REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
December 17, 2013
7:00 PM
Tampico Village Hall
The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Village of Tampico was called to order at 7:00 PM, December 17, 2013, in Tampico Village Hall by Mayor Kristine L. Hill.
Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, called the roll, present were Mayor Hill, and Commissioners Toby Johnson, Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Derrick Maupin.
Also present was Police Chief Terry Strike.
Minutes of the November 19, 2013 Regular Meeting were approved as presented. Minutes of the November 26, 2013 Working / Planning Meeting at the old grade school building were also approved as presented.
On a motion by Commissioner Maupin, second by Commissioner Sigel, approval was given to issue a Video Gaming License, #T-91 to the Kickback Saloon, Bonnie Anderson, for a period of one year from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 for three (3) gaming terminals at $25.00 each. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The license fees were paid.
The discussion turned to changing the Village’s liquor license ordinance to allow the Kickback Saloon, Bonnie Anderson, to open earlier on Sunday’s. Several of the surrounding communities have already made those changes, some even allowing liquor establishments to be open at 6:00 AM seven days a week. Mayor Hill has been encouraging council members to review the entire ordinance to identify certain other areas that need to be changed such as prohibiting the sale of alcohol within 100 feet of a mortuary. Mayor Hill stated she is not excited about allowing a liquor license holder to be open at 6 AM. She stated the village council has a lot of other people and things to consider when making such a change. Commissioner Hill agreed saying not the least of which is the cost. Commissioner Sigel agreed 6:00 AM is really early. Commissioner Hill agreed and stated 10:00 AM is more than fair. Anderson stated the village already gets $8-$10,000 per year from her business in sales tax, and gaming and liquor licenses. Anderson also wants the extended closing hours during Tampico Days in the ordinance the same way New Year’s Eve extended closing hours are listed instead of using up one of four special time change permissions the liquor commissioner can approve. Mayor Hill advised Anderson, she is reluctant to write that into the ordinance but there is always the option that she can approve four of the time change requests but stated if more were needed, the Council could be requested to approve an extra request for a temporary change in the hours. Anderson thanked the council for pushing the matter up on the agenda since she must leave the meeting early.
Next the council heard from former resident Tim Hatten Ph.D. Hatten grew up in Tampico and he and his sisters now own the house where they grew up. Hatten advised the council he had held a slow-pitch baseball tournament during last year’s Tampico Days that seemed to be very successful. He stated when he heard about the Village obtaining the former Tampico Grade School building, he wanted to bring his programs here to benefit youth athletes and better prepare them for their high school and / or college sports careers. While his main focus is baseball, he believes all athletes will benefit from the training. He told them he wants to give back to the community a bit. He wants students and the community involved in school sponsored or other sports programs to be able to have a sense of pride in their abilities and the community. Hatten advised the council he will be implementing a series of two (2) six class-sequences over the next six to twelve weeks on Saturdays. He will limit his focus to local kids for right now. Hatten stated he would like to work with the Village Recreation board and then branch out from there with programs that can be offered. Hatten has presented his certificate of liability insurance to the Village so he may start organizing his program without delay. Coach Hatten has obtained his Ph.D. in Exercise Science and is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Personal Trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Hatten is also a Certified Dartfish Technologist, with the ability to integrate the most state of the art video analysis into his instruction. He has coached athletes from little league through the college ranks. He is also certified as an ASEP/NFHS Certified Coaching Education Instructor. In 2013, he completed the Level 4 ACE Softball Coaching Certification through the Amateur Softball Association, (ASA). He told the council more information can be found on his website, www.hatteco.com or by calling him at 815-627-0598. The Council thanked him for his presentation.
A local resident was present to tell the council one person on the board should be in charge of the school, [old grade school building] so there is no confusion. Mayor Hill and Commissioner Johnson assured the resident scheduling and other programs are being considered now. Johnson thanked the resident for his comments, but stated he doesn’t think any one of the council is committing to anything. Everyone is not making a schedule. The same local resident also complained of a heating issue at a recent township meeting held in the former grade school building. Mayor Hill stated, the Council is working on things like that, it just takes time. The resident also aired his complaints about snow removal in Reagan Park and handicap areas not being cleaned. Commissioner Hill told the resident the Council will take care of it.
The Council discussed Resolution No. R05-13-12-17 to Determine Surplus Village-owned Real Estate and Approval of Listing Said Surplus Property for Sale with a Local Realtor. In addition, the resolution states no proposal or offer for 104 W. Market Street or for 126 S. Main Street shall be accepted for less than 80% of the appraised value. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill to approve the resolution. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Final review was made of the 2013-2014 Tax Levy Ordinance. Commissioner Johnson motioned, seconded by Commissioner Hill, that Ordinance No. O06-13-12-17 Tax Levy Ordinance for the 2013-2014 Fiscal Year be passed, approved and in effect after its adoption as provided by law. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. This tax levy provides for $14,928 in General Corporate Fund taxes and $55,779 in Special Funds taxes. The total of the tax levy is $70,707. This is 105% over last year’s tax levy.
Discussion then turned to 2014 employee/dependent health and life insurance rates. Clerk Leathers told the Council monthly premiums for the new calendar year will rise slightly from
$3,960.72 per month to $4,063.81 per month, a $103.09 increase from last year or an increase of .026%. A motion was made by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Maupin to approve the new monthly rate. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried and approval was given to accepting the new employee health and life insurance benefit premium amount of $4,063.81 per month from Humana.
A building permit was issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, to Anita Stickel for a storage shed at 109 S. Benton St.
In reports of Village Officials, Mayor Hill told the council she had attended an Open Grid meeting held by ComEd. She reported the presentation was really interesting and covered the future use of Smart Meters. She advised she has a Power Point printout she will share with everyone.
Mayor Hill also advised of a meeting she attended with Whiteside County to discuss widening a portion of Hahnaman Road from the canal west to the village limits to promote tourism in the area. The Mayor has been interested in the project to help those who enjoy walking and biking on the canal paths to have easier and safer access to the Village.
Commissioner Sigel asked if there has been any progress or news of grants for the school in regard to a future day care center. Mayor Hill told her the process is ongoing. The Mayor stated she would like to have the day care center open before school is out for the summer.
Commissioners Maupin and Johnson told the Council they have been having a weekly basketball night. They advised there were 17 players the previous week and 13 players last night. Johnson said they are playing twice a week and he could see turning this into a bit of money for the building. Maupin stated it gets people through the building where they can see it as an opportunity for the community. Johnson reported the players are all respectful and show sportmanship during play.
Mayor Hill asked Recreation Board member, Bridget Maupin, if things were ready to get moving with a health program offered by KSB. Ms. Maupin would like to dig deeper into the idea to see what KSB could provide. Mayor Hill advised there are prizes and incentives at the end of the program. Commissioner Maupin stated it’s just another great idea of what the community can do.
Commissioner Johnson made a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss the “Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Employees of the Public Body & Possible Action on Any Item Discussed in Closed Session as Allowed by 5ILCS 120/1 and the Illinois Open Meetings Act” at 7:45 PM. It was seconded by Commissioner Hill. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Commissioner Hill made a motion to adjourn the Closed Session Meeting and return to the Regular portion of the meeting at 8:20 PM. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Johnson, “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Minutes of the November 19, 2013 Closed Session Meeting were approved as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Hill, to accept the resignation of employee, Ron Carboni, effective December 2, 2013. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
On a motion by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, approval was given to a full-time agreement with Police Chief Terry Strike for a term starting January 1, 2014 and ending April 30, 2015. The agreement waives any right to health insurance benefits and pension. In addition, any hours worked over the agreed upon 40 hours per week will be “banked” and used for “paid time off”, such as for vacations, holidays and/or sick days. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Maupin, second by Commissioner Sigel. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill.
The meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM. The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 7:00 PM in Tampico Village Hall.
Kathy A. Leathers_______________________
Mayor
Kristine L. Hill_________________
Clerk
MINUTES APPROVED THIS_7th_ DAY OF _January ____, 2014
**These minutes are not official until dated, signed and sealed by the Village Clerk**
