REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
October 4, 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 and Ryan DeBrock were present. Commissioner Tammy Kendell was absent. Chief Lewis, Village Superintendent, Tyler Chriest, 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 September 20, 2022 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the September 6, 2022 Closed Meeting were tabled until all Commissioners are present.
Minutes of the September 20, 2022 Closed Meeting were tabled until all Commissioners are present.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill reported that the Sister City event is this Friday, October 7th at 10:00AM at the Reagan Birthplace. Everyone is invited to join and help welcome Mayor Jeal from Grantham, UK. Mayor Jeal and Sean Sandrock will also be at Eureka College on October 6th at 6:00PM if anyone is interested. Mayor Hill advised that Mayor Jeal is from a town of 40,000 people so it would be great to have a nice turn out.
Mayor Hill advised that the Motor Fuel Tax bids that were set to be opened this morning is being postponed due to no one turning a packet. The Village will try again in March or April when more contractors may be interested because of the time of the year.
Mayor Hill reported that there was a request for someone to start an Airbnb here in town. That information has been turned over to the Zoning Board to review along with information given by Village Attorney, Mr. Shirk. The Council will also be given the information to review soon.
Mayor Hill reminded everyone that Petition Packets are now available at Village Hall for the position of Mayor and the four (4) Commissioner’s for the April 4, 2023 Election. No packets have been picked up thus far so hopefully someone will step up soon.
Mayor Hill thanked Tyler Chriest and Bruce Peltier for their hard work of cleaning up the town and making it look sharp.
Remarks from Guests
There were no Remarks from Guests at this time.
Unfinished Business
Next on the Agenda was to discuss Water Tower and Sewer Plant Upgrades. Matt Hansen with Willett & Hofmann was present to speak on this topic. Hansen provided the Council Projected Budget information, recommended future water/sewer rates in comparison to what was provided from Illinois Rural Water Association and a list of surrounding communities and what their current rates are. Mayor Hill advised that the information the Council is looking for is what is possible for the Village in purchasing the Control Panels and Scales and what is needed to budget for this so it’s affordable. Hansen advised that he did review the quote that was provided by Joe Glynn with Test Inc. The advanced technology for controlling the system would be beneficial. Hansen advised he did not see a problem with the proposal as it is all needed equipment if budget wise the Village can afford it. Mayor Hill asked if this upgrade did look like something the Village could afford. Hansen replied that he’ll have to see what the Village currently has in reserves. At this time Hansen asked the Council to refer to the Water Department past budgets and projected budgets he provided them. For the fiscal year 2020-2022 Water expenses and revenue the Village did have a loss on the revenue-cash basis side of things for those 3 years. Hansen then provided his projected budget for the 2023-2026 fiscal year. One of the main changes was salaries since there have been so many personnel changes. It does currently show a slight increase for the net income-cash basis.
Hansen then had the Council refer to the Sewer Department budget information. Again, there were adjustments on the salary side of things for the staff changes. Hansen advised that the wastewater side for the past net income-cash basis hasn’t been as bad. There was net-cash income for fiscal year 2020 and 2021. There was a loss for fiscal year 2022 due to the sewer relining project. For the projected fiscal year 2023 budget, that loss may carry on a bit from the sewer relining project and the possible grant that the Village may receive for phase two of that project. Hansen advised there might be a public hearing for that project in November.
Hansen asked the Council to refer to the water/sewer rates that he provided. There were two rate tables for them to review, one from Willett & Hofmann and one from Illinois Rural Water. One recommended change would be to change the current base rate of 0-3,000 gallons usage to 1,000 gallons usage for the base rate. The tables showed recommended rates for fiscal year 2023-2026 with a 2-3% increase that would happen annually. Tampico had to do a substantial increase to their rates back around 2011 because of all the projects that needed to happen. Now that increase is used up because the projects have been completed. If the Village does the small annual increase of 2-3% with the rates, there may not need to be another large increase. Materials to maintain the water and wastewater system are always going up so this will help with that as well.
Hansen advised the Council to review the next pages showing the cost impact to users for both the recommended rates from Willett & Hofmann and from Illinois Rural Water. Willett & Hofmann’s recommendation is more uniform for all users and their usage compared to what Illinois Rural Water presented. Hansen advised that this increase could be phased in over the years to ease the residents into it, and then possibly make it an annual increase.
Hansen advised that he also included on the last page of the information he provided a list of surrounding communities and what they currently charge for water and sewer usage. Usually, the ones that are higher are the communities that have had infrastructure projects. Hansen advised that the Village should feel good about how well you’ve stretched your funds to complete all the infrastructure projects that have happened within the last few years.
Mayor Hill asked Hansen what he recommends for the current issue at the tower. Chriest advised at the bare minimum the tower needs new scales. Chriest would like to purchase the scales with the intention of eventually getting the control panel so that they’re compatible. Hansen advised that with an upgraded system it will be easier to monitor with being able to do reads remotely. There are even alarms that can go straight to his phone. Chriest advised that the Village does not currently have a system that does that and that would help give him peace of mind. Mayor Hill asked if Hansen could give the Village the best recommendation and guidelines as far as the rate increases and what’s needed to update and purchase the needed equipment. Hansen advised if the Village got the scales and the digital indicator it would tie in with the panel for if and when you get it. Hansen also requested to get the reserves information for the water and sewer to investigate it further. Mayor Hill also advised for Chriest and Hansen to communicate to find the best option.
New Business
A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Morales, to appoint Jamie McIntire to the position of Village Clerk/Treasurer. “Yes” votes were Morales, DeBrock and Mayor Hill. Commissioner Coleman chose to Abstain. The motion carried.
Clerk McIntire presented retired Clerk/Treasurer, Kathy Leathers, with a gift from the Village thanking her for all the incredible work she has done for the Village over the last 13 years. Leathers thanked everyone and stated that the Village has a golden opportunity before them. You have young people who are invested and they want to stay the course. Let them do their jobs, respect them, let them know they have value and they’ll stay here. There won’t be any stopping them. Leathers thanked everyone for the respect and kindness she has been given and said it means a lot. Then she politely excused herself and was given a round of applause.
Next on the agenda is to review Resolution NO.R03-22-10-04 designating the authority of Mayor Hill, James Coleman or Jamie McIntire to do business with Peoples National Bank on behalf of the Village of Tampico. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Morales. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Morales, to approve appointment of Jennifer Vails to Village Utilities Clerk. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Morales, to approve DCEO CDBG Grant #20-242019 Request #3 in the amount of $150,077.98 including Hoerr Pay Application #3. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Morales, second by Commissioner Coleman, to approve DCEO CDBG Grant #20-242019 Change Order #3. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Morales, second by Commissioner Coleman, to approve CFPS, Inc. for Grant Administration Services, Inv. #3 in the amount of $15,000.00. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Coleman, to approve Willett & Hofmann Invoice for Engineering Services. Clerk McIntire advised that there are actually 2 invoices to pay for the time periods of June 5, 2022 through July 2, 2022 and July 3, 2022 through September 3, 2022. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Next the Council reviewed a Lease Renewal Agreement for the RCC Room Rental – Lawrence Batten Trucking LLC. Clerk McIntire advised that the current lease is a 2-year lease that ends on October 30th 2022. Batten Trucking in interested in signing another 2-year lease for the same agreement that would begin November 1, 2022 and end on October 30, 2024. Mayor Hill advised that there have been no conflicts with this agreement. The Lease Renewal will be on the next meeting agenda to approve.
Halloween Hours for the Village of Tampico was next to discuss. Clerk McIntire advised that the Recreation Board is planning to have a Halloween Dance at the RCC on Friday October 28th with more details to come. A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Morales, to approve setting the Halloween Hours on Monday October 31st for 4:30PM to 7:00PM. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Next on the agenda is to review Resolution NO.R04-22-10-04 designating the authority of Mallory Wetzell, Jared Strader, Sherry Coleman or Jamie McIntire to do business with Peoples National Bank on behalf of the Tampico Days Festival. Mayor Hill advised this it temporary because the committee is close to having they’re not for profit set up to take it over. The Tampico Days committee and the Long Range committee are in the process of coming together which might also help speed up the process. Commissioner DeBrock asked why the Village is connected to this to begin with. Mayor Hill advised they had to be tied to an accountable account, like how the day care was set up. This was supposed to be done sooner but the individual that was helping the committee with the necessary paperwork has since changed jobs and it was pushed aside for a period of time. Mayor Hill advised that this should be taken care of soon. A motion to approve the Resolution was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Morales. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Building Permits
Building Permits issued by Village Zoning Administrator, Art Spencer, are 306 E. Second St. – Roof House and 109 W. Market St. – Roof House.
Communications
Clerk McIntire advised that the Council received their Illinois Municipal Review magazine and also a copy of a permit request from Alliance Pipeline, LP in Tampico to the Illinois EPA to renew their Clean Air Act Permit.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Morales. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Morales, DeBrock and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:49 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council Scheduled to be Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM will possibly be rescheduled and announced as soon as possible in the Reagan Community Center located at 202 W. Second Street.
Jamie M. McIntire
Clerk
Kristine L. Hill
Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS 18th DAY OF October, 2022
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
