Reports of Village Officials
Village Superintendent Tyler Chriest said Public Works is down an employee, making it a struggle to keep up with mowing, especially after recent heavy rains. He asked the council to consider hiring Clint Morris on a part-time basis to help with bigger projects and when other employees need time off. Mayor Bruce Peltier said Morris worked in Prophetstown, he’s very knowledgeable and would be a good asset. The council can vote to hire him at the next meeting.
Chriest also reported that he had to replace a ballast on one of the streetlights on Main Street and that the model is already discontinued. He’s already replaced five lights since being here and only has two left, but the model they use has been discontinued. He needs to research a compatible model before purchasing one to ensure it works; if so, he’d like to buy a few more. Crews also started working on the generator installation at the lift station. He’s working with Goldstar FS for fuel supply to run the units and hopes to have them in service and running soon.
Police Chief Terry Strike said he’s looking to hire a couple more part-time officers and has two prospects, one seasoned and one a new officer, to help cover at least three night shifts each week. The council will put it on the next meeting agenda.
Unfinished Business
Peltier reported that he hasn’t received the drawings from engineering firm Willett Hofmann & Associates so they can get quotes for the DCEO sidewalk project but hopes to have them by this week or next.
Following up on the partial property purchase from Mike Sigel for the future water treatment plant, Peltier reported that Matt Hanson of Willett Hofmann asked about an agreement, but Peltier said they don’t have one written up yet. He noted that they’re “not as time crunched as we were before,” but hopes to have the information at the next meeting.
New Business
On the agenda was to discuss an ordinance for short-term rentals, with Peltier providing samples from surrounding communities for the council to consider – some were extensive, some short, and some prohibited short-term rentals, with Rock Falls as an example. A resident wants to open a Bed & Breakfast in Tampico and the Rock Falls ordinance “fits the scope of what she’s trying to do.” The council agreed that allowing a Bed & Breakfast would be fine, stipulating that the owner/host must be on the premises. Village Clerk Jamie McIntire said she’d email Village Attorney Bill Shirk for an ordinance to approve.
The council also discussed raises for commissioners and the mayor, which needs to be on file before the next council is seated in April 2027. McIntire said the council needs to decide the amount, if any, then she can email Shirk for the ordinance.
She noted that Tampico pays $1,500 annually for the mayor and $900 a year for commissioners; in Lyndon, the mayor is paid $40 per meeting and trustees $20; in Morrison, the mayor is paid $2,200 annually and alderpersons $1,800; the Prophetstown mayor receives $333.33 monthly, with the alderpersons’ wages not listed on the IML website; and in Sheffield, the mayor is paid $1,000 annually, with the trustees’ rate also not listed.
McIntire reminded the council that any changes would need to be approved by the second meeting in October, so they have a little bit of time to think about it before voting on an ordinance. The last time wages were increased was around 20 years ago, with Peltier and McIntire saying they couldn’t find any specific information beyond that.
Commissioner Jim Coleman said he thinks it should be done and he’d like to see an increase, especially for Peltier. “It’s not easy to have the job you have,” he said to the mayor.
Building Permits
One building permit for siding the garage at 201 S. Benton Street was approved.
Communications
McIntire said petition packets for the mayor and four commissioner seats are now available in the Village Office during regular business hours and can be filed November 16-23.
The Village Office will be closed on Monday, September 7th for Labor Day and garbage pick-up will be on Saturday, Sept. 12th next week.
All residents will be receiving a mailing regarding lead, galvanized or unknown water service from 2025, which the village was required to send out. McIntire said it’s “pretty straightforward if you read it.” The village already mailed out a similar letter for water service in April 2026, so this new mailing helps them fulfill a requirement from last year.
The next regular meeting of Tampico’s Village Council will be on Tuesday, Sept. 15th at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.
