REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
May 3, 2022
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. Officer Hollaway, Village Utilities Clerk, Jamie McIntire, and Village Superintendent, 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 April 19, 2022 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the April 5, 2022 Closed Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill advised that the water tower maintenance is to begin tomorrow. Tyler and Joe have been preparing for the process.
Mayor Hill reported that notices have been given to all those that will be effected by the Sewer Relining Project by Hoerr Construction, Inc. Sewer Cleaning Maintenance will begin May 9th and may last up to three working days. Any questions or issues, please refer to the number on the bottom of the notice.
Mayor Hill reported that there was concern with the EPA on whether the Village has been furnishing the residents with information about the water reports. There was a link provided on this month’s Utility Bills for everyone to view if they wish to do so. Residents may also receive a hard copy from the Village Hall office or go directly to the EPA.
Chriest advised that he is currently in the process of getting quotes for a new mower. The cost to repair the current mower is more then what it’s worth. Once Chriest receives all the quotes he will provide that information to the Mayor and Council. Mayor Hill advised that by rights she can approve the purchase of the mower but wanted this presented to the Board so everyone had a chance to weigh in. Chriest advised that he’s looking at both diesel and gas powered mowers. A diesel mowers cost runs around $20,000 where a gas mower is around $13,000. Mayor Hill advised that she can approve a purchase of up to $25,000. Chriest also advised that making a decision soon rather than later may be good because companies are saying the availability is not there. Mayor Hill asked Tyler to have all the information for the next meeting in two weeks, then hopefully everyone can weigh in and make a decision. Chriest reported that the mower that is currently needing repairs was purchased back in 2006 and had a life expectancy of 15 years.
Mayor Hill reminded Village residents to contact Village Zoning Administrator, Art Spencer, before performing any projects that require a permit.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner DeBrock, to approve a fence permit for 102 N. Grove – D. Schroeder. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Remarks from Guests
Village resident Bonnie Anderson asked what kind of hours Hoerr Construction will be working when doing the sewer cleaning maintenance. Anderson asked because she was under the assumption that she cannot use any water or use toilets during that time. Mayor Hill advised that she can use her water and toilets, the company just advised residents to be cautious when cleaning in their area. Commissioner Kendell replied that she assumes they’ll work the usual hours like any other contractor, which is roughly 7:00AM-3:30PM. Anderson was just wondering if she’ll need to be closed at that time. Commissioner Coleman advised that when Hoerr is working in her area, she is welcome to ask them what kind of usage they would prefer. Chriest told Anderson he will talk with the workers tomorrow and get an answer for her. Mayor Hill and Anderson thanked Tyler.
Officer Hollaway asked if he could start getting bids for In-Car Repeaters. Hollaway advised that they are still struggling to get out with their portables to Whiteside. Mayor Hill replied that Chief Lewis and Commissioner Morales have been working on that. Officer Hollaway said ok, he’s asked the Chief about it but hadn’t received a straight answer yet.
Unfinished Business
There was no Unfinished Business to discuss at this time.
New Business
The Council began to discuss possibly using Public Benefit Funds to pay for Tree Removal / Public Safety Concern. Mayor Hill advised that she disagrees paying with the Public Benefit Fund because she thinks it should come out of the line item in the budget for the appropriations. Down the road if it’s needed, yes but this way if we go over on that line item we’ll know to increase it in the years to come. Commissioner DeBrock replied that she thought that’s what the Public Benefit Fund was for. If we take the funds out of the budget, do we have that available in the budget because we didn’t adjust the budget for tree removal? DeBrock asked if we have the funds available and they’re not being used in the Public Benefit Fund, why don’t we use them for this? Mayor Hill replied after we deplete what we have on that line item, absolutely. That would be a good place. DeBrock asked if it was a public safety concern, why don’t we take the funds from the Public Benefit from the beginning? Then we’ll have our approved budget for whatever may come. Mayor Hill replied true but then we’ll have the Public Benefit Fund to cover if we do go over. Mayor Hill advised that she’s just going off of what was just approved for this years budget. That may change for future Council. Commissioner Morales agreed that the line item should be used to make the payment. DeBrock replied that the Public Benefit Fund was used towards the police previously, so what’s the difference between taking it out now to begin with so that we don’t have to cover in the end? Mayor Hill replied to me, we can use it for so many different things. DeBrock replied right, but this was a public safety concern and that’s why the tree was taken down. Mayor Hill replied true. DeBrock said so I feel that’s where it should come from. Mayor Hill replied but we have public safety all around town. That’s why we trim the trees and why we have that line item in the budget. DeBrock advised it was just her opinion and thought the public safety concern wasn’t meant to be kept and used for whatever, we use it toward what is needed throughout the year. Why use this line item now for something we didn’t necessarily budget for? Mayor Hill replied we have $3,000 budgeted for tree removal and this bill is $1,700. DeBrock replied so this would take half of it. Mayor Hill advised that now it will be noted that it was needed for tree trimming in town. Kendell asked is it customary to take out of the budgeted line item first then use the other as back up? Clerk Leathers advised that this was suggested because she thought the payment was going to be made at the end of the fiscal year when the line item was tapped out. Mayor Hill advised that at the last meeting she asked to have it on the Agenda for this meeting so everyone could discuss it. If it had to be paid last month then it probably would have had to come out of the Public Benefit Fund. Chriest advised that once the weather dries up, the other tree on Washington and the stumps will be taken care of and finished up. There was no motion because the funds will not be taken out of the Public Benefit Fund.
Mayor Hill advised that the Village received a nice thank you from Frank Booth for getting the tree down in a timely manner. That was very nice of him.
Next on the Agenda was to discuss Employee Cost of Living Payroll Increases. Mayor Hill asked for a motion and a second to go into Closed Session to discuss.
A motion was made by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Kendell at 7:20 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 Morales, second by Commissioner Coleman at 7:38 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.
Clerk Leathers advised that the Cost of Living Increases have been suggested as follows – Jamie McIntire will be moved up to $14.50 an hour, Miranda Klockenga will be moved up to $12.50 an hour and Wendi Ketchum will be moved up to $12.50 an hour. A motion was made to approve by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Morales. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. Mayor Hill advised that all salaries will continue to be monitored throughout the year.
Building Permits
Building Permits issued by Village Zoning Administrator, Art Spencer, were 303 E. Third St. – Pole Building and 312 E. Second St. – Roof House.
Communications
Clerk Leathers that she included in the Council packets correspondence from ComEd explaining everything they’re doing.
Clerk Leathers also reported that Governor Pritzker has enacted another proclamation and she will keep everyone up to date on that.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner DeBrock. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, May 17, 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 17th DAY OF May, 2022
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
