June 4, 2013 – Regular Meeting in Tampico Village Hall
Mayor Kristine L. Hill called the above meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Commissioners Toby Johnson, Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Butch McNinch were present. Also present was Police Chief Terry Strike. Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, recorded the written minutes.
Minutes of the May 22, 2013 Re-Scheduled Meeting were approved as presented.
Resident, Beth Etheridge, was present to discuss allowing the use of golf carts in the Village. She and her husband, Randy, sometimes like to take their golf cart to their daughter’s. She asked if golf carts could be allowed if the driver provides proof of insurance and if the cart is equipped with standard safety devices, such as headlights and tail lights. She told them the Village of Lyndon allows them. Commissioner Hill advised if the Council were to consider such an ordinance, low speed vehicles will still not be allowed on Main Street, State Route 172. Commissioner Sigel asked if low speed vehicles would include dirt bikes. Mayor Hill told Sigel dirt bikes would be considered to fast to classify as a low speed vehicle. Sigel also asked if golf carts would have to be licensed by the state. Mayor Hill stated, she believed so, but it would be checked into and she would like the Council to consider the issue. She will gather information for the Council’s review.
Residents near the Grade School asked the Council who they should contact when the gravel near the street in front of their home starts to erode. They advised the council it’s getting bad there. Mayor Hill asked if it’s eroding from their property or the Village’s roadway. Commissioner McNinch said he would check into it.
Residents on N. Main Street, across from the Post Office asked where they should be putting out their recycling bins. They currently put them on the corner of N. Main St. and W. Second St. The council advised them that if it’s not being picked-up at the designated locations that the recycling/garbage company indicates, the Village would call them for locations.
Resident Al Morthland was present to ask if someone had been found to take Dr. Shah’s place when he retires. Mayor Hill told him village residents can only hope they find someone. Morthland had heard talk of a nurse practioner taking his place.
Morthland also asked the Council the status of the liquor license for the business next door. Morthland feels the business should not have had a license in the first place. Kickback Saloon owner, Bonnie Anderson, agreed. There has been a recent transfer of ownership of the business but not the building itself that has caused some confusion. Mayor Hill asked Morthland why everyone thinks they need to be involved in this matter. She told those present, it’s the Council’s responsibility and hers as the liquor commissioner. Mayor Hill told Morthland the issue is between the business owner, the State of Illinois and the Village Liquor Commissioner. She also told him it’s being handled in the proper manner and within the law as spelled out in the Liquor Code of the State of Illinois and it will continue to be handled in that manner until the situation is resolved.
Morthland next asked the Council why village police cars continue to be kept in Prophetstown. Commissioner Hill told Morthland since the part-time police officers are from around that area, it is more efficient to keep the cars where officers have quick access and can respond more quickly if they are called out. Hill said the council has addressed this issue before and it’s not going to be discussed again. Commissioner McNinch told Morthland if he has concerns he should ask to be put on the agenda so the council does not have to discuss the same issues over and over again.
Mayor Hill stated the council is trying to get things done. They are trying to look at the positive. She asked residents to talk to the council with their questions. She said bringing matters up that have already been resolved just has the council backtracking and beating a dead horse over and over again.
Resident Carol Camper was present to ask the council about creating a shed out of beer bottles in her back yard. She advised she has talked to Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, and shown him her plans. She told the council the building will consist of glass bricks made out of bottles. Mayor Hill told Camper it sounds like it will be something unique and if the Zoning Administrator is okay with it, she should proceed.
On a motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Commissioner McNinch, approval was given to an IEPA Loan Disbursement request for $7,097.40 to Fischer Excavation, Inc. for pay request #5 and to Willett, Hofmann & Associates, Inc. for Invoice #18637 for engineering services in the amount of $4,760.75. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill reported she has heard from grant writer, Sharon Pepin, Community Funding & Planning Services. Grant funds for the nearly completed projects are near completion and there are no new disbursement requests.
Commissioner Sigel reported on the status of the downtown Main Street building issues. It is her understanding, the Village’s attorney, Ron Coplan, and the owner’s attorney are to meet to find a resolution to the problem.
Mayor Hill reported on planned events for the annual Festive Days celebration. Katie Fisk, Tampico Area Historic Preservation Committee, has been helping Mayor Hill to compile an accurate schedule of events for the June 21-23, 2013 celebration. Mayor Hill advised residents if there are any changes or questions, to go to www.tampicoil.com for the updated schedule. She advised she will update the list as events or changes are added.
On a motion by Commissioner McNinch, second by Commissioner Sigel, approval was given for Commissioner Toby Jo Johnson to be authorized to do business on the Village’s behalf with PNB – Tampico Branch. “Yes” votes were Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. Commissioner Johnson abstained. The motion carried.
On a motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Commissioner Sigel, the resignation of Toby Johnson from the Tampico Recreational Board was approved. “Yes” votes were Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. Commissioner Johnson abstained. The motion carried.
Mayor Hill asked anyone in the audience if they would be interested in being on the Recreational Board. She advised them to think about it and let her know.
Mayor Hill told the Council, she received a possible request about liquor licenses from someone who wants to buy the old 5th Quarter building. Since the Village Code has a 2-license limit on each classification of liquor license, the council would have to consider changing their Liquor License Code to accommodate the request for another Class A License. Commissioner McNinch stated people complained about Casey’s getting their license bumped up. McNinch was referring to the recent ordinance change to allow Casey’s General Stores to sell at retail, hard liquor, in addition to beer and wine. McNinch said he would hate to see Tampico with ten (10) bars. Commissioner Sigel stated she would like to see such a license tied to food service as well. Village ordinance does provide a license for that classification. Mayor Hill advised most of the Village’s ordinances are tied in with the old times. She stated she would like to see the village open things up and any license would have to be approved by the council.
There were no building permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker.
Commissioner Hill mentioned checking into grant funds to upgrade the Village’s storm warning siren. He stated he would like to find something that is sounded remotely. He advised there are some warning systems that can be activated by the National Weather Service or by local law enforcement or fire department personnel from their vehicles. Mayor Hill reported during the last severe storm, the Fire Department had manned their station, monitored radio reports from Whiteside County and had spotters in place around the village limits. She stated they did what they should have done in the situation.
Commissioner McNinch reported there has been another break-in with vandalism to the bathrooms at Booth Park. He told council members this is the third year in a row. He advised them it’s just down to one bathroom now. They have closed off the men’s bathroom. He said if the vandalism can’t be stopped then the village won’t have the bathrooms open anymore. He told those present, people like to use the park for picnics and gatherings but even the public doesn’t like the bathrooms being destroyed. The council will consider repairs and changes to the bathroom setup in the coming weeks.
The Council also learned there have been complaints of loud music on Main Street along with people congregating on the sidewalk and in the gazebo. Police Chief Strike and Commissioner Hill advised those concerned to sign a complaint so those involved can be ticketed.
Carol Camper asked the village if there is anything she needs to do to be able to sell cotton candy and popcorn in the park during children’s events during Tampico Days. Mayor Hill advised there is nothing from the village but she should abide by the Whiteside County Health Department’s rules and regulations concerning such.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner McNinch. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill.
The next regular meeting will be June 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM in Tampico Village Hall.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.
__Kathy Leathers ____________ ____Kristine L. Hill________________
Clerk Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS 18th __ DAY OF _June__, 2013
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
