April 2, 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 Boyd VanDellen and Village Employee, Art Spencer, were also present. Village Clerk Kathy Leathers recorded the written minutes.

Minutes of the March 19, 2013 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.

Resident Al Morthland was present with a list of questions for the Council. Morthland said he was approached by a resident in the 300 block of E. Third Street about opening the alley to allow for entrance to a new garage the resident would like to put up. Mayor Hill told Morthland the resident should talk directly to the Village Council about the matter. Mayor Hill stated most people in that neighborhood are against having the alley open to traffic as seen during her tenure as a Commissioner.

Morthland next asked the Council about the shotgun he thinks has been lost or misplaced. Mayor Hill, Commissioner Hill and other Council members have previously told Morthland there are no historical records to indicate a second shotgun was obtained for the police department. Commissioner Sigel told Morthland at one point during her late father-in-law’s term as Mayor, a shotgun was disposed of after having been deemed unsafe because of its age. Mayor Hill stated she hoped this will be an end to the matter.

Morthland also wanted to know about making people clean up their yards. He wants to know when it is supposed to start. Commissioner Hill told him now that the weather is improving, the police department will start sending compliance letters to those who have nuisance violations such as junk cars, etc.

Morthland still thinks the council should be doing something about the drugs in town. Morthland thinks the village should go door to door like Sterling does. Commissioner Hill told Morthland the council has gone over and over this issue. He advised Morthland, police officers have to follow the laws and make sure there is probable cause to pursue such issues.

Morthland also wanted to know how much sheriff’s deputies have to be paid when they are called to Tampico. Commissioner Hill told Morthland the village pays nothing for the sheriff’s department to assist the village.

Terry Gaskill was present to commend the council. He told them he has retired from his insurance agency business and will be devoting much of his time to promote tourism in the village. He told them Tampico is the only town in Illinois that is the birthplace of a president. He hopes to be able to do something to bring people and businesses to town through his efforts.

Mayor Hill reported to Gaskill that she has been in touch with the village’s grant writer about securing grant funds to complete the Reagan statute for Reagan Park.

Gaskill also asked the council about the status of the downtown buildings remediation efforts. Mayor Hill told him the council is working hard to remedy the situation.

In regular business, the council approved CDAP Grant Fund draw down requests in the amount of $29,866.98 for D.J. Sickley Construction Company for the sewer treatment plant aeration system construction and $6,284.87 for Fischer Excavating, Inc. for the Market Street Lift Station project.
April 2, 2013 – Regular Meeting in Tampico Village Hall, cont’d.

On a motion by Commissioner Wildman, second by Commissioner Sigel, the requests were approved. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill.

Mayor Hill advised those present the new lift station is up and running with demolition of the old lift station to begin soon.

Commissioner Sigel updated the progress on the downtown buildings remediation issue. She has forwarded everything to Attorney Ron Coplan who will be sending correspondence to the parties concerned.

Council members have been continuing their review of the 2013-2014 fiscal year appropriations budget amounts. Clerk Leathers told them she would like to have everything in place for approval at their April 16, 2013 meeting.

The Council learned that Public Works Superintendent, Tom Pierce, is having a tough time getting information regarding upgrades to the village’s meter reading equipment so he may have to go through another company. The meter reader is currently working again so Pierce is able to have more time to gather the information. Clerk Leathers advised they may want to consider new accounting software at the same time since it is unsure whether the current accounting software company will be in business much longer.

Building permits recently issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, are as follows: Roy Haney – 302 E. Second Street – Dwelling Siding.

On a motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Commissioner McNinch, the meeting schedule for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 was approved. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The list will be available and on display at Tampico Village Hall as well as being published in the local newspaper.

Commissioner Sigel reported that she had watched traffic at an alley next to the Men’s Club on Benton Street. Morthland had asked the council to provide a stop sign at the location for safety reasons. Sigel told those present there is not enough traffic to justify a stop sign at that location and the speed limit for alleys is 15 mph in the Village limits. Morthland still argued a sign was needed for safety saying “You know they’re not going to obey that.” Mayor Hill concurred with Commissioner Sigel that a stop sign at that location could not be justified.

Cost of living increases were approved by the council as follows: Terry Strike – $1.00 per hour increase; Boyd VanDellen – $1.00 per hour increase; Anna Wetzell – 3% of her current salary; Tom Pierce – 3% of his current salary; Ron Carboni – 3% of his current hourly wage and Kathy Leathers – 3% of her current salary. A motion was made by Commissioner Hill, second by Commissioner Wildman. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The increases will take effect May 1, 2013.

Commissioner Hill reported incidents of fireworks being set off around town. He told the council he is looking to amend the Village’s current ordinance. Officer VanDellen told Hill Chapter 40 of the State Fire Marshall’s code would apply in this instance. Commissioner Hill will check how other towns deal with the issue and how their ordinance dealing with the issue is set up.

Commissioner Sigel asked how the dog situation was coming along. There have been reports of dogs running at large in the Village. Clerk Leathers advised Sigel, Whiteside County Animal Control has been checking on the complaints and has issued several ordinance violation tickets.

Mayor Hill asked those present if there were any other questions or concerns. Bonnie Anderson, Kickback Saloon, told the Council she will be requesting permission to remain open past the usual closing time during Tampico Days.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 PM. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 7:00 pm in Tampico Village Hall.
Kathy A. Leathers __________________
Clerk

Kristine L. Hill______________________
Mayor

MINUTES APPROVED THIS 16th _ DAY OF April _, 2013

**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Tampico Village Clerk**