviewed a fence permit for Bonnie Anderson, the Kickback Saloon, at 102 N. Main Street. Mayor Hill asked Anderson if the property had been surveyed to determine the correct property lines as the
council had requested. Anderson advised Northwest Surveying Services out of Morrison completed the survey. Mayor Hill told those present there have been so many civil cases involving the property line and an adjacent driveway, the council wanted to verify the survey before it could cause more problems. Mayor Hill advised what is showing on state and county plat maps for the property are not matching what is showing up with the actual property. Mayor Hill said she wanted to make sure Anderson was covered if anything comes and this way there is no question where the property lines are at. Anderson said her next question to the council was if they wanted her to follow Tampico City law and put it on the property line. Mayor Hill said village code states if the alignment abuts a residential property it can be eight foot high for development in a commercial area and it does not mean that it can be on the line. Mayor Hill stated it could be if it was agreed but it does not say that’s the law. The Mayor stated it’s like the three foot offset but there are cases where you can put it on the line if all parties agree. Mayor Hill explained if the ordinance is read, it does say the line abutting another property, it could be on the line if it is commercial. Mayor Hill said it doesn’t exactly say the line because if you read another ordinance, it says a three foot offset. Anderson said that is the difference between residential and commercial. Anderson asked if she is to abide by the ordinance. Mayor Hill told her she would rather see for the village’s future, she doesn’t see where it would hurt to have it offset so Anderson can be on the other side of the fence. The Mayor said it’s just a good neighbor policy so there are no conflicts. Mayor Hill said the Zoning Administrator agreed to the eighteen inches and she will go with him, it is his decision. The Mayor stated she would have gone the three feet for a little more room, a little bit more good neighbor, but she is fine with it. The Zoning Administrator reviewed it, he has taken care of it and Anderson has done the survey the council requested and that’s all the council has asked. Mayor Hill said they’ve never had a problem with the fence, it’s been knowing where it should be. The fence permit was approved on a motion by Commissioner Meier and seconded by Commissioner Hill. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. Mayor Hill thanked Anderson for getting the survey.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill advised Public Works had looked into port-a-potties the council had discussed at their last meeting. Mayor Hill stated she understands Commissioner Vancil has fixed the bathrooms at the ballpark so they are not an issue right now. Mayor Hill said as for Booth Park, the village would only need one for three months at a cost of $95.00 a month for the company to come in and set it up and maintain a unit in the park. Mayor Hill said that’s the cost of toilet paper that’s gets stolen and vandalism damages and she thinks the village would be ahead to go with the $95 a month then it is there when the kids are playing. Commissioner Meier asked if it is handicap accessible and was told it is. Commissioner Maupin said he is good with that and it’s something that needs to be provided. Mayor Hill said if they do have to go with one at the ball diamond, it would be another $95.00 per month. She said if there are issues out there and there is vandalism, the village can add that to it. The Mayor said for village maintenance and the cost it has already incurred it would work until the village can get those bathrooms redone and it will be a while before anyone releases grant fund money for projects like that.
Commissioner Hill advised he had mentioned the Recreation Committee taking the other mower out to the ball diamond. Hill said it would be a good idea to look in to it and he brought it up again since it was becoming an issue. Hill said the village needs something that is a little more updated. Commissioner Hill said the village could do something similar to what was done with the purchase of the backhoe, lease it and basically there is no extra money the village would have to pay on it. Commissioner Maupin said he would rather just buy one. Mayor Hill said they can keep the other one running enough to do the ball park. Commissioner Maupin asked if the village had gotten prices other than the one submitted for the John Deere or is it the only price so far. Clerk Leathers advised they give government pricing on those. Mayor Hill advised that price was only for budget purposes to compare when looking into it. Commission Maupin asked how old the current mower is. Mayor Hill told him she was not sure. Discussion was held on mower prices and types.
Remarks from Guests
Resident Al Morthland advised Commissioner Meier there are still holes to be filled behind Casey’s. He
said he noticed some gravel had been put down.
Morthland next asked how many meetings does a council member miss before he is not on the board. Mayor Hill advised him the village has no policy on that and if Morthland knew how much work is done behind the scenes, he, [Morthland], would be amazed. The Mayor said council meetings are where council members appear but that is not the work they actually do.
Resident Beth Etheridge asked about two trees that are in the alley near their home. Mayor Hill said it had been looked into but the contractor never came back and did it. Etheridge said one of the branches is right over their driveway and birds are becoming a nuisance to their vehicles. Mayor Hill said she would look into it again and have it taken care of.
Resident Walter Schultz asked about the letters everyone is receiving. He said some of the things written up were a little obscure like bricks in the yard. Schultz said everyone knows things need to be cleaned up and the weather is now changing so more people can get out. Schultz said maybe the village should have had a national clean up Tampico day. Mayor Hill said as a property owner she likes to keep her property clean. He agreed and said everyone does their best at it. Mayor Hill said residents can talk to the police department and negotiate what needs to be done and what can take place later. Mayor Hill said the village is open to that and the letters are just warnings for now saying we would like to see something done but it’s negotiable. Carol Camper asked the council where Schultz should put his RV that is currently on his lot that he pays taxes on. Camper wants to know where the council would like him to park it since the village thinks the licensed vehicle is an eyesore, where should he park it. Commissioner Meier said as long as it’s licensed it shouldn’t be a problem. Commissioner Hill agreed. Camper said according to the police department, it’s an eyesore. Chief Strike told Camper as long as it has a current sticker there is no problem. Schultz said his stickers on the camper go out in December. He also said the RV is not moving in the winter, it’s a seasonal thing that comes about. Mayor Hill stated there is an ordinance that you can’t be living in a camper in town. She said you can have your camper in town but you can’t be living in it. The Mayor said there was an instance where a family was displaced for a short time and of course the village allowed that but the village has had other people hiding and living in campers in yards. Mayor Hill said that’s kind of where that comes from. Mayor Hill said that is something that can be talked over with the police department and worked out. Schultz also said they do have a title for the trailer that is sitting there. Mayor Hill said then they are not in violation. Schultz said still it’s what you hear from your neighbors, there are boats upside down sitting on a trailer. Camper said or a lawn mower parked behind their garage or a stack of bricks. Camper said some of this stuff is very, very extreme unless your yard is full of junk. Mayor Hill asked Camper where do you draw the line. Commissioner Hill said you can’t just go to one person’s yard and tell them they have to pick this stuff up and then this guy, this guy and this guy have stuff. Hill said they are just going around trying to organize stuff and get people to pick stuff up, remind them and just beautify Tampico and make it look like a good place to live.
Morthland questioned Commissioner Hill about one residence in town that isn’t getting cleaned up. Hill told him the property owner is working on it and getting stuff cleared away. Mayor Hill stated the matter is also in the courts. Morthland then tried to blame the village attorney for the delay. He was told by Mayor Hill and Commissioner Hill that it is the courts not the attorney. Mayor Hill said in all fairness for that resident’s situation, the village has to be fair to everyone. Mayor Hill told Morthland he has come in and complained several times and the village is doing as he wished, going around town, checking stuff out and making people aware of their clutter.
Camper asked the council if they are moving forward with allowing chickens in town. She said she has not been able to go door to door. Mayor Hill advised her the matter has been tabled if it comes back up again then it will be discussed. Mayor Hill said the council is just not going to have it on the agenda and keep skipping over it. Mayor Hill stated if there is a strong interest in it, the council can put it on a ballot. She said that way the people can speak without feeling like they are offending their neighbors but still not agree with it. She said if they vote they can say what they want and it would be an ordinance so there would be limits but it would be discussed before being put on a ballot and how it would be prepared in consideration for what people would want. Mayor Hill said it would have to be next spring’s election.
Business owner, Bonnie Anderson, asked Commissioner Meier about the standing water near her business after it rains. Meier told Anderson he looked at it and there is nothing the village can really do. Anderson said she would like to offer the city to be able to dig on her property, before her fence goes up, which is pretty soon, a rock well and run a drain through the low spot right at the end of her driveway with pipe running to a rock well. Anderson said if the city would like to do that to take care of their water problem, she will agree to it as long as it’s where she said. Commissioner Meier told Anderson it’s really a toss up because it’s not actually the city’s. He said the majority of it is coming off the state highway so it’s actually DOT’s. Anderson said the fact is it’s standing on a city sidewalk and she has pumped it out for years. Carol Camper said it turns into an icy, icy mess because they walk that sidewalk a lot and it’s a health and safety hazard. Anderson said what she is trying to do is find a solution for both hers and the village’s sake. Anderson said it is a problem. Commissioner Meier said it runs around the corner and everything else is lower. He told her if they raise that up the water is going to go right into the bar. Anderson said since the ambulance built down there and ever since it all runs across that corner. Anderson said she is not here to put blame, what she is trying to do is solve it and she would like to work with the city to solve it. Mayor Hill said there is another round with the Safe Routes to School Grant and it would bring all of that up about replacing the sidewalk. . The Mayor said they are supposed to be releasing that soon and the village’s plans are ready. She is hoping the village gets picked this time. Mayor Hill told Anderson the council will check into it. Anderson said she feels it is not her responsibility to take care of it. Anderson asked Meier if he would check it out within the next week because she is going to start her fence. Meier and Mayor Hill told her they would check into it. Mayor Hill stated she would get the state to come down as well.
Commissioner Meier motioned and Commissioner Maupin seconded approving Ordinance No. O05-16-04-19 Appropriating Funds for Corporate Purposes for the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year be passed, approved and published in pamphlet form. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.The grand total of the appropriation is $1,055,959.35. The grand total of anticipated revenues is $1,101,156.00.
Discussion turned to placing a grand slam fence at the small diamond and repairing the main diamond backstop. Costs for those projects will total $4,245.00 from the ball diamond fund. Commissioner Vancil had also wanted to repair the fence around the tennis court at Booth Park. Mayor Hill said repair costs at Booth Park would have to come from the General Fund. Commissioner Maupin said he thought the backstop was a good idea. Commissioner Meier the grand slam fence was needed because of the nearby deep ditch. Clerk Leathers advised the council the new fencing will cost $2,520.00 and the costs to repair the back stop fence are $1,960.00. Commissioner Maupin made a motion, with a second by Commissioner Hill, to approve placing a new grand slam fence and repairing the backstop fence at the main ball diamond at a total cost of $4,245.00. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Hill, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Donation requests for the Tampico Memorial Cemetery and Whiteside County Public Transportation were tabled until the new fiscal year. Mayor Hill told the council since state funds are still slow to come in, she would like to be cautious.
Building permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, were 301 N. Main Street – Porch Addition.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Maupin with a second by Commissioner Meier. “Yes” votes were Hill, Meier, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill asked the council to adjust the May meetings due to some instances that are out of the council’s control. She said May is such a busy month and suggested Wednesday, May 11th. She suggested holding one meeting in May as well due to vacation plans and graduations in the area. Mayor Hill advised if something comes up another meeting can easily be called.
Carol Camper questioned the council on the decision to purchase a golf cart. Commissioner Hill told her he
was looking around for something around $3,000.00 as previously approved by the council. Camper asked if the purchase would be cost effective. Commissioner Maupin advised he has worked out the cost and savings in fuel. Village Clerk advised it is more a utility cart than a golf cart with a dump bed on the back. She told them when it wasn’t being used for summer maintenance and reading water meters it will make it easier to do maintenance at the sewer plant as well. Commissioner Maupin said it should pay for itself in a year and a half as opposed to the wear and tear on the village’s larger truck.
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM.
The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council has been rescheduled to Wednesday, May 11, 2016 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 11TH DAY OF JUNE, 2016
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
