Halloween trick-or-treat hours in the village are typically 4:30-7 p.m., but since Halloween falls on a Saturday, the council voted for 4-7 p.m. this year. Tampico’s Recreation Board is also holding its annual dance in the Reagan Community Center gym on Friday evening, with more details to be announced soon. The council reminded residents that burning leaves is not allowed all day on Halloween due to health and safety concerns for children.
Reports of Village Officials
Public Works Superintendent Tyler Chriest reported that according to ComEd, removing the electric service at the trailers recently sold to Zachary Dunaway and Carlee Kelly is the village’s responsibility so he will need some account information to get the service switched over. Crews have been locating utilities for water and sewer and are waiting on ComEd before moving forward.
Public Works will flush hydrants Oct. 19-23. Crews have been trimming trees before winter and winterizing the ball diamonds and parks. The sand mix for the roads has been delivered, and salt should be arriving soon.
Police Chief Terry Strike reported that Larry Harrell has accumulated $400 in fines for not having his garage up to code. A few other properties have been getting cleaned up. Strike introduced Morrison Police Officer Cory Drowns to potentially hire part-time.
Remarks from Guests
Rick Dean asked about decommissioning the alley behind his property since it hasn’t been in use for 25 years. He purchased a neighboring property last year and would like to extend it to set up a 24×36 garage building on a foundation. Mayor Bruce Peltier noted that legal paperwork will cost about $500 so they can prepare it for the next meeting’s agenda.
AJ Armstrong reported noise complaints and burnouts from teens on dirt bikes in the street and other yards. Strike said that riding dirt bikes on the streets violates state law. The council suggested he impound the bikes if nuisance complaints arise or if little kids are in danger.
The gallery also expressed their concerns with two sex offenders living close to the park and church. Strike said he was not notified of their arrival, though he works with the Whiteside County Deputy who reports offenders moving into the community. If they are not properly registered, he will report it as a violation.
Unfinished Business
Peltier said there’s still nothing to report regarding the DCEO grant for the sidewalk project by the Post Office, though he has a call scheduled with engineers. The council may need to look at other options going forward or aim for the spring to start the project. Chriest said the site has varying field grades and may need engineers to look at water main quality, inlet locations, and piping, making the project more involved than initially thought.
Chriest also asked the council to consider possible MFT projects so he can start planning before the next budget. He’d like to take care of patches after utility work was done earlier this year. Village Clerk Jamie McIntire reported $156,000 in the MFT account. Commissioner Tammy Kendell said they should wait until oil prices come down.
Peltier next reported on the partial property purchase with Mike Sigel for the new water treatment plant. Bidding for the project will start in February 2027 so they have time to secure the location. Peltier, Sigel, and engineers continue to discuss the plant’s location, as they have concerns about shutting off that drive, especially for semi traffic at Casey’s. Peltier will talk to Matt Hansen with Willett Hofmann & Associates regarding other options and to see if they can purchase property before the deadline.
After previous discussions, an increase in salaries for the Mayor and Commissioners was back on the agenda, with McIntire saying any changes must be approved by October so it can go into effect with the new council and fiscal year in April 2027. For the past 20 years, commissioners have been paid $75 a month and the mayor $125. The council agreed to an increase of $100 a month for commissioners and $200 a month for the mayor. McIntire will task Village Attorney Bill Shirk with putting the ordinance together for a vote at the next meeting.
New Business
McIntire provided a quote from DC Computers for office phone service: $429.96 for the hardware of three phones and a Grandstream for the fax machine, plus $79.80 monthly for the three lines and one fax. They’re currently paying around $400 a month for phone service. McIntire added that the company has an app that village officials can install on their phones for use during a power outage. The council approved the purchase.
Also on the agenda was a lease agreement for RCC Room 1 with Lawrence Batten Trucking LLC, which expires Oct. 30. McIntire said they’ve been renting the room since 2022 for $150 a month, plus paying for their own wi-fi. She asked the council to review the agreement and suggest any changes before approval.
The council noted that building and energy costs have been going up and recommended an increase to $200 a month, with the rental agreement good for two years. McIntire said she will reach out to the business with the council’s recommendation, then they can approve it at the next meeting.
Building permits approved were: 202 N. Lincoln, roofing; 109 S. Main, deck; 107 N. Washington, porch/deck; 408 E. 2nd, deck/porch; 309 E. Market, windows; and 206 N. Lincoln, roof.
After a closed session, the council hired Cory J. Drowns as a part-time police officer for the village at a rate of $20.60 an hour with a 90-day probation period.
Communications
McIntire reminded everyone that petition packets for the commissioners up for re-election, and for any residents interested in running for office, are available and must be turned in the week of Nov. 16-23, with a 5 p.m. deadline on the last day.
The Village Office will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12 for Columbus Day but the garbage schedule will remain the same.
The next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council will be on Tuesday, October 20th at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.
