REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
September 17, 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, 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 September 3, 2019 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Commissioner Coleman motioned, Commissioner Wildman seconded to approve a fence permit for Tyson Hatten, 307 Glassburn Street.”Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill said that it was announced that Tampico has been nominated Best Operated Water Treatment Works. Tampico was 1 of 5 in the State. It’s quite the honor and a good reflection on the work that our Superintendent, Tom Pierce, has been doing.
Mayor Hill advised that Tampico is currently under a Boil Order until at least tomorrow morning. It’s due to some issues with getting the new water line in. Thankfully the turn around time in getting the problem solved was quick. It’s something that can happen with projects like this.
Mayor Hill also shared that there will be 15 high school students coming to help clean up around town and the parks. The police department will help compile a list of things that we could use help with. It’s great that they’re doing this and they have grant money to help buy items such as paint and other items to help spruce up the town. Mayor Hill thanked Sherry Coleman for helping arrange all this help for us.
Remarks from Guests
Resident Ron Kuepker asked for an update on Bev Adamson’s burn house. Mayor Hill said we receive hopeful remarks when we inquire on the property, but we’re not believing anything until we see some actual movement. Last we were told that things were settled and things were suppose to start happening in 10 days, but that was 2 weeks ago. We are looking in to other ways to handle similar ordinance violations. We’ll be able to share more of that once things get figured out. Mayor Hill said Rock Falls is currently working with me on things that are helping them with such situations. Hopefully it can help us as well. We are still gathering information before moving further. Officer Lukehart said it’s a very frustrating battle. A mediator stepped in with the burn house property and gave a cease and desist order. The owner of the property was receiving weekly ordinance violations but now that can’t happen. Mayor Hill said we do have a lien on the property so they do have to clean it up.
Kuepker also said that he heard the house on Market street is full of bats. Mayor Hill said I don’t doubt that because I heard it also had racoons. Officer Lukehart said animal control will not deal with that. They deal with domesticated animals such as dogs and cats. Mayor Hill asked if the Health Department should be contacted. Clerk Leathers advised that the neighbor of that property already contacted the Health Department about that issue. Unfortunately, nothing is being done. Clerk DeBrock said that if you kill a bat and stick it in the fridge right away to stop the decaying process, Animal Control has to come and get it to test it. Lukehart said the Health Department has to get involved first and declare the property condemned before we can start any of our paperwork. Commissioner Coleman asked if it’s expensive to call in a dead bat? DeBrock said yes, it is. You’re not suppose to kill a bat, but my dog got a hold of the one.
Unfinished Business
Mayor Hill asked Commissioner Coleman if he had any other updates on the Watermain Replacement Project? Coleman said not much more then what was already discussed. You’ll have issues like this when you’re working around old parts. The issue that happened today was because of an old part, but it was fixed right away. Coleman said he spoke with Superintendent Pierce and he should know by early tomorrow when the Boil Order can be lifted. There are 5 different water samples from all over town that have to be tested and cleared before it can be lifted.
Next on the Agenda is the Watermain Replacement Project Review / Discuss / Approve Payment Request. Clerk Leathers said the Council received a copy of Change Order #1. That will need to be approved first. It did lower the cost of the project. A motion to approve the Change Order per Willett Hoffman was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Kendell. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Leathers said we have a request to pay Miller Trucking and Excavating their first contract payment in the amount of $398,622.78 per Willett Hoffman. A motion to approve the payment was made by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Wildman. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. Leathers said from here on out, we’ll send all our signed copies to Willett Hoffman. They’ll send them to Lorali Heintzelman at USDA and she will contact the bank to have them deposit the funds in to our account so I can make the payment by check.
New Business
The Council began to discuss the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. The Council received copies of information. Mayor Hill said I would like the Zoning Board to get together and have a meeting to review all this information. I would personally like to see this set up in a similar way to our Bar or Liquor Ordinance. Mayor Hill said I’d like the zoning recommendations for on site consumption. Personally I’m not big on it but there are several topics to go over. Copies will be made and given with the information. After the Zoning Board meets we can bring it back to the table for the Council to go over as well. We’ll also be able to work with the Village Attorney, Shirk, on everything. I know if we wanted the 3% to come back to the Village it’s suppose to be done by the end of the month, but they made the window to get that done very small. Mayor Hill said I don’t think that 3% will make or break us because we don’t know if anyone will be coming here. We can always make that up in the long run. It’s not worth rushing through. We’ll still receive our sales tax, so we’ll still receive revenue if someone chooses Tampico as a site. Mayor Hill asked if anyone had questions for the Zoning Board to consider? I would like to see us have our own permit license like we do for the bars as well. I can see that 3% being made up with that. Mayor Hill said they do have to be processed by the police department, so some of that revenue will have to go towards the police department as well. Commissioner Coleman asked the police if they’ve thought about this at all? Lukehart said I don’t see this effecting us. Mayor Hill said I do think we need something on our books in case someone decides to open a store here. Lukehart said right, I just don’t foresee it happening here. We’re too far off the beaten path. Officer Strike said business is picking up in Fulton. Mayor Hill said I think we need to utilize our Zoning Board for this issue.
Building Permits issued at by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, were 203 W. 3rd St. – Car Port and 212 N. Main St. – Porch Rail.
Communications
Leathers said the Illinois Municipal League put out a really good fact sheet about the Motor Fuel Tax. They’re charging the extra $0.19 per gallon now. That goes in to the Transportation Renewal Fund. The sheet shows how much each community will receive. Tampico has already received it’s first check for $1,100.00, and that’s in addition to what we get for the Motor Fuel Tax fund. Mayor Hill said every little bit helps. Leathers said more people will understand when they see where it’s going.
Leathers said I also printed the State House Briefing for the Council that had a lot of issues and opinions on the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Kendell with a second by Commissioner DeBrock. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, October 1, 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 1st DAY OF October, 2019
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
