REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR & COMMISSIONERS OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO

September 17, 2013, 7:00 PM, Tampico Village Hall

Mayor Kristine L. Hill called the regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council to order at 7:00 PM.

Roll call was taken by Clerk Kathy Leathers who also recorded the written minutes. Commissioners Toby Johnson, Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Derrick Maupin were present. Public Works Superintendent Tom Pierce and Village Employee Art Spencer were in attendance as well.

Minutes of the September 3, 2013 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.

Business owner, Bonnie Anderson, was present to request permission for the Kickback Saloon to remain open longer on Sunday, September 22, 2013 to allow for the Bears game. Mayor Hill, Liquor Commissioner, agreed to the request. Mayor Hill asked Anderson to complete the necessary form for Village records. The police department will be advised of the change as well.

Resident Al Morthland once again asked what the Police Department was doing about a crime committed a few weeks ago. Once again, Mayor Hill and Police Commissioner Bruce Hill both advised Morthland that the matter is still being investigated and no comment can be made while an investigation is ongoing.

Clerk Leathers advised council members she had received the final disbursement from the IEPA loan funds. She will issue final payments and wait for Willett, Hofmann & Associates, Inc. to advise what the next step will be in closing out the project.

The Council learned the downtown building in violation of Village Ordinance has been sold. It is Mayor Hill’s understanding, the building is being cleaned out at this time. They also learned the roof leak causing damage to the adjoining building owned by the Village, has been repaired. At this time, no further action is required.

On a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Hill, Ordinance No. O3-13-09-17 Adding Chapter 10.32 Entitled “Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicle Operation on Village Streets”, to Title 10 Entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” was approved. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried. The ordinance will be kept on file at Tampico Village Hall. Motorized Bicycles were not included in the ordinance. According to Commissioner Hill, they are already legal and you must be a licensed driver to operate one. Mayor Hill advised approval of the ordinance will give the Village time to order stickers, obtain the appropriate form and allow time for police department inspections.

Discussion was held on the proposed ordinance that would amend Chapter 5.04 entitled “Alcoholic Beverages”. Mayor Hill would like to see the ordinance approved to allow greater flexibility in the Liquor License Code. The Mayor has also stated the ordinance would remove language limiting the number of licenses allowed per classification. In a previous meeting the Mayor had said the Village Liquor Code has been changed three (3) times since she has been in office. Mayor Hill told the council, there are not that many buildings in the downtown so having no cap to the number of licenses issued should not be an issue. Commissioner Sigel has stated before that she would like a cap in place. She has suggested putting the limit at four licenses per classification. In previous meetings, Sigel has expressed her concern with having too many bars in the downtown area. Mayor Hill stated she would like to see open opportunities. She does not want the limit capped at a certain amount. Commissioner Maupin stated that to see the town grow you have to start out right. He advised he sees the proposed ordinance as creating new opportunities. He said he doesn’t think a cap is needed. He also stated there is only going to be so much space available in the downtown for any type of business. Mayor Hill advised with the new ordinance in place the village won’t have to worry about exceeding any set number of licenses and having to bear the expense of changing the ordinance every time. With the proposed fee structure it will alleviate the need to change things, it will all be in one place she said. Mayor Hill then called for a motion and a second to approve the proposed ordinance. On a motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Maupin, Ordinance No. O04-13-09-17 “Amending Chapter 5.04 entitled ‘Alcoholic Beverages’ with the Addition of a Fee Schedule”, was approved. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Maupin and Mayor Hill. Commissioner Sigel voted “No”. The motion carried.

Mayor Hill next advised the Council that plans are being drawn up by Willett, Hofmann & Associates, Inc. for the sidewalk issues at the Kickback Saloon. Safety issues had been identified by the Kickback’s insurance carrier pertaining to the east and south sides of the building. According to previous correspondence from the engineering firm, they hope to let bids for the project yet this fall. Mayor Hill advised the business owner if she needed anything sent off to her insurance company to let Village Hall know.

Information is still being gathered on what to do with the downtown building owned by the village. The council is researching ways to dispose of the building as surplus property. Mayor Hill advised she would like to have the building appraised to determine a set value for either sale or auction of the building. Council members agreed to table the issue until the next regular meeting. Hill advised them the adjoining building’s new owners have expressed an interest in the building but unfortunately, that would not be for 2 or 3 years.

Council attention turned to discussion of the village’s equipment. The village backhoe needs repairs or replacement. Public Works Superintendent, Tom Pierce, has told the council an estimate of repair could run as high as $6,000 to $10,000 according to Randy’s Truck Repair. The current unit has 7000 hours on it. In addition, the council was told the cab and the cab floor are rusting out and most of the hydraulic lines leak. The council is not sure if the repairs would be cost effective considering the age of the machine and its overall condition. Pierce was previously asked by the council to research purchasing or leasing programs. Pierce presented a wide variety of costs for units differing in age and hours used. Pierce recommended the council consider a 2012 John Deere Model 310K with only 51 hours on it. Martin Equipment, Rock Island, IL has submitted a proposal of $64,250.00 after trade-in of the old equipment. A possible lease option on the unit could be $1,181.38 for 36 months with a purchase option of $32,200.00 when the lease runs out or $880.50 for 60 months with a purchase option of $25,100.00 at the end of the lease. Pierce told them the 2012 model comes with a warranty up to 7000 hours that would cover the big ticket items like the power train, engine and transmission. Mayor Hill stated that the 60 month lease would be easier to budget in the different departments and could last for another 20 years. She said unfortunately, the village has had a lot of things break during this council’s term. She stated she did not want to leave a mess for the next one. Commissioners Johnson and Maupin questioned Pierce on the specific use of the machine. Pierce told them it’s used for a variety of water/sewer projects, moving snow from the downtown area and keeping the village brush pile moved and in order. The matter will be tabled until the next meeting to allow council members to consider their options.

On a motion by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Maupin, Resolution No. 02-13-09-17 to approve use of Motor Fuel Tax funds for payment to Rock River Ready Mix in the amount of $1,510.60 for gravel used for Section 13-0000-00-GM General Maintenance of village streets. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

On a motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Commissioner Sigel, the appointment of Larry Specht to the Zoning Board was approved. “Yes” votes were Johnson, Hill, Sigel, Maupin and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

Building permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, 303 W. 4th St – new roof; 201 W. 2nd Street – porch roof and backyard shed; 212 S. Washington – new siding; 312 N. Main – partial roof replacement.

REPORTS OF VILLAGE OFFICIALS

Mayor Hill reported to the council she has received word the PLT School District will have the paperwork done on Monday for the transfer of the former Tampico Grade School building to the village.

Commissioner Johnson reported the Tampico Recreation Board met a week ago. He advised they are trying to restructure the program, offer more activites and be able to maintain the ball diamond and other activities on their own. Mayor Hill advised newly appointed member Bridget Maupin is looking for various ideas and activities.

Commissioner Sigel advised those present farmers are starting the harvest and there will be a lot of equipment on the roads. She encouraged everyone to be aware of the slow moving vehicles.

Commissioner Johnson asked Mayor Hill if there has been word from IDOT about the start date for the bridge replacement on Rt. 172 north of town. She advised she has not heard a start date but bid letting should or would be held sometime in September.

Commissioner Hill advised he is still working with the state trying to make the LESO program work for the village. He said his contact with the program is frustrated with the technical issues of the sight as well. Hill still believes it is a good program. One that will allow the village to get plenty of chairs, tables, etc. if needed for the grade school building.

Mayor Hill advised village name stickers for village trucks have been received at a cost of only $20.00.

Mayor Hill also reported she is trying to get more information about local events on the website calendar. Commissioner Maupin agreed a way is needed to keep up with events.

Superintendent Pierce advised the council the Illinois EPA will conduct a sanitary inspection at the water tower on Friday, September 27, 2013 if anyone is interested in being there.

The council also learned area Boy Scouts will be conducting a food drive on November 16, 2013. They will pick up residents’ donations by their doors.

Clerk Leathers reported she is working with accounting firm Wipfli in understanding the role the village will need to play in implementing the Affordable Care Act in the coming months.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM. The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, October 1, 2013, at 7:00 PM in Tampico Village Hall.

Kathy A. Leathers ________________
Clerk

Kristine L. Hill _______________
Mayor

MINUTES APPROVED THIS ___1st __ DAY OF ______October____________, 2013

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