VILLAGE OF CAMARGO
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Monday, June 09, 2025
6:00 pm
The Village Board of the Village of Camargo met in Regular Session of Monday, June 09, 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, Jim Hardway, Wade Lorenz, and Gary Gilpin. Water Superintendent Kyle Raymer was also in attendance.
Oaths of Office:
Village Trustee Gary Gilpin was sworn into office.
Public Comment:
Brome Kielhorn was present to discuss the traffic issues and drug issues on John Street. Several neighbors from the neighborhood have expressed concern to him regarding the traffic that comes and goes from John Street. In fact, a couple of neighbors have concerns about the ammonia smell that is coming from the back street. At times, it is so bad they cannot sit outside and enjoy their porches / yards. Traffic picks up around 10:30-11:00 pm. Most of the time it is the same vehicles that are coming and going. Mr. Kielhorn has begun taking photos of the vehicles and posting them on social media.
Douglas County Sheriff Nate Chaplin was present for a different manner. However, he responded to Mr. Kielhorn. He asked Brome to please pass along to the neighbors to PLEASE call the Sheriff’s Office when they smell ammonia. The Sheriff’s Office will send deputies to Camargo and potentially call the fire department and a hazmat team.
Mr. Kielhorn stated that some of the traffic is speeding down John Street, just to slam on the brakes at the stop sign. He followed up by stating that sometimes just a conversation with a deputy would help. Everyone in the neighborhood has tried to have conversations with the repeat offender(s), but nothing changes. He feels like all the calls to the Sheriff’s Office are a waste of time.
Sheriff Chaplin said please do not hesitate to call with any complaints or concerns. All documentation is necessary. He commends President Dann and the Village Board for what we are doing with John Street. Reclaiming the neighborhood takes time. He went on to explain that just because nothing is done at the time of a traffic complaint does not mean nothing will ever be done. For example, several complaints can be put together to show the State’s Attorney that someone is a repeat offender. Then something can be done.
Village President Bart Dann stated an email was sent to Sheriff Chaplin regarding a report that was made two weeks ago with video evidence. He would like to know why the deputy didn’t make an arrest or issue a citation on site? He speaks on behalf of all un-policed communities in Douglas County when he asks why the deputies are sitting at Daylight Donuts or the grain elevator in Tuscola? Both of these locations are in City of Tuscola jurisdiction. Those deputies should be out in the county.
Nate rebutted the fact that his deputies are putting in over 250 miles. The data shows that Camargo is the #1 village that gets patrolled. Garrett is #2.
Bart stated that one deputy in particular dealt with an on-going situation in the neighborhood mentioned above. That deputy refused to take witness statements and just made an arrest based on what the “victim” told police, which was a bold-faced lie. Does the Sheriff’s Office make PC (probable cause) arrests anymore?
Nate said yes. They have the capabilities to make PC arrests and they do so. A decision was rendered and a report was sent to the State’s Attorney’s Office. A citation issued on site would have resulted in the same action. Due to the Safety Act, deputies are so concerned with the suspect’s rights, they are forgetting the victim’s rights. The Sheriff’s Office is reactionary. They are trying to be proactive with Flock Cameras and more patrolling. Deputies are inundated with paper service.
Bart said he is not stating that the deputies are not in Camargo enough. He is saying that some aren’t utilizing their time while they are here. The deputies are not judge, jury, and executioner. They are here to uphold the law / constitution.
Nate stated again that Camargo is the #1 village in patrol coverage. He also sees the deputies sitting in Tuscola. He stated that sometimes they sit there to write reports, because they have good internet access.
Village President Dann stated Camargo has good internet too. He also said that if some of the deputies are not meeting standards, Sheriff Chaplin needs to go with them and do some further field training with them.
Village Trustee Jim Lansford asked Sheriff Chaplin if he had any suggestions for the residents that live in that neighborhood?
Sheriff Chaplin expressed that calling the non-emergency line or using the online app to report occurrences. If you see something, say something. Both courses can remain anonymous.
Mr. Lansford asked if a deputy can sit at the intersection and stop traffic?
The Sheriff said yes! Due to the Flock Camera information (which is why he was present), Camargo is becoming a targeted area.
President Dann stated the Village Board has changed several speed limits in an effort to combat speeding.
Sheriff Chaplin stated that the Village of Camargo might not be getting a desirable response, but logs are being created. These logs are compiled and reports are then written. President Dann stated that the village is not seeing any results.
Village Trustee Jim Hardway stated that “neighbors talk,” referring to Mr. Kielhorn’s original complaint. Mr. Hardway asked Sheriff Chaplin if all the neighbors need to call the Sheriff’s Office?
Sheriff Chaplin replied with yes. Please call or use the app.
Jackie Athey, incoming treasurer, arrived at 6:10 pm
Village Trustee Jeane Breiland arrived at 6:30pm.
Approval of Consent Agenda:
Village Trustee Jim Hardway made a motion to accept the consent agenda – to include the closed session minutes. Village Trustee Gary Giplin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
- Sheriff Nate Chaplin, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office: Sheriff Chaplin was present to report findings from the Flock Camara. Two charts were presented to the Board to include data findings that 14,678 unique vehicles were scanned. This means that the number of individual license plates came through Camargo between May 10, 2025 and June 07, 2025. Of those license plates there were 100 suspended drivers, 5 sex offenders, 5 stolen license plates, and 1 revoked driver. This does not mean those drivers were arrested or cited for their infractions. It means, they drove through Camargo. This number is also not including the 25 “hot listed” drivers. Those licensed drivers are being watched by the Sheriff’s Office. What do we do with this data? Nate said they police back. They grow the network. This makes a perfect case for a part-time police officer. And if Camargo would decide to get a part-time officer, this would not change the patrol patterns of Douglas County Deputies. He went on to explain that there was a high speed police chase over the weekend. Camargo’s Flock camera caught this, and the offender was apprehended in Villa Grove. Sheriff Chaplin went on to explain that a part-time officer could issue citations for speed limits violations, tow vehicles, and issue village ordinances. All the fines received from these tickets stay in Camargo.
- Appointment of Josh Drake: Trustee Gilpin made a motion to appoint Josh Drake to Nancy George’s vacant seat. Jim Lansford seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
At this time, Jeane Breiland was also sworn in as she was not present earlier.
- Discussion of Part-Time Police Officer: Village President Bart Dann would like permission to gain financial information and data to build a case for a part-time police officer. If the Board is against the idea, he isn’t going to waste everyone’s time. Trustee Gilpin asked about the inter-governmental agreement with Villa Grove. Sheriff Chaplin stated that we did discuss that at one time. However, inter-governmental agreements are challenging regarding liabilities, etc. They are not impossible, just challenging. Jackie Athey (the current city administrator for Villa Grove) agreed with Sheriff Chaplin. The Board then agreed that we should gain whatever information is necessary, and we could further discuss at the next board meeting.
- Discussion and Possible Approval of Rock Audio Purchase: The Woolly Worm Festival Committee met, and they are still searching for audio equipment. President Dann found some equipment that is under $2000. His suggestion was that the Village purchased the equipment and it would be shared with the festival committee. If for whatever reason the festival committee would decide to part ways, the equipment would then belong to the village. It could also be used for other village purposes: ballgames, neighborhood night out, etc. The money spent would be the portion that the Board agreed to match each year. Trustee Jeane Breiland made a motion to purchase the Rock Audio sound system and to spend up to $2000. Trustee Wade Lorenz seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Discussion and Possible Approval of Controller Module (Water Department): A second bid was received for the replacement controller module for the water system. The first bid was from R E Pedrotti in the amount of $29,763. This is the company that we currently have. The second bid came from Vandevanter Engineering in the amount of $36,458. Jim Lansford made a motion to approve the purchase from R E Pedrotti and the installation will be scheduled by Kyle. Wade Lorenz seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Discussion and Possible Approval of Sidewalk Removal Bid: Three bids were received for the removal of the sidewalk along Mill Street from Main Street to Spring Street. It is approximately 550’. The first bid was from Limited Land Management in the amount of $9680. The second bid was from Combes Bulldozing in the amount of $12,700. And the third and final bid was from Little Dozing in the amount of $3450. It is noted that Little Dozing is so much more cost effective, because he does not have to pay prevailing wage, and he already owns the equipment needed. Limited Land Management would have to pay for extra man hours (prevailing wage), and Combes Bulldozing would also need to pay prevailing wage and rent some equipment. Trustee Hardway made a motion to accept Little Dozing’s bid for the sidewalk removal, and Trustee Lansford seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
- Discussion and Approval of ILWARN Mutual Aid Agreement: As Kyle Raymer stated in the previous meeting, Illinois EPA guidelines state that the Village must have a mutual agreement with other entities in case of a catastrophe. This agreement will guarantee us mutual aid (basically like a local FEMA). Village Trustee Josh Drake made a motion to accept the ILWARN Mutual Aid Agreement. Jeane Breiland seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
Village Superintendent’s Report: Village Superintendent Kyle Raymer reported the following:
- Clean up days went well
- We spent $190 in electronic recycling and brought in $150. So the Village only lost $40, but was able to keep those items from the trash.
- We used 10 dumpsters this year; we usually use 9. There was a rush at the end from John Street.
- Cody from Limited Land Management hauled blade mix and cold patch. Both will be used on the circle drive at the park. They might need more for White Oak and Vine Street.
- The oil and chip bids from Jim Crane have not come in yet.
- Samples were taken and dropped off at the EPA office in Champaign. They forgot to send them to Springfield, so we received a violation. We had to resample and overnight the samples resulting in higher shipping costs. The results are back yet.
- He spoke with the EPA regarding the Compliance Commitment Agreement. They are going to ask Kyle to request that Illinois American be present at their next meeting regarding the chlorine. Our last samples taken included samples from the big meter.
- The EPA recommends a mixer in the tower with ventilation.
- Doug and Cathy have been helping with the mowing.
- Community Service has a been huge help.
- Kyle has updated our sample sites. He removed the post office due to the limited access, and the EPA added four new sites. They requested one in each quadrant of town. The EPA also added daycares and schools to their list. We must test them for Lead, and these sites only have to be tested once per year. We currently have two daycares and one ERBA preschool.
- He is going to have Cody haul more asphalt.
Village President’s Report: Village President Bart Dann reported the following:
- It was brought to his attention that a Little Book Library would be a nice addition to our Village Hall. The perfect placement for this little library would be where the tree was removed next to the handicapped entrance. Due to Mr. Lansford’s talented woodworking skills, he asked if he would be interested in building it. If he would donate his man hours, would the Board be willing to pay for the materials? The Board agreed. A small diagram was provided for Mr. Lansford as a jumping off point. Jim stated he would give it some consideration.
With no further business to come before the Board, Village President Bart Dann called for adjournment at 7:41 pm.
Salisa Dann
Village Clerk