Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Village of Tampico

September 15, 2026
7:00 PM
Reagan Community Center

Mayor Bruce Peltier called the Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council to order at 7:00PM. Commissioners Sherry Coleman and Jim Coleman were present. Commissioners Susan Dean and Tammy Kendell were absent.

Village Chief of Police, Terry Strike, and Village Superintendent, Tyler Chriest, were also present.

Village Clerk, Jamie McIntire, was present and recorded the written and audio minutes.

Mayor Peltier led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of the September 1, 2026 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.

Reports of Village Officials

Chief Strike reported that he provided the Mayor and Council with a couple copies of reports for Larry Harrell’s property from the past 2 years to present. Chief Strike said Harrell has not made progress on what’s needed so I’ll be issuing citations. Harrell said he’s been working on it but all I’ve seen is that the roof of the building has fallen in. He has not done anything else with it, so tomorrow I’ll start citing him. Mayor Peltier said ok, I’ll contact the lawyer that we used for the building on Market Street. Chief Strike said you can look at it. He’s trying to say he’s done this and that, but he hasn’t done anything. You can tell that only the roof has fallen in on those cars. Mayor Peltier said I’ll contact the lawyer so we’re on the same page. Chief Strike asked do you want to contact her before I send the citations? Mayor Peltier said no. Start sending citations. I’m just trying to get ahead of the ball a little bit and to see what our first step is if he doesn’t get it taken care of.

Chief Strike also reported that Village resident, Dave Fox, turned in a form for the Police Commissioner and the Mayor to look at and provided them with that copy.

Village Superintendent Chriest reported the lift station generators have finally been installed. Everything has been test fired and they seem to work ok. I appreciate the opportunity to get those installed.

Chriest also reported there was another streetlight out on Main Street. It was repaired today and we’re down to our last ballast. Chriest said that Utilities Clerk, Jennifer Vails, has been helping him with finding more. Chriest said I made a phone call today and I’m waiting for a call back for something that will cross reference and work in place of those since they are now discontinued.

Chriest asked the Clerk McIntire to cover the information on the damaged Village Hall windows from the fire that occurred from the neighbor of the Village Hall in the back-alley way. Clerk McIntire reported that the Village received an estimate to repair the windows from Dixon Glass. The estimate of $6,104.85 does require a signature to move forward with the repairs. Clerk McIntire said I’ve contacted our insurance company regarding the situation and provided them with a copy of the estimate. Dixon Glass said it could take approximately 3 weeks before work can begin on the repairs. Mayor Peltier signed the estimate for Dixon Glass to work on the window repair at the Village Hall building.

Chriest advised that he also demoed a lawnmower. Chriest said that the Grasshopper, which is the older mower of the 2 the Village has, has close to 1,300 hours. I think it’s done a good job serving its purpose. I did ask for a trade in price on that machine, and they quoted $5,500.00 on that mower. Chriest said the mower I was looking at possibly purchasing next budget with approval is a 60” Feris with a 28-horsepower engine. It’s a commercial mower that’s priced at $12,600.00 so we would be into for roughly $6,600.00. I think that’s a pretty good price. Chriest said it worked really well for us last week. We were able to get most of the mowing done within the Village, minus the abandoned properties, with the 2 of us on those mowers in a day. I would like to talk more about that come budget time but just wanted to give you the heads up.

Chriest also reported that he plans to flush hydrants October 19th through October 23rd. I’ll be sure to have the office post notice about it ahead of time.

Chriest said the trailers in the back alley that were sold and about to change hands, I have started emptying those out. I do have probably another trailer load, but I’ve made some good headway with that. Mayor Peltier asked Chriest where he’s taking the items from the trailers. Chriest said a lot of it has been taken to the sewer plant.

Remarks from Guests

Village resident, Patricia Murphy, was on the agenda to discuss stray cat situation and the police department. Murphy said I’m from Indiana, but I moved to Tampico 28 years ago. I had a slight stroke, so I have a hard time talking. Murphy said I have 8 cats of my own. I adopted a couple from the streets and I’m getting them spayed and neutered, but there’s still some around my house. There are a couple people I could call to help me out because I don’t know what to do with them. I feed them, and I’m going to feed them but slowly I’m going to get some help because I have a hard time catching them. I’m going to go this week to get some traps that I can put around my house to trap them and get them neutered and spayed. I have been working on that. It’s been 2 and a half years since my stroke and that’s all I do. I’m not worried about next year. I’m doing everything now because I don’t know how long I’ll live. I just wanted to let you know that I am taking care of them. Murphy said the mother cat that had 5 kittens is pregnant again. I don’t know what to do. I’m just going to do what I can do and spay them and neuter them. Chief Strike said we can call Animal Control for traps. We can trap them then take them up, then they’ll find them homes. If they’re bad cats or have mange or anything like that, then they’ll put them down.

Murphy said here’s a map showing behind my house. The alley behind the park to Steve Cumby’s house is all alley way. It’s free and nobody pays taxes on it, so I walked on it to get a cat and take it to Animal Control, and Hunter Batten…I called you about him before, but you never called me back, which I don’t blame you. Murphy said he’s a maniac. He thinks he owns it. I walked in the park to try to get the cat, and he came out screaming and yelling and I thought he was going to hit me with his phone. He is mentally ill. I’m going to the police to deal with him. I don’t know what he tells Terry Strike because he tells his side of the story and he don’t listen to me, so I don’t go up to him. I just want to let you know that I’m walking on that public property and I don’t go back there too much. Mayor Peltier asked are you talking about the blacktop area back by the park? Murphy said the back of my house. I live at 103 S. Fremont Street. Village resident, Deb TerBush, said that’s not an alley, it’s Ross Street. Mayor Peltier said I get where you’re talking about. Murphy said I used to cut it years ago, but I can’t cut no more. You started taking care of it which saves me, but I still cut it. Murphy said I want to know, Terry, do you have any police reports on me or anything about me? Chief Strike said I haven’t talked to you since I came back here 3 years ago. We do have forms here if you don’t want to deal with me. You can fill out a form, and we keep copies here and I can give them to the Police Commissioner then her and I will talk about it. Murphy said I just wanted to know if Hunter wrote one. Chief Strike said Hunter has not come to talk to me about anything. Murphy said that’s all I was worried about. TerBush said do you realize that there is an ordinance that states you are to only have 3 cats personally. Murphy said no. TerBush said there’s an ordinance that you’re only supposed to have 3 and if they have kittens, you’re supposed to try to get rid of them as soon as possible. You really shouldn’t be feeding stray cats. I know you’re trying your best to help out with it but you’re not helping. You’re making a bigger problem. Murphy said they’re all over my house. Until I can figure something out, I’ll get rid of them. Mayor Peltier said if you’re having a problem with them over there, we can contact Animal Control and see if we can get some traps and take them to Animal Control. That’s the best that we can do. If you’re worried about the stray cats being there and you’re feeding them, they’re going to keep coming back if they know there’s food there. Murphy said I know. I can’t turn them down, but I’m doing the best I can. I will try to get rid of them. Mayor Peltier said ok, I’ll talk with Chief Strike about it. Murphy said you can call me. You have my number. And Mr. Murphy, I spent 10 years going back and forth taking care of my mother. His wife is Cindy and if he wants any information about me because I stay there and it’s like the twilight zone. It’s a total nightmare. You can call there and ask about me, or his wife. Just in case you need to. I’ve been here 28 years, and I haven’t started any trouble. That’s all I want to do is stay there, and I’ll work on the cats. Murphy said but I’m going to go and thanks for listening.

Village resident, Dave Fox, asked to speak next. Mayor Peltier said you’re not on the agenda, but you are allowed 5 minutes to speak. I do have your report. Fox said that’s another issue for later but on the issue of the cats, I understand the need for the ordinance but at the same time, we have several strays around my neighborhood and since the cats have become a so-called problem, we haven’t had mice or ants or anything around. Another issue in favor of the cats, and I understand the ordinance because nobody wants to come into Tampico and see 5,000 stray cats all over but my neighbors next door, before they moved in, these people. Garbage collection has always been Friday morning here. These people wait until Monday morning and set bags of garbage, not even in their dumpster, but bags of garbage out in the alley on Monday morning. They sit there for a full week and there’s been several times where I sit out in my backyard and take my dog out at night to do his business and here’s something going on in those bags next door. There have been times where possums are over there getting in the garbage and coons. I haven’t seen any of them since the cats have been around either. I don’t know how cats fight possums and coons but I’m not saying we should let the cats go wild or whatever. I understand we need to have the ordinances and Animal Control. Mayor Peltier said I understand all that too but there’s also the issue, for instance at my house we get a lot of the stray cats I imagine because of the dumpster at Casey’s. If I leave my garage door open and a cat comes in and pees on stuff, I’m not a big fan of that either. Fox said I understand. As a matter of fact, one day last week my wife drove off to go somewhere and the neighbor lady across the street messaged her to tell her she ran over a baby kitten with her car. She didn’t know they were under her car. So, I know there’s problems with having a lot of cats around too. I wouldn’t want them coming into my garage and doing their business either. Commissioner J. Coleman said we do have an ordinance on garbage cans too. They need to be taken off the road so that is an issue.

Part-Time Village Officer, Will Lukehart, advised that this isn’t really Tampico related but just everything in general. Keep an eye on your elderly, family, friends and neighbors. We had a case last week in Morrison that involved four different agencies. There was a fake AI video of a young lady being tortured and a gentleman in Polo was about ready to drain everything to get her out until he finally contacted the Polo Police Department. We checked it out and she was fine. She lives in Morrison, but we’re entering a new world of fake videos. I would think everyone in this room, if they saw it, would see that it was fake. But someone fell for it and it cost them a lot of money. Just listen to your people and if they say that they think so and so is in trouble, look into it. Please call us so we can verify if the video is fake, because we’re just getting started. The Mayor and Council thanked Officer Lukehart.

Mayor Peltier told Dave Fox that I have your complaint form. Do you need to address that any further? Fox said I’m curious what the local noise ordinance is. My complaint basically is, I try real hard not to cause problems for anybody. I certainly don’t have any problems with any local businesses, but on Sunday afternoon I got home and the loud music sounded so loud. I live two blocks away and it was almost to the point where it was rattling the windows of my house. I had to go outside, and I wondered where the drums and loud band music…I was in my garage, and it sounded like it was coming from my backyard. It was that loud. It wasn’t from my backyard. It was two blocks away. Mayor Peltier said I’ll review the ordinance and if you want me to get back to you or if you want Chief Strike to get back to you, we can, but I believe it’s 10:00PM on a weekday and 11:00PM on the weekend. Fox said ok that’s time wise, but what about…most towns and cities have an ordinance on how far away the noise…when I lived in Sterling, I lived on East 4th Street and it’s like Route 2 going East into town. I called it the Illinois Indy 500 because we had all kinds of traffic through there of course because it’s a State Highway, but we had these $50 cars with $500 stereos during all hours of the day going boom boom boom. At 2:00AM and 3:00AM even, so Sterling finally included in their ordinance that the noise from a vehicle, like the stereo or music or whatever, if it can be heard over one car length away, it was too loud. If a house, or a home, or a business can be heard over one building away, it’s the same thing. Now I don’t have a problem with people having fun, and I don’t have a problem with live music, none of that is a problem. When I can hear something in my house from two solid blocks away. I mean this is on the East corner of one street and I’m on the West corner of two solid blocks and it sounds like it’s in my backyard, I have a problem with that. Mayor Peltier said we can review the ordinance and if we have to address a live band situation, we can review that. I don’t know if there’s anything specifically in the ordinance that restricts it, but I’ll definitely take a look at it and if you need me to get back with you on it, I can. Fox said if you would I would appreciate it because I try real hard not to complain a lot, and I generally don’t, but when I am complaining and I’m also telling you at the same time, I’m willing to do something to help be part of the solution. The one thing I won’t do is ignore the problem, but I’d be willing to help. I can draft an ordinance for your consideration or whatever. I can work with you based on what I know. I’m not the only one who’s bothered by it. I might be the only one to complain about it, but I know I’m not the only one bothered by it. Village resident, Bonnie Anderson, said you do realize that he does have a liquor license that allows him to have entertainment, and as long as he stays within the ordinance of the noise, he is 100% ok. Remember, I went through this years ago. Country sat outside with a decimal reader. Chief Strike said County must have because I didn’t. Anderson said we were not above the noise limit. Fox said I can respect that, but my issue is…I got no problem with them having fun up there. I have no trouble with that but when I’m two solid blocks away and it’s like it’s in my own backyard, that’s what I have trouble with. Village resident, Art Spencer, said just sit out and listen to it and enjoy it. Commissioner J. Coleman said you have to remember too, Mr. Fox, is that you’re the only complaint that we’ve heard so far. One out of the whole community doesn’t make room for changes. Fox said I believe it does, sir. I believe you can at least give the ordinance consideration. Mayor Peltier said for sure. Fox said I pay the same kind of property taxes to live here as anybody else. J. Coleman said and so does this individual that’s having it, also…who’s having that band out there, legally. Fox said when does that give one person…J. Coleman said you’re 5 minutes has been up about 10 minutes ago. Fox said I’m not done talking yet, sir. J. Coleman said that doesn’t matter. Officer Lukehart said they have to follow the Public Meetings Act. Fox said then show me a stopwatch, ok. Village resident, Rick Dean, asked what about Tampico Days? Did you have a problem with the noise at Tampico Days? That happens every year. Fox said I didn’t hear that this year or the last few years. Mayor Peltier said we’re going to reel this in and like I said, I’ll review it and discuss it with the Police Chief and the Commissioners. I have your phone number, and I can give you a call about it and discuss it with you personally. Fox said I appreciate it and the only other thing is please don’t belittle me because I’m the only one who will come forward and complain. Mayor Peltier said ok, we’re moving on. J. Coleman said understood. We’re moving on.

Unfinished Business

The Mayor and Council began to review/discuss update with DCEO Grant Project – Quotes. Mayor Peltier advised that is in regard to the front of the post office and the drainage. I still have not received the drawing from Mike. Commissioner Kendell and I have talked with him and he’s very busy doing a lot of projects with bridges on I-80 and a bunch of different projects. I emailed him today and asked for a solid timeline on when we’ll get that drawing. We do have a couple companies interested in the project but they’re waiting on that drawing. Mayor Peltier said Helm and O’Brian have shown interest, but they need that drawing to give us an estimate.

Next was to review/discuss/approve partial property purchase from Mike Sigel for New Water Treatment Plant. Mayor Peltier reported I’ve been talking with Mike and it’s been hard to nail down a time to meet. We were supposed to meet last Friday but he ended up having to stay late at work. I spoke with him today and he said he’d make time this week to meet. He wanted to meet tonight but I was unable to fit that in. This week we will get together and discuss options. I feel like we’re in a good place there with that project.

Last under unfinished business was to review/discuss ordinance to increase salaries for Mayor and Commissioner Positions. Mayor Peltier said we have two Commissioners that are not here. I know we’ve talked about where other Municipalities are around us. Commissioner J. Coleman said my thing about it is, I brought it up for all the work the Mayor is doing and with all these grants. It is a ton of work, and I realize that and you should be paid for all the work you’re doing. Clerk McIntire said all of you have been doing good work and it’s been a long time since there has been an increase. J. Coleman said about 20 years, so we could change it now and then in another 20 years they can do what they want. Clerk McIntire reminded that this does require an ordinance for Mr. Shirk to put together to be voted on, and it won’t be in effect until the start of the next term. It does have to be approved 180 days before the beginning of the new term. It will need to be approved by the 2nd meeting in October. Once you agree to the terms of the salaries for those positions, Mr. Shirk will place it in an ordinance and that’s what you’ll vote on. Clerk McIntire said I will email Mr. Shirk tomorrow to let him know that an ordinance will be needed and that I’ll let him know the terms as soon as it’s decided on so he’ll be prepared for it.

New Business

First under new business was to review/discuss/approve hiring a part-time employee for the Village Public Works. The Mayor and Commissioners asked to come back to this so it can first be discussed in closed session.

Next was to review/discuss/approve hiring a part-time officer for the Village Police Department. This was also pushed to the next topic so it could also be discussed in closed session.

Next was to review/discuss/approve ordinance NO.O03-26-09-15 an Ordinance Amending Chapter 5.20 in Title 5 Entitled Short-Term Rentals. Mayor Peltier said we received the correspondence from Mr. Shirk who drafted the ordinance as we previously discussed. He followed the Rock Island ordinance, and it does differentiate the difference between a short-term rental and a bed and breakfast and authorizes that just bed and breakfast establishments are allowed. Clerk McIntire advised that it does state that once the owner of the bed and breakfast completes all that’s required by the State and County, they will then receive an Operational Permit from our Zoning Administrator that’s good for one year with an annual fee of $100.00. Mr. Shirk did draft an Operational Permit for the Village. I gave a copy of that to our Zoning Administrator. A motion to approve the ordinance was made by Commissioner S. Coleman, second by Commissioner J. Coleman. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, J. Coleman and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

Last under new business was to review/discuss/approve payout of vacation hours for Village employee. Commissioner J. Coleman said we have always done this, correct? Mayor Peltier said we’ve done it a few times since I’ve been here. Clerk McIntire said this is for Tyler Chriest. He can have up to 40 hours paid out and he has until September 22nd, which is his renewal/hire date. He can use a few hours until then, otherwise you are allowed to pay him for 40 hours or 5 days. He currently has 41.5 vacation hours. it does require a motion and a vote to approve payout of vacation hours as of 9/22/26, not to surpass 40 hours at regular pay rate to be paid out on the 9/30/26 payroll. A motion was made by Commissioner J. Coleman, second by Commissioner S. Coleman, to approve the vacation payout for Tyler Chriest. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, J. Coleman and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

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 advised that petition packets are available in the Village Hall office for the April 6th Election for the positions of Mayor and 4 commissioner seats. Those petitions cannot be turned in until November 16th through November 23rd. The directions for all the required information are clearly stated in the packets.

Clerk McIntire reported that she met with a representative of DC Computers to discuss a possible option for office phones. The Village currently uses this company for internet since they bought out the WISP. Clerk McIntire said he went over everything that they can provide us with and is currently working on a quote that will be available to review at the next regular meeting. It sounds like it will be much cheaper than what we currently pay for phones, and more reliable. There would be a one-time cost for the equipment for the 3 phones and fax machine adapter. It’s also more advanced than what we currently have. There would be a virtual receptionist that would direct the caller to the appropriate office. There is also an app we can use if we were to lose power and/or internet, we would still be able to place and receive calls by turning that feature on. Clerk McIntire said after the last time our phones went down, for the 11th time this year alone, I wanted to investigate other possible options. I should have the quote by the next meeting where we can discuss it further.

Clerk McIntire advised that the gentleman that assists us with our IT needs connected me to a cyber navigator with the Department of Innovation & Technology when we received our new office computers. I’m in the process of signing the Village up with an anti-virus cybersecurity program through the State, which is completely free from the State to provide to government facilities and schools.

Payment of Bills

Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner J. Coleman, second by Commissioner S. Coleman. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, J. Coleman and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

Closed Session

A motion was made by Commissioner J. Coleman, second by Commissioner S. Coleman at 7:36 PM, to leave the Regular Meeting and go 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 as Allowed by 5 ILCS 120/1 and the Illinois Open Meetings Act. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, J. Coleman and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner J. Coleman, second by Commissioner S. Coleman at 7:44 PM to leave the Closed Session portion of the meeting and return to the Regular Open Meeting. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, J. Coleman and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

Action Following Closed Session

A motion was made by Commissioner J. Coleman, second by Commissioner S. Coleman, to approve hiring John Clint Morse as a part-time employee for the Village Public Works at $20.60 an hour as needed with a 90-day probation period. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, J. Coleman and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.

Mayor Peltier moved to review/discuss/approve hiring part-time employee for the Village Police Department. Mayor Peltier told Chief Strike that he and the Commissioners had a couple questions. Mayor Peltier asked have you met with this individual yet? Chief Strike said not yet. He’s been a cop for 12 years and he works with Officer Lukehart in Morrison. I do want to talk to him and see what equipment we’ll need for him because equipment is expensive. Commissioner J. Coleman asked do you know what hours you need him to work? Chief Strike said he has 8 children, so if I can get a day out of him then a day out of Officer Lukehart and a day out of Officer Strike, that would give me 24 hours. If we can cover 3 nights a week because I’ve been working some nights. Mayor Peltier said we just wanted to make sure you meet with him and one of us can be there and figure out what he’s willing to work and what shifts because I know for you, you need someone mostly nights. Chief Strike said I’ve been doing every Friday and Saturday, and I want a break from it. Commissioner S. Coleman said that’s fine. We can only do what we can do. Chief Strike said I briefly talked to him last week and he basically said one day for sure, because he does have 8 kids. He can maybe do once a month and Officer Lukehart is working this Friday night for me. We’ll split it around a little bit. Whatever I got to work with and who I have to work with. Mayor Peltier said let’s get him in to talk and either I or Commissioner S. Coleman will be there. If it’s during the day when I’m not here, S. Coleman can sit in with you. Chief Strike said I’ll find out what day he has available. All I know is he’s 40 years old, he has 8 kinds and he’s ex-military and he’s got about a dozen years over there in Morrison. I’ll make sure to get all his stats because right now, that’s all I know about him. I don’t think Morrison cares if he uses their stuff and that will save us a lot. I just might have to get him a couple shirts. Mayor Peltier said the main thing is that we want you to sit down with him and find out what his intentions are and what he can work. We’ll see if this works out. Chief Strike said I’ll make contact with him tomorrow. Mayor Peltier said we’ll hold off on this until you talk with him and keep it on the agenda for the next meeting. Commissioner J. Coleman said we’d like the other Commissioners to be here too. Chief Strike said I understand. We’re getting by.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:50PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the Reagan Community Center located at 202 W. Second Street.

Jamie M. McIntire, Clerk
Bruce Peltier, Mayor

MINUTES APPROVED THIS 6th DAY OF October, 2026

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