REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR & COMMISSIONERS OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO, August 6, 2013, 7:00 P.M.

The regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m., August 6, 2013, in Tampico Village Hall by Mayor Kristine L. Hill.

Roll call was taken by Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, who also recorded the written minutes. Present were Commissioners Toby Johnson, Bruce Hill and Mary Jo Sigel. Commissioner Carlos “Butch” McNinch was absent due to his work schedule.

Minutes for the July 16, 2013 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.

Minutes for the July 22, 2013 Special Meeting were approved as presented.

Local business owner, Bonnie Anderson, Kickback Saloon, was present to advise the Council of her business’s recent safety inspection by her insurance carrier. She stated two of the things she needs to remedy are placing protection around the gas meter in the alley and removing and replacing the sidewalks in front of and to the south side of her building. Anderson asked the Council to provide information as far as set backs in the alley when she installs the guards for the meter. Mention was made to check into the specifics with Nicor and IDOT. Anderson next asked about the Village helping with the cost of the business’s sidewalk. Mayor Hill advised Anderson the matter would be discussed further into the meeting as an agenda item.

Residents of East Market Street were present to ask the council to please do something about the behavior of individuals residing in rental properties in their neighborhood. They told the council about possible reckless driving and other concerns they have. Mayor Hill assured the residents that the Village is doing what it can to find a solution to their concerns. One resident asked Commissioner Hill if it would be possible to arrange a meeting with the property owner, the police department and neighbors. Commissioner Hill advised them he would meet with Police Chief Terry Strike and review actions the village may take on their behalf. Mayor Hill also told the concerned residents their best action might be to get an attorney and research public nuisance laws where they might be able to take the property owner to court to relieve or remove the nuisance.

On a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Sigel, approval was given for the final IEPA Infrastructure Loan Disbursement Request in the amount of $24,109.49 to Fischer Excavating, Inc. and $3,575.90 to Willett, Hofmann & Associates, Inc. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

Clerk Leathers reported to the Council she had recently heard from Grant Administrator, Sharon Pepin (Community Funding and Planning Services), on the status of the CDAP Grant. Final payments have been made from grant monies and it is now time to close the grant out. Leathers stated a public hearing will need to be held to finalize the last details. Pepin has suggested the hearing may be held immediately before either their August 20 or September 3, 2013 meeting. Mayor Hill suggested the hearing could be held before the council’s August 20 meeting at 6:30 PM in Village Hall. Johnson, Hill and Sigel concurred. Leathers will notify Pepin. The grant administrator will have the Public Hearing notices published in the newspaper as is required.

Commissioner Hill had no new information to report on the downtown building and its remediation status. The Council has been trying to work with the property owner to relieve conditions in the building that could be damaging other downtown historic buildings. He will contact Attorney Ron Coplan again for any further developments.

The Council next discussed the proposed ordinance to allow golf carts and other low-speed vehicles to be driven on village streets. Clerk Leathers had compiled a draft of the proposed ordinance for the Council’s review. Leathers questioned whether council members wanted the ordinance to allow motorized bicycles as well. Other items, such as being a licensed driver and at least 18 years of age were discussed along with a $20.00 permit fee suggestion. Low-Speed or Neighborhood Vehicles would require a short inspection of said vehicles by the police department. Proof of insurance and proper equipment will be approved by Chief Strike. Council members will review the proposed changes to the draft ordinance for further discussion at their next meeting.

Mayor Hill reported to the council she had contacted local real estate agent, Wes Anderson, about the possibility of selling or auctioning off the village owned annex building located at 126 S. Main. Mayor Hill told council members it might be possible to auction off or sell the building in question in its “as is” condition. She told them it may be possible to put a provision or condition into the sale or auction documents to assure the property is developed and used for a specific business rather than as just a place to store things. She told them other communities have been negotiating such conditions when their municipal properties have been sold. She stated it could be put to good use in encouraging new business growth. She asked council members to consider a reserve amount as a starting point. Discussion would be continued in future meetings.

Discussion then turned to the 50/50 Sidewalk Replacement policy. Business owner Bonnie Anderson said she is aware of the policy and would like to know how it would apply to her business. Mayor Hill advised Anderson, there may be village compensation for a five (5) foot width of both the east side and south side sidewalks. Mayor Hill stated the south sidewalk of the building is older asphalt that may only require overlay. Anderson stated she is looking for a workable area with the Village. Mayor Hill told Anderson it’s possible redoing the front sidewalk near Main Street may require curbing for any new sidewalk placement. Mayor Hill stated as long as the village and Anderson are working through this it might be a good time to mitigate other issues such as standing storm water. Mayor Hill advised Anderson she hopes to find a workable plan that will also comply with IDOT regulations for the Main Street portion of the replaced sidewalk.

Building permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, were Carol Camper – 108 N. Main – House & Garage New Roof and Ron Nipper – 206 N. Fremont – House and Garage; new roof.

Mayor Hill reported to the Council an estimate for the Welcome sign on the west edge of town is being obtained as well as an estimate to refresh the three other signs at each entrance to the Village.

The Mayor also told the Council it appears the August 17th “Pink” ride for Breast Cancer will make a stop in Tampico before returning to the finish location in Sterling. Business owner Bonnie Anderson advised she will have banners to put up for the event as they have done before.

Mayor Hill was happy to report she has heard from the Mayor of the Village’s “Twin City” of Privolnoe, Russia. She told the council they are quite similar to Tampico with some of the same concerns that small municipalities share. While Tampico is the birthplace of President Ronald Reagan, Privolnoe is the birthplace of Mikhail Gorbachev.

Clerk Leathers reported the Tampico Men’s Club has re-imbursed the Village for the cost of the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Patrol during the Tampico Days Celebration. They have also re-imbursed the Village for additional electricity used during the three-day event.

Bills were ordered paid as outlined on a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel and Mayor Hill.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM. The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, August 20, 2013 in Tampico Village Hall.

Kathy A. Leathers ________________
Clerk

Kristine L. Hill_________________
Mayor

MINUTES APPROVED THIS 20th DAY OF _August , 2013

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