Village of Camargo
Board Meeting Minutes
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, February 10, 2025
The Village Board of the Village of Camargo met in Regular Session on Monday, February 10, 2025 at the Camargo Village Hall. The meeting was called to order by President Bart Dann at 6:04 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: N/A
Approval of Consent Agenda: There were a couple of typos in last month’s minutes. Nancy George made a motion to accept the consent agenda with the corrections. Jim Hardway seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
- Cody Witte: Cody is sick and cannot attend tonight’s meeting. This item is tabled until March.
- Douglas County Sheriff Nathan Chaplin and Douglas County Deputy Lonnie Homann were present to discuss FLOCK cameras – also known as license plate readers. There are currently seven (7) set up in Douglas County with three (3) more that aren’t operational just yet. Sheriff Chaplin explained that the deputies aren’t as concerned with the traffic going out of Douglas County as much as they are with the traffic coming into Douglas County. If you see the poles near the highways with solar panels on top, those are the traffic readers. Camargo has several points of operation that could potentially be cause for concern: 3C’s, Route 130, Route 36, and several storage units. The information obtained from the reader is dispatched to the deputy’s laptop and the dispatchers. Hot files are automatically given alerts (stolen vehicles, Amber Alert vehicles, vehicles used to commit crimes). All data created stays in-house and does not leave the Sheriff’s Office. It is not shared with any companies outside of law enforcement. The Board discussed the necessary permitting that would be required. Sheriff Chaplin recommended that the Sheriff’s Office register the cameras under the Sheriff’s Office umbrella, and they would take care of all the paperwork and permitting. The Sheriff’s Office is currently asking the Board to purchase one (1) camera to be placed at the corner of Route 36 and Route 130. Deputy Homann gave an instance where just two weeks after installation in Cerro Gordo, they caught serial burglars. The officers can enter necessary information into the system, and it will alert other law enforcement agencies and officers. The East Central Illinois Task Force has several readers, and they are migrating to the FLOCK company as well. The more cameras that are online and synched, the greater volume of data law enforcement can get. An officer can have a picture of a vehicle within 15 seconds of passing a reader. Law enforcement officers can search the database by details other than just make, model and license plates. They can search by window stickers, bumper stickers, etc. They are all cloud based, so the storage system is currently unknown. If the Village were to lease a FLOCK camera, is it $3000 per camera per year for the first two years. There is a $650 installation fee. They can typically install within 1-3 months of purchase.This camera enhances their patrol abilities. The Village will note that while the Sheriff’s Office was present at the meeting, Deputy Homann had to leave, because he received an alert of a stolen truck in the area. Jim Hardway made a motion to move forward with one (1) FLOCK camera in the amount of $3000 plus installation. Nancy George seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Discussion of Hiring a Full Time Village Employee: Doug and Cathy Raymer has given their notice that they are completely retiring, and the Village needs to replace them. There was much discussion about replacing them with a full time employee or a part time employee. Jeane was concerned that we would not be able to find a quality part time employee. Nancy wasn’t certain that we needed a full time employee. Kyle explained that we have EPA compliances that will require two full time employee hours. He also explained that anytime we dig, the insurance company is requiring three people to be onsite. We are at the point where we need a part time employee. Jim Hardway stated that if we don’t have a full time employee and we hire out a job, we are paying prevailing wages. Shirley wanted to remind the Board that hiring an employee is more than just salary; it is IMRF and benefits and workers compensation. These are all things to keep in mind. Jim Lansford also stated that we need coverage for vacation, sick leave, a multitude of other reasons. We definitely need to hire a full time employee. Kyle explained that a new hire doesn’t necessarily have to have any knowledge of the water treatment requirements. However, they must be willing to learn under Kyle. Jim Lansford asked how much we spent on part time employment this year. Shirely stated that Doug was $16,500, Cathy was $12,500, and Cody was $200. All of these did not require benefits or employment taxes. It would be estimated that a new employee would cost the Village approximately $60,000 – $65,000 per year. Gary Gilpin said Newman has 2 full time employees and 2 part time employees. Jeane didn’t understand why there was resistance to pay for another employee. The Village has always had 2 full time employees. Why is there a need to pull back now? Bart stated Doug and Cathy would like to help with mowing if necessary. After several minutes of discussion, Salisa Dann stated her concern, as a citizen of Camargo, is that without a full time employee to help Kyle on a regular basis, Kyle would leave Camargo due to burn-out. With no one trained and on staff to assist in all capacities, he would never have the opportunity for vacation days, sick days, etc. Jeane Breiland made a motion to advertise for a full time employee to begin April 1, 2025. Wade Lorenz seconded the motion. The motion passed with Jim, Jim, Jeane, Wade, and Gary voting yes, and Nancy voting no.
- Discussion and Proposal of Ordinance Regarding Storage Container on Residential Properties: Nancy stated she would like to see an ordinance put into place against storage / shipping containers. She stated there is already one in Village limits. Nancy suggested a temporary use only and you must have a permit. Jeane asked if other villages or towns have ordinances permitting them? Nancy said she did a quick search and could not find any. Someone asked if this would be any different than any other storage shed? She stated she would like to see restrictions on residential zones only. Nancy said she would reach out to the Village Attorney about guidelines and the Board can table this discussion until the next meeting.
- Discussion and Proposal of Ordinance Regarding UTV’s and Golf Carts: Nancy had someone approach her about getting a permit for a go-cart. She didn’t realize the village already had an ordinance that covered UTV’s and golf carts. All “vehicles” permitted must be inspected prior to receiving a permitted sticker, and they must be street legal (lights, brakes, horn, turn signals, slow moving sign, etc). All of these items are listed in the current ordinance. All permitted vehicles must also provide proof of insurance. The Board was not receptive to expanding these restrictions to include off-road vehicles. She said she would pass along the information to the person who inquired.
- Discussion of Hiring a New Cleaning Employee: Bart had a discussion with Ginger Kielhorn. She stated that she would like to free up her weekends. The part time employee would be salaried per month to clean the community building and the Village Hall. Jim Lansford made a motion to advertise for a part time employee to be paid $225 per month to clean both the community building and the Village Hall. Nancy George seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Discussion and Approval of Speed Limit Changes: Jim Hardway made a motion to pass Ordinance 02-10A-2025 to change the speed limit to 25mph on Vine Street and 20mph on South Neal Street, South John Street, and East George Street. Wade Lorenz seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Old Business:
- Discussion and Possible Approval of Water Rate Increase: Jim Lansford suggested we leave the base rate alone, and only increase the usage. Kyle stated that if we continue to operate in the red, we will not be able to get future funding. Lansford would like to see a $4 per gallon increase. Jim Hardway stated that everyone sees what is happening and what is coming. After much discussion, Shirley and Bart suggested that we move 100% of the Verizon income to the water fund (roughly $10,000 per year), and increase the water rates by $3 per 1000 gallons to be effective on the March billing. Wade Lorenz made a motion to move 100% of the Verizon rental money to the water fund and to increase the water rates by $3 per 1000 gallons to be effective on the March billing. Jim Hardway seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Village Superintendent’s Report: Kyle Raymer reported the following:
- Compliance Commitment Agreement:
- No cost to the Village
- Standard practices
- Included in B. is more lab fees (tested at the meter in VG)
- Satisfied with sampling
- Study of the system
- Full view of the steps in the process = more testing
- Re-do sample sites (sampling at pit and not in homes) – we need 2
- EOP – standard / ours is limited Providing water in an emergency
- Cross Connection survey (ours is done)
- Secondary containment – installed
- Venting – installed
- Vine Street – relocated service lines
- Not a huge job but expensive
- Estimated at $800 in parts per home (there are 7 homes)
- + water lines at $400 – $600 per ft
- Village will have to trench through the road and the sidewalk.
- Boring is $8 per foot.
- These costs are adding up quickly. Rough estimate would be $7000 in parts alone – rock is NOT included in this estimate.
- If hired out – this would easily be over $10,000
- Signed the completed paperwork.
- If Kyle orders the parts for the Vine Street project, they are 20 weeks out. Kyle will look into other vendors.
- Water Leak at Zimmerman’s on our side
- John Street prepped for trailer removal
- Installed a camera on the John Street property
- Bobcat repairs (seals) on the hoe end / not the bob cat end
- Tailgate has rust holes on the 1 ton truck / repaired them
- 2 new customers
- Hickory Lane
- Patterson Springs
- Cody is working on the tile behind Vine Street tomorrow (02/11)
- Enough salt for pending weather
Village Superintendent’s Report: President Bart Dann reported the following:
- Golden Shovel – Bart was contacted by a media marketing company. This company finds businesses for your towns / villages. With their help it would increase our opportunities for business to come to Camargo. Their starting package begins at $15,000. Nancy stated she would rather see the Village use the new group out of Douglas County. The Board agreed and said no to the Golden Shovel.
- Plum Grove Property – There are a set of double lots for sale at Plum Grove on Nightingale. The property owner reached out to see if the Village would be interested in purchasing them. They are asking $20,000 per lot. The Board politely declined.
- Head Start Cameras – Dennis from ERBA reached out to the Village. Now that the Village is no longer hosting voting at the community building, they would like to install cameras inside and outside of the community building. The Board would like for the cameras to be shut off during the weekends for rental purposes. They would only allow cameras to be placed in the main room, entrances, office and exterior of the building. You must not be able to see into the restroom with the camera. Outside of those restrictions, the Board is okay with the camera installation.
- Frontier Collections – Frontier reached out again regarding the outstanding bill we are disputing with them. The Board agreed to pay $300 and not a penny more. However, they want a settlement sheet prior to sending a check.
- The properties have been prepped on John Street. We are waiting on the new trailer owner to get a tongue to remove the trailer, and the attorney to get the paperwork to our attorney before we can remove the other trailer. Everything is ready to go on our end.
With no further business to come before the Board, Village President Bart Dann called for adjournment at 8:55 pm.
Salisa Dann
Village Clerk