Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Village of Tampico
Reagan Community Center
Mayor Bruce Peltier called the Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council to order at 7:00PM. Commissioners Sherry Coleman, Susan Dean, Jim Coleman and Tammy Kendell were present.
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 15, 2026 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
Minutes of the September 15, 2026 Closed Meeting were approved as presented.
Reports of Village Officials
Village Superintendent Chriest reported I have been in contact with the people who purchased the trailers and lots. Today I was told I needed to figure out the ComEd, so I’ll need some account information from Clerk McIntire for those trailers. Once I get that I’ll go from there to make the changes and let them get that switched over. I have some locate work for the water/sewer utilities and I’m just waiting on an ok from ComEd on that as well.
Chriest reported that hydrant flushing will take place October 19th through the 23rd. Then we’ll follow up with some tree trimming prior to winter.
Chriest advised that we’ve hauled in some sand mix for the material, so we’ll be trucking in some salt as well. Chriest added that we’ve started winterizing the ball diamonds and the park restrooms. Others will follow soon.
Chief Strike reported that Larry Harrell is at $400.00 in fines. I’ll be giving him a call tomorrow because I think he wants to try and rebuttal and not have to pay them, but I think he needs to pay something on it because we’ve been working on this issue with him for two years.
Chief Strike introduced Cory Drowns, who was present at the meeting. He’s the officer from Morrison that Chief Strike would like hired as a part-time police officer for the Village of Tampico. He’s here if you have any questions for him.
Mayor Peltier asked Chief Strike if Larry Harrell has begun taking the garage down yet. Chief Strike said he says he is but to me it just looks like it’s falling down. It doesn’t look like he has and now he’ll begin to get $200.00 fines this week, so he’ll be up to $600.00 in fines. I’m not going to stop on him. Mayor Peltier asked the Council if they think the Village should reach out to Mr. Shirk to start the process, similar to how the Market Street building was handled. The Council agreed that reaching out to Mr. Shirk would be a good idea. Commissioner Kendell said it worked with that, and this isn’t working. You can rack up $200.00 a week from now until the end of time but he’s not going to pay it. Mayor Peltier told Chief Strike I’ll get all the information you have on that from you and we’ll give it over to Mr. Shirk. As long as there’s no conflict of interest like there was with the Market Street building, we should be able to get the process started.
Chief Strike also reported that 314 E. Booth is also starting to get clean up. There was one complaint on the property, but the roof permit was given, and for a few other things too.
Remarks from Guests
Village resident, Rick Dean, was on the agenda to discuss possible partial alley purchase. Dean said I just wanted to see if we could talk about getting that alley decommissioned that’s behind my house. Commissioner J. Coleman asked if there’s anything there that ComEd would need to go down that? Dean said there is a pole between our house and our neighbor to the North, but my plans don’t have anything to do with blocking off what’s there. I just want that to be an extension of our yard. I would like to put up a garage. We’d like to buy the alley that doesn’t get used and make it an extension of our yard. Clerk McIntire said going off the information from the last time we did this, Mr. Shirk said it costs approximately $500.00 for all the paperwork and everything that takes place. Dean said I didn’t know how that would work for the neighbors and if they’d have a chance to do the same thing or just worry about this lot. It used to be a drive through alley and curves around the railroad tracks, but those have been gone since I was a kid. J. Coleman asked have you decided what you want to put up there? Dean said to be honest with you, Zachary said we could have one of the trailers. I know you can’t put a trailer there. It’s not going to be a trailer. I would have it professionally moved and make it a garage, put a garage door on it. J. Coleman asked have you talked to the neighbors? I talked to the son today of the Hanrahan neighbors, and the one to the South doesn’t care what we do there. If we put something there, it’s not going to be an eyesore. It will be done correctly. I just know this is our first line of defense but if we can’t do it, we can’t do it. I’m not going to put a fence up or close it off. It’s still accessible from where the railroad used to be. Mayor Peltier said we’ll do some digging on it and all the legalities to it. We’ll keep it on the agenda for the next meeting. Dean said I just wanted it to be known what my plans are. I want a 24×36 structure there. It’s not going to be a living space. We’ll probably put water and sewer there, so that’s a plus for everybody, and it would be set on a foundation. Clerk McIntire said I’ll send this information to Mr. Shirk.
Dean asked can I bring up something else too while we’re speaking? Mayor Peltier said yes. Dean asked if the West side of the RCC building is considered a park. Clerk McIntire said I believe so because we have a couple games for the kids there and a tetherball. Mayor Peltier said we’ve also discussed the possibility of making the grass area there, where the playground equipment used to be, into a dog park. Dean said we’ve been informed that there’s a sex offender moved in less than 300 feet away from that park. Commissioner J. Coleman asked Dean to give that information to Chief Strike. Commissioner Kendell said we just have to make sure because that was his permanent address at one time and I’m wondering if he’s just using it because it was his last known address. Village resident, Deb TerBush said but there’s another one. I think everybody is talking about the one on Glassburn and not the one on Washington, because he’s not up for parole until 2032. I’m worried about the one on Glassburn that just moved in there. Commissioner S. Coleman asked TerBush to give Chief Strike that information. TerBush said he should have record of it. Commissioner Dean said it’s public knowledge. TerBush said the Village and police department should get notified when a sex offender moves into town. Chief Strike said we do. The County will let us know. They have one detective that handles all sexual situations and he’ll let us know. TerBush said I feel he should have notified you by now. Chief Strike said as of right now, I have not been notified, but I’ll find out tomorrow. He can tell me everyone that is in town, but some will try to sneak in and then that’s a violation. Mayor Peltier said we’ll look into that to make sure there aren’t any issues.
Village resident, AJ Armstrong, was present and said I have noise complaints and complaints of the neighbor kid driving in my yard, past my ac unit during all hours of the day and doing burnouts. I think something needs to finally be done about it. Commissioner J. Coleman asked the name of who’s doing this. Armstrong said Cayden Buckley. Commissioner Kendell said I’m afraid someone’s going to try to take it into their own hands and it’s going to go way overboard, but why can’t we create an ordinance that prohibits the dirtbikes. Mayor Peltier said there’s already a state law that says you’re not supposed to have dirtbikes or 4wheelers on the street. All the activity happening is a nuisance. J. Coleman said and he’s not just riding it in his yard. Commissioner S. Coleman said he’s not afraid of the police department. Armstrong said he’s very cocky and something needs to be done. Chief Strike told Armstrong that the two of them will talk about the situation. Kendell said it needs to be taken care of. S. Coleman said I have spoken with Chief Strike about confiscating the bikes because they go all over with them. J. Coleman said we have several witnesses to the actions, they need to be impounded. Chief Strike said we’ll take care of it. S. Coleman said we also need to take care of the black car that drives on that same street. Armstrong said it’s at the two houses on Benton Street. Dean said it needs to be taken care of before someone gets hit or hurt. J. Coleman said someone had been hurt there already. Armstrong said there’s a lot of kids in that alley. TerBush said there have been a lot of complaints. Mayor Peltier said we have several reports going and we’ll work on getting it figured out.
Unfinished Business
The Mayor and Council began to review/discuss update with DCEO Grant Project – Quotes. Mayor Peltier said unfortunately there’s still not a lot to report on this. I spoke with Dan Pepin and he’s still trying to get in touch with Mike Ohoro. Mayor Peltier said I’m going to speak with Pepin tomorrow because he left a message for Ohoro today and hopefully, he’ll hear back from him. If not, I’m going to speak with Pepin about our options moving forward. There’s no way the project will be completed this year, so we’ll aim for springtime and hopefully get it figured out. Commissioner Kendell said he has to have a hand drawing or something because he came up with the quantity. Superintendent Chriest said there’s a lot of field verifications that have to be done. They don’t want the finger pointed at them if something doesn’t go right. I’d hate to say what it would cost to engineer the project. Mayor Peltier said we cannot use MFT funds on this project.
Superintendent Chriest said real quick, I was thinking about getting an MFT project if anyone has any suggestions. I would start planning it this year and going out for it on the next budget. Commissioner Kendell asked what area are you thinking? Chriest said I’d like to take care of a couple patches from the utility work we did this last winter. I’d like to do some more but I’m open to opinions. Mayor Peltier said we currently have $156,000.00 in MFT Funds. If it doesn’t start until next year there will be a little bit more in there. Kendell said I would hold off and let that oil drop before you bid it. Oil’s so high right now that prices are crazy. Let it try to come down a little bit, so you get more bang for your buck. Mayor Peltier said you can start planning where you’d like work done. Kendell said are you just going to do patch work or tie into the patch work.
Next was to review/discuss/approve partial property purchase from Mike Sigel for New Water Treatment Plant. Mayor Peltier reported that bidding for this project are supposed to start in February, so we got a little time but we’re still working with Mike Sigel and Dan Smith on where the new plant is going to go because there is a little bit of concern about shutting down that portion of Men’s Club Drive because the semi’s and tractors use it when they come to Casey’s and they park along there. Mayor Peltier said Sigel is considering buying the property where we originally discussed putting the new plant. That property may still be on the table if he goes through with that purchase. I spoke with Sigel today and he’s supposed to be speaking to that property owner tonight. I think we have until December to have that figured out. Mayor Peltier said I’m also going to talk to Matt Hansen about what are deadline is and when we have to have the property purchased. If there is an option to leave Men’s Club Drive open, I’d rather do that. The Council agreed.
The Mayor and Council began to review/discuss ordinance to increase salaries for Mayor and Commissioner Positions. Mayor Peltier asked Commissioner S. Coleman if she found anything out after speaking to surrounding municipalities. S. Coleman replied that there’s some that get paid $50.00 a meeting and I was unable to get in touch with Lyndon. Commissioner Kendell said I think Lyndon is the one we have to compare it to. Clerk McIntire said we do need a decision tonight so Mr. Shirk can have the ordinance made before the next meeting where it will need to be approved. Commissioner J. Coleman said I’m the one that’s been saying we need to do this and the reason why is because I don’t plan on running next term, so it doesn’t pertain to me. It pertains to the rest of you who put all these hours in, especially the mayor. This is a lot, right here. I think it would be possible to get someone else in here to run, and hopefully it wouldn’t be for the money, but maybe it would help with some of this stuff that you have to do while in this position. Kendell said it’s definitely not for the money. J. Coleman said you have two meetings a month. It’s not difficult to give these employees working for this community a raise. I think it’s time that the mayor and commissioners get a raise. I think we should double what’s given for two meetings a month, at least. Clerk McIntire said currently, the mayor receives $125.00 a month, and each commissioner receives $75.00 a month, before taxes. J. Coleman said I don’t think we have to make a stipulation that you have to be at every meeting because we usually are unless something comes up that prevents us from doing that. Clerk McIntire said there isn’t a stipulation for that because the people who run for these positions are going to show up, otherwise they wouldn’t run. Mayor Peltier said I feel impartial towards this decision, honestly.
I’m ok if you want to increase it to $50.00 per meeting. Clerk McIntire said that would change the commissioner’s salary from $75.00 a month to $100.00 per month. Mayor Peltier said that seems standard to me, and I don’t have an issue with that. Commissioner Dean said and the mayor’s salary should be $200.00 a month. Kendell said I think that’s fair because it hasn’t been touched in 20 years. The mayor and commissioners agreed. Kendell said I don’t care about it for myself either, but I also don’t plan on staying in office forever. Dean said I think $200.00 a month for the mayor and $100.00 a month for the commissioners is fair. Kendell said I think the mayor does deserve more. Dean said absolutely. Mayor Peltier said I do appreciate that. J. Coleman said and that’s for whoever is mayor. There’s a lot of work that goes on for that seat. Dean said this will keep us from not breaking the budget. J. Coleman asked will this be a problem for the budget? Clerk McIntire said no because this will be factored into the new budget since it will not take effect until the new term in May. I will let Mr. Shirk know that we would like to change the mayor’s salary from $125.00 a month to $200.00 a month and change the commissioner’s salaries from $75.00 a month to $100.00 a month. That ordinance will be up for approval at the next regular meeting.
Last under unfinished business was to review/discuss/approve Hiring Part-Time Officer for the Village Police Department. The Mayor and Commissioners asked to come back to this so it can first be discussed in closed session.
New Business
First under new business was to review/discuss/approve Halloween Trick or Treat hours for the Village of Tampico. Clerk McIntire advised that it’s always been held on October 31st and it’s usually 4:30pm to 7:00pm. Commissioner Kendell said since it’s on a Saturday, why don’t we start it at 4:00pm. The mayor and commissioners agreed. A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner J. Coleman to approve Halloween Trick or Treat hours for the Village of Tampico on Saturday, October 31st from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried. Clerk McIntire advised that last year, the Rec Board did hold a Halloween dance, and I believe they plan to do so again, but it would be on Friday, October 30th. We don’t have the details yet but I’m sure it will be posted when they have finalized everything. Clerk McIntire reminded everyone that burning leaves is prohibited in the Village all day on October 31st.
Next was to review/discuss/approve Quote with DC Computers – Office phone service. The quote was provided to the mayor and commissioners. Clerk McIntire said the price for the 3 phones and 1 adapter for the fax machine will be a one-time cost of approximately $430.00, then the monthly service fee will be approximately $80.00 for those 4 lines, for a total approximate cost of $510.00. We currently pay approximately $400.00 a month for phone service. This will be our equipment after we purchase it. A motion to approve the quote with DC Computers was made by Commissioner Dean, second by Commissioner S. Coleman. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
Last under new business was to review/discuss Lease Agreement for RCC Room Rental 1 – Lawrence Batten Trucking LLC which expires 10/30/2026. Clerk McIntire said this is the same agreement we’ve been making with them since 2020. I like to present it before approving in case there are any changes you’d like to make. They currently pay $150.00 a month and it’s a 2-year lease agreement. Commissioner Kendell asked when was the last time we increased that rental fee? Clerk McIntire advised that it’s never been raised. Kendell said electricity and all that hasn’t gone down and it isn’t going down. Commissioner Dean said I don’t think increasing it is out of line at all. Kendell said I don’t think it is if we’ve never increased it. Clerk McIntire said I believe the only thing they pay besides rent is their internet. Kendell said I think $200.00 a month would be fair. The mayor and commissioners agreed. Clerk McIntire said I’ll reach out to Batten Trucking to let them know that the rental fee will increase from $150.00 a month to $200.00 a month and that all other terms and conditions will remain the same. That will be changed on the lease agreement as long as there’s no issues and that will be on the next meeting agenda for approval.
Building Permits
Building Permits approved by Zoning Administrator, Tyler Chriest, were 202 N. Lincoln St. – Roof, 109 S. Main St. – Deck, 107 N. Washington St. – Porch/Deck, 408 E. Second St. – Deck/Porch, 309 E. Market St. – Windows and 206 N. Lincoln St. – Roof.
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 advised that Village Hall will be closed Monday, October 12th in observance of Columbus Day. Garbage will run normal that week.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner J. Coleman. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner J. Coleman at 7:37 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, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kendell, second by Commissioner J. Coleman at 7:57 PM to leave the Closed Session portion of the meeting and return to the Regular Open Meeting. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
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 Officer for the Village Police Department. A motion was made by Commissioner J. Coleman, second by Commissioner Kendell, to approve hiring Cory J. Drowns as a Part-Time Police Officer at $20.60 an hour at a maximum of 30 hours a week split between Part-Time Officers, unless approved by the Village, with a 90-day probation period. “Yes” votes were S. Coleman, Dean, J. Coleman, Kendell and Mayor Peltier. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:01PM. The next Regular Meeting of the Tampico Village Council is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the Reagan Community Center located at 202 W. Second Street.
