Village of Tampico, Illinois

October 16, 2012 – Regular Meeting in Tampico Village Hall

Mayor Kristine L. Hill called the above meeting of the Tampico Village Council to order at 7:00 PM. Commissioners Al Wildman, Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Carlos “Butch” McNinch were present. Police Officer Boyd VanDellen was also present.

Minutes of the October 2, 2012 regular meeting were approved as presented.

Bonnie Anderson was present to request renewal of the liquor license for the Kickback Saloon. Following review of the application, Commissioner Wildman motioned, second by Commissioner Hill, that a Class A Liquor License No. 75-12, be issued to the Kickback Saloon, (Bonnie Anderson), 102 N. Main St., Tampico IL, from November 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013. The fee of $400.00 has been paid and the license will be dated November 1, 2012. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

Shirley Pope submitted a request for renewal of the liquor license for the Good Times Tavern. Upon review of the application, Commissioner Sigel motioned, second by Commissioner McNinch, that a Class A Liquor License No. 74-12, be issued to the Good Times Tavern (Shirley Pope), 106 S. Main St., Tampico IL from November 1, 2012 to April 30, 2012. The fee of $400.00 is due by October 31, 2012 and the license will be dated November 1, 2012. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

Tracy Keele was present to request renewal of the Liquor License for Casey’s General Store #1304. Following review of the application, Commissioner McNinch motioned, second by Commissioner Hill, that a Class B Liquor License No. 73-12, be issued to Casey’s Retail Company, DBA Casey’s General Store #1304, 201 S. Main Street., Tampico IL, from November 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013. The fee of $400.00 has been paid and the license will be dated November 1, 2012. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

Commissioner Sigel had asked Bill Borum, from the Postal Service to attend the meeting to answer questions about recent correspondence residents have received in regard to post office closures. Borum could not attend due to a prior commitment. According to Sigel, questionnaires had been sent out to postal customers in regard to Tampico Post Office. Options available on the questionnaires included, closing the post office with mail delivered to homes, having a local business serve as a “shop front” for the purchase of stamps, etc. or reducing the hours the post office would be open. Sigel told the council the Postal Service has looked at retail office control, business that goes through the Post Office, as far as stamps, packages, letters, etc. She said the community as a whole will have an impact on how many hours the post office will be open during the day. In other words, she said, the more we use it, the longer the hours they will allow. The internet has allowed people to shop from their homes which allows package delivery through a carrier other than the US Postal Service. Paying bills on-line also cuts down on the traffic through a postal office. Borum had told Sigel, every year they will revisit the issue to see how much action is demonstrated through each individual office and whether or not the post office should remain open. In short, Sigel said, it depends on the revenue generated by each office.

Sharon Pepin, Community Funding & Planning Services, was present to advise the Council of the next step in the CDAP grant process. The Village has been awarded the $400,000.00 CDAP Grant for their infrastructure improvement projects. In receiving the grant, the Village must find a grant administrator to oversee grant expenses and the continuing grant process during the construction phase. CDAP has set aside $22,000.00 for the grant administrator position. The Village had previously sent out letters to area grant writers inviting them to contact the village in writing by October 15, 2012 if they were interested in the administrator position. The village only received a response from Pepin. The Council agreed to approve her appointment at the November 6, 2012 regular meeting.

In other infrastructure improvements news, the next step for the village will be to hold a pre-construction meeting with Willett, Hoffman & Associates, Inc. and the two successful contract bidders, D.J. Sickley

Construction Co. Inc. of Peru, IL and Fischer Excavating, Inc. of Freeport IL. Village Engineer, Matt Hansen, will advise the council when that should be held.

The council next discussed proposed changes to the Village’s Zoning Ordinance. The proposed changes concern excessive storage in the downtown historical buildings, raising the fees for zoning violations to not less than $100.00 and not more than $750.00, and removing a part of the zoning code that does not allow living quarters within 30 feet of the front of any property. Former Village Clerk, Linda Taets, told the Council they have the right to waive certain conditions in the Zoning Ordinance instead of completely removing any one provision.

The Council has also been considering changes to the local Liquor Code. The changes include removing a section that only allows liquor licenses be issued to premises along the 100 Block of South Main Street and making a provision for allowing liquor establishments to remain open after current closing times and only for special circumstances, such as Tampico Days or football games that run over the 10 p.m. closing time on Sundays. Mayor Hill had originally asked the council to consider charging a fee for the extending closing hours. Mayor Hill and council members agreed there will be no extra fees involved.

A contract for energy services for the village’s water/sewer needs was approved with Constellation/Exelon Energy for a two year term. Constellation offered the cheapest rates for the two year period at 0.4968 per kWh. MidAmerican Energy offered 0.05449, Ameren Energy Marketing 0.05431 and MC2Energy Services 0.4983. The Village’s contract with MidAmerican expires this year. Rock River Energy Services Company provided the energy cost comparisons. A motion was made by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner McNinch, to approve a two year contract with Constellation / Exelon Energy for Water-Sewer account needs at 0.4968 per kWh. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Wildman, second by Commissioner Sigel to approve payment of $1,641.85 to Whiteside County for Motor Fuel Tax Fund Project Section 12-00000-00-GM for sealcoating services. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Hill, seconded by Commissioner McNinch to approve payment to Flint Hills Resources LP in the amount of $2,876.78 for the remainder of MFT Fund Project costs for Section 12-00000-00-GM. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

Mayor Hill and the Council next discussed Condemned, Foreclosed and/or Abandoned Housing and what the Village’s role should be. Other area municipalities are dealing with some of the same issues. The Council should consider what happens if the homes are auctioned off, what happens if nothing is done to move the property or continue the upkeep. Mayor Hill asked the council if the village should try to take over such properties for demolition, for resale or should just work with the banks who have foreclosed. Former Clerk Taets advised the council it could involve legal fees to proceed with any action they decide upon. Sharon Pepin advised the council to keep in mind how costly IEPA and other permits could be to take down any abandoned property. Mayor Hill stated it’s something the council should think about in case the Village must face such a situation in the future.

There were no building permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker since the last meeting.

Commissioner Sigel asked other council members why residents must be issued a building permit when the improvements are to keep their properties in good repair. She advised she had talked to Whiteside County officials who do not charge for building permits. She stated she feels Tampico is the only municipality that charges residents for maintaining their homes. Former Village Clerk, Linda Taets, told the council, building permit fees were charged on the estimated cost of the project, not what is being done. Sigel told Mayor Hill she could understand having to obtain a fence permit, since that is considered new construction. Sigel would like to alleviate this burden if possible.

Commissioner Sigel also told those present she received project plans for the proprosed driveway upgrade at Casey’s. She advised the plans looked really good. Mayor Hill stated Casey’s would just need approval from the state. It is hoped the project could be completed before winter hits.

Sigel reported she has heard from several people who have called Crime Stoppers and were told they were too busy to take their information. She wanted to know if others have been told the same and what could be done about it. Commissioner Hill will look into the complaints.

Commissioner McNinch reported that the parks have been winterized and there are no other activities scheduled by the Tampico Recreation Board.

Clerk Leathers told the Council she has begun work on the 2012-2013 Tax Levy. She hopes to have the figures complete for review and approval in November.

Leathers advised Council members the annual audit by Wipfli LLP is almost completed. She told them it might not be possible to have the treasurer’s report published and filed with the County Clerk’s office before the end of the month. Former Clerk Taets advised an extension could be requested.

At 7:52 PM, a motion was made by Commissioner Sigel, second by Commissioner Hill, to adjourn the regular meeting session and enter into a Closed Session to Discuss 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 Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

At 8:10 PM, Commissioner Wildman motioned, second by Commissioner McNinch, that the Council adjourn the Closed Session and return to Regular Session. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

Bills were ordered paid as presented on a motion by Commissioner Wildman, second by Commissioner Hill. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM. The next regular meeting will be November 6, 2012 at 7:00 PM in Tampico Village Hall.

Kathy A. Leathers _____________ Kristine L. Hill _____________
Clerk Mayor

MINUTES APPROVED THIS _6th_ DAY OF November _________, 2012

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

October 2, 2012 – Regular Meeting in Tampico Village Hall

Mayor Kristine L. Hill called the regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council to order at 7:00 PM. Commissioners Al Wildman, Bruce Hill, Mary J. Sigel and Carlos “Butch” McNinch were present. Officer Chad Hermes and several members of the public were also present.

Local business owner, Bonnie Anderson, told the Council she has been hearing that the Council is considering imposing a $25.00 fee for requests to extend business hours on certain occasions for tavern owners. Anderson wanted to know if other businesses in the village are required to pay fees to be in business. She stated the Council will just be adding fees to those she already must pay. She told the Council that if the Village is looking for other revenue, they should consider charging the other businesses a fee Council members have been amending the Village’s Liquor Code to include a section that would allow liquor establishments to request additional hours to be open during such times as Tampico Days and televised sporting events that continue past the Sunday night closing time of 10:00 PM. Mayor Hill and council members advised Anderson they understood what she was saying. Mayor Hill told her the village attorney advised the Village may impose a fee for extending liquor establishment hours. Mayor Hill told her there are reasons rules are set for establishments who sell liquor and licenses and fees are part of that. Mayor Hill told her the fees would cover administrative costs and police presence for the extended periods.

Resident Todd Tornow, who shares Anderson’s concerns, also stated his opinion that there are hardly ever any police in town. He said they’re never patrolling and the police car is usually at the village hall for hours. He reported Officer Hermes is the only officer he sees patrolling. Tornow feels a full-time officer is needed. Commissioner McNinch advised the Village does not have the money or resources to pay for a full-time police officer. Tornow angrily left the meeting.

In an update of old business, Mayor Hill told Council members the signed CDAP grant agreement had finally arrived. Grant writer, Sharon Pepin, will forward the official document to the IEPA for their consideration of the Village’s request to apply for a revolving fund loan to complete the Waste Water Treatment Plant and the Market Street Lift Station projects. Resident Mary Carboni asked when the projects will start. Clerk Leathers told Carboni the project should have already been started. Delays in receiving the proper paperwork for the CDAP grant and IEPA revolving loan funds, have slowed the process.

The Council will continue to review amendments to the Zoning and Liquor Codes. Several sections in the codes are not as up to date as they should be. However, once the council approves the rough draft for the Zoning Code, they must ask the Village Zoning Board to meet and hold a public hearing to review the changes.

Council members discussed Halloween hours as Wednesday, October 31, 2012 4:30-7:30 PM. Village residents are advised there will be no burning of any kind from 12:01 am until 11:59 pm on Halloween Day per Village Ordinance.

Council members next postponed a decision on an energy supplier for the Village’s sewer accounts. The length of contract will be considered along with the maximum energy cost savings.

On a motion by Commissioner Wildman, second by Commissioner Hill, a 2-year agreement to extend the Chief of Police Agreement with Sergeant Terry Strike was approved. “Yes” votes were Wildman, Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.

Building permits issued by Zoning Administrator, Ron Kuepker, were Mary J. Sigel – 208 S. Washington St. – partial roof; Marshall Foy – 311 E. Market St. – Deck and Windows; Todd Batten – 306 E. Market – Garage Roof.

Mayor Hill reported receiving a Thank You note from the Dave Gerdes Family.

Commissioner Sigel reported receiving the survey letter from the Post Office. She told the council, Tampico’s Postmaster would be glad to come explain the survey at a future meeting.

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

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:32 P.M. The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 7:00 PM in Tampico Village Hall.

Kathy Leathers _____________ Kristine L. Hill ____________
Clerk Mayor

MINUTES APPROVED THIS __16th___ DAY OF October_____, 2012

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