March 19, 2013 – Regular Meeting in Tampico Village Hall
Mayor Kristine L. Hill called the above meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Commissioners Al Wildman, Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Carlos “Butch” McNinch were present. Police Officer Brian Oostenryk and Village Employee Art Spencer were in attendance as well.
Minutes of the March 5, 2013 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Business owner, Bonnie Anderson, had a question for Commissioner Hill. She wanted to know if he had told her it was legal to have beer in her beer garden, an area set outside the saloon with privacy fencing. She asked Hill to tell his officers that she has his permission for her patrons to be there. Anderson wants the village to put a stop to police hampering her business. She told the council there are several residents upset by police behavior over the weekend. Anderson was referring to an incident that occurred on Saturday night. She cites village police come on to her property and were telling patrons they could not have alcohol outside even in the beer garden. Anderson believes her business is an asset to the community, citing sales tax and other revenue for the village, and she doesn’t like arguing. She told the Council she can’t understand why the Council allows this. Commissioner Hill told Anderson that alcohol is allowed in what she refers to her beer garden as long as bar patrons remain inside the designated area. Mayor Hill told Anderson, the law is the law. Commissioner Hill told her if they are walking around outside the fenced in area with alcohol, then they are in violation of the law. Anderson told the Council she has no problem with officers walking into her business but they should not be interfering with that business.
Resident Al Morthland was present with several issues in the village he is concerned about. He told the council, two police cars were sitting outside of the Kickback. He wants to know why the village would bother the business when there isn’t “anything else in this town”[for businesses].
He wanted to know why nothing has been done to put a stop to the drugs in town. He stated everyone in town knows where the drugs are. He would like the village to try what he said Sterling is doing, knocking on doors and asking if there are drugs at the residence. He states he wants to know if the council talks to people in town. He maintains if they did, they would know where the drugs are. He stated he is reporting this to the Police Commissioner and the Mayor, but he said, “you don’t do nothing”. Mayor Hill told Morthland unfortunately the village has no proof of the drug activity and it’s difficult to prosecute a case without it. Morthland told the mayor, that it is the village’s job to clean it up. He wants to know why undercover cops are not down here. He knows a lot of guys at county who would come down.
Morthland is also concerned about another matter. He asked Mayor Hill why she called Casey’s in Iowa about the price of cigarettes being too high. Hill told Morthland, that yes, she did complain about prices in the store being too high but she cited milk prices and other necessary items that shouldn’t require making a trip out of town for cheaper prices. If prices were compared with other area Casey’s stores, she told him, he would see they are higher. She reported the Tampico Casey’s is a “D” store. She asked Morthland why he thinks that is a problem. Morthland told Mayor Hill he is worried about Casey’s moving out of town. Mayor Hill told him, Casey’s has been doing some remodeling and will be adding to their inventory soon so it is unlikely that will happen.
Morthland’s other concerns were: A new stop sign near the Men’s Club, because people come flying through there. Mayor Hill advised him there are stop signs up in that area. He also told the council there are cement blocks and old tires on the roof of the old garage on South Main. He is afraid it will become a breeding ground for mosquitos. Commissioner Hill told Morthland, the police department will be conducting a sweep soon of all properties considered to be a public nuisance per Village Ordinance. Morthland then asked the council about snow removal on sidewalks and why business owners in the downtown area are not being ticketed for neglecting them. Commissioner McNinch told Morthland trying to keep a sidewalk clear could perhaps leave more room for liability on the part of the business. Kickback owner, Bonnie Anderson, agreed with McNinch. Mayor Hill told those present that owners are encouraged to clear their sidewalks but it is not against the law or village ordinance not to.
Anderson advised the council she will be checking into the village ordinance on commercial fencing policies. She stated she is considering making a parking lot in the vacant lot just to the north of her building. She said she had heard that a parking lot in a residential area must have a fence separating the parking lot from any houses. Mayor Hill told Anderson, village ordinance is available on-line if she would like to find the information there.
There were no new draw down requests for contractor payments for any of the infrastructure projects. Mayor Hill told those present the lift station will be on-line within the next few days.
Commissioner Sigel advised she has been e-mailing Attorney Ron Coplan back and forth regarding issues with a downtown building. She reports she has sent him a copy of the new ordinance affecting excessive storage in the historic district and a copy of the Village’s listing in the National Historic District Registry. Coplan advised her he will incorporate the new information for his files and also advised he hoped to resolve the issue by summer.
Clerk Leathers reminded council members they need to review their departments and compile budget figures for the upcoming fiscal year. She would like to have the 2013-2014 Appropriations Ordinance approved before the end of April.
Clerk Leathers advised Public Works Superintendent Tom Pierce is still awaiting word on correct figures for upgrading the village’s water meter reading equipment. She told the council they might want to expect having to upgrade or replace the village’s existing computer software in the process.
Building permits recently issued by Village Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, are as follows: Harold Grimes – 211 S. Joy – Dwelling and Garage Siding.
On a motion by Commissioner Wildman, second by Commissioner Sigel, that membership in the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resourced (NAEIR) in Galesburg, IL be renewed at $495.00 for a four catalog membership. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The program offers surplus items for reduced costs, mostly shipping and handling fees, for items useful to the village such as office supplies and maintenance supplies.
Commissioner Wildman motioned, seconded by Commissioner McNinch, that the quote from Wipfli LLP, Dixon IL, be accepted to perform the Village’s 2012-2013 Annual Audit at a fee of $8,000.00. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. Mayor Hill signed and dated the firm’s engagement letter.
Commissioner McNinch motioned, seconded by Commissioner Hill to approve retaining William Shirk, Morrison IL, as village attorney for the fiscal year 2013-2014. His fees will remain the same at $200.00 per hour. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. Mayor Hill and council members agreed they are very happy with Shirk’s services.
Commissoner Hill reported that he continues to review the state’s surplus equipment program. He told council members of several issues with the program’s website. He will continue to work with people from downstate to be able to finally order goods online. He reported some items useful to the Village could be free or at a reduced cost. He said some ToughBook computers have been going for as low as $50.00. He has been told that if items do not work or do not suit the village, they can be returned.
Bills were ordered paid as presented on motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Commissioner Sigel. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill asked those present in the audience if they had any other concerns. Morthland asked why council members are not thinking about pit bulls. Mayor Hill told him certain breeds of dogs, such as pit bulls, cannot be banned. Commissioner McNinch told Morthland federal law says you cannot discriminate against a certain breed. Morthland told the council leash laws need to be enforced. Mayor Hill told those present if there are dogs wandering at large in the Village, persons need to contact either Police Chief Terry Strike, notify Animal Control or call Village Hall with a description. She added that pictures of the dogs help as well. Clerk Leathers said if a description of the dog or dogs is given to Animal Control, they may know who the owners are.
Kickback Saloon owner, Bonnie Anderson, asked the Council about a sink hole at the rear of her business property. She thinks with all the construction, an old sewer line from the house that used to be there may be settling and sinking. Anderson said at the end of her sidewalk is some old clay tile. Mayor Hill advised Anderson to allow Superintendent Pierce on her property to see where the settling is occurring. Mayor Hill also stated Pierce has looked into the problem in the alley and will try sending a video camera through to make sure the sewer lines are not compromised.
Al Morthland then told Commissioner McNinch of an old sewer line sticking up above the ground at his residence. Morthland thinks its from where a trailer was previous located. McNinch told Morthland he would need to contact his landlord since it is on private property.
The meeting adjourned at 7:46 PM. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 7:00 PM in Tampico Village Hall.
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Clerk
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Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS ____ DAY OF _______________, 2013
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Tampico Village Clerk**
