REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
May 18, 2021
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, Jennifer Morales and Tammy Kendell were present. Commissioner Ryan DeBrock was absent. Police Chief, Mike Lewis, and Village Utilities Clerk, Jamie McIntire, were also present. Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, was also present and recorded the written and audio minutes.
Mayor Hill led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the May 4, 2021 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the May 4, 2021 Closed Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill advised that she met with Village Superintendent Pierce and Geoffrey Smith with Willett & Hoffman and they went over the plans for the Storm Sewer. It appears that this project should take care of the issues that Dave Fox was concerned with over on Washington and Market street. Also, Dave’s project should have no conflicts with the Village’s. We wanted to make sure that Dave’s project wouldn’t create another issue, but it appears it will not.
Mayor Hill then began to report on the upcoming Tampico Festival. There is a band book and so far there is over 20 vendors signed up for Sunday. The Tampico Fire Department will be holding their pancake breakfast and there will also be a parade this year.
Mayor Hill advised the the CCR Report and Village Newsletter has been mailed out.
Mayor Hill then reported that the Village equipment going up for auction will be moved this week. The auction is being held in Rock Falls.
Remarks from Guests
There were no remarks from guests at this time.
Unfinished Business
There was no Unfinished Business to report on at this time.
New Business
The Council began to discuss the Resolution to Close Route 172, (Main Street), for Tampico Festival Days Activities. Mayor Hill said the plan is to close it at 9:00 AM on Friday because that is when the National Guard will be bringing in the trailers for the stage and to start setting up the fencing, and then it’ll open back up on Sunday at 6:00 PM. The Craft Show will run until 4:00 PM on Main Street. Mayor Hill advised that there will be everything from food vendors to clothes vendors, craft vendors and antiques. There has been a really good response. The dates for the Tampico Festival Days are July 16th through July 18th. Fireworks will be held at the Tampico ball diamonds on Friday night. A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Morales, to approve the Resolution. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales and Kendell. Mayor Hill abstained. The motion carried.
The Council began to discuss an Ordinance Amending Zoning Code. Mayor Hill advised this is what was discussed at the last Village meeting about residents placing portable buildings on property they own that is not connected to the property they reside at. The process must first go through the Village Zoning Board, they’ll have a hearing and then it’s either approved or disapproved by our Council. This is the introduction of the ordinance and then hopefully we can vote on it at the next Village meeting. Mayor Hill advised that if there are any questions or concerns it can be discussed. This would be a good ordinance. This would allow temporary use but not a permanent structure. This ordinance is for those whose lots are adjacent, or not connected, to the property where they reside. Mayor Hill advised that some structures that exist prior to the ordinance approval may be grandfathered in. In the past people have tried putting up pole sheds to rent out or railroad cars for storage. Things of that nature will continue to not be allowed within Village limits. Clerk Leathers suggested having such things listed as exemptions in the ordinance to make it more official. Mayor Hill said the Zoning Board will go over that and it would not hurt to add that to the ordinance, but what Mr. Shirk already has wrote up should work. It states that the structure must be portable and must be approved by the Village Council. The Zoning Board will be able to help with this matter. Mayor Hill said we just want to make sure we cover all our bases.
Building Permits
Building Permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Art Spencer, are 304 E. Third – Home Addition, 305 E. Second – Roof, and 307 E. Second – Roof.
Communications
Clerk Leathers advised that the E-News Release was given to the Council about the new masking guidelines from the CDC.
Leathers also gave information about entering the Bridge Phase as of last Friday.
The Village received a report from Media Com, the Service Report. Leathers advised that this is sent every year. It mostly shows the complaints they’ve received, which there was a total of 71 complaints.
Clerk Leathers advised that the Attorney General website where you take the Open Meetings Training about the Freedom of Information is currently down until further notice. No one will be penalized for incomplete training.
The Council has also received a copy of the Audit. It was late due to COVID, personal leave and updated software. Leathers advised that everything turned out good and in the black as usual. The Village was cautioned on spending in the General Fund because at the end of the last fiscal year it was down pretty low. Leathers said otherwise everything was good to go and there’s already a good start on the new audit.
Commissioner Kendell asked Village Utilities Clerk, Jamie McIntire, how the Village is doing on past due water bills. Coleman replied that it’s good. Some of the larger past due balances have started to catch up and there hasn’t been many shut offs. There are some residents that the office is struggling to contact but overall it’s going well. Mayor Hill said the 3 business days before reconnecting water shut offs has helped and Coleman agreed.
Mayor Hill advised that she’ll be having her conference call with ComEd on Monday for the aggregation. There will be more news on that at the next meeting.
Mayor Hill and Chief Lewis will be attending 14 meetings over the next year with the Whiteside County Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee to meet the requirements for any Federal funding or grants that may be needed in the future. The Village was already qualified but this is basically a renewal procedure.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Kendell. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, June 1, 2021 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 June, 2021
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
