REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
April 21, 2020
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. Officer Will Lukehart and assistant Clerk Jamie McIntire were absent. Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, recorded the written and audio minutes.
Mayor Hill led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the March 3, 2020 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the March 3, 2020 Closed Meeting will be reviewed at the next Village Council Meeting held on May 5, 2020.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill advised that due to the Coronavirus, the Village has been unable to have the Regular Council Meetings since the beginning of March. Mayor Hill stated it is her commitment to do everything she can do to protect the health and safety of Village residents while still providing services. As much as people may want to minimize the severity of the COVID-19 virus, we need to continue to practice safe distancing and staying home. This is not the typical flu. The only way we’re going to get through this is staying apart, and if we follow the stay at home order we will recover so much sooner. Mayor Hill advised that she spoke with Utilities Clerk, Anna Wetzell, and the Village will not be doing any shut offs at this point in time. There will also be no late fees but there will be reminders sent on past due balances, and those will be expected to be paid in full once the stay at home order is lifted. Mayor Hill said we trying to help people get caught up without putting added pressure on them. There is also a way for residents to pay their bills online. There is a convenience fee of 3.5% of the total bill being paid.
Mayor Hill advised that the Village Hall building will continue to be closed to the public to keep our workers safe, but they are working normal hours for anyone wanting to call in with any questions or concerns. The less contact we have, the quicker this will be over.
Mayor Hill reported that there have been several complaints about burning yard waste. Just a reminder that there is a waste pile at the edge of town that would be better to use. If you’re unable to use the burn site, please make sure not to burn while it’s windy and be mindful of those neighbors with breathing issues. We don’t need to be adding more anxiety at this time. If you need further information, please refer to Village Ordinance 8.08 for Village Burning.
Mayor Hill wanted to remind Village residents that the dump site is strictly for yard waste. It’s not for garbage, tires or any home project pieces that are no longer needed. There has been more and more of that being spotted, and if it continues the dump site will have to be shut down.
Mayor Hill reported that Terry Strike has officially retired from Chief of Police for the Village of Tampico. I would like to thank Terry for his many years of service and wish him well in his retirement. Officer Will Lukehart has stepped up to take care of those responsibilities as of right now.
Mayor Hill reported that Ron Kuepker has resigned from Village Zoning Administrator. He requested to have Art Spencer take that over since he has worked with both Kuepker and the Village in the past. Spencer said he would be glad to step up and take that over for the Village.
Mayor Hill advised that Village Utilities Clerk, Anna Wetzell, has submitted her retirement notice for the end of August 2020. Anna has been with us for many years and we thank her for all the years she has served. She’s started the process of training Jamie McIntire, Assistant to the Village Clerk, to take on that responsibility. McIntire will be handling both of those positions.
Mayor Hill reported that the Run For Rescues Paws & Claws 5K has been postponed to August 29, 2020.
Mayor Hill advised that we received a notice from Rob Naples, out of Mt. Carroll, about possibly running a men’s basketball league in Tampico in our gym. He’s tried several times in the past but struggled to field enough teams for the league. He’d like to try again this fall, so I’ve turned the information over to the Recreation Board to see if they can coordinate with him. Mayor Hill said I think it will work smoother that way.
Mayor Hill reported that all information and paperwork has been submitted, and we’re now waiting on our funds from FEMA for the flood damage that happened last year. We’ve also submitted for public assistance on this new virus, so if they do come out with a federal mandate we’ll be eligible for that. The Village had to be signed in for that by the first part of June. Whiteside County Emergency Services made sure to give us the information to be involved with that.
Mayor Hill reported that the State Police have recently put information out of what is considered essential travel.
Mayor Hill advised that the Illinois Municipal League reported that we’ll have to be having Sexual Harassment training by the end of the year. I’m sure there will be more information to come on that.
Mayor Hill said there has been a lot of questions about minimum wage. There are three different categories and steps to go through to get to the $15.00 an hour. That is for people over the age of 18 years. People who receive tips, their hourly wage will be set to $9.00 an hour by 2025. For people under the age of 18, their hourly wage will be $13.00 an hour.
Mayor Hill reminded everyone to complete their census information. That’s what’s going to help us receive funding in the future as well.
Remarks from Guests
There were no Remarks from Guests at this time.
Unfinished Business
Mayor Hill reported on the status update for the Water Main Replacement Project. She received word that they should be finished with the work by the 4th week of May. It’s going well and they in fact had some surplus to be able to do more work. We’re even looking into getting some new equipment for some of the departments as well.
The Council began to review Payment Request #6 for Miller Trucking & Excavating in the amount of $262,195.49 and Willett Hofmann & Associates Inc. in the amount of $7,936.65. A motion to approve the pay request to Miller Trucking & Excavating was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Coleman. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The Council then reviewed Change Order NO.4 with Miller Trucking & Excavating. A motion to approve the Change Order was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Wildman. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill advised the Council to review their budgets for possible approval at the next Village Council meeting. If there is anything you’d like changed, let Clerk Leathers know before the next meeting.
A motion was made to approve payment to Willett Hofmann & Associates Inc. in the amount of $7,936.65 was by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner DeBrock. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
New Business
The Council reviewed Ordinance NO.O04-20-03-17 authorizing and providing for an issue of up to $1,565,000 waterworks and sewerage system revenue bonds of the Village of Tampico, Whiteside County, Illinois, for the purpose of paying a part of acquiring, constructing, installing and operating waterworks and sewerage facilities in such municipality, providing for the payment, sale and delivery of such bonds, and making certain covenants in providing for the operation of the waterworks and sewerage system of the municipality and the collection, segregation and distribution of the revenues to be derived from the operation thereof. A motion to approve the ordinance was made by Commissioner Wildman, second by Commissioner Kendell. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The Council began to discuss a permanent transfer from the Water account and from the Sewer account to the General Fund. The Mayor explained that the Village will not be receiving State funding in a timely manner this summer. We’ve been told that there will be help for the smaller Municipalities but we haven’t seen that yet. Mayor Hill said we’re hoping that taking $15,000 from both the Water account and from the Sewer account will get the General fund expenses though May. I didn’t want to take more then necessary but we may have to revisit this. Clerk Leathers explained that we’re waiting on the Federal Government to approve the next stimulus, and in that stimulus they’re hoping for Federal aid for States. That will filter down to the Municipalities. Commissioner Kendell asked that if this money gets moved to the General fund, will the Water and Sewer accounts eventually get paid back? Leathers said no, it will be a permanent transfer. Commissioner Coleman asked why the Water account and the Sewer account are two separate accounts. Leathers said The Water and Sewer funds are in the same account, but for accounting purposes they’re two different billings. Right now we have a surplus in the Water and Sewer because all the engineering fees that we’ve paid over the years for this project to even be considered, we were paid back from the USDA. Transferring these funds right now won’t cut into anything that has to do with Water and Sewer. Mayor Hill said we just want to take what we need to get by for right now. Commissioner DeBrock asked if this could be done on a month to month basis, rather than having to take so much at once. Leathers explained that it would come out the same. If you look at your cash sheets, you’ll see all the Village’s different funds. When we receive our property taxes, that money is designated for each of those funds. The General fund only receives about $17,000 of all the property taxes that we collected. The rest of that is depended on the State, and they’re paying in a timely fashion. Right now there’s no Gaming tax, Sales tax will be down and they’ve extended the deadline for paying State Income tax. The State Income tax and the Sales tax are two big hitters for the General fund. Leathers said with is being the end of the fiscal year, I really don’t want to have any negative balances for when the auditors come. I hate having to do this, but there’s no way this town can raise Property taxes. We’re a community of an older generation and they all qualify for a property tax freeze. We can’t ask anymore of them then we already do. Leathers also explained that insurance cost and workers compensation keeps going up, and unfortunately that’s all taken our of the General fund when in truth most of that expense is generated from the Water and Sewer fund. The Village insures the whole infrastructure, the water tower, the sewer and all the lines. Workers compensation is higher for Superintendent Pierce than it is for Officer Lukehart. Leathers said if I justify it in my mind that way, it makes more sense. Coleman asked what the surplus is. Leathers said the account usually averages about $128,000 and right now Mayor Hill added it has over $300,000. Coleman asked so if something
unenforceable comes up, we still have enough to cover that cost? Both Mayor Hill and Leathers said yes. Leathers said Matt Hansen worries about when the Village has to start repaying on our loan. I’ve looked into it and the payments will be around $66,000 a year. If you break that down, it goes to about $5,000 a month. The Water fund can handle that just from the general money that comes in on a monthly basis from residents paying their bills. We’ll be able to make those payments without cutting into anything of the services we pay for. Coleman asked what’s the percentage of the residents currently not paying on their Water and Sewer wills? Leathers said I’d say it’s around 30%. Mayor Hill said that we do have it set up that once a residents water gets shut off, the Village will not turn it back on until that balance is paid in full. Once we started doing that it’s helped tremendously. Mayor Hill said residents were sent a letter stating that their balances must become current once we get through this difficult time. Kendell asked Leathers if she’s comfortable with making these transfers. Leathers said yes. I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t think it was warranted. Mayor Hill said if it wasn’t for the current situation, we wouldn’t be facing this. Coleman asked if this is unusual? Leathers said it’s unusual. It’s an unusual situation and I have to make sure the Village is in good standing. I have to make sure we can pay bills and make payroll. There have been many permanent transfers done in the past. Mayor Hill advised that the Village is actually coming in under the budget with the Water Main Replacement Project. We might be able to do more for our infrastructure because we have to spend that money or we loose it. Mayor Hill said I hate to do these transfers too but we have to stay solid.
A motion was made to approve Resolution NO.R04-20-04-21 a permanent transfer of funds from the Water account to the General Corporate fund in the amount of $15,000 by Commissioner Wildman, second by Commissioner Coleman. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made to approve Resolution NO.R05-20-04-21 a permanent transfer of funds from the Sewer account to the General Corporate fund in the amount of $15,000 by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Coleman. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Building Permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Art Spencer, 104 S. Grove – Car Port.
Clerk Leathers advised that the Council received information about the Consumer Confidence Report for the water system. That information will be published in the newspaper.
Mayor Hill advised that the Tampico Memorial Cemetery is requesting a donation that we typically give $100 every year. We can discuss that at the next meeting.
Communications
The Council was given information to review on their own time.
Commissioner Kendell asked about the bill to be paid to Jeff Behrens in the amount of $1,500. Did he just dig? Mayor Hill said no. He also did a hook up. Kendell asked if he supplied the supplies for the hook up? Commissioner Coleman said he spoke with Superintendent Pierce and Pierce said that bill was for both time and equipment used. Kendell also asked about the Aramark bill and Clerk Leathers advised the the Village cut back to only 2 rugs for the entry way.
Bills were ordered paid unanimously by the Council. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Wildman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:32 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, May 5, 2020 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 5th DAY OF MAY, 2020
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
