REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
November 15, 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 Ryan DeBrock and Tammy Kendell were present. Commissioners Jim Coleman and Jennifer Morales were absent. Chief Lewis and Village Superintendent, Tyler Chriest, were also present. Village Clerk, Jamie McIntire, was also present and recorded the written and audio minutes.
Mayor Hill led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the November 1, 2022 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Hill reported that herself and Clerk McIntire had a phone conference with members of the Village’s new auditing firm as an introduction of the team members we’ll be working with and some information of how the audit will take place. Mayor Hill advised that it seems like it will be an easy transition and that they will be easy to work with.
Mayor Hill advised that the Zoning Board met on November 9th to discuss the Airbnb’s and Short-Term Rentals, and it was a consensus that they do not want to allow them in the Village. Village attorney, Mr. Shirk, is going to put something together for the Zoning Board to review then it will be presented to the Council to review as well.
Mayor Hill thanked the Dean’s and their team who donated and did the work of the lights displayed at the Lions Club Park. Mayor Hill and everyone present agreed that it looks beautiful.
Dennis Electric has reached out and said they would like to hang the wreaths on Main Street once they get a crew to come help with that.
Commissioner DeBrock also wanted to thank the Dean’s and the work they’ve done with the lights display. DeBrock said their efforts do not go unnoticed. The decorations are changed every season and it always looks beautiful. Everyone present agreed.
Commissioner Kendell advised Chriest that he may need to speak to her neighbor on Fourth street about moving their boat before plowing takes place because it appears it may be in the way.
Clerk McIntire advised that the Village Hall office had come across the idea of Helping Others Holiday Gifting where anyone can gift a payment towards a resident’s utility bill. Utility Clerk, Jennifer Vails, printed off some nice fliers and informational cards that will be available in the Village Hall office. Those who give a gift will receive a certificate of acknowledgment to thank them unless they’d like their gift to be anonymous. Mayor Hill and the Council agreed that it’s a great idea. The fliers will be hung around town or anyone can contact the Village Hall office with any questions they may have.
Remarks from Guests
There were no remarks from guests at this time.
Unfinished Business
Next on the agenda is to discuss Water Tower and Sewer Plant updates. Mayor Hill advised that at the last meeting there were questions about Chriest’s training which Mayor Hill and Chriest spoke about. Chriest is concerned about the equipment he’s being trained for and the fact that our equipment is outdated verse what’s being used to train with today. Mayor Hill advised that she’d like Chriest to have the proper tools so that he can receive the proper training. Chriest has also been training Peltier with the Village duties, so his time has been quite full. Chriest advised that the Village currently does no have anything for testing as far as the wastewater. Mayor Hill said she was not aware of when that was switched over. Chriest advised that Test Inc. was used for sewer testing prior to when he started working for the Village. When Willett & Hofmann was helping the Village with testing, they also made it known that the Village’s equipment was old and obsolete. Commissioner Kendell advised that she’s not saying the Village’s equipment does not need updated, but she feels updating the equipment should be figured into the next fiscal years budget. Kendell advised that she does feel the updated equipment is needed but it should be figured into next years budget. Chriest advised that he’ll work on getting prices for the Council to review for the needed equipment. Mayor Hill advised that with the needed equipment in place it’ll help Chriest be more successful with his training and testing.
Village resident, Bonnie Anderson, asked to speak on the water and sewer rate increase. Mayor Hill apologized for skipping over Remarks from Guests. Anderson advised that she’d like to inform this Board of things that happened in the past. Approximately 14 years ago, our last increase was in 2011. Anderson believes it was the third increase in a succession. When we started this water and sewer program, we asked for it and I advocated. Anderson advised that Mayor Hill was a Commissioner on the Board at that time. We asked for the increase so that we had our share of the money to do the water and sewer lines and the sewer plant. The first thing that was done was the lift station and eventually the water tower and a well. With the increases, we had a meeting up at the high school, and with the increases the people of this town were assured that that money would be put away to be used exclusively for the water and sewer. Mayor Hill advised yes, it has to be that line item. Anderson said it has been continually, every year, transferred from the water and sewer department to the general fund. Anderson advised that she believes that is wrong. I believe the people of this town, using that money every year that should have been sitting in the water and sewer, the people of the town have been lied to. We were told that if we increased it this money would sit there for these projects. At your April 21, 2020 meeting you talked about how there’s $300,000.00 surplus in it. Anderson asked why is there a surplus of such amount? Mayor Hill replied we need to build up. Anderson said let me finish please. Because of the fact that the people of this town have paid it with the knowledge that it was going to the water and sewer updates and our infrastructure. Now we sit here and say we don’t have the money, but we just spent $150,000.00 on air conditioning out of that fund and then we transferred another $30,000.00 out of that fund. Some where along the line somebody needs to realize that money in there. Mayor Hill advised that the heating and cooling was paid by other funds. We borrowed from it but just to pay the bill on time. Anderson said you cannot ask for an increase on the water and sewer when you keep stealing from the water and sewer. You can’t rob Peter to pay Paul all the time. The people of the town were told if we do these increases the money will be there to do the water and sewer. Now continually for the last 12 years, and I know it was done before that, but up to that point we were not told the money would sit there. For the last 12 years, every year, money has been transferred from the water and sewer department to the general fund. Anderson advised I just hope you’re all informed and I hope you take that into consideration if you decide to raise the water and sewer rates. The other thing is, if you want the 2.5% increase permanently, over ten years that 28% just on 2.5%. Mayor Hill replied well you can look at cost of living. Anderson said now you want to drop from 3,000 down to 1,000 and that’s another increase to every household in the town. At some point you have to stop and say when. Now, 2.5% annually forever is irresponsible. At least do a two year then revisit it or a one year increase and revisit it. It may come up that you need more then that. It may come up that you don’t need it at all. If the money is spent where it’s supposed to be, it’s not needed. Anderson said that’s my opinion and I hope you all listened. Mayor Hill said ok. Anderson said you know I’m right because you were there on the Board. Mayor Hill replied I have another opinion but we’re going to have to agree to disagree on a lot of points, but I appreciate you taking the time to talk to us.
New Business
Next on the agenda was to review, discuss, approve only having one Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council for the month of December. The date of Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00PM was suggested and tabled for the moment while the Council reviewed their schedule’s.
Mayor Hill asked what Friday in December would work best for the office Christmas party? Friday, December 9th was what worked best for most.
Next was to review, discuss, approve Resolution NO.R05-22-11-15 a Resolution Adoption of the 2022 Whiteside County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan. Mayor Hill advised this comes from when Chief Lewis went to the Mitigation meetings for Whiteside County, and this is so we can be eligible for FEMA Funds if there’s ever another crisis. This must be in place that the Village has completed all the requirements. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner DeBrock. “Yes” votes were DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Next was to review, discuss a Rental Increase for the RCC Gym Rentals. Mayor Hill advised that there has not been an increase on the gym rental rate since it’s started, and there have been increases on such things as cleaning supplies and payroll that keeps the gym rentals happening. The current rate is $50.00 with an increase to $60.00 if the party includes a bounce house. Mayor Hill suggested raising the rate from $50.00 to $60.00 and the bounce house rate from $60.00 to $75.00. The Council can think about the suggested increase, and it will be put on the next meeting agenda to review and possibly approve. Those who have scheduled the gym prior to the approval will have the original rental rate.
Mayor Hill advised that the Council were given the proposed Levy Ordinance from Mr. Shirk to review. It will be put on the next meeting agenda to discuss and possibly approve. Mayor Hill advised that the Village has not had a tax levy in quite some time. It’s easier to do a tax levy rather than a tax referendum. Mayor Hill advised that this will help with next years budget and the purchase of the needed equipment.
Building Permits
There were no Building Permits to review at this time.
Communications
There were no Communications at this time.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner DeBrock. “Yes” votes were DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Kendell, to approve only having one (1) Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council for the month of December to be dated Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00PM. “Yes” votes were DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:21 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council is Scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Reagan Community Center located at 202 W. Second Street.
Jamie M. McIntire
Clerk
Kristine L. Hill
Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS 13th DAY OF December, 2022
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
