REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
September 7, 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, Ryan DeBrock and Tammy Kendell were present. Village Utilities Clerk, Jamie McIntire, was 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 August 3, 2021 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the August 11, 2021 Special Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the August 11, 2021 Closed Special Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the August 24, 2021 Special Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill reported that the Sanitary Sewer System Rehabilitation Project received another grant, so now we can move into the next phase of the project. The grant is for $550,000.00. Willett & Hoffman will be in contact to get us started on the next phase of the project.
Mayor Hill asked if you see Sharon Sumner around, thank her for all her hard work she has done watering and caring for the flowers around town.
Remarks from Guests
Village resident, Deb TerBush, commented and said she would like to know what is going on with the Village police department. Deb said she has heard that 2 of the police departments officers were let go and 2 of them were asked to resign their positions. Mayor Hill responded with a No. Deb then asked so you haven’t let anyone go? Mayor Hill responded No, we have not asked anyone to resign. Deb then said there hasn’t been any presence of the police lately. Mayor Hill responded they have been coming in and working nights, answering calls and such. Mayor Hill said that they have cut back on their hours because it is quite expensive. Mayor Hill reported that the police departments rookie, Marcus, who was not on Village payroll found another job in Iowa for right now. Mayor Hill said that we are trying to cut back right now to be fiscally responsible. Mayor Hill said that her and the Commissioner of Public Health and Safety, Jennifer Morales, are meeting next week to look over the budget to see where we are and how to proceed into the winter.
New Business
Mayor Hill held off on unfinished business
The council began to discuss the resignation of Recreation Board member, Eric Shaffer. He is stepping down so someone can step up and be appointed to start helping with things. A Motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second made by Commissioner DeBrock, to approve the resignation letter from Eric Shaffer from the Recreation Board. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell, and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Next the Council discussed the Whistleblower Ordinance and appointing an auditing officer. This is something that the State of Illinois is requiring the Village to change. Mayor Hill said that her thoughts on who to appoint as the officer would be the chief of police. If it is something that would involve him then it would be taken to the States Attorney. Mayor Hill said she is open for suggestions on who should be appointed the officer. Mayor Hill said to put in on the agenda for the next regular Village Meeting so there is time to think about it.
Discussion then moved to reviewing applying for additional funds from the USDA needed for the HVAC project. Mayor Hill reported that there was an email that said we will get additional funds since it is going to cost more than we had originally planned for. It is a 35% Grant so we will get an additional $15,500.00 to use towards the additional cost to install the HVAC system. Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, reported that the first half of the ARPA funds have been requested by the State of Illinois. We should hear soon on when we will receive that. The request has been sent to the comptrollers office. Mayor Hill reported that the Village is going to apply for a second loan for the additional funds needed to reflect that we are addressing this additional cost instead of rewriting the original loan. The additional cost for the HVAC System is $33,000.00. A Motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by commissioner DeBrock, to approve applying for Additional Grand Funds from the USDA for the HVAC Project. “Yes “ votes were, Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell, and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Next the Council began to discuss approving an additional loan in the amount of $34,000 for Additional HVAC project costs. Mayor Hill reported that applying for a second loan to reflect that we have the funds to move forward with the HVAC project is easier than having to redo all the paper work for the original loan taken out for the project. A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Kendell, to approve Additional Loan in the amount of $34,000 for Additional HVAC project costs. “Yes” votes were, Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell, and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner DeBrock at 7:30 PM, to leave the regular meeting and go into a Closed Session to discuss the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Employees of the Public Body and Possible Action on Any Item Discussed in Closed Session as Allowed by 5 ILCS 120/1 and the Illinois Open Meetings Act. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Kendell at 8:33 PM to leave the Closed Session portion of the meeting and return to the regular open meeting. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Unfinished Business
The Council is still discussing a possible hire for the public works position.
Building Permits
Building permits issued by Village Zoning Administrator, Art Spencer, are 215 S. Benton – porch roof, 303 E. 3rd St – House Roof, and 111 S. Canal St. – Car Port.
Communications
Village Clerk Kathy Leathers reported that she is getting swamped by stuff about the new Mask Mandates and Vaccination Mandates. Commissioner DeBrock asked if the Village needs a copy of her Vaccination card. Mayor Hill said it would be good to have on record. Clerk Leathers continued on about how these mandates are coming from Insurance company’s. Work Comp won’t cover someone that gets Covid no matter what their vaccination status is. These mandates were coming from Insurance companies before the vaccine was even released last year. Insurance companies are driving theses mandates to follow the rules that the State sets.
September 7, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes – Tampico Village Council, cont’d.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Kendell. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 7:00 PM in the Reagan Community Center located at 202 W. Second Street
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Clerk Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS ___ DAY OF _________________, 2021
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
