REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
May 6, 2014
7:00 PM
Reagan Community Center
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 Clerk Kathy Leathers recorded the written minutes.
The April 15, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes were approved as presented.
Julie Stees, Old Town Pub-N-Grub, presented an application for a Class A Liquor License for the soon to open business located at 124 S. Main Street. After review, a motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill to approve a Class A Liquor License No. 87-14 for the Old Town Pub-N-Grub from May 6, 2014 to October 31, 2014, contingent upon receiving the proper liquor license from the State of Illinois. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. There will be no liquor sold at the Main Street business until the State License is obtained. Stees will submit proof of such to the Village Clerk.
Bonnie Anderson, Kickback Saloon, was present to request extended business hours during the weekend of Tampico Days, June 27, 28 and 29. Anderson was asked to complete the necessary form for approval by the local liquor commissioner, Mayor Hill.
Resident, Al Morthland, questioned why village parks have not been mowed. Mayor Hill advised him it’s spring and everyone is working on getting the mowing caught up. Commissioner Hill advised Morthland there were volunteer groups out last weekend cleaning up the parks and planting flowers.
Commissioner Johnson advised his painting project involving hand rails, benches, park equipment, etc. will begin as soon as there is a break in the weather. Johnson stated 3-4 days of good weather would be needed to complete the project.
Mayor Hill advised she had received an estimate for painting a classroom at the RCC used as an office by Tim Hatten. She reported the proposal came in at $1,150.00. The council felt this may be too high for what needed to be done The job would include preparing and painting the wall where a bulletin board had been removed, replacing a few ceiling tiles and painting the ceiling and walls. She stated the Village already has the paint. The Mayor advised the room does have high ceilings. Commissioner Sigel recommended using a sprayer for reaching the higher walls and ceilings. Mayor Hill stated if someone could spray paint the ceiling and edge the walls down far enough, she and Utilities Clerk, Anna Wetzell, could take it from there. Mayor Hill advised she does not want to install carpeting until the painting has been complete.
Discussion next turned to air conditioning current office space at the RCC. The Council learned there are several window units in three of the rooms that will need to be checked to see if they are in good working order. Mayor Hill stated several other AC units will need to be purchased and placed in the Tiger Club Room, the Conference Room, the Police Department Offices, Tim Hatten’s office space and the Township Office. Mayor Hill suggested getting estimates for the units and the installation. Mayor Hill advised an electrician should be contacted to install the units to make sure the rooms have the correct wiring. Commissioner Maupin asked if current lease of space agreements include the cost of heating and cooling. The Council discussed ways to keep summer energy costs low. Commissioner Sigel suggested easy install solar film affixed to the windows that will reflect the sun instead of heating up the room itself. Mayor Hill will get estimates on the air conditioning units needed and hopefully have something for the next meeting. She would like to get the Tiger Club Room and the Police Department rooms done as soon as possible since Mrs. Wendland may try doing some summer activities with Tiger Club. Other air conditioning options were discussed from wall mount units and floor model type units to installing heating/cooling units.
Clerk Leathers advised the Council Sharon Pepin, Village Grant Writer, with CPS – Inc., will be holding a hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at 7:00 PM here in the RCC at 202 W. Second St. for the DCEO – CDAP grant. She told the Council they will need to approve a resolution of support for the grant as part of the grant process.
Mayor Hill reported to the Council the status of the Safe Routes to School Grant is still pending. Clerk Leathers asked if the Fair Housing Ordinance was part of the process. Mayor Hill stated the ordinance is needed to show that Tampico does not discriminate against residents. She also said it’s looks better for the grant application process if we have that on our books. Commissioner Sigel asked if that was Section 8 non-discriminative. Mayor Hill explained the ordinance would mean you can’t discrimate against someone trying to rent or buy a house because they are a different race or creed. Commissioner Sigel said when the talk is about tenants, she herself, as a property owner, does not rent to Section 8. Mayor Hill advised Sigel it had nothing to do with Section 8 policies. The Mayor told Sigel it would not affect property owners who would set some policies of their own such as not renting to felons or drug dealers. It was learned Village Attorney William Shirk was on board with the ordinance and has done them for other municipalities as well.
Commissioner Maupin motioned, seconded by Commissioner Sigel, that a Resolution be passed to request permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation to close a portion of IL Route 172, (Main Street), from 8:00 AM, Sunday, June 29, 2014, to 6:00 PM to allow for a parade and other activities such as a car show. “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 donate $300.00 to the Tampico Memorial Cemetery. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Employee cost of living increases were discussed and approved. A motion was made by Commissioner Maupin, second by Commissioner Sigel, to approve the payroll increase as follows: Kathy Leathers – Clerk/Treasurer – 3%, Anna Wetzell – Utilities Clerk – 3%, Art Spencer – Maintenance – 3% and Tom Pierce – Public Works Superintendent – 3% from Streets; 3% from Water Department and 4% from the Sewer Department. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A discussion was held and pricing reviewed to add Vision and Dental Coverage to the employee benefits package. Clerk Leathers advised the Village’s newly appointed Humana Agent, T.J. Wagner from Kunkel & Associates, Inc., had sent some premium figures for adding vision and dental coverage to the Village’s current health insurance coverage. Humana Dental Coverage for Employee/Spouse is $524.52 per year; Employee/Child $603.00 per year and Humana Vision Coverage is Employee/Spouse $151.68 per year; Employee/Child $144.00 per year. Delta Dental Coverage pricing is as follows: Employee Dental Coverage $408.00 per year; Family $1,056.00 per year; Delta Vision Coverage – Employee $59.52 per year; Family $148.80 per year. The council will discuss the matter at their next meeting.
Discussion was held on the Recreation Board purchasing a lawn tractor for ball diamond maintenance and upkeep. Commissioner Johnson requested the council approve a certain amount and then he could either go with the used tractor discussed at a previous meeting or find another that may suffice. Johnson stated the Board had been considering a used tractor for $550.00. Mayor Hill suggested approving a cost not to exceed $600.00. Johnson advised he would like to move on the issue quickly but he would have the tractor checked over to make sure it is in good condition. Johnson stated they will use the tractor for everything; dragging the fields and mowing. Mayor Hill stated at times the upkeep at the ball diamond becomes a burden for village crews to get out there. The Mayor said it’s just not the mowing, it’s the complaining about how it’s done. Mayor Hill said she hopes that has changed this year. Johnson stated he wants to
avoid the possibility of the village getting so discouraged, the crews will not want to do it. Johnson said he would still like the village’s help with the mowing, especially the larger parts. Mayor Hill hopes there will be better communication with the Recreation Committee in their requests for mowing coming at the last minute. Commissioner Sigel suggested Johnson contact Randy Wetzell to see what he would recommend. On a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill, approval was given for the Recreation Board to purchase a lawn tractor for upkeep and maintenance of the ball diamond for no more than $600.00. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
There were no building permits issued by the Zoning Administrator.
REPORTS OF VILLAGE OFFICIALS
Mayor Hill told those present to make sure if they have an event or activity for Tampico Festive Days to let Larry Specht of the Tampico Men’s Club know right away so it can be placed on the Tampico Days Posters.
Mayor Hill advised she had been contacted by the state in regard to street maintenance on Main Street or IL RT 172. Currently the village is paid a quarterly stipend for maintaining the roadway from Kimball Street to Market Street. She stated this includes striping, potholes, etc. Mayor Hill advised the Village could write the state and request an extension that would go up to Fourth Street. She stated it could possibly net the Village over $700 more per year. It’s such a small area that it really wouldn’t cost $700 to maintain and if it could be included in the maintenance agreement when it comes up next year. She reported the agreements with the state are for 10 years and it is coming up next year. She said the village already looks out for it anyway. The Council agreed Mayor Hill should proceed with extending the area included in the agreement. She advised she has also talked with Public Works about it as well. Commissioner Johnson asked why the entire length of Main Street was not included in the original agreement. Mayor Hill advised it was done when the original project came through the downtown that included the lighting, sidewalks and curbing. Mayor Hill will send the letter in to them.
Commissioner Johnson advised he had already mentioned the painting project the Recreation Board will complete when the weather cooperates. Mayor Hill asked if the grass and weeds around the fences and any needed fence repairs have been done. Johnson advised he had been in touch with Sterling Fence and they will be down when the weather and time permits. Mayor Hill asked Johnson if the ball diamond bleachers had been returned to the Village so they could be checked for safety repairs and repainted. Johnson will work to have them returned. Mayor Hill suggested Johnson order the paint and have it on hand. She feels it would be easier to find time to do the projects if all the supplies are on hand. The Mayor said she would like to find individuals who need to fulfill public service hours to help with certain projects or ask for community volunteers. Discussion was held on having a lighted sign like the fire department and the bank have to post events.
Commissioner Sigel asked if there was any progress about the garbage / recycling contract. Clerk Leathers advised she has been in touch with Village Attorney William Shirk about the bid obtaining process for the current contract. Extending the current contract with Republic Services had been discussed in a previous meeting but Mayor Hill would like to put it out for bids. Republic had taken over the village’s contract with Affordable Waste on January 1st of this year.
Mayor Hill advised she and Commissioner Sigel and working to arrange a meeting of the Historic Preservation Committee for next Thursday, May 15, 2014.
Communications: Clerk Leathers advised Sharon Pepin, the Village’s grant writer of Community Funding & Planning Services, has recently created Hometown Tech Solutions, an LLC company that has recently taken over the Village Books software program from Arshem Data Services of Freeport. They will provide
financial accounting and utility billing service and support to municipalities. The acquisition was official on May 1, 2014.
Correspondence was received from Tampico Elementary School announcing they recently received two awards from the State Board of Education. They received the 2013-2014 Spotlight Award and the Academic Improvement Award.
Correspondence has also been received about the Whiteside County Comprehension Plan. A draft of the plan has been completed and can be viewed at the project’s website, WhitesidePlan.com/documents. The plan would support a county-wide effort to promote housing, Mobility & Transportation, Agricultural & Natural Resources, Land Use and develop a Disaster Preparedness Plan.
At 8:00 PM, a motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill to leave the regular meeting session and move to the Closed Session portion of the meeing. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
At 8:07 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 Session. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Maupin, to hire Crystal Jaques as a part-time / as needed employee for and maintenance and general cleaning at the RCC at the rate of $8.50 per hour. “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 hire Brandon Thomas as a part-time / as needed employee for maintenance and other general labor at the rate of $8.50 per hour. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
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.
Mayor Hill announced to those present that the Village was acknowledged for their donation to the Whiteside County Transportation in their newsletter. The council discussed ways the county transportation service could be used in our area and for a very reasonable fee.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:14 PM. The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 7:00 PM in the Reagan Community Center at 202 W. Second Street.
Kathy A. Leathers
Clerk
Kristine L. Hill
Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS _20th_ DAY OF ___May____, 2014
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
