REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
December 15, 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. Chief Mike Lewis, Village Utilities Clerk, Jamie McIntire, and Village Public Works employee, Tyler Chriest, 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 November 2, 2021 Closed Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the November 16, 2021 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill advised Village residents to review the information with Sand Prairie for the fiber optic internet and take the survey on their website at connectSP.com. It is not a commitment but it is a good opportunity for internet options for our rural area.
Remarks from Guests
There were no Remarks from Guests at this time.
Unfinished Business
There was no Unfinished Business at this time.
New Business
The Council began to discuss the Contractual Garbage Rate Agreement Increases. Mayor Hill advised that going to the contracts final rate of $14.50 would be what’s in the Village’s best interest to make up for what has been missed with not increasing the rate sooner. That would be a $2.00 increase from the $12.50 rate that is charged to Village residents currently. Also, there would be no need to adjust the garbage rate again until a new contract is presented. Utilities Clerk, Jamie McIntire, advised that there is an area on the utility bills where a note can be inserted, informing Village residents of the rate increase and when it will take effect. Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, advised that Village attorney, Mr. Shirk, will also have to amend the current ordinance. Mayor Hill said once that’s all in place the adjusted amount can be announced along with when it will take effect. Commissioner DeBrock asked if the rate was increased when we received the new garbage cans. Mayor Hill replied no because it was argued that the new cans helped make garbage pick up more efficient. McIntire advised that Republic did not increase their billed rate to the Village until the second year of the contract, and they are currently charging the Village $13.40 per unit. Mayor Hill advised that the information will be given to Mr. Shirk then the Council can move forward and put the dates in place.
Next a motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner DeBrock, to approve the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Schedule of Meeting Dates. Mayor Hill advised that the dates can always be adjusted in the future if needed, but there are no current conflicts with this presented schedule. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion was carried.
Next the Council began to discuss Hiring a Part-Time Employee for the Village Public Works Department. Mayor Hill said the position might start as part-time but would roll in to full-time eventually. Public Works
Employee, Tyler Chriest, did advise that he had person of interest that would be a good fit if the Village is able to offer a similar package to what he was offered when hired. Mayor Hill advised that the Village will make it known on aroundptown, Facebook and it will also be posted in the office that applications are being taken for the position. The requirements for the position will be very similar to what was posted when Chriest was hired. A CDL will be required along with the other items listed. Commissioner Kendell advised that it should be made known that this will turn in to a full-time position so anyone who strictly wants part-time need not apply. Mayor Hill suggested posting that the position will be for 30 plus hours a week. Clerk Leathers asked if there will be any benefits attached. Mayor Hill replied if we want people interested in the position there will have to be benefits offered similar to what was offered to Chriest when hired.
The Council then discussed Hiring a Cleaning Person for the RCC building. Mayor Hill advised that this would be for cleaning and light maintenance such as floors, fixing a toilet if able or noticing when something needs repaired and making that known. Their tasks would also include cleaning up after parties in the gym, cleaning the offices, restrooms and hallways. The hours would be flexible and Mayor Hill would be open to help that person when needed. Mayor Hill advised that there is one person of interest that will be handing in an application soon.
Next the Council discussed Adjusting Employee Wages as of January 1, 2022 to Comply with the Minimum Wage Guidelines. Minimum wage will be increased to $12.00 an hour as of the 1st of the year. Village office assistant, Miranda Klockenga, is the only current employee that needs increased to that amount. A motion was made by Commissioner Morales, second by Commissioner Kendell, to adjust Klockenga’s wage from $11.50 to $12.00 an hour. Mayor Hill advised that Cost of Living increases can be discussed this spring for all Village employees. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion was carried.
The discussion moved on to Ordinance NO.O05-21-12-15 the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Annual Tax Levy. Clerk Leathers explained that the Tax Levy only effects the General Fund and the Special Funds such as the Workman’s Compensation Fund or the Liability Insurance Fund. The budget that was laid out does not support the 4.99% increase this year. It will have to be left the same as last year. Leathers explained that this has to be in ordinance form and it has to be approved. A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Morales, to approve Ordinance NO.O05-21-12-15 the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Annual Tax Levy. Commissioner Morales asked if there was ever an alert set up to alarm of any power outages at the water tower. Chriest replied that it’s still being looked in to. Mayor Hill advised that there does need to be some type of alarm there and it is being looked in to. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Next the Council discussed approving the UHC Health Insurance Renewal Rates. Mayor Hill advised that she understands with wanting to stay with the same company that is working well for everyone. Leathers advised that Blue Cross Blue Shield is another insurance company that would be recommended but their rates are so high. Mayor Hill also explained that when the Village has tried switching insurance companies in the past it only created more issues for prescriptions and providers. Leathers also advised that with this renewal the prescription co-pays have gone down. A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Morales, to approve the Insurance Renewal Rates. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The discussion moved to approve Closing the USDA Water Main Replacement Checking Account. Commissioner Kendell asked if everything was paid, closed and done. Clerk Leathers replied yes and all grant funds have been reimbursed. Leathers advised that she would like to take the money that’s left when closing this account, and use that to open the account for the DCEO grant checking account for the sewer relining project if approved. The Mayor and Council agreed to that idea. A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Kendell, to close the USDA Water Main Replacement checking account. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion was carried.
Building Permits
There were no Building Permits to review at this time.
Communications
Clerk Leathers advised that the Mediacom rates are going up again. The local channels have gone up $10.05 and if you have the full package with them that will cost you $189.98 as of January 1st.
Mayor Hill asked Public Works Employee, Tyler Chriest, if he had anything to speak upon. Chriest replied that the main concern was not having the generator taken care of yet. Matt Hansen with Willett Hofmann has tried contacting Altorfer and they have not replied yet. Mayor Hill advised that she will reach out to Hansen. Chriest advised that Hansen did make it known to Altorfer that he feels the Village is not responsible for the fee to re-strap the generator. Mayor Hill advised that there needs to be a response from Altorfer so we can figure out which direction to go. Clerk Leathers also suggested getting the USDA involved with the issue. Mayor Hill told Chriest that she will help him get the issued solved.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Morales. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, January 4, 2022 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 4th DAY OF January 2022
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
