REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL – OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
February 18, 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. Mayor Hill opened the meeting by telling those in attendance that the council does record their regular meetings so members have something to go back to if there are ever any questions.
Commissioners Toby Johnson, Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Derrick Maupin were present. Village Clerk Kathy Leathers recorded the written minutes.
Minutes of the February 4, 2014 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
A resident advised the council he is interested in starting and running a sewing business out of his home. He would like to know how to go about doing that. Mayor Hill advised him the start-up location should be properly zoned for business. She told him if it’s not, he will need to have a zoning variance for the business itself. She advised it’s a process, there is no fee for doing so. She also told him the Village Clerk will have the forms and he could work with the Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, in obtaining a zoning variance. She told him it’s a pretty straight forward process and can be done in a reasonably short amount of time. The village clerk will contact the zoning administrator to find out what needs to be done first.
The new minister at Tampico Church of Christ, Brandon Thomas, was in attendance to introduce himself to the Council. He told them he is usually out and about walking around the village and he anticipates doing more of it when the weather warms up. Mayor Hill welcomed Thomas and advised she has heard good things about him.
Mayor Hill gave council members and the public a status report on progress at the RCC, Reagan Community Center. She advised the carpeting is in and installed. Ceiling work will be done in the office rooms and upstairs. Frontier is working to get phone lines in on Thursday. Internet service is ready to go through The Wisp. Hill advised those present Saturday will be moving day for Village Hall. Everyone is welcome to come help. The mayor advised it shouldn’t take long to get everything moved over for the Open House to be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Among others, the Northwest Illinois Council on Independent Living will be there. The new Nurse Practitioner, who took over for Dr. Shah, will be at the Open House from 10:00 a.m. until twelve noon. She is hoping someone from the Whiteside County Health Department will attend to answer questions about the new healthcare laws. Whiteside County Transportation has already confirmed they will be there as well. Hill suggested the council think about a donation to the county transportation service since village residents have and are using this service. Mayor Hill feels it is a good way to show off the building and how it is being used. She hopes everyone will come and see all aspects of what is going on in the building.
Mayor Hill told those present, some things from the current village hall have been moved with the help of Ron and Linda Kuepker and Avis Rosenow. She advised four truck loads were moved on Monday. Commissioner Maupin helped over the weekend as well as Police Chief Terry Strike. Local business owner, Bonnie Anderson, asked just where the village offices will be located. Mayor Hill told her they will be just inside the entryway where the school secretary and principal used to have their offices with the meeting room just down the hall in the first large classroom. She advised the police department is at the top of the stairs. Mayor Hill stated the building is versatile and will have a lot of uses.
Mayor Hill next advised the council she is still working on rental and lease agreements. She has found any number of things that could be used for the Village’s rental agreements. Clerk Leathers advised an updated Fee Schedule is being worked on and not quite finished. She will gather information and send to council members before the next council meeting.
Commissioner Sigel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Maupin to approve Ordinance No. O08-14-02-18 Amending the Village Liquor Code to change Sunday Liquor Sales hours of operation to opening at 10:00 a.m. and closing at 12:00 midnight. The Ordinance also amends the language for special permissions to be open extended hours. The Mayor, as Village Liquor Commissioner, may approve six requests for the calendar year. The amended ordinance will allow the Council to approve any requests over the sixth request if a majority of council members agree. The “dance hall” portion of the ordinance was deleted as antiquated and geared more toward the turn of the century, in the days of the railroad. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The South Main Place Sewer Project and DCEO grant is still ongoing but with no updates at this time.
According to Mayor Hill, Sharon Pepin, Community Funding & Planning Services, will be sending an invoice for her services in writing the “Safe Routes to School” program grant. Mayor Hill advised the invoice the village will receive for Pepin writing the grant and submitting it to the Illinois Department of Transportation will be for $4,000.00. Mayor Hill stated Pepin has been more than fair in her dealings with the village and tries to keep her expenses to a minimum. She also gives the village a break in costs when possible.
Mayor Hill advised one of two surplus real estate properties has sold and several people have been shown the current Village Hall building. Clerk Leathers advised the sale and closing for the building at 126 S. Main went smoothly and the proceeds have been deposited in village accounts.
The Council briefly discussed project plans and budget figures for the coming 2014-2015 fiscal year. Council members have indicated they are reviewing and working on the budget at this time. Clerk Leathers she would be happy to answer any questions council members may have. Mayor Hill stated she would like to have possible figures by the next meeting. Mayor Hill advised comparison sheets are available if the council would like to see them.
Mayor Hill resumed the discussion on changing the Village’s Animal Ordinance. A resident has talked with the council about allowing chickens in residential areas. Mayor Hill has been researching how other municipalities have written such an ordinance. She advised the current ordinance regulating animals is so very brief. While Hill has been researching changes, she stated she would like to be more specific with the village’s ordinance and outline a more comprehensive version. She has sent the information to Village Attorney William Shirk. She advised he liked it and will compile the ordinance in the village’s format. Hill advised more and more communities are allowing chickens to promote an organic, healthy lifestyle. Commissioner Sigel advised those present the number of chickens allowed would be limited. Commissioner Maupin stated he is not opposed to allowing chickens but thinks the ordinance should be limited and closely enforced. He said if needed, a three strike rule could be considered to make sure residents comply with the ordinance and are not causing a disturbance. The Council learned there are no roosters allowed. Commissioner Maupin suggested yearly inspections and licenses to keep the owners compliant.
Mayor Hill reported the council must adopt a Life Safety Code. She stated we could rewrite what the state provides but most municipalities are adopting the State Life Safety Code. The state’s code mostly applies to new buildings it does not affect remodeling or restructuring any of the buildings we have now. Clerk Leathers told the council, the code includes mandatory sprinkler systems for fire suppression in newly constructed buildings and dwellings. Clerk Leathers reported she has talked with the Village’s Zoning Administrator about adopting the Life Safety Code.
Clerk Leathers reported the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association, who is the Village’s property and liability insurance carrier, has notified the Village of an increased premium for the old grade school. In addition to the building coverage itself, since there will be so many activities and programs offered at the building, liability costs have risen as well. She advised after discussing the replacement cost value and functional replacement value with the carrier, it was decided to go with the functional replacement value of just under $700,000 dollars rather than full replacement cost of over a million dollars. Leathers feared the premium would be much higher and cost prohibitive at replacement cost. The increased premium will be in the amount of $1,881.00 for liability as well as property coverage. The liability portion does include both playgrounds. Leathers told them to keep in mind the village will dropping insurance coverage on the South Main Street building since it is sold and hopefully the current village hall if and when that is sold. Commissioner Maupin questioned whether the village should start requesting waivers from those who use the building. For example, any rental agreement for a birthday party, etc. will have an agreement for residents to sign that will include waiver language. Clerk Leathers was directed to have Tim Hatten, who has a sports program at the RCC, compile an application / sign up
sheet with the waiver language he currently uses. On a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill, the council approved paying the increased insurance rates for the RCC with IMLRMA the village’s insurance carrier at $1,881.00. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
On a motion by Commissioner Maupin, second by Commissioner Sigel, the Village Council Meeting Schedule for the fiscal year 2014-2015 was approved as outlined and attached. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. Clerk Leathers advised those meetings can be subject to change when the situation warrants it.
REPORTS OF VILLAGE OFFICIALS
Commissioner Sigel wanted to remind the council, the village needs to change the zoning on the school to B-1, a business district since there will be activities and programs going on there. She stated the village attorney said the process is very simple but it needs to be taken care of.
Mayor Hill reported there have been reports of frozen pipes in the village. She encouraged everyone to keep running their water in a stream the size of a pencil point all day every day until further notice. She said even though it’s warming up, the frost / freeze level will be pushed further down even when the temperatures start to rise. She stated the village will only charge residents a flat rate fee for this month and next month. Meters will not be read due to the heavy ice and snow, some meters will be hard to get to. She encouraged residents to be a good neighbor and offer to help get water or even run a hose from their house to their neighbor’s until they are thawed out.
The mayor also reported Public Works Superintendent, Tom Pierce, was part of a Northwest Illinois Water tasting contest. She said Rockford placed first, Tampico placed second and Moline placed third. Mayor Hill said she is extremely proud of his achievement since larger cities have chemists, etc. in their employ.
The council learned ComEd has installed their LED prototype lighting in a few locations around town. Commissioner Maupin said they are very bright. They are located at N. Lincoln and West Third, on West Second in front of the RCC, Benton at Booth and Freemont at East Second.
The council has received thank you notes from William Shirk, Anna Wetzell and Commissioner Sigel for plants they received from the village during the recent loss of their loved ones.
Commissioner Johnson reported on putting up the flags in the downtown. He advised there still seems to one drooping. Johnson advised the brackets were tightened down when the flags went up but the village will have to try something else since it’s still drooping.
Mayor Hill reported the Town Hall with Representative Smiddy went well and had a nice turnout. Commissioner Hill advised he talked with Smiddy again about the storm sirens in Tampico. It is Hill’s understanding, Smiddy will keep the village in mind as he meets with the pipelines south of town and possible grants with towns like Savanna and other who have aging storm warning systems.
Mayor Hill told those present local resident, Larry Linden, lost his house last night in a fire. As a community, we would like to find a way to help. Linden has reportedly lost everything.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Correspondence from ComEd outlining and explaining details of their energy services.
Correspondence from Community Funding & Planning Services. Sharon Pepin, has announced their transition from being a sole proprietor to a corporation. The company name will change to CFPS Inc. They have also welcomed an new social media person who will also assist in local planning efforts. Pepin also announced a new website for the company, www.dfps-inc.com.
Correspondence from Rock River Energy Services, Co., energy consultants, advises the current municipal Electrical Aggregation Program contract the village particpates in will expire July 2014. They would like to attend a meeting in March or April to have everyone signed up and the aggregation rates locked in and
completed by the end of April. The Council would like to have them attend their March 4, 2014 meeting to get things rolling.
The council also learned the State of Illinois is trying to promote municipal aggregation for natural gas services.
The council learned the Solid Waste Management Disposal Contract will be expiring this June. Affordable Waste was the previous carrier but was bought out by Republic Services on January 2 of this year.
On a motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Commissioner Johnson, the village council approved leaving the open session portion of the meeting at 7:46 p.m. and entering into a closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of employees of the public body and possible action on any item discussed in closed session. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
At 8:14 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Maupin to adjourn the closed session portion of the meeting and return to regular session. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill to advertise in the local papers to fill a part-time as needed general labor position to assist the Village with a variety of municipal maintenance tasks. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill.
Bills were 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 8:17 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in Tampico Village Hall, located at 202 W. Second Street.
Kathy A. Leathers
Clerk
Kristine L. Hill
Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS _4th_ DAY OF __March____, 2014
** These minutes are not official until dated, signed and sealed by the Village Clerk**
