REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
June 20, 2023
7:00 PM
Reagan Community Center
Mayor Bruce Peltier called the Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council to order at 7:00PM.
Commissioners Sherry Coleman, Ryan DeBrock and Tammy Kendell were present. Commissioner Dean was absent. Village Public Works Superintendent, Tyler Chriest, were also present. Village Clerk, Jamie McIntire, was present and recorded the written and audio minutes.
Mayor Hill led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the May 16, 2023 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the June 14, 2023 Special Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the June 14, 2023 Closed Special Meeting Minutes were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Commissioner Kendell said she would like to find a solution to the stray cat population in our town. Commissioner DeBrock said it doesn’t help when people feed them, but then don’t take responsibility for them and get them spayed or neutered. Mayor Peltier asked about our contract with Animal Control. Kendell said we pay $1,500 a year and asked if that’s just for them to handle dog situations or will they help with the cats. Clerk McIntire said last she knew, they do not come pick up stray cats. They do come quite often to help when stray dogs are running around town. Terry Strike advised Animal Control will not come pick up stray cats, but previously they would let him cage the cats and take them there to be taken care of. Strike will be in contact with them to make the same arrangements. The Mayor and Council thanked him.
Commissioner DeBrock shared her concern about the old and abandoned houses around the Village, or the ones bought for tax write offs that no one ever does anything with them. DeBrock wondered if there is anyway the Village can prevent that from happening, or an ordinance saying they must take care of the property. Several properties were named that are a concern for not only how it looks, but also these abandoned properties house animals and kids try to go in them who could get hurt. Tyler Chriest suggested the Village adopting a property maintenance code where lien’s can be placed on the property. The only issue there is if the Village takes over these properties, then we’d have to find the funds to remove the ones that are too far gone. DeBrock asked if there is a way to prevent future purchases from people who buy the properties then do nothing with them. Commissioner Kendell replied that we can’t do anything because it’s through Whiteside County on the tax side of things. There’s no stipulations to buy a property on back taxes. Resident, Bonnie Anderson, commented that she spoke with the bank that bought the property next to her on back taxes, and they said they can’t even enter the property until May of 2024 because it’s in bankruptcy. It would be illegal to step foot in the house because of that. Mayor Peltier said he’ll look into the situation. He will be attending an Enterprise Zone meeting next week where he can ask about the situation and see if there are any answers. Kendell advised that technically if you buy the taxes in the first year, it’s not technically yours until the 5-year run is over. That gives the people who have the back taxes a chance to catch up. Clerk McIntire said that is a similar answer we received when looking into a property a while back.
Mayor Peltier advised that he just wanted to add that the Village does have a few projects starting. The roof has been completed on the Village’s Maintenance Garage. Tyler and Kelly have started the process with the salt shed. The bid letting for the MFT project was held which will be talked about further in the meeting.
Remarks from Guests
There were no remarks from guests.
Unfinished Business
The replacement of the Village Zoning Board Administrator will be tabled for the time being.
Next on the agenda was to review / discuss the Tampico Police Department. Mayor Peltier advised that the Village is looking for some officers, which was also discussed at the Village’s Special Meeting. The Village did hire Terry Strike for the position of Chief of Police for the Village. He was sworn in on Thursday the 15th, so the day after the Special Meeting. The Village is looking for additional help and Chief Strike has some ideas for that, which will be saved for Closed Session.
New Business
A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Kendell, to approve Ordinance NO.O01-23-06-20 an Ordinance Amending Chapter 13.28 Section 13.28.140 Entitled “Delinquency – Discontinuation of Service”, changing the “shut off fee” from $20.00 to $50.00. “Yes” votes were Coleman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner DeBrock, to approve Ordinance NO.O02-23-06-20 an Ordinance Amending Chapter 10.12 Entitled Speed Limits of the Tampico Municipal Code. Mayor Peltier advised that this would update our Village Ordinance to match the speed limits currently posted around the Village, most importantly that side streets are 25mph where Main Street is 30mph. “Yes” votes were Coleman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
Next on the agenda was to review / discuss / approve bid tabulation for the 2023 General Maintenance Project. Mayor Peltier reported that this is for the MFT project, and 3 companies bid on the project. The engineers estimated that the project would cost $56,198.00. The high bid was from Porter Brothers Construction at $71,003.14. Next was Helm Civil at $54,780.00 and the low bid was Martin & Company Excavating at $48,083.10 coming in about 14% lower than the engineers estimate. Clerk McIntire advised that if everyone is ok with the low bid, which is what Willett Hofmann is suggesting, we just need a vote. Then I will let them know who the Village approved, and they’ll continue with getting the contracts in order. A motion to approve Martin & Company Excavating was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Coleman. “Yes” votes were Coleman, DeBrock and Mayor Peltier. Commissioner Kendell chose to abstain. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Kendell, to approve the resignation from Village part-time employee, Bruce Hill. “Yes” votes were Coleman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Building Permits
Approved building permits are 404 E. Market St.–Green House, 213 S. Benton St.-Roof, 305 E. Market St.-Siding and Windows, 108 N. Main St.-Replace Siding, 206 S. Washington St.-Doors and Windows, 203 S. Main St.-Roof, 216 S. Benton St.-Garage Door, 207 N. Benton St.-Tool Shed, 108 W. Market St.-Roof and Siding, 303 S. Main St.-Deck and 209 S. Main St.-Door and Porch.
Resident, Bonnie Anderson, asked if it’s true that you have to get a building permit to replace a garage door. Mayor Peltier advised as the ordinance currently states, it does require a permit for doors and windows. Anderson argued that should be considered general maintenance. Mayor Peltier replied that he’s aware that permits were not asked for in the past, but if it’s in the ordinance it will be required. If that is something the Village would like to change, we can look into that and make the change the right way. Anderson replied that she’d hate to see people not do general maintenance because their taxes are going to go up. Clerk McIntire advised that your taxes will only increase if there is an addition to the property. County is only interested when there is an addition to a property. Anderson suggested letting people know that when receiving their building permit.
Communications
Mayor Peltier advised that he and Chriest met with TMI. Two quotes were provided by TMI for maintenance agreements for the HVAC system. Mayor Peltier asked the Council to review the quotes. One is for a two time a year visit and the other is for a four time a year visit. Mayor Peltier advised that the quotes may look a little pricey, but a lot of money went into installing the HVAC system and this could help maintain it. Mayor Peltier thought the two time a year visit might be something worth looking at. Chriest said his thoughts on it are that he’ll change the filters whenever needed. The representative with TMI informed us that we could get 15 years out of these units. If we sign up for one of these service maintenance agreements, we could get more like 20 to 25 years out of these units. Chriest said he also explained to us that we would be a preferred customer with a 10% discount on parts and labor, and we would also be priority when we call them for any issues we may have.
Clerk McIntire reported that the Village received the annual complaint reporting for Mediacom. There was a total of 95 complaints for the year 2022. There is a breakdown if anyone is interested in looking at it.
Clerk McIntire also advised that Test Inc. reached out to let us know that routine monthly coliform samples will increase to $25.00 when it was $19.55 prior. The cost of other testing will increase as well. Chriest advised that it’s still cheaper than if we were to use the IEPA program.
Next on the agenda was the presentation of bills to be paid. Commissioner DeBrock asked about the additional bill to be paid for PD supplies & ammunition. Clerk McIntire explained that that bill was actually supposed to be paid a while back but it was lost somehow, so this is actually a past due bill that needs to be paid. Mayor Peltier advised that he and Chief Strike will be checking the PD’s inventory. Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Coleman. “Yes” votes were Coleman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner DeBrock at 7:28 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, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner DeBrock, second by Commissioner Kendell at 8:15 PM to leave the Closed Session portion of the meeting and return to the Regular Open Meeting. “Yes” votes were Coleman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
A motion was made to approve hiring Terry Strike as Chief of Police for Village of Tampico at $20.50 an hour to work a maximum of 40 hours per week by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner DeBrock. “Yes” votes were Coleman, DeBrock, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council is Scheduled for Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Reagan Community Center located at 202 W. Second Street.
Jamie M. McIntire
Clerk
Bruce Peltier
Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS 18th DAY OF July, 2023
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
