REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
September 5, 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, Susan Dean and Tammy Kendell were present. Commissioner Ryan DeBrock was absent. Police Chief Strike and Village Public Works Superintendent, Tyler Chriest, were also present. Village Clerk, Jamie McIntire, was present and recorded the written and audio minutes.
Mayor Peltier led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the August 15, 2023 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the August 15, 2023 Closed Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Chriest reported that the sidewalk repair at 107 N. Benton is about complete. Commissioner Coleman said it looks good and the Mayor and Council agreed.
Chriest also reported that the catch basket for the Kimball St. lift station has been installed. There are a few modifications that need to be made but then that will be complete.
Chriest advised that he hopes to continue the work on the salt shed and have that finished soon as well.
Mayor Peltier asked if there were any major issues with the switch on the blower that went out at the sewer plant. Chriest advised that he’s still looking into it and comparing prices for the best option.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Dean, to approve a Fence Permit for 306 W. Kimball St. – Ramage. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Dean, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Dean, to approve a Fence Permit for 103 N. Washington St. – Sigel. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Dean, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
Remarks from Guests
Matt Hansen with Willett & Hofmann was present to speak on IEPA loan funding for the water treatment, the Lead Service Line Replacement grant and other grant information and opportunities for the Village of Tampico.
First, Hansen spoke about the DCEO CDBG Public Infrastructure Grant for the second phase of the sanitary sewer relining. The Village applied for this grant in January but unfortunately did not receive the funding for it. Hansen advised that the Village scored lower because of the rates charged per 5,000 gallons are on the low side. If the rates have been adjusted that could add points to the Village’s score when we reapply for the grant in January of 2024. Hansen advised that another way the Village could possibly earn more points is by not going for 100% of the grant funds, but looking into another tier where the Village pays for more than just the engineering costs. That could earn the Village up to 5 additional points. That is something to discuss with Jill Pepin, the grant writer for the project. Commissioner Kendell advised that the Village did have a rate increase for water and sewer that became effective after submitting the grant application. Hansen said that will help when we reapply for this grant, and that will be done at no cost. Mayor Peltier asked if we knew how far off the Village was from receiving the grant funds. Hansen advised that he doesn’t know the actual points, but he will check into it. Chriest asked how much the Village has already paid for when applying for the grant. Hansen advised that the Village has only paid for the
application fees and there will be no cost to reapply in January. There will need to be another Public Hearing before the Village reapplies, most likely in November or December after the grant has been published.
Next, Hansen spoke about the IEPA Lead Service Line Inventory Grant that the Village did receive. Jill Pepin with CFPS received confirmation from the IEPA that the Village can hire a local plumbing contractor directly to perform the inspections. Chriest has already completed around half of the inspections, but it does need to be completed so hiring a local plumber to complete the work would be the best way to go. Once that inventory list is complete, Willett & Hofmann will prepare a proposal for GPS surveying of the water system facilities and assist in preparing the IEPA LSLI spreadsheet that’s due April 15, 2024. Hansen advised that he will request a quote from the local plumber of how much it will cost for the number of services that are left to inventory. They would place door hangers with their information for the residents to reach out and make an appointment for them to come and identify the material and all information needed. Hansen wanted to make sure the Board approved moving forward with hiring a local plumber to complete the inventory list. Mayor Peltier said it sounds like the way to go because residents have stopped responding to our office, which could be because of our limited hours that conflict with work schedules. Hansen said it would be good to complete this by the end of the year.
Hansen then began to inform the Village on the IEPA Public Water Supply Revolving Fund (PWSRF) Loan Program for Emerging Contaminates. This is similar to the funding the Village received for the Market Street lift station and the improvements at the wastewater treatment plant. Two of the items they are looking to fund are contaminates called PFAS and Manganese. The Village did detect PFAS in one of the wells and Manganese has been detected, so the Village does qualify for the funding. The funding will be determined by how many applicants they have, but it’s possible to receive 75% Principal Forgiveness (don’t have to pay back) of the Project Cost up to $6,000,000 maximum. With that, an additional well could be put in to help with the PFAS, Manganese and Iron. It would greatly improve the water quality. The interest rate with this loan is 1.36% for FY 2024and the term could go up to 30 years. Hansen said a project plan would be put together with cost estimates and how the loan payment would impact residents. The Village would have to see how it goes when reapplying for the DCEO sewer relining. If awarded that grant, that project would have to be completed before applying for this loan program. The Village could go for both and make the Village eligible for the loan, then see how the cost would affect the residents.
Lastly, Hansen spoke about the IEPA PWSRF Loan Program for Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR). First, the Village must complete the water service material inventory list to determine the number of lead and galvanized water services that need to be replaced. That replacement would be from the Village main, all the way to inside the home or business either to the shut off or 18 inches inside the home or building. Whichever would be less. This loan program is the only one the EPA will pay for service work on private property. The Principal Forgiveness with this program will be 49% of the Project Cost up to $2,755,000 maximum. There are new rules being made (Part 663 Regulations) that relate to scoring since there could be many more applicants because of the rules made by the EPA. Most of the scoring comes from Sensus status, making it out of the Village’s control. Hansen said once we know how many needs replaced, he’ll put together a cost estimate for the replacement, then look at receiving some funding through the EPA loan program. Then the Village can decide if it makes more sense to do 10% a year or go for the funding and get it done in one shot. The year 2027 is when the clock will start for the lead service line replacement act and replacing at least 10% a year and completing in 15 years. Hansen advised this is the only current funding option, but there could be more in the future. Hansen said another option could be approaching local Federal Representatives for funding. They do have discretionary funding to spend. They may not fund all of it, but it’s worth asking.
Commissioner Kendell said so we’re at the point right now that the Village will hire a plumber to complete the inventory list. Hansen replied yes, that’s the step we’re at. Kendell asked who are we going to ask to do the work. Chriest suggested either Hinrichs or MO-ST. Kendell asked we’re going to ask for a price before starting. Hansen said yes, I can get pricing from both. Commissioner Dean asked how the rules work with the vacant houses. Hansen asked if they’re unoccupied and do not receive a bill. Clerk McIntire replied yes.
Chriest advised that he could make an educated guess on the services for those vacant properties. Hansen said that the EPA will mainly be interested in the properties that you actually provide service to. If the vacant property ever becomes occupied, then you’ll have to tag them and check what they have for service lines. Chriest added that some of these vacant properties just need to be demolished. Hanson replied there is funding out there for demolition and housing rehabilitation. Kendell said that would be nice, but these properties don’t belong to the Village.
Mayor Peltier asked if there were any further questions for Hansen and there were not at this time. The Mayor and Council thanked him for his time and information.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business at this time.
New Business
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Coleman, to approve the 2022-2023 Treasurers Report. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Dean, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
Next on the agenda was to review/discuss/approve hiring a part-time police officer. Mayor Peltier asked for a motion to go into closed session and asked Chief Strike to join.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Coleman at 7:35 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, Dean, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Dean at 7:41 PM to leave the Closed Session portion of the meeting and return to the Regular Open Meeting. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Dean, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Dean, to approve hiring Bruce Franks as a part-time police officer for the Village of Tampico at $18.50 an hour to work a maximum of 30 hours per week unless approved otherwise. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Dean, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
Commissioner Kendell asked Chief Strike about the situation of vacant vehicles in the Village. Chief Strike advised that currently he’s reached out about 5 cars sitting around, and 3 of those are sitting in the same spot since the last time he worked for the Village. Chief Strike spoke with Village attorney, Mr. Shirk, to make sure the situation is handled properly. The Village has a good policy and ordinances in place to solve the problem. Chief Strike sent out 2 letters, with 7-day intervals between them, to the property owners who have the vacant vehicles. They get a total of 21 days to take care of the problem. If they don’t, they will be towed. Chief Strike spoke with Randy Wetzell who said he will tow the vehicles, but he doesn’t want to store them. Chriest said they can be stored out behind the sewer plant for the time being. Commissioner Kendell asked who pays the towing fee. Chief Strike said it will originally come out of the police budget, but if they want their vehicles back, they must pay the Village for them. Commissioner Dean asked how long does the Village hold them for. Chief Strike said once the Village has the title they can be scrapped out. Dean said we don’t want the Village to have a junk yard. Chief Strike said if you notice any that I haven’t taken care of let me know and I’ll take care of it. If there are any with windows busted out, that turns into a health issue that should be taken care of quickly.
Building Permits
Building Permits approved by Village Zoning Administrator, Tyler Chriest, are 103 S. Fremont – Front Porch Steps.
Communications
Clerk McIntire advised that she provided the Council with their hard copies of the updated ordinances from Muni Code, which will also be updated on the Village website.
The Council also received their Illinois Municipal League magazines to look over on their own time.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner Dean. “Yes” votes were Coleman, Dean, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council is Scheduled for Tuesday, September 19, 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 19th DAY OF September, 2023
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
