Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Bruce Peltier first reported that Michael Bornsheuer hosted the inaugural Tampico Area Role-Playing Game Club last Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Reagan Community Center, with the club to be held every week. Peltier also reported contact with the company regarding the lift station generators the village purchased and paid for half a year ago and was told they’d be installed soon.
Chief of Police Terry Strike reported a busy month with school starting, yards to inspect and work on, and a problematic swimming pool removed from a residence.
Unfinished Business
On the agenda was to discuss an update regarding the DCEO grant project to repair the drainage area and sidewalks in front of the Post Office on Main Street. Peltier stated they have to get quotes and drawings for the project’s perimeters first, and the village’s total grant award will be about $112,000. Grant writer Dan Pepin of Community Funding & Planning Services said once they get quotes from contractors they can move forward with the project and loan process, since the funds will be reimbursed after the project is complete.
New Business
The council next opened a sealed bid for the purchase of both properties in the alley next to the Reagan Community Center; one bid was received from Zachary Dunaway and Carlee Kelly for $8,000. The couple requested the purchase earlier this year to expand their yard, with Dunaway saying he plans to remove the six old storage buildings within three years of purchase. He offered to pay upfront on the real estate contract of the sale, with the council unanimously approving the ordinance to sell the municipally-owned real estate.
The council next discussed a partial property purchase from Mike Sigel for the proposed new water treatment plant site along E. Booth St. and S. Benton St. Willett-Hofmann engineers have staked out the area for the plant. Peltier noted that Sigel is onboard with the project, being “very supportive and very helpful with getting it done.” The area to purchase is “not a big portion,” about 2,600 sq. ft., reported Peltier, who plans to meet with Sigel next week to figure out an agreement. The portion of land for the future treatment plant is by the Men’s Club drive and not the thru-street by Casey’s.
The council also approved the 2025-2026 Treasurer’s Report as presented, with Village Clerk Jamie McIntire saying she will get it published in the newspaper paper then file it with the county.
Communications
McIntire said that starting August 25th, petition packets can be picked up for the April 6th, 2027 Consolidated Election, with four commissioner seats and the mayor’s seat up for 4-year terms. The paperwork can’t be filed until November 16-23.
She also mentioned that if they want to increase wages for the commissioners and mayor, they must pass any changes 180 days before the beginning of a new term. The annual salary for the mayor is $1,500 a year or $125 a month, and $900 annually for commissioners or $75 month. The last increase was approved in 2007. McIntire said they would need to vote on an ordinance by the October meeting to meet the deadline.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be on Tuesday, September 1st at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.
August 4th Board of Commissioners Meeting Recap
At the August 4th meeting, Public Works Superintendent Tyler Chriest thanked the IMPACT Program and volunteers who did some community service hours, and discussed burglar alarm services through Lectronics due to issues with Frontier communication lines at the water treatment plant. They can purchase a cell dialer for $395 plus monthly service fees. He also received a call from IDOT stating they’ve been in town doing some surveying and trying to put together a project to address some sidewalk issues. It would be accompanied by a resurface project, but none of the funds have been approved so this is a project that would most likely be several years down the road.
Mayor Peltier talked to the IDNR about a beehive box and permitting process. The council approved a fence permit for 305 E. Market St. for T. Frank, heard from residents on a swimming pool and a proposed bed & breakfast, and discussed fines to a couple residents for ordinance violations.
Unfinished Business
The council discussed getting a bank loan for out-of-pocket expenses for the DCEO grant. McIntire spoke with a loan officer at People’s National Bank of Kewanee who said they could use the MFT savings account as collateral since it currently has over $100,000 in the account. The interest rate for the loan would be based off the rate they currently get for that account, which is 0.15%. It would be 2% above that rate, making the interest rate for the loan 2.15%. The term of the loan would be for one year with the option to extend which then we would have to pay interest based on the balance as of that date. The council would have to approve an ordinance for the loan, and the process depends on when they have a project date.
McIntire also spoke with Dan Pepin about having a bidding process versus getting a few quotes. Since Tampico is a non-home rule municipality, they won’t have to go out for bids and can get quotes. They would have to vote on waiving bids and accepting the bid amount from whatever company is chosen, and it must have 4 out of 5 votes to do it that way. Peltier said a quote two years ago for repairs in front of the post office was around $80,000 and the sidewalk portion was around $20,000. Chriest will reach out for some newer numbers while adding it’s probably too late for the project this year. Peltier said since the project is on Main Street along 172 they’ll also need State permits, which the contractor can take care of though it will take some time.
New Business
The village signed a rental agreement with Michael Bornsheuer for the D&D Club in the gym, which waives the fees and gives him liability since he’s running the activity. Kids can bring their own drinks, and the council gave a reminder about no scooters or roller skates in the gym, and to make sure the posted rules are followed.
The council also accepted the resignation of part-time Police Officer Brian Oostenryk, effective August 4, 2026, and approved the following building permits:
- 307 E. Kimball St. – Garage Door
- 201 W. Market St. – Garage Roof
- 212 S. Benton St. – Roofing/Gutters
- 206 S. Benton St. – Deck
- 308 W. Kimball St. – Siding/Roofing/Gutters
- 306 E. Third St. – Tool Shed
- 211 Canal St. – Deck/Roof Repairs
Council members look over the map for the proposed water treatment plant project, with the area recently staked out by Willett-Hofmann & Associates.
