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VILLAGE OF CAMARGO

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Monday, August 11, 2025

6:00 PM

 

The Village Board of the Village of Camargo met in Regular Session on Monday, August 11, 2025 at the Camargo Village Hall.  The meeting was called to order by Village President Bart Dann at 6:00 pm.  Roll call found the following trustees present: Jim Lansford, Josh Drake, Wade Lorenz, and Gary Gilpin.  Village Superintendent Kyle Raymer was also present.

 

Public Comment: N/A

 

Approval of Consent Agenda:

 

Gary Gilpin does not approve of paying the extra fees to Tim Little.  The quote to do the job was $3450.  It is not the Village’s fault that he didn’t finish the job correctly, and we shouldn’t have to pay the extra fees.  Josh Drake agrees with Gary.  Jim Lansford believes we should pay him, regardless of how we feel.  He technically did the job that was bid, and that was to remove the sidewalk.  Jim Lansford made a motion to pay the bills as prepared (including Little’s fees).  Wade Lorenz seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

 

New Business:

 

1. Solar Panel Ordinance: To begin, Mr. Wegeng would like to apologize for mentioning the Badman’s permit.  He misspoke, and he already had everything filed as it should be.  Then onto the solar panels, Mr. Wegeng stated there is a resident of Camargo that would like ground mounted solar panels.  These will be on the east side of her property in an open lot that she owns.  The panels will be 75’ long and 10’ tall (9’ tall profile with tilt).  There will be a total of 40 panels.  There is room for the panels; however, there are other factors to take into consideration.  There is another resident that would like to install ground mounted solar panels.  These would be on the west side of their property in an open lot they currently own.  They have removed a house from that property and are planning on installing a green house.  The solar panels will power the green house.  Whatever the Board approves, we must follow suit with both homeowners.  Tim suggested a hybrid system with some panels on the roof and then only what is needed on the ground after.  The Village Board has concerns with the size of the system, and we need to know where the homeowner is in this process: is there a contract already, has money been put down, etc?  The first homeowner gave Bart permission to share her details with Neil Seymour (another Camargo resident) who works in the solar industry.  Without seeing her power bills and having all the information, he felt the solar company she was using was trying to get her a system that was way too big.  Moving forward, Tim is going to ask both homeowners to go back to the solar companies and ask for some adjustments.  They will bring new plans to the next meeting.  After several  minutes of discussion, the Board decided to table this decision and discussion until the next meeting.
2. Aggregate Ordinance:  The Board discussed the new power aggregate.  They are not comfortable with their practices of making a family join their company if they don’t opt out.  Their prices are still higher than Ameren, and the Village would be locked into a contract with them for the next three years.  Therefore, the Board declined the option to join the aggregate.  President Dann will contact the company and inform them of the decision.
3. Demolition of 412 South John Bids – Amended Quote: After speaking with a few interested parties regarding the original bid, President Bart Dann made an executive decision to amend the bid.  There is no way for the contractors to know how deep the concrete pillars are; therefore, there is no way to bid for enough dirt to make the lots “grass ready.”  There will be a separate bidding process to prepare all the lots in the spring.  With all being said, the Village Board opened each bid:  Little Dozing: $7690, Combs Bulldozing: $11,820  Gary Gilpin suggests we go with Combs Bulldozing.  We won’t know his work until we give him an opportunity.  Jim Lansford said we should ask for a more detailed bid, and we shouldn’t accept this bid.  Josh Drake made a motion to accept the bid from Combs Bulldozing.  Wade Lorenz seconded the motion.  Jim Lansford voted no; however, the motion still carried.  While on this topic, President Dann had a proposal from one of the bidders.  The suggestion was that whichever company did NOT get the removal bid would automatically get the bid to reclaim the land for spring.  The Board was not comfortable with the idea, and turned down the proposition.
4. Football Sports Ad: The Village received an email asking for ads for the fall sports program for the school.  ¼ page is $96.  Jim Lansford made a motion to purchase the ad, and Salisa will submit the same ad as previously used.  Josh Drake seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
5. Approval of Community Building Door Estimates: SK door bid: $7983 and Ridgeline door bid was $10,000.  Bart would like to inquire about wood doors instead of steel.  The Board agreed.

 

Old Business: There have been no updates on the ambulance contract.

 

Village Superintendent’s Report: Village Superintendent Kyle Raymer reported the following:

• The EPA stated that the quote for the tank mixer would satisfy their agreement and show progress towards compliance.
• We are responsible for all sampling costs for the trial: THM $40/sample twice a day and it is unknown how much the TOC samples are.  It is also unknown the duration of the sampling periods.
• By October 1, 2025 a decision will be made
• By January 1, 2026 there must be a construction permit to the EPA
• By April 1, 2026, construction will be completed and an operating permit issued by the EPA.
• The mixer in addition with the auto flushers should get us in compliance.
• The cost of the mixer is $31,000 – we can split that cost over 2 years

 

** Side note **  The Village is not getting the water meters from IL American.  There could contamination and they would /could be held liable for any damages.

 

• During installation of the mixer, the Village would bypass the tower and run water straight from Villa Grove.
• The above mentioned costs would include water sterilization, compliance inspection, and the mixer installation.
• This decision will be on next month’s agenda.
• Jim Lansford asked Kyle if he could get a price for the altitude valve. The lowest level Kyle can get the water to go is 114,000 gallons.
• Kyle is going to push the pilot program off for at least a month.
• They finished the by-product study.  The lab received them and they are processing them.
• They trimmed trees.
• Mowed
• Fixed a water leak at Patterson Springs
• Working on getting parts for the tap for the Vine Street Project
• Oil and chip should be happening in August

 

President’s Report: Village President Bart Dann reported the following: 

• There was a water leak on George Street.  The homewoner told Kyle he was only paying $50.  He was not paying the remaining balance of the bill – regardless of an adjustment.  The Board stated that if the homeowner didn’t pay his bill, his water would be shut off.
• Greg Miller spoke with Kyle about several trees in the Village.  He is cutting back the trees that are hanging over the sidewalks.  There is a tree at a private residence that is dead.  Greg wants to remove the entire tree.  The Village will only pay for the trimming over the sidewalk.  If the homeowner wants the tree removed, they will have to pay Greg separately.
• Pavilion power – the Village is now hiring Colin Gilles.  It will cost the Village a little less if we fry by the stage and not the pavilion.  We will not have to run power through the park this way either.
• There were several text messages received from Valerie and Michael Griffin.  They are upset about the condition of their neighbor’s pond and dead fish.  Bart called DNR to come out and take a look at it.  The property owners purchased aerotars, and the pond is covered in buck wheat.  The weed suffocates the oxygen out of the pond, and that is why the fish are dying.  DNR said the Griffin’s need to be patient and give it some time.  There has been no rain, and there really isn’t anything anyone can do about it.  The Griffin’s were not happy with the outcome, but there is honestly nothing the Village can do about it.
• Steven Wages reached out to Bart about using the ball diamond.  He coaches a 9U travel team and would like to use the field.  Bart absolutely told him to use it.  The Village will drag the field, and he will have to line it.

 

With no further business to come before the Board, Village President Bart Dann called for adjournment at 8:04 pm.

 

Salisa Dann

Village Clerk