REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
July 2, 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, Al Wildman, Ryan DeBrock and Tammy Kendell were present. Police Chief Terry Strike, 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 June 18, 2019 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill reported that the trouble the Village has been facing with the water and sewer is starting to make progress. Thanks to the help of Whiteside County and the Corps of Engineers, an extra pump with a hose out to the sewer plant has been helping the lift stations. Mayor Hill said still be cautious with your water usage, especially when we receive an abundance of rain. This past weekend a few homes in town experienced sewer issues do to air pockets in the system. There was a possibility of this happening. Some of the more critical areas in town were jetted on Monday to help with that issue.
Commissioner Kendell said she got in touch with Erie to ask about spraying which was discussed at the previous Village meeting. She was told that the Municipality did not have to have the EPA permit, it’s up to the person or company spraying to have that. Also, it only lasts about 4 days so it would be a temporary fix. The cost to spray is around $600 to $700 based off of 3 1/2 hours of labor, equipment and chemicals. It may be something to think about for the Tampico Festival but that’s a lot of money for a temporary fix. Clerk Leathers said Superintendent Pierce does put out larvicide pellets to help with the bugs.
Remarks from Guests
Village resident Carol Schultz asked how long will the hose be blocking the entrance to the Village brush site? Mayor Hill said we’re unsure at this point. Commissioner Coleman suggested that Schultz use the site South of town on 172 just North of Route 92 until the Village’s is available again.
Mayor Hill mentioned how disappointed she is with people taking advantage of the dumpster the Village provided for those with flood damaged items. There were several items in the dumpster that were obviously not flood damaged. The Village will either be taking the dumpster away or will start locking it up so that people have to ask to use it. Mayor Hill witnessed someone coming in from out of town and dumping personal items in it. It’s unfortunate when people ruin something good that we’re trying to help those affected in town. With that said, Mayor Hill thanked those who turned in their damage assessment forms to the Village. FEMA is starting to consider things. There are also Insurance Consumer Complaint Forms available in the Village Hall office for anyone struggling with insurance. The office has been working very hard to get all that information together for everyone.
Unfinished Business
There was no Unfinished Business to report at this time.
New Business
The Council began to discuss Ordinance NO.O02-19-07-02. Adding Chapter 8.16 to be Entitled Dangerous Structures to Title 8 Entitled Health & Safety. Mayor Hill said this was spoke about at our previous meeting to help with homes that have been burnt or sitting abandoned and boarded up for a long time. This will give our Village officers more bite to get it taken care of and cleaned up. Mayor Hill said I think this will help us a lot. Our Village attorney, Mr. Shirk, was right to give this to us. Mayor Hill said no one is grandfathered in to this. This is also not to single out anyone. There are several homes in town that are in bad shape. This ordinance will help the Village stand up in court and get these homes taken care of. This should also help us when working with Title companies and getting things processed with them. Commissioner Coleman said some of these homes have been sitting for over 20 years. The out of town Realtor doesn’t care because it’s just a write off to them. People have tried purchasing some of the homes but they jack the price up so high just to tear it down. A motion to approve the ordinance was made by Commissioner Kendell with a second from Commissioner DeBrock. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill advised that Dan Eyrich with Around P-town was not present because he fell off a ladder and broke both of his wrists. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. He’s done a great job with keeping our community informed.
There were no Building Permits issued at this time.
Communications
Clerk Leathers said the Village received the Code update for the Municipal Code. That was presented to everyone on the Council.
The Health Department also gave us the paperwork for those having trouble with their insurance company. It includes information about the Department of Insurance and how to go about filing a complaint against your insurance company. Those are available in the Clerk’s office. It explains what the department does and gives instructions on what to do if you want to file a complaint. Mayor Hill said the information can also be emailed to those requesting it.
Clerk Leathers also advised that the Council received their copy of the Municipal League Review.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Coleman with a second by Commissioner Wildman. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Commissioner Coleman advised that he was contacted by the Whiteside County Health Department today to go over what he submitted on his Initial Damage Assessment form. Mayor Hill said they are trying to reach out to those on the list that was submitted to them. Our office is trying to get in touch with those that they could not reach. Coleman said they asked if our electrical, heater, air or water heater was affected. It was pretty simple. Mayor Hill said I think they are required by FEMA to audit the information. Commissioner DeBrock asked Coleman if they’re still cut off from their sewer. Coleman said we’re using it now. That new pump really helped. Our dead end sewer was completely emptied that next day. Mayor Hill said both Bruce Hill and Pierce moved the pump around town yesterday to help with the jetting because some of the sewage is seeking air. When the sewage gets congested then starts to move, it may not move in the direction you’d like. That’s how the issues occurred this past weekend. Mayor Hill said we’re breathing easier, but we’re not out of the woods yet.
Mayor Hill advised that New Channel 6 was in town to cover this issue. That didn’t do us any good. The news anchor was very nice and Sherry Coleman did a great job with her interview. Mayor Hill said I don’t know why that was called in to them. What should be worked on is keeping our school. Unless Village residents want to pay more, we need to fight to keep our school. That’s what should be in the news.
The next meeting takes place right before the Tampico Festival. We’re still needing volunteers and the committee is doing a wonderful job.
The meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, July 16, 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 16th DAY OF July, 2019
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
