REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR & COMMISSIONERS
OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
June 18, 2013
The regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council was called to order at 7:00 PM, June 18, 2013 in Tampico Village Hall by Mayor Kristine L. Hill.
Roll call was taken by Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, who recorded the written minutes. Present were Commissioners Toby Johnson, Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Carlos “Butch” McNinch.
Also present were Village Attorney William Shirk, Police Chief Terry Strike and Sergeant Boyd VanDellen.
Approval was given to the meeting minutes of the June 4, 2013 Regular Meeting with one change requested by local business owner, Bonnie Anderson. Page One; Paragraph Seven; Sentence Three will be struck from the record.
Al Morthland again questioned the council about the policy of village police officers keeping the two police vehicles in Prophetstown. Morthland wants to know how much it costs in gas to do so. Mayor Hill advised him, police department gas costs were included in the bills list available to the public. Commissioner Hill stated this issue has been discussed before. He advised the practice has been used for some time and will remain village policy.
The Council was next asked by an audience member what happened to the village council cleaning up the town. Sergeant VanDellen advised residents to take a ride around town. The Whiteside County Health Department has already condemned two abandoned properties. Commissioner Hill stated Chief Strike has been regularly sending violation notices to those properties in violation of the ordinance; i.e. tall grass and weeds, junk cars and other trash or junk laying around.
Another resident was upset about Chief Strike, Commissioner Hill and the Whiteside County Health Department inspecting her residence without her knowledge. She told the Council if there was a problem, they should contact her. She would take them through any of her properties if they would ask. She also told them, her residence windows are boarded up because of fire damage sustained to the dwelling. She stated she has the windows on order but they haven’t arrived yet. The resident advised there is a sign in the front yard of the home with the name of the window company. Commissioner Hill told the resident, the Health Department was here and asked if there were any other dwellings they were concerned about while they were in town doing their inspections. Hill noted the windows had been boarded up for some time. Mayor Hill told those present, it’s a matter of public health and safety when such things are that noticable. Village Attorney Shirk advised the council and audience members, the Health Department makes the call whether a residence is a safety or health hazard.
A resident on East Third Street told the Council there are two trees that extend along the alley near her home and that of her neighbor’s that may need to be dealt with before they cause damage to neighborhood homes. Mayor Hill told the resident, Public Works Superintendent Pierce would be asked to check into the matter.
A resident of Main Street told the council there is also a tree on the corner of Main and W. Second Street with branches that could pose a threat to the electric lines. Mayor Hill advised the resident ComEd will likely be doing tree maintenance soon.
A resident of S. Benton Street near the beer garden questioned why the orange safety fence for the Men’s Club beer garden was in such close proximity to a fire hydrant. Mayor Hill said she could see the resident’s point but the orange fencing should pose no obstruction to reaching the fire hydrant if necessary. The same resident questioned the council on bicycles being banned from the downtown sidewalks. She advised them she walks with her young grandchildren across town and prefers they ride on the sidewalk rather than on Main Street. Mayor Hill told the resident the ban is a result of kids riding bikes and even ramping bikes and skateboards on the sidewalks in the downtown business district.
There were no updates on the status of any aspects of the Infrastructure Construction Projects. The projects are completed except for the finish fence work at the W. Market Street Lift Station.
There was no new business involving CDAP Grant Funds. It is expected the grant administrator, Sharon Pepin, Community Funding and Planning Services, will attend a future meeting to go over the receipt and expenditure of CDAP grant funds used for the Infrastructure Construction Projects.
Mayor Hill advised the council there will be a meeting this week with attorneys for those involved in regard to the downtown building remediation issues.
Mayor Hill stated changes to the Tampico Days schedule of events are being updated on line as soon as they are available.
There were no suggestions or decisions made on either resignations or appointments to the Tampico Recreation Board. The matter will be discussed at a future time.
Mayor Hill suggested the council consider changes to the Village Liquor Code Ordinance. She would like to see the limit of licenses cap removed. Current ordinance allows for only two liquor licenses per category, such as two Class A licenses and so on. If such a cap is removed, Mayor Hill told those present the council can always deny any application if there were concerns with adding another. Attorney Shirk proposed several options to the council such as higher initial fees for the first year of issuance to a liquor establishment. He also suggested listing the different classifications on a fee schedule that would be cheaper than amending the ordinance. The council will consider the matter during future meetings.
Ordinance No. O02-13-06-18 establishing the prevailing wage rates in Whiteside County was approved on a motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Hill. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The ordinance determines the Prevailing Rate of Wages for Whiteside County as determined by the Illinois Department of Labor. Copies of the Village’s prevailing wage ordinance will be forwarded to the IL Department of Labor and the Secretary of State. Copies of the ordinance are also available from the village clerk’s office.
At the request of a resident at the June 4, 2013 village council meeting, discussion was held concerning allowing golf carts and other low speed vehicles within the village limits. Things for
JUNE 18, 2013 REGULAR MEETING – TAMPICO VILLAGE COUNCIL, CONT’D.
the council to consider would be registration of the vehicles, allowing only licensed drivers to operate them and requiring proof of insurance. Village Attorney Shirk was asked to draft an ordinance including such. Further discussion will continue at the council’s next meeting.
Building Permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker: Tim Church – 202 W. 4th Street – adding a deck to the residence.
REPORTS OF VILLAGE OFFICIALS
Commissioner Sigel asked about monies being raised by the Tampico Historical Society for the Reagan statue. Sharon Pepin, Community Funding & Planning Services, was to have checked into grant funding for the remainder of funds needed to finish purchasing the statue to be put in Reagan Park. Mayor Hill advised Sigel, they are getting close to their goal but she would contact Pepin. Sigel asked if she should follow through with her own contacts as well.
A resident asked if she could replace trees located in Reagan Park that were planted in memory of her husband. She advised the trees have died. Commissioner McNinch advised her it would be fine.
Commissioner Hill reported some of the “Welcome to Tampico” signs are starting to show their age. He advises they could be either replaced or repainted. Hill along with Mayor Hill would like to see a garden club form to help maintain the signs and the landscaping around them.
Commissioner Hill also reported investigating a report of numerous snakes on the west edge of the village. He advised it appears they are coming from an old, unused cistern in the neighborhood. Police Chief Strike and Commissioner Hill will follow up with the issue.
Commissioner Hill told the council he is checking into various options to upgrade the village’s aging storm siren. He stated the new models can be initiated from remote locations and remote contact with the National Weather Service is also an option.
Commissioner McNinch reported to the council the need to replace the village’s white truck. He said break downs and repairs to the vehicle are happening more and more often. Costs of the repairs are no longer economical. He reported he will have Superintendent Pierce look around for something suitable.
Mayor Hill reported she recently met with the Village’s ComEd representative for their annual review.
Mayor Hill also advised she had met with the Department of Natural Resources and the County to gauge the possibility of a bike trail or green path from the Hennepin Canal back to the Village along Hahnaman Road. Hill feels the path or trail into the village would be a welcome stop for those who use the canal for biking, hiking or snowmobiling.
Bills were approved as presented on a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Sigel. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.
The next regular meeting will be July 2, 2013 at 7:00 PM in Tampico Village Hall.
Kathy A. Leathers__________________ Kristine L. Hill __________________
Clerk Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS _2nd_ DAY OF __July____, 2013
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
