April 2025

Salisa Dann
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Village of Camargo

Board Meeting Minutes

REGULAR SESSION

Monday, April 14, 2025

 

The Village Board of the Village of Camargo met in Regular Session on Monday, April 14, 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:  Nancy George, Jim Lansford, Jim Hardway, Jeane Breiland, Wade Lorenz, and Gary Gilpin.  Treasurer Shirley Badman and Village Superintendent Kyle Raymer were both present as well.

 

Public Comment:

 

Nancy George and Jeane Breiland both reported that there would be a Woolly Worm Festival meeting on April 24 at 7pm at the Village Hall.  Please send all volunteers to the meeting.

 

Heidi and Brian McFarland were both present at the meeting.  They had nothing to report.  Heidi stated she was interested in any open board positions that might be available.

 

Approval of Consent Agenda:

 

Jim Hardway made a motion to accept the consent agenda.  Nancy seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

 

New Business:

 

  1. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance Regarding Storage Containers:  Jim Lansford did some research and provided a good argument for some reasonable requirements regarding storage.  Bart stated he did some research as well, and insurance companies will  not cover storage containers, only the contents.  And if we allow a new ordinance who will police them?  Nancy stated Camargo only has 1 building inspector, and she doesn’t want to overload him.  Bart also believes that the Village should definitely have an ordinance for portable sheds – not just storage containers.  A quick vote was taken in regards to whether or not the Village was going to move forward with allowing the storage containers and if the necessary man-hours would be needed.  Nancy and Jim Hardway both voted no, Jim Lansford voted yes, Jeane was on the fence, and Wade and Gary both leaned towards no but agreed that there would have to be very strict rules and no water or power would be allowed to the units.  With all that being said, Village Clerk Salisa Dann stated she would email the updates to the Board to vote on a new ordinance to NOT allow storage units moving forward.
  2. Cody Witte, Discussion and Possible Approval of Eagle Scout Project:  Cody is with Troop 50 out of Villa Grove.  He is working towards his Eagle Scout project.  He would like to build a small gazebo with a concrete slab at Taylor Haines Park.  His estimated dimensions are 14’x12’x10’.  He is estimating the project to be around $2000, and he has $500 raised already.  The scouts currently use this park for several outings, and there is no shelter for inclement weather.  The Board asked Cody what he needed from the Village.  The Board stated that Kyle and Wayne (both Village employees) can help with the concrete pad.  We will get Tim Wegeng, the building inspector, involved to help ensure things are secure.  The Board agreed to help with some of the funding.  No amount was discussed at this meeting as Cody is still in the planning process of this project.
  3. Discussion and Approval of Junior Trustees:  Clerk Salisa Dann was approached at the Villa Grove School about a Junior Trustee position.  Clerk Dann made a Junior Trustee application and emailed it to the Board for approval.  Gary Gilpin made a motion to accept the application and to proceed with appointing a Junior Trustee.  Jeane Breiland seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
  4. Approval of Controller Bid for the Water Department:  Water Superintendent Kyle Raymer would like to table this discussion.  He is going to get a second bid.  
  5. Discussion of Trash Days Scheduled for May 16th & 17th: Bart has been approached with concern about allowing Patterson Springs and Lakewood Estates utilize Trash Days.  He would like the Board’s opinion on allowing or not allowing them to participate.  We have allowed them to use it the past few years.  They have used no more than ½ a container.  We have issued permits in the past, but not enough people were interested to warrant the time and supplies used to issue permits.  The Board stated they should be allowed to utilize trash days, but they must provide their water bill to show their proof of residency.
  6. Discussion of Community Building Upgrades:  Bart stated the front door desperately needs to be replaced.  Kyle has patched the cracks, but when the temperature fluctuates, the door is becoming difficult to lock/unlock.  He found a door similar at HOme Depot for a double door kit ranging from $1800 – $2300.  The Board agreed to move forward, and this will become another summer project – while the students are out of school.  Kim Johnson, the new village employee that cleans the community building and the Village Hall, stated she would like to paint the community building over the summer.  She would charge $20 per hour and would only paint the trim and the areas she could reach.  Jim Lansford would like to know what she estimates the time line being to complete this project.

 

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

 

  • Hauling dirt to fill in from old merry-go-round
  • Wayne Beck started
  • Cleaning up the trees on River Rd
  • EPA Recommendations:
    •  Chlorine Controller – scrap it
    • Analyzer at big meter from Villa Grove
    • Tank mixer – eventually
    • Emergency connections in case Villa Grove goes down.  Embarrass crosses our main and that is not allowed.
    • Asset management plan
    • Developing GIS map of our water lines
    • Automatic flushers for Lakewood Estates and Patterson Springs – per EPA it probably wouldn’t help.
  • IL American Water changing meters in Tolono.  They are considering giving us their old ones.  These will automatically go into our billing software.  They have enough to cover all of Camargo.  They can’t sell them to us, but they might be able to give them to us.  This would eliminate having to read meters.
  • New sample site is needed – 7 times a week for testing and it’s required.  Daily recording and not mailing samples
  • Will start ordering parts for the Vine Street project. Will come from different suppliers due to pricing.  Will save over $500 just with one part.
  • Will order a new pit meter
  • Will order 3 hydrant markers
  • Hydrant Flow Tester: If we can test the mains, we can give the fire department the information they need.  It’s required every 3 years.  $610 per kit, and it is good forever.

 

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

 

  • Ball field:  Villa Grove scheduled no games to be played in Camargo.  Therefore there will be no concession stand.  We will have rainouts only.  This will be a good year to work on reseeding.
  • Ambulance Contract:  Bart met with in-coming Mayor Rasmussen and the Carle representative.  They are still working on coming to an agreement.  Carle wants to raise the bill $100,000.  Villa Grove and Camargo both said no.  They will meet again.
  • Victory Church Drain:  Bart wanted to check on the status of the drain that Victory Church installed.  We had quite a downpour, and the water drained quickly, and there was no flooding.
  • Mulch at Opal Thompson Park:  The Village has to mulch every other year.  At Country Arbors it is $55 per square yard.  In Effingham it is $23.74 per 100 yards totalling $2400.  The Board chose to use Effingham.
  • Tree on John Street / Property Update:  John Street property has been purchased.  There is one bid for the removal of the tree, and we are waiting on a second bid.
  • Farris Bench:  Roger & Karen Farris both passed in the last few months.  Both Roger and Karen lived many years in Camargo and raised their family here.  In fact, Rodney was a trustee on the Village Board.  Bart would like to order a bench in their memory and place it at the park.  The Board agreed.
  • Long Sleeve Dry-fit Shirts:  Kyle and Wayne would like some long sleeve shirts that are dry-fit and high vis.  The shirts have been ordered (along with some t-shirts).
  • IL American Water: Please see Kyle’s report above.  Bart would like to add that it would cost the Village $2500 to update our software and installation.  Bart also had a discussion with IL American Water about our DBPs.  He informed us that Camargo will continue to fail every time.  Chlorine levels have been allowed to rise to 4.0.  That much chlorine causes the by-products.  The EPA did not, however, raise the allowed amount of DPBs.
  • Billy Brownfield used to work for Legacy / now known as Pinnacle.  He started his own business.  Pinnacle is working under his license.  He will spray the community building for wasps and ants and take care of the outside of the building.  The Board agreed to change companies.
  • Retirement notification:  Treasurer Shirley Badman is retiring from the Village.  She has put in 26 years, and has agreed to stay on until the new Treasurer is trained.  Bart has found a replacement, Jackie Athey.  There will be a retirement party for both Ginger and Shirley after the next board meeting.
  • Democratic Women of Douglas County:  The Democratic Women reached out to Bart about meeting at the community building one or twice a month.  The Board agreed as long as it isn’t on the same night at 4H.

 

With no further business to come before the Board, Village President Bart Dann called for adjournment at 7:30 pm.

 

Salisa Dann

Village Clerk