December 4, 2018
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 Al Wildman, Scott Meier and Todd Tornow were present. Assistant Clerk Jamie McIntire was 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 November 6, 2018 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Mayor Hill said it’s with a very heavy heart that we had to say goodbye to one of our Commissioners. He was a very involved resident in our community and a wonderful person. He is also my husbands cousin. He was willing to stand up many many times to help this community, and stands as an example to so many on how you should participate in a community. He’s gone too soon, but honestly he did more in his short life then so many do in their long ones. We’ll greatly miss Tim Church. It’s been hard on the whole community.
Mayor Hill said also, I’d like to mention that Chief Strike is not here today because yesterday he buried his father. I just also wanted with condolences and sympathy to him and his family, I would like to mention that as well.
Mayor Hill said with Tim Church’s passing, he has had a dear friend for many years that I asked if he’d be willing to come up and step up to help our community and finish what Tim started. The last time I talked to Tim he told me I have to hang in there and finish what I started. I know Jim feels the same way on what Tim was trying to do, and how important this infrastructure project is for our community.
New Business
The Mayor then jumped to New Business to discuss and approve the appointment of a new Council Commissioner, Jim Coleman. Mayor Hill said I’ll need a motion and a second. A motion was made by Commissioner Meier with a second from Commissioner Wildman. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Meier, Tornow and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Newly appointed Village Commissioner Jim Coleman took his place at the Council Table where Village Clerk Kathy Leathers administered the oath of office and presented Coleman with information to assist him with carrying out his duties.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill said we signed up with the Sauk Valley News to have Text Alerts. We have about 78 members currently. It did come in really handy when we had the snow emergency and when our garbage was a day late then again with the boil order. We were able to send all that information out. We just wanted to bring that option up again. It’s really easy to sign up, and if you need help just call the Village Office. They’ll help you get signed up with the Text Alert. We don’t use it unless we absolutely have to. We don’t pester with useless information.
Mayor Hill said I also am a member of the Whiteside County Enterprise Zone. We had a meeting last week and if anyone says there aren’t jobs in our community, they are wrong. There are probably 400 to 500 jobs
in our community right now between HALO, Verifacts and Wahl Clipper. The list goes on and on. We have other companies that are becoming more and more interested in our area. There are informational meetings coming up on December 18th, 2018 at Morrison from 1pm to 2pm, and then the 19th is at Mt. Carroll from 1pm to 2pm. This is for businesses and anyone interested in helping to promote our community and our area. If you can look them up on the web you’ll see that they are doing amazing things. They’re bringing a lot of interest to our area which helps us all. If anyone says they don’t have a ride for these jobs, they can use that transportation that even people with a license use because it’s so much cheaper. We have more information about that here too.
Village Clerk Kathy Leathers said for some time now we’ve been trying to figure out a way for residents to be able to use debit cards and credit cards to pay their water bill. People have asked from time to time about it. After some checking around I found what’s called CourtMoney. It’s an Illinois company that a lot of communities use. I called some of them and they are so happy with it because CourtMoney takes all the risk. They also provide all the security when people pay their bills online. There’s not a thing that we have to worry about. There will be a charge that is directed towards the person wanting to pay with their card. It’s a percentage of the amount, so there will be no cost to the Village for using this. We’ll be able to do it here in the office and won’t have to have expensive machines. It’s all done right on the computer, or we’ll have information for our residents to be able to make the payments online themselves. I’m really excited about using this because I think it will maybe cut down on late payments and the delinquent ones as well.
Leathers said another thing, our Illinois Risk Management Association that covers workman’s compensation, liability, insurance for the buildings, cars, vehicles, equipment and all that stuff is coming due. I usually recommend paying it in 2 installments. I provided you with all the information so that you can think about it then it’ll be on the next Agenda.
Leathers then said unfortunately, I’m going to have to ask that we permanently transfer funds from Water and Sewer. I hate to do it but there’s only so much money coming in to the General Fund. A lot of times that doesn’t keep up with the increased cost of services and goods. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it wasn’t important to do. The State of Illinois is getting better with paying their bills, but since we’re a small Municipality we don’t get as big of share as everyone else. Mayor Hill said this isn’t uncommon. We’ve done it many times through the years. Leathers said Linda Taets use to do it every year when she was Village Clerk. We’ve tried not doing it as much but unfortunately we’re going to have to do it this year. Commissioner Wildman said we use to have a percentage set aside just for that purpose. Leathers said yes, they did that when they raised the rates all those years ago. The money that comes in to the General Fund is limited. Mayor Hill said we’ll have that on our next Agenda as well. If you have any questions please get a hold of Leathers.
Leathers said our Employee Health Insurance is coming up for renewal as well. I wanted to provide you with that information as early as I could so you’d have some time to think about it. I’m expecting some more bids in from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and one other one. Hopefully we’ll get those in soon. Mayor Hill said when she said it was coming up I asked that she put it out for bid to keep it competitive as well. Leathers said we usually do try to get the different figures from different companies.
Mayor Hill said I have one other thing. Moring Disposal is also going to put out a bid for our garbage and recycling contract as well. After having Republic Services here a few times and talking about the recycling issues around the country right now, I’d like to possibly consider not having recycling until they find a better solution of where to put it. What we’re doing is paying for recycling and then it gets put in a landfill. Until they find a way to use that recycling, I don’t see why we’d pay for that service. Commissioner Wildman said I was thinking that same thing. Mayor Hill said not that we have anything on the table right now, but I think it’s something we could cross off the list. I’d almost rather have the containers then the recycling. The Council Members agreed. Commissioner Coleman asked if Moring Disposal would do the same thing. Mayor Hill said yes, they have containers as well. I’m interested in seeing what they come up
with. Wildman said the containers are a big labor saving for the garbage companies. Mayor Hill agreed. That’s why I asked why is the rate going up when they don’t even have to get out of the truck now. I know the equipment costs more but that shouldn’t reflect on us. Saves them on labor and injuries.
Mayor Hill said another thing, I overheard that with President Bush’s funeral tomorrow, federal buildings are going to be closed such as post offices and some banks. Sorry to see another President pass on. Commissioner Coleman said he lived a long life.
Mayor Hill said we did get the concession stand closed up at the ball diamond. Commissioner Wildman came and helped Wendi Ketchum and myself. We got everything that we thought needed to be moved to heated storage. We still need to gather up and sort out the baseball equipment. They’re still working on doing a kickoff for baseball in January. It’ll be a kickball kickoff with chili, and or hot dogs and brats. They’re looking at the end of January. There will be more information to come.
Commissioner Coleman asked the garbage stuff I’m reading here, that bulk item, that’s a 65 gallon cart? Mayor Hill said yes, and they do have a smaller one for the elderly residents but they ask to have everyone start with the bigger one to see if they can handle it. Coleman asked so this is similar to Sterling and Rock Falls? Mayor Hill said yes. I talked to Rock Falls and they are really happy with Moring Disposal. Republic is in Dixon but I haven’t spoke to anyone there. I do think they are both good companies. We just have to see what works best for our community. Leathers said Doug with Moring would like to come to one of our meetings once he gets some figures together. Mayor Hill said absolutely. It’s only fair. We want to make the best choice for our community.
Remarks from Guests
There were no Remarks from Guests at this time.
Unfinished Business
The Council began to go over any status updates with the Water Main Replacement Project. Mayor Hill said it’s not out for bid yet, but it should be this month.
There were no Building Permits to approve at this time. Clerk Leathers asked if we could take Building Permits off the Agenda for the winter. Mayor Hill said yes, and to just put it on if we do receive one.
Communications
Clerk Leathers said we did get something from Mediacom today. Their rates are going to be going up the 1st of January. Local Broadcast Stations will be going up $2.94. Regional Sports are going to go up $0.03. Family TV is $2.00 and Prime TV is $2.00. So if you have all those things it will be about $7.00 a month more. At least they are letting us know that they are raising.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Tornow with a second by Commissioner Coleman. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, Meier, Tornow and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill said I also want to mention that not only is Jim replacing Tim on our Council, he’s also replacing him in his position. He’ll be taking care of the Water and Sewer where Tim left off.
Mayor Hill also said that this year, Bruce Hill and Pat Burke moved a lot of our snow out to the ball diamond because it’s a better place for it to melt off. I don’t know why we didn’t think of it before because it melts off nicely there and doesn’t flood the streets.
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, December 18, 2018 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 18th DAY OF December, 2018
These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk
