VILLAGE OF CAMARGO
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Monday, September 08, 2025
6:00 PM
The Village Board of the Village of Camargo met in Regular Session on Monday, September 08, 2025 at the Camargo Village Hall. The meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm. Roll call found the following trustees present: Jim Lansford, Josh Drake, Jeane Breiland (in at 6:46 pm), Wade Lorenz, and Gary Gilpin. Village Superintendent Kyle Raymer was also in attendance.
Public Comment:
Heath Thurston, Candidate for Douglas County Sheriff: Mr. Thurston has been in law enforcement since 1997. He has worked at Tuscola Police Department since 2002, and has been a Lieutenant for 6-7 years. Heath has been in the area for approximately 25 years, and he is looking to make a few changes in the Sheriff’s Office. For starters, he would like to get a deputy back on the TASK Force. He is also looking to add some community policing and more rural police work.
Mr. Lansford asked what makes him the best candidate?
Mr. Thurston stated he has more experience and more years of service. He is a better people person than his opponent, and he also believes that the Sheriff should be seen out in the public. He has a few concerns: One of which is license plate readers. He loves them, but he thinks they could be more useful than just finding expired license plates. They should be utilized to monitor school zones and parks to insure those that shouldn’t be there aren’t.
Village President Bart Dann asked about his thoughts on the DARE program.
Heath stated he is not in favor of doing DARE outside the county. There is only one in-county school currently utilizing this program. It is anchored towards 4th and 5th grade levels, and it has been shown that the program is no longer effective.
Heath thanked the Board for their time and stated he would appreciate their support when it comes time to cast their ballot.
Michael Burton, Potential Solar Customer: Mr. Burton attended the meeting to get some clarification regarding the new solar ordinance. The original plan that was proposed was 70’x10’. He brought some new plans and gave them to Mr. Wegeng, who was also present. They cut the plans in half with two rows of 35’x10’.
Mr. Wegeng explained that the house mounted solar panels were not an issue. Only the ground mounted solar panels. The Village is currently working on the solar ordinance for these panels. Tim tried several times to reach out to Route 66 Solar and has not been successful making contact with them.
Mr. Burton stated they have not signed any contract with Route 66 and no money has exchanged hands. Michael is trying to stay compliant with the Village’s wishes. He stated that they are now looking at 100% efficiency plus a battery back up.
Tim’s suggestion was to put as many panels as possible on the roof, and only place what is necessary on the ground. Bart and Tim reminded Michael that there are glare regulations in the ordinance as well. This is one reason Tim was trying to meet with Route 66.
Solution: Michael will contact Route 66 himself and explain the guidelines. After Route 66 reconfigures and adds the panels to the roof, the Board will revisit the permit.
Approval of Consent Agenda: Josh Drake made a motion to approve the consent agenda and pay the bills. Gary Gilpin seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
- Approval of Community Building Door Estimates: Tim Wegeng reached out to Nelson’s Door Company. This is a good quality standard grade mahogany door. The materials will cost $3400 + labor $2000 = $5400. This is ½” thermal pane tempered glass. Wade Lorenz made a motion to purchase the doors from Nelson’s and then have Tim install them. Jim Lansford seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
- Approval of Water Tower Mixer Quote: The EPA is demanding that we move forward with the water tower mixer. The quote we received from MacGuire Iron was $31,000. We can break that up over two installments: $15,500 this year and $15,500 next year. Josh Drake made a motion to move forward with the water tower mixer from MacGuire Iron and to split the total over the two installments. Jeane Breiland seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Vehicle Ordinance Violations: Village President Bart Dann provided the Board with picture evidence of several violations. As soon as the letter from the attorney’s office is received to include them with the violations, they will be mailed to the recipients. The Board agreed with all the violations, and they will be mailed as soon as possible.
- Property Condemnation: The property on John Street is in worse condition now than it was the last time we visited this topic. The Board agreed that the only way the property is going to be cleaned up is to condemn it. Bart would like to put together a committee to start this process. This committee will be composed of Village President Bart Dann, Trustee Gary Gilpin, Building Inspector Tim Wegeng, and Assistant Fire Chief Kirk Rogers (if he is available). Wade Lorenz made a motion to move forward with the property condemnation. Gary Gilpin seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
- No Parking Signs on John Street: Bart was approached by several residents on John Street. They have complaints that there are people parking in front of their mailboxes and making it difficult to back out of the driveways. They asked if they could have NO PARKING signs on one of the street – the side with the mailboxes. Jim Lansford made a motion to order and install 2 signs on John street that only allow parking on one side of the street. Wade Lorenz seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Closed Session:
Gary Gilpin made a motion to move to closed session at 7:08 pm. Josh Drake seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Return to Open Session:
Jim Lansford made a motion to move to open session at 7:35 pm. Gary Gilpin seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
Old Business:
- Solar Panel Ordinance – with Tim Wegeng: Josh Drake made a motion to approve the Solar Panel Ordinance as it was proposed at the last meeting. Jeane Breiland seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Tim Wegeng updated the Board regarding the permit for the new house being built at Plum Grove. Tim is trying to make contact with the owners. Tim’s “powers” are limited due to the fact that the home is being built by the homeowner and his/her family members. Tim is going to continue to try and touch base with them. Homeowners have exemptions from building codes.
Village Superintendent’s Report: Village Superintendent Kyle Raymer reported the following:
- Fixed a water leak at Patterson Springs
- Fixed a water leak on John Street
- Finished the DBP study
- EPA limit is 80
- Samples at the big meter were 90
- 9 samples ranged from 90-140
- Samples at the treatment plant were 113
- Samples outside the plant were 121
- Samples at Lakewood Estates were 80
- None of the sample results have gone to the EPA yet.
- We have to do something to show the EPA that we are making improvements by April. The EPA will require assistance from Villa Grove after Kyle sends his reports.
- Parts for the Vine Street Project have been received.
- There is a home in Patterson Springs that would like to connect to Camargo water.
- Last week, Eastern Illinois Electric is boring all wires in the ground. They are doing a lot of Julie locates.
- Parts were picked up for the electrical work at the Pavilion.
- Ameren called, the power line from the pole by the concession stand is out. It must be re-ran. Ameren could see this on their end.
- We are ready for oil and chip – just waiting on them to show up and do it. If they don’t come within a week or two, we will have them wait until next year.
- Pulled windows out of the trailer on John Street and roped off with NO TRESPASSING signs. People are looting the property.
Village President’s Report: Village President Bart Dann reported the following:
- He spoke with Charlie Hardyman. He is looking to sell the house on Mail Street.
- Gould property on North White Oak has been sold. Bart was informed that it is being turned into a go kart track.
- The property owner of the elevator is looking to have someone come and clean up the mess. They need to remove the scrap metal and clear out the weeds / grass. The owner is Garrett of Peep Hawk Farms.
- There is a 3’x3’ piece of flooring that has asbestos tile on it at that John Street property. It must be removed by a licensed contractor that is certified to deal with asbestos. The gentleman that completed the report stated he could come back and remove it for between $700-$800. It was $550 for the report.
- It will be approximately $200-$500 extra for the removal of the tree trunk at the John Street Property. The Board agreed that the tree still needs to be removed and to have Combs do it while they are already there.
With no further business to come before the Board, Village President Bart Dann called for adjournment at 8:16 pm.
Salisa Dann
Village Clerk