November 6, 2012 – Regular Meeting in Tampico Village Hall

Mayor Kristine L. Hill called the above meeting of the Tampico Village Council to order at 7:00 PM. Commissioners Al Wildman, Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Carlos McNinch were present.

Minutes of the October 16, 2012 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.

Minutes of the October 16, 2012 Closed Session Meeting Minutes were approved as presented.

Mayor Hill told Council Members that Dan Loos, Willett, Hoffman & Associates, held a pre-construction meeting on October 25, 2012 in Tampico Village Hall. Loos met with representatives from D.J. Sickley Construction, Fischer Excavating, Inc., grant writer, Sharon Pepin, Mayor Hill, Commissioner McNinch, Public Works Superintendent, Tom Pierce and the Village Clerk to discuss the scope of work for both the waste water treatment plant aeration system and the West Market Street lift station. The Mayor told the council she felt all went well with the meeting. She told of an issue that had come to light with one of the lagoons at the sewer plant that has now been resolved by Pierce. She also told them construction should begin very soon.

Village Clerk Leathers advised council members she expects to open a new checking account at PNB – Tampico Branch for the IEPA loan proceeds disbursements. She will need to do the same for the CDAP grant monies as well.

On a motion by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner McNinch, Sharon Pepin, Community Funding & Planning Services, was appointed Grant Administrator for the Village’s CDAP grant funding. Correspondence had been previously sent out to several grant writing companies and individuals requesting a response if they would be interested in the position with Pepin the only one to respond to the Village’s request. Pepin will assist the village in all reporting and handling of the grant funds. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. Mayor Hill stated it has been a pleasure working with Pepin.

Review continues of Zoning Code Amendments. The Council has been considering the amendments to establish clearer language in the code, deal with issues in the downtown historic district and increase penalty fees for non-compliance to the code. Mayor Hill and Commissioner Sigel have also discussed whether residents doing routine maintenance and upkeep will need to pay building permit fees. They agreed to consider the type of projects that warrant a permit.

Review of local liquor code rules and regulations has been ongoing as well. One of the issues has been formal approval for liquor establishments that wish to stay open longer than the current code allows. The requests are usually made during Tampico Festive Days and when football games are expected to extend beyond the current closing times. An increase in Class C licenses fees was also considered but will be withdrawn at this time. Class C licenses are issued to organizations such as the Men’s Club and are only for a period of days determined by the Council.

Clerk Leathers reviewed the tentative 2012-2013 tax levy figures with the Council. She would like the council to review the rough draft at their November 20th meeting, with their formal approval at their December 4th meeting.

Clerk Leathers also reviewed the IML/Risk Management Association’s 2012-2013 Annual Contribution for Insurance Coverage of village work comp, property and vehicles. Discussion was held on current balances in the work comp and liability insurance funds. Leathers told them for the last few years monies from the property tax levy have not been enough to keep up with the rising costs of the insurance. She explained how tax levy amounts for the general corporate funds are determined and what their uses are. She also told them the tentative 2012-2013 tax levy figures for those line items have been adjusted accordingly to keep up with the rising costs. She advised the Council they may want to consider a permanent transfer from other accounts to cover any shortfalls for the current budget. Doing so will allow those accounts to show a positive balance for the remainder of this fiscal year and to be current for the next fiscal year.

On a motion by Commissioner Wildman, second by Commissioner McNinch, approval was given for the final payment to Murray & Sons Excavating, Inc. for the remainder of MFT funded street projects, Section 12-00000-02-GM, in the amount of $5,066.19. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

There were no building permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker.

In reports from village officials, Commissioner Sigel reported she has had several residents question the burning barrel bans. Residents have told her they do not understand if there is a ban or not since they report seeing people burning trash, etc. in their barrels. Council members told her according to the ordinance, the barrels are not to be used for burning at all and that includes yard waste. Yard waste, such as leaves and sticks may still be burned but not in the barrels. The ban was put in place to keep residents from burning trash in the barrels. Mayor Hill told Sigel, approved recreational fire pits or manufactured pits, are allowed.

Commissioner Sigel asked Mayor Hill if she had heard any status updates for the Casey’s driveway improvement. Casey’s General Store officials are in the process of redoing the grade of the entrance/exit driveway.

Mayor Hill reported she would like to discuss the downtown building issues with the Council at their next meeting. She advised it’s time to look closely and seriously address some of the excess storage and neglect issues in the downtown historic buildings that could compromise the integrity and safety of other, nearby buildings.

Mayor Hill also told the council she has sent correspondence to the PLT School District asking what their future plans will be for the soon to be vacated grade school building. Council members agree they would like to be involved in those discussions. Council members feel consideration should be given to possible uses and what could be considered beneficial to the Village.

Mayor Hill reported she has been advised of a website, Zoom prospector.com, that helps promote villages, towns and municipalities all in one place. She said the site is composed of mostly area demographics that are available to people who are interested in relocating or those interested in what the local area has to offer. She will research the site to see how it works and how it could help the village promote itself.

Commissioner McNinch reported the concessions building at the ball diamond will be cleaned up and winterized by Recreation Committee members.

Commissioner Hill reported there appears to be an issue with one of the acorn lights on the new downtown streetlights. He said it keeps going on and off. They are still under warranty and an electrician will be called to come out.

Local business owner, Bonnie Anderson, told the council of an upcoming event to be held at the Kickback Saloon on November 10, 2012. She said the “1-2-3 Holiday Shopping” will be held from 2 pm – 7 pm for those interested in shopping locally. She told them of numerous vendors who will be showcasing their businesses and merchandise. She added she hopes it will be a good thing for everybody.

No Closed Session portion of the meeting was necessary to approve the Closed Meeting Minutes of October 16, 2012.

Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Wildman, second by Commissioner Hill. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM. The next regular meeting will be November 20, 2012 at 7:00 PM in Tampico Village Hall.

Kathy A. Leathers _________________ Kristine L. Hill _________________
Clerk Mayor

MINUTES APPROVED THIS 20th DAY OF November______, 2012
*These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Tampico Village Clerk*