REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
October 17, 2017, 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 Derrick Maupin, Robert Sigel, and Scott Meier were present. Commissioner Todd Tornow was absent. Police Chief Terry Strike, Officer Boyd VanDellen and Assistant Clerk Jamie McIntire were also present. Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, recorded the written and audio minutes. The meeting was also video recorded.
Mayor Hill led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the October 3, 2017 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
On a motion made by Commissioner Meier, second by Commissioner Sigel, 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, 2017 to April 30, 2018 for a fee of $600.00. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Sigel, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The $600.00 fee was paid.
On a motion made by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Meier, a Class A Liquor License was approved for Kickback Saloon, (Bonnie Anderson), 102 N. Main St. from November 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018 for a fee of $400.00. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Sigel, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The $400.00 fee was paid.
A fence permit application for Jessica Lucas, 212 S. Benton St., was reviewed by the council. Mayor Hill said there was only one thing she saw with the application, and that was how far of an offset there is on the property lines on each side. She asked Lucas how far off the fence is on the property line on each side. Lucas said on one side it’s quite a ways and the other is pretty close but not over. Mayor Hill said usually we want 3 feet, is what the ordinance says, so you have room to mow and maintain. If you need help knowing where your property lines are at we can help you. Lucas said she was just going from where they mow. Commissioner Sigel said if you talk to the people next to you, you can put it on the property line, we did it. Lucas said that’s hard because we work different schedules. Mayor Hill said you can put it on the property line with an approved various. Sigel said to talk with them and see where you want to put it. If they agree with you and they come in here, we can get a variance to get it closer than the 3 foot. Mayor Hill said if you go that route, you have to have it on the property line. Sigel said we did it about 6 inches off and you all agreed to it a while back. Mayor Hill said ok, I thought it was on the property line. Sigel said no, and he thought there was a variance you could agree to. Mayor Hill said we can override the ordinance by vote. Sigel said ok, then we can do that. Mayor Hill said but with her coming in and wanting it approved, I’m just asking to have it within 3 feet, then there’s no problems with neighbors or anything and it’s consistent. Jen Lucas asked if they can have someone come out and mark them. Mayor Hill said actually, there’s a BECON GIS Whiteside County property lines website. Village resident Deb TerBush said if you call Whiteside County, they should know if you’ve been surveyed or not. Mayor Hill said right, and if you go on that BECON website, they have the property lines pretty darn close. It gives you a really good idea. And we’re not going to say oh my gosh, you’re this far off. Within a reasonable amount. Sigel said even if you go to Whiteside, they’ll give you a map with the lines marked. Mayor Hill said you have to be able to know where to pull that off of because it varies. Village resident Jen Lucas said we can’t talk to the neighbor. Sigel said you give them the address and they mark your property line. They do it through GPS, they go in and they mark it. They’ve done it for me 4 or 5 times already. So that’s an option, but like you said, it’s not straight on the line. Mayor Hill said right, it can vary. We’re not being sticklers on it, but that was my only concern when I looked at it on BECON and it looked pretty close on the one side, so I just wanted to ask. I think she’s good, but if she wants it on the property line she has to come back. Mayor Hill said if you want to go with this and stay with the offset then we’re good with it today. Jessica Lucas said ok, I’ll stay with that. On a motion made by Commissioner Maupin and a second by Commissioner Sigel, the fence permit was approved. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Sigel, Meier and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill wanted to remind everyone that there is no burning on Halloween. It is in our ordinance and I also passed out ordinances for all the commissioners so they can have it on hand during the fall season. All the commissioners will be aware of what the ordinance states. Times allowed are typically 8:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Saturday and 1:00pm to 7:00pm on Sunday, weather permitting. Be considerate of your neighbors. If it’s really smoking, try to keep it down.
Mayor Hill then mentioned that the Marines have dropped off the Toys for Tots drop box. We encourage everyone to bring in unwrapped toys to help support that. It does benefit families in our area.
Mayor Hill then said we’ll be having our first E-Recycling pick up. There’s almost a trailer full, so it’s been a great service to our community. The first pick up will be the 26th of October. If we have any extra bodies that want to help get these out of the trailer, we would be more then happy to have someone come help us. We do have some people lined up, but it’s always helpful to have more. People are suppose to be here between 8:00am and 10:00am on Thursday, October 26th.
Mayor Hill said she knows we’ve had a lot of complaints in the past about the post office. Willett & Hofmann is still coming back out here and taking shots. Flat is flat, and they’re trying to find a feasible way to get that drained off there so it’s not a hazard. We haven’t forgotten. It’s still in the works and they’re still looking at different ways to get it resolved.
Mayor Hill advised that Village Hall will be closed Friday, November 10th in observance of Veterans Day which is on a Saturday this year.
Police Chief Terry Strike said for about a month and a half now, I’ve had different residents come up to me when I’m at the school zone and complain about some vacant properties we have and some things that need to be addressed. So I pulled out our ordinance book, which we have no really good policy or ordinance for vacated buildings that need to be taken down. Strike said he got on a website and looked up and found the International Property Maintenance Code. With the help of Assistant Clerk Jamie McIntire, we got everyone a book. I also talked with my son, who is the Public Works Director in Prophetstown, and basically they have an ordinance that was created off the International Electrical Code. They also have a paper that they put on the doors when they’re looking at a place. You see a name here up on the top corner. That is a man out of Rock Falls. Strike said Rock Falls and Sterling also have the same policy. For us to address some of this, we’re going to have to look this over. Our ordinance does not have good enough policy for vacating or cleaning up of any property, and we have 3 of them that we have to address. So I’m giving you these to look at. This is called the National Electric Code. If you look at it, there’s 100 different things that can be addressed on properties. Strike said we’re not singling out anybody. All we’re going at, if there’s a concern where people feel something could fall on their house or fall on somebody, that’s what we’re addressing. Mayor Hill said we’re looking to put in place this ordinance so then we can adopt the building code and enforce it. Otherwise without it, we don’t have a leg to stand on. Strike said we can send letters, but we don’t have an ordinance for what we want to do. Mayor Hill told the council to look it over and if you have any questions we’re going to run it through Mr. Shirk and get his thoughts. Strike said Sterling and Rock Falls have this same one. We can also get a hold of the mans name that’s up here, and he’s an inspector for Rock Falls. Village resident Susan Frank asked if this will be free. Strike said once we get this sorted we’ll address it and talk with him and see what his cost will be. Mayor Hill said he said it is quite minimal and if he did come out he’d try to sort it. Strike said he does everything that’s in these books. He’s done Sterling, Rock Falls and Prophetstown also. Again, we’re not trying to condemn places, but if there’s a problem, we’re going to get it taken care of.
Commissioner Sigel said he got with Superintendent Pierce and discussed a few places where we’re going to do some work. Some of the work is going to be held off. Some of the roads that need maintenance done to them, we’re going to hold off until after they do the sewers. There’s no sense in trying to fix something and then have them cut it up and try to re-do it again. So some things will be held off. There are a couple projects that we’re going to do to some of the alleys and blacktop this fall. Mayor Hill said you’re just patching. Sigel said yes, just patching. That’s all we’re going to do. Other then that it was just standard talk with him. Sigel said he’s on a few things. Mayor Hill said things are going pretty good right now. Resident Frank had another question. She wanted to know if it is going to be just tar and pebbles. Mayor Hill said no, we’re not doing a chip seal or anything like that. He’s just talking about patching and trying to get any high spots or anything to help it drain off. Sigel said the big pot holes. Mayor Hill said a couple alleys where there’s a couple issues, where they’ve been knocked out and it hasn’t stayed because of the rain and such.
Commissioner Maupin said the only thing I have is we’re trying to get someone to start up the Wednesday night basketball, or whatever night those guys will choose. I’ll be in contact with you guys and let you know who’s going to run it and all that kind of stuff. That way we can at least get some people in here on a week night again. There’s usually a good group of guys that play throughout the winter.
Mayor Hill asked Assistant Clerk McIntire about the up coming event at the ball park. McIntire said I think it’s the weekend before Halloween, on that Sunday. Wendi Ketchum asked to do a small 6 team softball tournament at the baseball field. It will be Halloween themed and they’ll wear costumes while they play. Mayor Hill said that would be fun to even go out and watch. McIntire said I think it’s even mandatory to wear a costume to play. It should be cute to see.
Remarks from Guests
Village resident Susan Frank asked if the attorney has already started working on the ordinance you want to do with the semis and the jake breaks. Mayor Hill said yes, we’ve spoken with him about it and had it ran through him. Frank said I’ve talked with my son who has been a semi driver for many years, and he says when I see a sign like that I do it all the more. We can’t have a cop sitting here 24/7. It’s going to happen regardless. I think it’s a waste of time and money to put in an ordinance. Frank asked you don’t have that many, do you? Mayor Hill said there’s more then you think. And we are flat so there’s really no need for a jake break in Tampico. Other then for emergencies, because we are so flat. It’s not people from where your son works. It’s others that come through town frequently. Frank said my son doesn’t even travel in this area so he’s not to blame for this one. Mayor Hill said we’re not going to go out and sit and wait for them, but when you have somebody who is deliberately doing it, repeatedly, all day long. I’ve had several complaints. I live on the highway and there’s people on Hahnaman road that had complaints. I’ve heard from a few North of town. Frank said if you know who it is, why don’t you just try going out and talking to them. Mayor Hill said we have and it’s like what are you going to do about it. Frank said let me talk to them. I just think it’s a waste of money and they’re going to do it regardless. Mayor Hill said actually, it’s not a total waste of money. You put the signs up and if there’s a violation they’re going to be paying fines. Frank said but who’s going to catch them. Who’s going to stop them. Are you going to be there 24/7 on both ends of town? Chief Strike said we’re not a 24/7 police department, unfortunately. Mayor Hill said but when they are, it can be enforced. Frank said it’s not at 3:00 in the morning. Mayor Hill said oh, trust me. Frank asked if they’re going to be there at 3:00 in the morning. Mayor Hill said I’m not saying that. I’m just saying it’s a respectful thing to the community. Frank said it absolutely is. Mayor Hill said and if we have to put up a sign to remind them to be respectful, then I guess that’s what we have to do. Frank said people aren’t respectful anymore. Mayor Hill said well, it’s an attempt.
Frank said she had one more comment. The post office thing, we wouldn’t have to have Willett Hofmann come if the wheels were in front rather then, you know. Yeah, we always had water in front of there. No big deal. But now you have to park this way. Mayor Hill said you can’t diagonally park there. It’s against State Policy. Frank said the State doesn’t care about this town. Mayor Hill said the heck if it doesn’t. I have all of the information. Frank said I know you have the information. Mayor Hill said it is State Policy. Clerk Leathers said I have a letter from IDOT saying that we were in violation. Frank said right, only because Kris brought the attention. Mayor Hill said no, I did not bring the attention. They came down here to address another issue down the street. They noticed it over at the post office and that’s when we got the violation letter. Leathers told Frank you are welcome to come in my office and see the file if you’d like. Frank said well, anyone can send a letter. That’s it.
Unfinished Business
The council began discussing the possible approval of Ordinance No. O09-17-10-17 to Establish Regulation Regarding Engine Brakes and Compression Brakes. Mayor Hill said this has already been started and asked if there were any comments. Commissioner Sigel said I’ve talked to a few drivers and my feeling is, if you’re going to set that up, you can only go as far as our city limits. Mayor Hill said 300 feet. Sigel said 300 feet to give them notice, but you can only have jurisdiction in our city limits. So if they’re doing the speed, and they’re not jake breaking at the city limits, there’s really nothing you can do to them. I’m sorry to say but it’s true. They can jake break all the way down and put on their breaks or down shift. When they hit the city limits and they’re doing 30 and not violating anything, then there’s no dispute. Mayor Hill said I think if it can be heard within 300 feet…Sigel said well then there has to be a study done by the state, and it takes a while to do that study. Mayor Hill said study? What study? Sigel said yeah, a noise abatement study because that’s what we’re dealing with, a noise abatement. Mayor Hill said we don’t have anybody doing that anymore. Sigel said what I’m trying to get at is, I really feel that it’s one of those things that Tampico was built with the corn around here. I understand the semis and I agree that they shouldn’t be doing it, but I do not believe that the signs and doing it is going to matter one way or the other. I don’t believe that it’s in our best interest to do it. That’s just my belief. You asked so…Mayor Hill said yes, exactly. It’s up for discussion. Sigel said thank you. Commissioner Maupin said I can understand both sides of it. Certainly to you and all the people that live on the edge of town. I understand that it can probably be very annoying, especially if it’s at 3:00 in the morning. But then on the other side, it’s honestly a valid point that there’s not a cop in town all the time to enforce it. It’s a very valid point. Mayor Hill said it’s no different then speeding either. Maupin said I know it isn’t. Mayor Hill said they fly through town in the middle of the night too. Village resident Deb TerBush said I agree with you all because I talked to several people that are truck drivers, and I said in the future there is going to be a no jake breaking sign so I’m just fore warning you all that there is going to be one. And they said that more likely what they’ll do is just hit the jake all the way up to that sign and shut it down right then and there and then be done. But I see the point that it needs to be stopped. But I also hear, I am in the middle of town, I hear motorcycles going all the way out and trucks too. So I see everyone’s point. It needs to be enforced. Mayor Hill said and that’s why I brought it up. If it doesn’t pass it doesn’t pass. And that’s what it’s about. TerBush said other towns I see when I’m going through, they have that no jake breaking sign. Mayor Hill said and some towns need it. They have a hill and actually do use their jake breaks to slow down. Maupin said I can definitely understand being on the edge of town that you want it. I just don’t know whether or not it’s going to solve the problem. That’s my biggest concern. We could potentially offset the costs with tickets but that would mean we would have to catch them doing it, and within the area and they’re going to have to do it on times when they’re in. So say the problem is happening in between shifts. It becomes a thing to try and get people out there to try and solve the whole problem. So I don’t know. It’s easy for me to sit here and say this living in the middle of town and it never bothers me. Mayor Hill said I appreciate that too. Maupin said I’m just being honest and from a financial stand point we’re at like 50/50 right now. Mayor Hill said like I said, if it’s voted down it’s voted down. I brought it up because it’s something that’s been going on a lot. And it’s not our local guys doing it. Sigel said I agree. Mayor Hill said you know if they curved it, I just wanted to try. Resident Frank said like Debbie said, the motorcycle people. Mayor Hill said I agree, and we got some pickup trucks that just scream from for a mile out of town. Village resident Kari Matthews said I came last year when we were still right there on Hahnaman. There’s the no U turn sign by the school. There can be a police officer backed right up by the drive way and they still do a U turn. So they don’t care. I mean, a sign or no sign, I feel it’s like a challenge. Are you going to get me or are you watching the little kids. They just don’t care. Frank said that’s the beauty of living in a small town. It’s suppose to be the beauty of a small town. It’s usually the citizens that do that. You know, but not the strangers that come in. The citizens do a U
turn when they shouldn’t do it. That’s the beauty of a small town, and not getting a ticket every time you turn around. Probably should, but you know. Sigel said I make a motion that we vote on it. Mayor Hill said that’s fine. Commissioner Meier said I second it. “Yes” votes were Mayor Hill. “No” votes were Maupin, Sigel and Meier. The motion is lost. Mayor Hill said that’s fine. That’s what it’s about. We can only ask. And the guys out at the shop will be happy now. TerBush said no, I can hear them from the four mile corner coming in. I know who exactly is coming in because they’re doing the jake. There’s only a few trucks that have them.
New Business
There was no New Business to discuss at this time.
There were no Building Permits to approve at this time.
Communications
Clerk Leathers said they’re still working on getting the State to compromise on the amount of money they want to charge to process Sales Tax payments to Municipalities. Law makers have suggested 2% and they’re trying to get it down to only being charged 1%. That’s still up in the air.
Leathers then said the clarification on using cash basis accounting as opposed to…cash basis accounting will no longer be compliant with State law, despite the 30 years of law and president allowing cash basis accounting. That’s still up in the air, and they’re trying to fight it and proposing a compromise on that too.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Maupin with a second by Commissioner Meier. Mayor Hill asked if there were any questions. There were none. “Yes” votes were Maupin, Sigel, Meier, and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill asked if there was anything else. Commissioner Sigel said it’s a nice week. It’s suppose to be nice all week.
The meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, November 7, 2017 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 7th THIS DAY OF November , 2017
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
