REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
December 17, 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, Tammy Kendell and Jim Coleman were present. Village Superintendent, Tyler Chriest, and Tampico Police Chief, Terry Strike, 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 December 3, 2024 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Peltier reported that the Tampico Township surveyed the portion of the land by the Township Building that’s been previously discussed, which they paid for. They are still interested in taking over that area of land to build a salt shed. Mayor Peltier said it’s staked out and he plans to take pictures to show the Council and to discuss the options further.
Mayor Peltier also advised that the Tampico Township is interested in purchasing an electronic billboard to be placed on Main Street near Casey’s. They said the approximate cost for the billboard is $25,000 and they were wondering if the Village would be interested in donating to that expense. The Men’s Club has already said they would invest in it and they’re going to speak to other area businesses as well. If the Village would put money towards it, we would have the option to put Village information on it for anything Village Residents may need to know. It would be another way to get information out besides Facebook posts, text alerts and signs posted around town. Commissioner Kendell asked how much they would want. Mayor Peltier said it would be up to the Council to decide on a dollar amount. We can see about having a member from the Township come to a meeting to speak more about it. It would be beneficial to Village residents.
Remarks from Guests
Dustin Lindsley and Shirley Stauffer, new renters to the Village, were present to speak to the Council. Lindsley said they just moved here and received a notice from the Chief of Police. He also apologized to Chief Strike about how he spoke to him the first time they met. He said he was having a bad day but shouldn’t have taken it out on him. Lindsley said he received a notice about his camper, and about having fires. He said he’s rebuilding the inside and outside of the camper to get rid of it. He doesn’t have the funds to place it in storage and he needs access to it to complete the work. Chief Strike explained that they’ve moved it to where it’s out of sight, so that’s fine for him to continue his work. Commissioner Dean explained that you can work on it, you just can’t live in it. Lindsley asked what the notice was for as far as the campfires. Chief Strike said he was sharing the Village Ordinance of what’s allowed for burning since they were new to town. Chief Strike asked them to keep him posted on the camper so we can work with you. Lindsley said thank you.
Unfinished Business
The only item under unfinished business was to review / discuss / approve adjusting employee wages as of January 1, 2025 to comply with minimum wage guidelines. Mayor Peltier said we’ll move that to the end of the meeting since it will require the Council to go into closed session.
New Business
Frist under new business was to review / discuss / approve RCC gym rental and deposit rates. Mayor Peltier said this was discussed at the last meeting. Clerk McIntire reminded the Council of the current rates which are $50 for the deposit and $60 for the rental fee, $75 if a bounce house is included. These rates have not changed since 2022. Mayor Peltier said the reason this came up was because we had a renter who left the building in poor shape and the $50 deposit, which was kept because of this, didn’t quite take care of the clean up involved. That’s the reason we would like to increase the rates. Commissioner Kendell said it hasn’t been raised since 2022. Commissioner Dean said everything else has been raised since 2022. Mayor Peltier said the last time we spoke about this topic it was brought up to make each, the rental and the deposit, $100 even. $100 for the deposit, which they would get back if everything is cleaned up properly and no damage done, and $100 for the rental fee. Dean said if you receive your deposit back it would only be an increase of $40 or $25, and you wouldn’t receive an additional charge for a bounce house. Clerk McIntire said that would make it easier. Commissioner J. Coleman said he liked that idea, and the Council agreed. Mayor Peltier said you get an entire gym with a functional kitchen for the whole day. There’s also tables and chairs provided. Commission S. Coleman said we do need to purchase a few new tables. Clerk McIntire advised that she and Utilities Clerk Vails discussed purchasing a few new tables here and there to replace the damaged ones when they see them on sale and possibly purchasing a few kitchen utensils for people to use. We’d make sure to label and inventory everything so nothing is taken, which would also prevent someone from receiving their deposit back. Dean asked about providing a guest Wi-Fi as well. Clerk McIntire said that was discussed during the conversation about the fiber internet with Strada. Superintendent Chriest advised that if the new water treatment facility is awarded, I’ve heard from other communities that the facility would require approximately 5 IP addresses to run the monitoring system. Mayor Peltier said it might be smarter to use the 1 free service through Strada at that facility. Dean said that would be smart. Clerk McIntire said it might be a good idea to talk to the WISP about getting a guest password for anyone who rents the gym and see if that’s an option. Dean said it would be nice to be able to offer that with this new increase. A motion was made by Commissioner Dean, second by Commissioner S. Coleman, to approve an increase in gym rental fees from $60, $75 with a bounce house, to an even $100 and increase the gym rental deposit from $50 to $100 effective immediately. All current rentals will be grandfathered in with the previous rates provided. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
Next on the agenda was to review / discuss / approve United Healthcare Insurance and Humana Life Insurance renewal rates effective February 1, 2025. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner J. Coleman, second by Commissioner Kendell. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
Next was to review / discuss IDOT documentation review #56 covering the receipt and disbursement of MFT funds by the Village of Tampico for the period beginning January 1, 2012 and ending December 31, 2023. Clerk McIntire advised that an employee with IDOT contacted her a few weeks back to provide invoices and statements for MFT projects done during that time. He said that everything looked good, and there were a few forms that herself and Mayor Peltier had to sign. Clerk McIntire asked if it was ok for herself and Mayor Peltier to sign even though they weren’t in these positions at that time, and he said that was fine. A report was given regarding this documentation review. It’s quite lengthy but it’s available if anyone wishes to review it.
Last under new business was to review / discuss / approve License Agreement with Strada Communications, L.L.C. Mayor Peltier said this agreement was reviewed with Village Attorney, Mr. Shirk, and this is what he had to say. There is a limited dispute amongst municipal law attorneys as to whether or not a city can grant a license greater than a 20-year term without public notice and other requirements of granting easement or transfer of real estate. In this agreement it’s a 100-year lease and it’s renewed in increments of 10 years. Mr. Shirk also shared that in paragraph 5 that the term of the license agreement is 100 years and I’m certain that a municipality cannot grant anything for more than 99 years. The Village should consider ramifications of granting a century’s right to use some property without any means by which the city could terminate the license. Mayor Peltier said I did read where it said either party can cancel the lease as long as there’s a 90-day notice. Commissioner Dean said it did say that. Mayor Peltier said that’s on the second page in paragraph 5. I don’t see the issue there. In paragraph 12 it reads you are warranting that by executing the agreement you certify that the agreement is in compliance with the law. Mayor Peltier said I know Prophetstown and several other places are doing this. I’ll give them a call and see if they had any issues, then we can go from there. They are wanting it signed soon so they can get things going but we want to do our due diligence first. Dean said they also stated that the Village would not be held liable for the property. Mayor Peltier said it also includes an insurance requirement which is important so that the Village insurance company does not charge you any extra premium. It says in the agreement that there would be no liability on our part. Commissioner J. Coleman said that’s shown in paragraph 6. Mayor Peltier said he was a little confused when he read Mr. Shirks letter because a lot of what he was saying is covered in the agreement. Mayor Peltier said he’ll make some calls, and this topic can be tabled for now.
Building Permits
There were no building permits to review at this time.
Communications
Clerk McIntire advised that the Village Hall will be closed December 24th and December 25th for Christmas and also on January 1st for New Years Day. This will also affect garbage pickup for those weeks. Garbage pick up will be on Saturday, December 28th and Saturday, January 4th. Please have out by 6:00AM those mornings and remove your can from the curb after pick up. This will be helpful for when the snow comes, and plowing begins.
It was decided at this time to not have a Village employee holiday party this year.
Clerk McIntire also reminded Village residents to call the office if they decide to drip their faucets during the colder temperatures.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner J. Coleman, second by Commissioner Kendell. “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 Dean at 7:22 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 Kendell, second by Commissioner J. Coleman at 7:51 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 approval of adjusting employee wages as of January 1, 2025 to comply with minimum wage guidelines was tabled until the next Village meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council is Scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2025 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 7th DAY OF January, 2025
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
