REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
January 7, 2014, 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 by Mayor Kristine L. Hill.
Commissioners Toby Johnson, Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Derrick Maupin were present. Village employee, Art Spencer, and Police Chief Terry Strike were also in attendance. Village Clerk, Kathy Leathers, recorded the minutes.
Minutes of the December 17, 2013 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Approval of the December 17, 2013 Closed Meeting minutes was postponed until after discussion in Closed Session. Commissioner Sigel expressed her concern over a possible lack of information contained in the closed session written minutes.
Presenting a Mayoral Proclamation to Tampico Elementary School was postponed until Teacher Ann Cooper and students could be in attendance. Recent severe winter weather had caused the schools to close.
Mayor Hill advised council members paint for rooms at the old grade school building has been obtained. She stated they would be working at the building on Saturday and invited anyone who could to come and help. The council has also been considering names for what will be the new village hall. Mayor Hill suggested staying with the Reagan Community Center or RCC for short. She asked the council to consider the decision for approval at their next meeting.
Mayor Hill also reported on work to develop a rental agreement for those who wish to rent the gym for parties and events. She stated they should consider asking those who wish to use the building to pay a security deposit in advance in case there are any damages or costs for clean-up. She said another thing will be trying to obtain a number of tables and chairs to make holding events in the gym much easier.
Mayor Hill advised the council Tim Hatten has started some of his sports programs and has others on his schedule. Hatten is to contact the Village’s website administrator, Dana Fellows, to link his website with the Village’s.
Discussion turned next to changing the liquor license ordinance. The council has been considering changes to allow local liquor establishments to open earlier on Sundays instead of at noon. Mayor Hill suggested changing the hours for opening to 10:00 AM on Sundays and changing the closing time on Sundays to 12:00 midnight. The council will also consider making other changes to the ordinance at the same time such as outdated rules for “dance halls” and proximity to funeral homes and schools. Commissioner Maupin stated some of the ordinance is a bit antiquated.
Commissioner Sigel expressed her concern with building permit fees being charged homeowners for replacement doors, windows, etc. Mayor Hill advised Sigel she has talked to Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, and he does not charge a permit fee for those types of maintenance and/or repairs.
Approval of a resolution to determine the confidentiality or release of closed meeting minutes was moved to after the meeting’s closed session portion.
In other business, Mayor Hill signed a Proclamation urging all citizens to participate in activities planned by the Tampico Area Historical Society & Museum and the President Ronald Reagan Birthplace to remember President Reagan’s birthday. The birthday observance to honor the former President and Tampico native is planned for Thursday, February 6, 2014.
Mayor Hill apologized to the public in attendance for inadvertently skipping over the public comment portion of the meeting.
Regular attendee, Al Morthland, had several issues to bring to the council’s attention. He demanded to know if the water guys are going to read the water meters. Mayor Hill advised him village crews have been held up by harsh winter conditions and have been busy with snow clean-up and bills will be estimated. Morthland also told the council Bonnie Anderson at the Kickback Saloon has issues about the snow getting pushed to the curb around her business. Morthland next commented on how many rooms are rented at the school. He said he knows of two; the township and American Legion. He told the council, he was told it was going to fill up in a hurry. Council members and Mayor Hill told him there are lots of things going on at the school. Lastly, since the Council voted to raise taxes two weeks ago, Morthland demanded to know why they haven’t cut their spending. Mayor Hill advised him the tax levy increase will cover higher cost of products and services the village must have and use.
Reports of Village Officials & Communications
Commissioner Sigel told the Council she is very impressed with Tom and his crew for getting the streets cleaned and snow moved back as wide as they have.
Clerk Leathers advised the council she has heard from Marni Henert, Rock River Energy Services, that the State of Illinois will be considering allowing municipalities to manage a natural gas aggregation program for their residents this year. The village has been able to reduce residents electric bills significantly since they approved the Electric Service Aggregation Plan. Henert advises they will monitor the program’s progress in Springfield.
Leathers also told them Affordable Waste, the village’s garbage and recycling contractor, has been sold to Republic Services of Dixon, formerly Allied Waste. The village has been assured the transition should be seamless. The service will stay the same, only the name on the truck and uniform will change. The change became effective on January 2, 2014. The original agreement with Affordable will expire at the end of June 2014.
Mayor Hill reported Mike Scuteri has purchased the old market building. She stated he is trying to convert the former grocery store to get a market going and possibly putting in a small deli at some point. Scuteri has even talked of having someone from town overseeing the business.
At 7:28 PM a motion was made by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Maupin to go into a Closed Session portion of the meeting. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
At 7:36 PM a motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill, to adjourn the Closed Session portion of the meeting and return to the regular meeting. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Minutes of the December 17, 2013 Closed Session were approved as presented.
On a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill, that Resolution No. R06-14-01-07 be passed and approved to Review Closed Meeting Minutes from July 2013 through December 2013 to determine confidentiality or release. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill to keep the Closed Meeting Minutes confidential. The motion carried.
Before adjourning, Mayor Hill told the Council, ComEd will be switching out 4 of the rental pole lamps to LED protypes She stated they will be giving three lower wattage types and one of a higher wattage. Recommended locations for two of the newer streetlighting could be near where the annual beer garden is held and in front of the new community building.
She also related to the council that Representative Mike Smiddy had called Village Hall to see if the village was okay through the recent severe, winter weather conditions.
Mayor Hill reported sending correspondence to the Dr. Scholl Foundation regarding the proposed village daycare. She said she requested the Foundation send an application for funding to help with expenses in readying the facility and whatever is needed to begin.
Commissioner Hill advised he and Chief Strike had been painting the rooms to be used by the police department at the old grade school building. He advised he has donated some things like drywall mud to smooth out some of the walls.
Commissioner Maupin stated he would like to look into getting the gym floor redone. Mayor Hill advised she knew of some damage to the flooring from using a scissor lift when they did the lights over there. Maupin asked to contact someone about having the floor done. Commissioner Johnson told of salt and other stuff being dragged into the building and floors as well. Mayor Hill advised the council should look into runners and mats to put in heavy traffic areas of the building entrance.
Commissioner Sigel advised, her husband, Rob, has offered the use of his trailer to help with the move to the new Village Hall. The council spoke of several projects that will need completed before the move such as installing drop ceilings in the meeting room and offices and replacing some of the older carpeting.
Commissioner Sigel also advised she may have access to some used fitness equipment, such as a ski machine, stationary bicycle and treadmill.
Mayor Hill advised Johnson and Maupin that Mary Wendland had requested additional lockers be moved to the Tiger Club room so students in the program would not have to share storage space.
Commissoners Johnson and Maupin told the council they continue to have a good turn-out at their basketball nights. They said a total of 9 men showed up even during the colder days earlier in the week.
Mayor Hill told the Council of her decision to close Village Hall on Monday, January 6. The extreme cold caused one of the village’s trucks and the backhoe to gel up and not start. Piles of deep snow had accumulated in front of village hall and it was safer to keep the offices closed so Public Works could concentrate on getting the streets and alleys cleared.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM. The next meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 7:00 PM in Tampico Village Hall.
Kathy A. Leathers ________________
Clerk
Kristine L. Hill_______________
Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS _21st_ DAY OF ___January____, 2014
**These minutes are not official until dated, signed and sealed by the Village Clerk**
