REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
June 4, 2019
7:00 PM
Reagan Community Center
Mayor Kristine L. Hill called the Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council to order at 7:00PM.
Commissioners Jim Coleman, Ryan DeBrock and Tammy Kendell were present. Commissioner Al Wildman was absent. Police Officer Will Lukehart and assistant Clerk Jamie McIntire were 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 May 21, 2019 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill advised that Commissioner Wildman’s mother passed away at the age of 100 years last week. We send our condolences to him and his family.
Mayor Hill reported as of today, we are aware of 71 homes that have been damaged by water in the Village of Tampico. Mayor Hill said she’s been in her home 19 years and has never had a drop of water in her basement. Now they’re having to gut the whole thing because of the water damage. Unfortunately it doesn’t sound like people are having much luck with their insurance companies with the issue. The water levels are starting to decrease. Superintendent Pierce said they’ve pumped out of the Market Street lift station and are currently reading 9.5 there. It’s showing 11 at the Kimball Street lift station. A normal reading is in between 5 and 6. A typical day is averaged at 50,000 gallons a day. EPA allows us up to 400,000 gallons. Tampico has been running in this past week between 900,000 and 1 million gallons. Pierce and Bruce Hill have really stepped up and we are doing everything in our power to resolve the issue. We’ve had septic trucks come out to try and alleviate as much as we can. Unfortunately we can’t do anything about ground water. Mayor Hill asks Village residents when pumping out of your homes, please use hoses and have the water directed out of the window rather than in to the system if at all possible. There is a Village Ordinance that does not allow ground water to be pumped in to the sub pumps and in to the sewer system. It is hard to regulate and police that ordinance. We are aware that there are homes that currently have no other way to go about that. With that said, we do want people to get their homes back in order as soon as possible. Please continue to conserve your water. Anything that you know will be put back in to our sewer, such as flushing toilets, doing laundry, doing dishes, please be mindful of your neighbors. Dump your humidifiers out in your yard instead of in your sub pumps and drains. Every little bit will help. Mayor Hill said I am very impressed will how well the town has come together, worked together and how considerate everyone has been. Mayor Hill said Utilities Clerk, Anna Wetzell, sat in the office on Saturday taking calls while Commissioner DeBrock and myself went around taking Red Cross cleaning buckets to those we knew were affected by the sewer back up. Red Cross delivered 34 buckets Saturday morning and we took around 13 to 15 buckets to people in town. There are more at Village Hall for anyone in need of one. Clerk Leathers was in Saturday night to help us out as well. Everyone has really pulled together and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in town. It’s painful for everyone to go through this. Mayor Hill said I’ve spoke with Tony McCombie, I’m working with a State Representative, I’m working with IEMA, I’m working with Whiteside County Emergency Services and also the Health Department and Red Cross. I’m trying to reach out to every agency that we can. We have been declared a disaster in this area of Whiteside County. The only help they’re currently doing for us is sending the Red Cross buckets. We need to take this to the Federal level. The more people that call in to the Village Hall office to report whether you’ve had water or sewer damage so we can keep record, that will hopefully help. Keep all your receipts and keep track of your time spent working on your home. Hopefully with the more records we have, the better chances we have at possibly receiving some funding. Mayor Hill said I can’t promise anything, but I sure am trying. We have a dumpster out front of the old play ground by Village Hall for anyone that has damaged items from the water/sewer issues. This dumpster is strictly for flood relief. The gate on it does swing open for those who can’t lift their items in to the dumpster. Mayor Hill wanted to thank all those who have stepped up to help during this difficult time. It’s nice to see this town can pull together even with such a frustrating situation. Village Hall has forms to fill out by all those affected that we can fill out for you or you can take and start keeping track that way, then bring them back in when everything is said and done. Boyd VanDellen is going to the Disaster Relief meeting in Fulton on the 6th. Mayor Hill said I have to go to a school board meeting that night about the future of our schools so thankfully Boyd is stepping up for us. He’ll report back any important information we may need. At this time we’ll take any questions of comments.
Remarks from Guests
Village resident, Alice Grimes, said I have a floor drain and I have sewer water coming up through there. Mayor Hill said we’re doing our best to get out levels down so it will drain. Grimes said I know it’s not ground water. Mayor Hill said there’s nothing we can currently do. You can get a pump to help. Grimes said I’ve hired someone to help because I can’t do it myself. We’ve tried pumping it all weekend and it comes right back up. Mayor Hill said that’s the same for a lot of us. You drive around and you see restoration truck after restoration truck.
Grimes said I have another question. Is there some way the Village can pump those drains? Mayor Hill said we are pumping as much as we can. Grimes said I’m talking about the manholes. Mayor Hill said we have to work with our lift stations because that’s where the issue is. It wouldn’t make any difference because it all collects at the lift station. By pumping out the lift station, it will alleviate the issue at the manhole. There are 2 lift stations. One on Kimball and one on Market.
Resident Chris Brady asked if we do receive funding, how will you divide that up? Mayor Hill said it depends on what they give and how they allow us to go about it. It’s hard to answer that at this point. I’m not sure if it will just be reimbursement for items purchased to help the community or if we’ll receive funding for each individual affected in the Village.
Resident Mary Bryan asked if dumpsters can be distributed at peoples homes since everyone doesn’t have a truck to bring their items to the dumpster at Village Hall. Mayor Hill said I suggest asking a friend with a trailer or truck for help. It’s just not possible for the Village to go around and collect for everyone. Our garbage company actually did a wonderful job this past Friday. They let us put more out then normally allowed and picked up as much as they could.
Brady asked about the sump pump restriction ordinance and the details with that. Mayor Hill said the ordinance can be found on our Village website, or you can also contact the Village Hall for that information. The ordinance number is 13-36-250. No person shall discharge, or cause to be discharged, any storm water, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.
Brady also asked what the people should do that have lost items in their basement but don’t have to funds to buy new and give that receipt to hopefully be reimbursed. Commissioner Coleman said to take photos of all damage, especially those items that cannot currently be replaced. Make sure there is a time and date stamp on those photos as well. Mayor Hill said that would also maybe justify what each resident receives if we’re granted any funding.
Resident Mary Jo Norberg said anyone with a truck is welcome to use my trailer for any hauling they need help with. Commissioner Kendell said her son also has a trailer and Officer Lukehart said he’s willing to help with any heavy lifting. Mayor Hill said that’s wonderful. Anyone who’s willing to volunteer and help it’ll be greatly appreciated.
Resident Denise Mickelson said I’m currently putting my expenses on an excel report. Should I turn in what I have now or wait? Mayor Hill said I’d wait and turn it all in at once. We’ll put the word out when it’s time to turn that information in. If you’d like, you can contact Anna at the office and ask for a form so you can document everything in that format.
Brady said if you don’t mind me saying, insurance companies want you to have a sump pump. They won’t cover flood insurance if you don’t have one. Mayor Hill said they aren’t covering anything. I’m aware of only 1 person in town who received a claim. If your sump pump fails or if you have a pipe break in your basement most insurance will cover that, but when the water in infiltrating this way they will not. Brady said the water I’ve personally seen is coming from the sewer. Mayor Hill said that still goes back on the municipality. If you have a septic system you could possibly get some reimbursement from your insurance, but when it comes to having a public utility it comes back on the Village because we’re responsible for providing the utility. It’s ok to have a sump pump for your laundry and showers and household items. It’s when the water is coming in through the ground and walls, that’s not to be going into the system. Everything that gets pumped out has to be treated. We’re treating 3 times the normal amount that we usually have, which is another expense and also a safety issue. Mayor Hill said we are doing our best to keep up with everything and all we can hope for is no more rain. Brady said I will say something positive. I tested the Village water the other day and it is good. Mayor Hill said the water was so clean and clear going in to the septic truck that they were having trouble finding the level.
Commissioner Coleman asked all the water coming in to everyone’s home isn’t from the sewer system? Mayor Hill said typically not, but because our system is old and because the water table is so high over our sewer system, it is infiltrating a lot of the areas. That’s where you’re seeing some of that clear water coming through your drains. It is because of the water level but technically yes, it is sewer. Use caution and use cleaning supplies along with gloves because it is a bacterial issue. Also, the Village is not under a boil order. This has nothing to do with the water tower. Coleman said this also isn’t slowing down the Water Main Replacement Project because the water is fine. Mayor Hill said well it is because the company can’t get done with their other jobs to come here and start. Coleman said June 24th is still hopefully the start date to begin digging. They’ll just have to pump some water out of the holes. Mayor Hill said that is part of their bid. It mostly depends on if they can get the job done they’re currently working on. The last few days of clear weather has helped with that. Mayor Hill said anyone in town dealing with this issue, please make sure to call up to Village Hall to be on the list. We want to present it all to IEMA. Also, feel free to stop by and get a bucket with cleaning supplies given by Red Cross.
Matt Hansen was not present for the meeting.
Unfinished Business
There was no Unfinished Business to report at this time.
New Business
The Council began to discuss Ordinance NO.O01-19-06-04 An ordinance Amending Title 2 Entitled “Administration and Personnel” by adding Chapter 2.36 Entitled “Policy in use of Unofficial Email Accounts and Text Messages for Work Related Communications” for the Village of Tampico. Mayor Hill said this is mandatory by the State. We need to make sure to copy in the Village Hall if you do send anything Village related. Leathers said it doesn’t say we can’t use personal devices, just make sure you have the messages available if needed. Village attorney, Mr. Shirk, makes sure that we stay up on such items. A motion to approve the ordinance was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Kendell. “Yes” votes were Coleman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Building Permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, were 212 N. Main St. – Garage Repair.
Communications
Mayor Hill advised that ComEd asks that people remember to look up as well as down when doing any projects this summer. They don’t want anyone to get hurt. Be aware of where your lines are at. If you’re in doubt about anything, shut your power off.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Coleman with a second by Commissioner Kendell. “Yes” votes were Coleman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill advised there will be a meeting tomorrow, June 5th for volunteers for the Tampico Festival at Village Hall at 6:00pm.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, June 18, 2019 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 18th DAY OF June, 2019
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
