Reports of Village Officials
Police Chief Terry Strike updated the council on Larry Harrell’s property, saying a roof has collapsed onto cars parked underneath. Strike said since work hasn’t been completed as discussed with Harrell, he’ll have to start issuing citations. Mayor Bruce Peltier said he’ll contact the lawyer they hired for the building on Market Street.
Village Superintendent Tyler Chriest reported that the lift station generators have finally been installed. “Everything has been test fired and they seem to work okay. I appreciate the opportunity to get those installed,” he told the council.
He reported that they’re down to one ballast after repairing another streetlight on Main Street. Utilities Clerk Jennifer Vails has been helping him find a similar model since the ones they use have been discontinued.
Chriest said a recent fire in the back alleyway damaged some of the Village Hall building windows. Village Clerk Jamie McIntire reported an estimate of $6,104.85 for repairs from Dixon Glass, though they might take three weeks to start. She also filed a claim with the insurance company.
Chriest recently demoed a lawnmower since their Grasshopper, the older of the two mowers the village owns, has around 1,300 hours of use. “I think it’s done a good job serving its purpose,” he said of the older mower, noting he asked for a trade-in price and was quoted $5,500. Chriest is looking to purchase a mower during the next budget cycle and would like approval on a 60” Feris with a 28-horsepower engine.
“It’s a commercial mower that’s priced at $12,600 so we would be into it for roughly $6,600. I think that’s a pretty good price,” he told the council. Crews were able to get most of the village mowing done in a day.
Now that the trailers by the back alley of the Reagan Community Center have been sold, Chriest started emptying them and has one more trailer load before he’ll be done. Much of what was stored there has been taken to the sewer plant for disposal. Public Works will be flushing fire hydrants October 18-23.
Remarks from Guests
Village resident Patricia Murphy discussed the stray cat situation, with Chief Strike offering to call Animal Control for traps. Per village ordinance, each household can only have three cats. Murphy admitted to feeding the outdoor cats, but the population continues to grow. The council urged her to stop feeding the cats and they’ll look at trapping and bringing them to Whiteside County Animal Control.
Village resident Dave Fox added that the stray cat population seems to be helping with rodent control in the neighborhood. He also submitted a complaint form about live music at a local establishment two blocks away that he feels is violating the noise ordinance. Village resident Bonnie Anderson said the business owner has a liquor license that allows him to have entertainment as long as he stays within the ordinance. Village resident Art Spencer said just sit out and listen to it and enjoy it. Mayor Peltier said the council can review the ordinance if necessary, noting his was the only complaint received.
Police Officer Will Lukehart advised the community to keep an eye on elderly family, friends, and neighbors after a scam case last week in Morrison. A Polo man saw a fake AI video of a young lady in Morrison being tortured and was about ready to drain his bank account to get her out until he contacted the Polo Police Department. Officers checked and the woman was fine. “We’re entering a new world of fake videos,” Lukehart said, encouraging citizens to call the police department if they see anything suspicious so officers can verify authenticity.
Unfinished Business
In a DCEO grant update, Peltier said he still hasn’t received any engineer’s drawings for the project area in front of the Post Office. The village has a couple of companies interested in the project, but they need the drawings to provide an estimate.
Peltier said the partial property purchase from Mike Sigel for the new water treatment plant is still in the works, as it’s been difficult to nail down a time to meet. He expects to get together soon so they can discuss options. “I feel like we’re in a good place with that project,” said the mayor.
Last under unfinished business was considering an ordinance to increase salaries for the Mayor and Commissioner positions, as it’s been 20 years since the council last voted on an increase. Commissioner Jim Coleman said he brought up the salary increase because of all the work the mayor does with the grants. “It is a ton of work and I realize that and you should be paid for all the work you’re doing,” said Coleman.
Clerk McIntire said the council has been doing good work as well, and it’s been a long time since an increase. She reminded them that any changes require an ordinance approval 180 days before the beginning of the new term, when it will then take effect. She will contact Village Attorney Bill Shirk to have him prepare an ordinance for next month’s meeting.
New Business
After a closed session, the council approved hiring John Clint Morse as a part-time employee for Village Public Works at $20.60 per hour on an as-needed basis, with a 90-day probation period. They also discussed hiring a part-time police officer but delayed the decision until the next meeting so Strike can meet the potential candidate and figure out shifts and uniform needs.
The council approved an ordinance differentiating the difference between a short-term rental and a bed and breakfast and authorizing just bed and breakfast establishments be allowed. McIntire noted that once the owner of the village’s new bed and breakfast completes all requirements set by the State and County, she will then receive an Operational Permit from the Tampico Zoning Administrator. Shirk drafted an Operational Permit that’s good for one year with an annual fee of $100, and a copy was given to the Zoning Administrator.
The council also approved payout of vacation hours for a village employee, not to surpass 40 hours at the regular pay rate.
Building Permits
Building Permits approved by Zoning Administrator Tyler Chriest were: 307 E. Kimball St. – Siding and 204 N. Fremont St. – Solar.
Communications
Clerk McIntire reminded everyone that petition packets are available in the Village Hall office for the April 6th Consolidated Election for the positions of Mayor and four Commissioner seats. Those petitions need to be turned in the week of November 16-23. The directions for all the required information are clearly stated in the packets.
She next reported meeting with a representative of DC Computers to discuss a possible option for office phones, with a quote to be provided next month. The village currently uses this company for internet since they bought out the WISP. She said the service would be cheaper, more reliable, and more advanced than what they currently have. There would be a one-time cost for the equipment for three phones and a fax machine adapter. The system includes a virtual receptionist to direct callers to the appropriate office, as well as an app allowing the village to receive and place calls even without power or internet. McIntire said after the 11th time their phones went down this year, she wanted to investigate other possible options.
McIntire also reported that an IT rep connected her to a cyber navigator with the Department of Innovation & Technology after their new office computers were installed. She’s in the process of signing up with an anti-virus cybersecurity program through the State, which is completely free to government facilities and schools.
The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be on Tuesday, October 6th at 7:00 p.m. in the Reagan Community Center, 202 W. Second Street.
