REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO

February 20, 2024
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, Jim Coleman and Tammy Kendell were present. Village Public Works Superintendent, Tyler Chriest, was 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 February 6, 2024 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.

Reports of Village Officials
Superintendent Chriest reported that with the help of the Utilities Clerk, Jennifer Vails, they looked into the cost for the Village to provide 20-yard dumpsters for residents to help with spring clean-up. We checked into three different companies. TCS would be $405 for a 2-ton dumpster, Midwest Disposal would be $360 for a 4-ton dumpster and Republic Services would be $480 for a 6-ton dumpster. Commissioner Kendell asked when this would take place. Chriest replied it would be a little while so the weather can get a little nicer. It would be around the same time Chief Strike starts his ordinance letters for spring clean-up so we can let them know that they did have this option to help clean up their bulk items. Both Commissioner Kendell and Commissioner Dean advised that they like the bigger dumpster option. Commissioner J. Coleman asked if there are any building permits currently where we’d have to make sure these contractors aren’t using our dumpsters for their benefit. Similar to what happened when we provided the dumpsters during the town flooding situation. Chriest advised that his thoughts to avoid that from happening, he’d like to have the dumpsters located at the sewer plant so the gate can be locked at night. Then someone can be there during the day to make sure items that aren’t supposed to be put in there, such as electronics, aren’t being put in the dumpster. There is a list of unacceptable materials.
Chriest advised that he’d also like to offer the electronic drop off again, but only twice a year. We would not have a drop off site. It would be a set time for people to come, maybe once in the spring and once in the fall, and have it boxed up right away. We would not store the electronics. Chriest said the salt shed would be a good location to do this. Chriest advised he’ll still have to coordinate with Whiteside County on how to get rid of the materials. Commissioner Kendell said we can make sure to put the information out there of when it is and what is acceptable to drop off.
Chriest advised that he thinks the dumpster option would fill up quickly to where we could maybe to two, depending on how fast the first one fills up. Then we can decide if we’d like to get a second dumpster to replace the full one. Mayor Peltier advised that he’d like to have this 2 time a year dumpster clean up part of the new garbage contract when that comes up in June. The Council liked that idea.
Chriest reported that another idea he thought would be a good service to offer is tire clean-up since there are quite a few around town. It would be just for normal car or truck tires. Not anything like a tractor tire. Chriest spoke with Todds Tire & Auto, and they charge $5 per tire. If we could offer this along with the electronic drop off at the same time, we would make them pay the $5 per tire so it wouldn’t be a charge to the Village, but we’re also helping them get it cleaned up. Commissioner Kendell liked the idea because tires are hard to get rid of and they’re expensive to get rid of. Chriest said not only would we make them pay for the $5 per tire, but we would also make them present their Village utility bill, so we know it’s a Village resident that we’re helping. The Mayor and Council liked that idea. Chriest said he can move forward with the plans if the Mayor and Council agree. The Village would be responsible for the cost of the dumpsters, but the Village residents would pay the $5 per tire. The Mayor and Council like the idea and think it’s a fair deal.

Chriest added that residents need to take pride in where they live, whether they rent or own. The Mayor and Council agreed. Commissioner Dean said it’ll make the decision easier to start fining those individuals who don’t clean up their property because they had the option to use this service and they didn’t.

Chriest reported he had one more thing to speak with the Council, more of a zoning question. There have been a couple of different companies reach out about installing solar for Village residents. There’s a lot that goes into this per our Village ordinance. I have received the licensed structural engineering stamp and there is a plan with the fire protection district. Everything that is required per our ordinance has been taken care of. If the Mayor and Council are ok with Chriest approving the permit, he will take care of it. Commissioner Kendell asked if this is a resident getting solar and not like a solar farm, correct? Chriest replied yes that both permits would be residential. If he can approve it, he will. Chriest advised this isn’t something he’d come across yes so, he just wanted to ask the Council if they are ok with the approval or if they would like it on the agenda to approve. Kendell said I wouldn’t think so because the ordinance states the regulations that they have to follow before it’s allowed for them to place in on their house or garage. Commissioner Dean said if they have all the paperwork in line and all information required to Chriest, then Chriest should be able to approve the permit.

Commissioner Kendell reported that she has asked Chief Strike to patrol West Fourth street near her home a little closer because the elderly couple that used to live near her for many years no longer do so. Now it’s a family with small children who like to ride their bikes and people tend to drive quite fast around that corner of that road. Kendell asks that people please pay attention and try not to drive into their driveway when taking that street. It was suggested that the family place a children at play sign in their yard to help prevent people from driving recklessly in that area.

Remarks from Guests
Village resident, Denverd Hutton, was present to speak with that Council about the lack of public Wi-Fi at Tampico Village Hall. Hutton had a situation where he was scammed and had to file a police report. He had information to share with Chief Strike on his phone but there was no Wi-Fi for him to use so he had to go home and write everything down then come back. Hutton asked why in the world are we in the 21st century and not have public Wi-Fi. Commissioner Kendell responded it’s because there is only one Wi-Fi set up and not one set up for guests, so if you tie into the Wi-Fi then you’re also tied into Village information. Hutton said so then get it. It’s not that expensive. Then us as citizens can access information on our phones and not have to run home to use our personal Wi-Fi. This is the 21st century and you should be able to provide something like that if it’s needed. Commissioner J. Coleman said we’ll look into that.

Jim Pozzi with Republic Services was present to speak with the Council. Pozzi apologized for being late and said there are a lot of new faces since the last time he was here. He wanted to provide information in regard to Republic Services. We’ve had a good relationship for many years. The contract is coming up in June and we’d obviously like to continue our partnership with the community. We are looking to get your feedback. Pozzi said I have talked with Mayor Peltier about adding a spring or fall clean-up to the contract. We are open to that as well. We’re not looking to do anything crazy as far as the rates or anything like that unless you want something changed. We’re looking to keep them as is. Pozzi said we just want to let you know how important your partnership is to us and we want to continue to be your hauler. If there are any questions or anything that comes up, and I know we’ve worked on some things in the past and got everything straightened out. Pozzi also added that he had good news, Brad is coming back as the driver for Tampico. Clerk McIntire said there were a lot of people happy to see him last week. Pozzi said we had a talk, and I knew that everyone was upset that Brad left. Brad always did a real good job in Tampico and Brad does a good job in all his communities. Pozzi said I received an email from you guys in regard to how important Brad was to the community. Brad was even upset when he was assigned to another community. The good news is Brad’s back in town. Hopefully that speaks volumes to how committed we are to you guys and Brad is extremely happy to be back in town as well. Pozzi asked if there were any questions and said he would like to present the Council with numbers but since nothings on the agenda tonight I didn’t feel presenting anything was appropriate. Commissioner Kendell said I would include the spring clean-up.

Mayor Peltier said I have been talking with Tyler about it and Pozzi had contacted me, so I made sure to mention it. Commissioner J. Coleman said yes keep that in mind because right before you got here, we were talking about that. Clerk McIntire said that information can be included in their bid for the bid opening. Pozzi asked what bid opening. Clerk McIntire said I sent you a letter that we went out for bid for our upcoming garbage contract. Pozzi asked when did you send that out because I never got it. Clerk McIntire said that information was mailed out February 7th. Pozzi asked did you mail it and where did you mail it to because I never got it. Clerk McIntire said I believe it’s the address on your email. Pozzi said Ottawa. Clerk McIntire said yes. Pozzi said I never got it. Clerk McIntire said I’ll email it to you first thing in the morning. Pozzi said ok because I don’t have a copy of that. Clerk McIntire said we’re opening those at the March 5th meeting. Kendell asked is that enough time for you. Pozzi said I won’t be able to be here on March 5th because I have another commitment already. Mayor Peltier said we’ll just be opening the bids that day, not necessarily approving anything. Pozzi said I can have something to you. I’d really like to be here when you open them incase you have any questions but…Clerk McIntire said I thought you guys already had a meeting about the bid unless I misunderstood. Pozzi said no, we were just talking about the extension because we always try to work with our communities rather than releasing an RFP because it’s a lot easier. It’s not a contract that you have to put out to bid. That was the point of me coming here tonight so you could listen to us before you put out an RFP. But you already put out an RFP and I’m just finding out about this now. Clerk McIntire said I did send it to you, specifically to you, attention to you. Pozzi said I work from home, so I don’t go to the office unless I have to. Clerk McIntire said I made sure to put attention to you on it. Pozzi said nobody contacted me about receiving it and I was in the office last week. Clerk McIntire said I will email it to you. Pozzi said that would be great. You’ll probably get another bid from Midwest who is the company that used to own Affordable. Unfortunately, he’s up to his old tactics again and just looking to build up his company again. Clerk McIntire said we mailed out four to companies in the area. Pozzi said we’ll submit something and if you have questions in the meantime, please let me know. The Council thanked Pozzi. Pozzi said hopefully you’ll want to continue with us otherwise Brad will be heartbroken.

Unfinished Business
Discuss budget sheets was next on the agenda. Clerk McIntire said we kind of talked about it at the last meeting but just a reminder to get with your department heads and let me know if there is anything specific, we need to budget for. Commissioner Kendell asked Superintendent Chriest if he’d like to sit down sometime to discuss some things. Chriest replied yes, he’d like to.

Next was discuss annual newsletter for May 2024. Commissioner Kendell said I think we should do it again and get back into it and the Council agreed. Clerk McIntire said do we still like May for the mailing date. The Council said yes. Clerk McIntire said to let her know if there’s anything specific you’d like included for your section.

Lastly for unfinished business was to discuss water/sewer rate increases. Clerk McIntire said the last time we did a rate increase we talked about doing an increase every year, but it would be much smaller than the one we did last year. I gave you a copy of the numbers that Matt Hansen helped put together for annual increases. I did receive an email from Jill Pepin that there was something she missed when we reapplied for the second phase of the sewer relining project grant. There is a stipulation that we have to have a minimum rate for 5,000 gallons for the sewer must be $43.92. The proposed rate increase we have for fiscal year 2024 does not meet that requirement. A suggestion is if we possibly increase the rate to what we were planning for fiscal year 2025, then maybe not do a rate increase for fiscal year 2025 to make up for that extra jump to where we need to be. It would be the total of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025 combined for a total increase for water and sewer of $3.72. Commissioner Kendell said then we wouldn’t do another increase next year because I don’t want everyone out in the public saying we said we weren’t going to do this and now they’re doing it so what will happen next year. The Council agreed. Mayor Peltier said if we do it this way then there won’t be an increase next year. Kendell said that I’m good with as long as we don’t go back and change it. Clerk McIntire said I can put together the ordinance that would have to be approved for a rate increase with the new numbers so it can be reviewed and discussed at the next meeting. We didn’t make it in effect until May 1st last year and I think that’s a good time to do it with the new fiscal year. We can look at it at the next meeting, possibly approve it at the last meeting in March and spread the word in April informing residents of the increase effective May 1st. But according to Jill, we do have to have the rate increased to $43.92 for 5,000 gallons for sewer. Superintendent Chriest asked that’s just on the sewer side. Clerk McIntire said yes. Chriest asked would it be wrong to just increase the sewer side of the bill. Clerk McIntire asked and not the water. Chriest said I was thinking then we’d stay closer to that 3% increase if we just did the sewer side. Mayor Peltier said because it’s just the sewer that they’re worried about being increased. Clerk McIntire said yes. Chriest said it would be about 10 cents cheaper if we only did the sewer. Kendell said I don’t care how we get to where we need to be, I just don’t want to come back next year and go back on our word. Chriest said it would be about $1.77 instead of $3.72. Clerk McIntire said we could increase the sewer rate this year then increase the water rate next year. Chriest said you could do that instead of doubling up and still staying close to that 3% increase. Commissioner Dean said it might go over better in the community. Kendell said it’ll also help when we explain why we have to do it this way. Chriest said with how much we’ve already invested in this grant it would be great to get this second phase completed. The Council agreed. Dean said in the long run the community will benefit from it as well. Clerk McIntire said after this second phase the sewer side of things would be pretty much completed. I’ll put together the ordinance with the figures for just a sewer increase for everyone to review at the next meeting.

New Business
The first item under new business was to review, discuss, approve bid for purchase of personal property owned by Village of Tampico – 2011 Crown Vic police vehicle – sold in “as is” condition. Clerk McIntire advised there were three bids turned in that will be opened in the order they were received. Mayor Peltier said the first bid was for $500 from Sami Celestino. The second was for $2,500 from Avery Mayoral. The last bid was for $551 from Savage Hutton. A motion was made by Commissioner J. Coleman, second by Commissioner Kendell, to approve the bid amount of $2,500 to purchase the 2011 Ford Crown Victoria PD Vehicle in “as is” condition to be sold to Avery Mayoral. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried. Clerk McIntire will contact Mr. Mayoral tomorrow and set up a time to sign the bill of sale and turn over the vehicle.

Next was to review, discuss, approve resolution NO.R05-24-02-20 authorizing and directing Mayor and Rock River Energy Services to seek bids and negotiate wholesale electric supply contracts. Clerk McIntire advised that this is for the municipal aggregation. The current contract with Dynegy isn’t up until September but the sooner they go out for bids, the better rate they usually find. But first we have to approve letting them work with us. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Commissioner S. Coleman, second by Commissioner Dean. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

The last item under new business was to review, discuss, approve resolution NO.R06-24-02-20 designating Village Utilities Clerk, Jennifer Vails, to be the Deputy FOIA Officer for the Village of Tampico. Clerk McIntire advised that this will allow Vails to handle any FOIA request that would take place in her absence. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner J. Coleman. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

Building Permits
Building Permits approved by Zoning Administrator, Tyler Chriest, were 317 S. Main – Skid Shed, 207 E. Booth – 11 Windows and 1 Door and 202 S. Grove – Front Door.

Communications
Clerk McIntire reported that Officer Oostenryk shared that the PD currently uses a company called Tech Management as their internet provided for the laptops in the squad. That will no longer be an option come June 30th, so Oostenryk met with a representative from First Net and that’s actually who County uses along with many other surrounding communities. Currently we only use it for one laptop but he’d like to sign the Village up for two so they can have one in each squad without having to switch them back in forth. Had we done this with Tech Management it would have cost approximately $90 a month for the two laptops and with First Net it would only cost approximately $80 a month for the two laptops. Oostenryk was hoping to get the approval to move forward with that switch now to make it an easier transition. The Mayor and Council approved moving forward with First Net.

Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner J. Coleman. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner J. Coleman at 7:44 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 S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner J. Coleman, second by Commissioner Dean at 8:05 PM to leave the Closed Session portion of the meeting and return to the Regular Open Meeting. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council is Scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024 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 5th DAY OF March, 2024
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**