REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
February 4, 2025, 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 January 7, 2025 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the January 7, 2025 Closed Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Chief Strike provided the Council a schedule for February and some information about the possible county wide Tax Referendum for a Public Safety Tax.
Mayor Peltier advised that Superintendent Chriest received a quote from Boss Roofing for the roof of the gazebo at Reagan Park. Boss quoted $9,901.38 to redo the ceder shakes that are currently on the gazebo. The stone coated medal shakes were quoted at $7,029 and quoted $4,800 to do a basic roof package with shingles. Chriest will be getting two more quotes from two other companies. Mayor Peltier said it would be a nice project to complete with all the Sesquicentennial events that will be happening this year. This can be discussed further at the next meeting.
Mayor Peltier also reported that a resident that moved here two years ago reached out to him about the ordinance that does not allow chickens within the Village limits. The resident was wondering if the Council would reconsider the ordinance because of the price of eggs and Mayor Peltier suggested that they come to a meeting to discuss it further.
Mayor Peltier advised that he’s been working with Dan Pepin and Tammy Greco about the possible $100,000 DCEO Grant and they are needing a project scope as soon as possible because it must be submitted by June. The funds must be used towards general infrastructure improvements that are bondable. The project must be good for 15 plus years and prior projects that have already been completed may also qualify. Mayor Peltier said we basically need to decide what we would spend this money on if awarded. Mayor Peltier suggested sidewalks, playground equipment or the area in front of the post office. We need to determine what we’d like to do and have a quote for the project. Commissioner Kendell said if anything needs started it would be sidewalks. Mayor Peltier said he thinks a lot of the funding could be used towards sidewalks, specifically the sidewalk from Main Street down to the school and the sidewalk in front of the Kickback Saloon. Mayor Peltier said I’m sure there’s other areas in town where the sidewalks could be worked on as well. We don’t have to use the whole $100,000 on sidewalks. Kendell said we could use some towards sidewalks and maybe get some equipment for the playground. Mayor Peltier said we’ll take the next couple of weeks to think about that and have this placed on the next meeting agenda. Mayor Peltier will reach out to Dan Pepin to get the deadline date so this can be completed on time. Kendell said we also need to make sure that if we focus on sidewalks, what the dollar amount is that we would have to go out for bid, which I believe is $20,000.
Commissioner S. Coleman said that Chief Strike spoke with the Prophetstown and Erie Police to meet with the new State’s Attorney to discuss city ordinance tickets. Chief Strike said he met with Sheriff Booker today and the State’s Attorney is trying to turn things around. There will be a meeting on February 27th to discuss the referendum. Mayor Peltier said that he and/or Commissioner S. Coleman will try to attend that meeting with Chief Strike.
Mayor Peltier thanked the Village Council and employees for the plant that was given at the celebration of life for his mother. It’s greatly appreciated as well as all the interactions from the Village residents. Mayor Peltier said I felt the love, thank you.
Remarks from Guests
Nels Miller and Bonnie Anderson were present. Clerk McIntire reported that Miller is buying the Kickback Saloon from Anderson and recently provided his application for the liquor license. That permit has already been purchased by Anderson so no additional funds will be required until the next renewal date. Miller will receive a new license with his name attached and with the effective date of March 1, 2025, when the sale is complete.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business at this time.
New Business
Mayor Peltier signed a Proclamation urging all citizens to participate in activities planned by the Tampico Area Historical Society & Museum and the President Ronald Reagan Birthplace to remember President Reagan’s birthday. The birthday observance to honor the Former President and Tampico native is planned for Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 10 am to 4 pm. Refreshments and birthday cake will be served.
Next on the agenda was to review lists of persons required to file Statement of Economic Interest. Clerk McIntire provided that list to the Council and said they may have already received the form from the County Clerk in the mail. This must be completed and submitted by May 1st of each calendar year or there will be a fine.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner J. Coleman to approve Resolution NO.R05-25-01-21 keeping Closed Meeting Minutes from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 Confidential. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
Next, the Council began to discuss either Lease or Sell Village Owned Lot next to Tampico Township Building to the Tampico Township. Mayor Peltier said he would like to discuss with the Township about leasing the property and thinks that would work best. The Council members agreed. Mayor Peltier said he will discuss this with the Township and then the Village can move forward with the process.
The Council began to discuss a donation to the Tampico Township for a Digital Video Billboard. Mayor Peltier said the Township said it will cost them $25,000 for the billboard. They have received some donations already. Mayor Peltier said I would like to donate something because the Village will be able to get use out of it as well to provide information to the town. Commissioner Kendell asked where it would be located. Mayor Peltier said they’d like to place it at the property just North of Casey’s, next to Sigel’s lot. It’s the strip of land there that the Village owns on Main Street. Kendell said the Township should reach out to the neighbors in that area to make sure they’ll be ok with how bright that billboard will be, especially if it’s going to run 24/7. Mayor Peltier said that might not be the final location but that’s what’s been discussed. Commissioner Dean said it would be a courteous thing for the Township to do for the neighbors that will be near the billboard and make sure there are no objections. Mayor Peltier said there might also be an option of a timer for the billboard to shut down and a certain time of night. Mayor Peltier asked if anyone has an opinion of a donation amount. Kendell asked Clerk McIntire where the funds would come from. Clerk McIntire advised it would come from the donation line item from the general fund which does not have much left for this fiscal year. Mayor Peltier said we could add this to the new budget for when the new fiscal year begins in May. Mayor Peltier will reach out to the Township of a date when the funds will be needed and when the project will begin and how much they still need to complete the project. Dean said they also need to keep in mind that the Village is donating the land of where they’d like to place the billboard. Mayor Peltier will see if a member of the Township can come to the next meeting to discuss this further.
Next the Council began to discuss water rate increase. Clerk McIntire advised that she provided the Council with the rate increase schedule that was created by Matt Hansen with Willett & Hofmann. Last year the Village only increased the sewer rate and not the water rate to comply with the sewer relining grant needs. Clerk McIntire advised that if the Council would like to stay with the suggestion that Hansen provided, there would need to be an increase of $1.95 to the water rate and a $0.20 increase to the rate of any usage over the 3,000 minimum usage. The water rate is currently $38.50 for the first 3,000 gallons used, and that would be increased to $40.45. Anything used over 3,000 would change from $3.80 to $4.00 for each additional 1,000 gallons used. The current minimum utility bill is $89.77, and this would increase that to $91.72. Mayor Peltier said the garbage rate would not increase, and neither would the sewer rate. Commissioner Kendell asked if this would be the final increase and Clerk McIntire said that Hansen’s provided schedule shows an increase through fiscal year 2026. Next year will be the final increase for this schedule provided. The increases have been effective at the start of the new fiscal year, so this increase would be effective as of May 1, 2025. Clerk McIntire will provide the ordinance to review at the next meeting and if there are no questions or concerns, it can be approved at the March 4th meeting. Clerk McIntire advised that these smaller increases help prevent what happened fiscal year 2022 where the Village had to do a $10.15 rate increase. Commissioner Dean said we’ve already agreed that these increases have to happen.
The Council began to discuss budget sheets. Clerk McIntire provided the Council with sheets of the current budget and where everything stands. She requested they look them over and begin to think if there are any projects or purchases that need to be figured in to the fiscal year 2025 budget that needs to be completed and approved by the second meeting in March. Mayor Peltier asked the Council members to communicate with each other and let Clerk McIntire know of any changes that need to be made. There will be a budget meeting on March 4th before the regular meeting.
Last under new business was to review Building Code Ordinance Amending the Tampico Municipal Code Relating to Incorporation & Adoption of International Codes. Clerk McIntire advised that Mr. Shirk reached out and provided the given ordinance that he recommends the Village adopts. He wanted the Council to review it first to see if they wanted to exclude and of the provisions they feel are necessary. The Council will look this over and it will be discussed again at the next meeting.
Building Permits
There were no building permits to review at this time.
Communications
Clerk McIntire advised she provided the Council with their copies of the Illinois Municipal League magazines.
Clerk McIntire also advised that the Village Hall will be closed Monday, February 17th for Presidents’ Day.
Clerk McIntire reported that February 22nd will be the kickoff for the Sesquicentennial 150-year celebration of Tampico in the gym of the Reagan Community Center at 2:00PM. Events include a live and silent auction, guest speakers and much more.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Dean, second by Commissioner Kendell. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council is Scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 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 18th DAY OF February, 2025
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
