Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Village Board met Sept. 3.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

Attendees: Board President Leopold, Trustees Lanter, McDonald, McGuire, Neumeyer, Parker, & Wells, Treasurer John Walter, Police Department (PD) Chief Steve Johnson, (PD) Deputy Chief Craig Coughlin, Fire Department (FD) Chief Chris Tell, Street Department Acting Superintendent / Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) Superintendent Rick Tucker, Building and Zoning (B&Z) Director Dallas Alley, (B&Z) Code Enforcer Dan Johnson, Administrator Benjamin Schloesser, Deputy Clerk Barb Kimutis, other community members. Absent: Clerk Lauren O’Neill.

Motions: Trustees are presented with the individual that made the motion, followed by the person seconding the motion. Votes: Unless noted otherwise, votes are obtained by voice vote (roll call vote involves each voter stating their name and vote) and all votes are aye. Content of meeting is presented within the marks 

Co-Chairpersons: Trustees Neumeyer & McDonald Members: Trustees Lanter, McGuire, Wells

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – Meeting not held. 

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE – Held from 6:00 to 6:02 pm

Chairperson: Trustee Wells Members: Trustees McDonald, McGuire, Neumeyer, Parker

1. Draft Ordinance: “An Ordinance to Amend the Swansea Municipal Code, Chapter 114 “Games of Chance”, Section 114.03 “Video Gaming”, Thereby Increasing the Number of Class “C” Video Gaming Permits from Four to Five” – Motion to forward this item to the Board – Wells, McGuire.

2. Draft Ordinance: “An Ordinance to Amend the Swansea Municipal Code, Chapter 115 “Liquor Control”, Section 115.07 “Classification; Fees”, Thereby Increasing the Number of Class “C” Liquor Licenses from Seven to Eight” – Motion to Forward this item to the Board – Wells, McGuire.

3. It was noted by Trustee Wells that The Draft Ordinance Amending the Swansea Municipal Code by Increasing the Maximum Number of Video Gaming Terminals Allowable per Establishment should have been on tonight’s Board Agenda for passage.

4. Motion to Adjourn – Wells, Neumeyer.

FINANCE – Meeting not held.

Chairperson: Trustee Lanter Members: Trustees McGuire, Neumeyer, Parker, Wells

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Held from 6:02 to 6:03 pm

Chairperson: Trustee McDonald Members: Trustees Parker, McGuire, Neumeyer, Wells

1. Draft Ordinance: “An Ordinance Approving an /Amendment to the Village of Swansea’s Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project – Administrator Schloesser explained the basis for the change to the existing Ordinance.” Motion to forward this item to the Board – McDonald, Wells.

2. Motion to Adjourn – McDonald, Wells.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE – Held from 6:03 to 6:33 pm

Chairperson: Trustee Parker Members: Trustees McDonald, Neumeyer, Lanter, Wells

1. Discussion of Captain Jason Whitaker attending Blended Fire Officer I class with IFSI – Trustee Parker asked Chief Tell to explain more about the class. Tell said the Class is blended, but mostly online. 80 hours would take place in the classroom in Glen Carbon. The cost to complete the class is $1,000. Classes would begin September 30th, and end approximately November 30th. Trustee McGuire interjected that this is a great opportunity, as the class is put on in association with the State Fire Marshall. He added that it is difficult for Volunteers to get time off to take the classes, and many are held at U of I, which would then involve paying room and board. This opportunity is local, therefore, no room and board would be necessary. Motion to forward item to Board – Neumeyer, McDonald.

2. Discussion of Holland Estimates for Police Department Build Out – Chief Johnson explained that the Board Members all had an opportunity to look at the building, and come up with an estimate of costs. Holland came out at no charge, and they gave a bid that was essentially the same as estimates given by Trustees Lanter and McGuire. Holland’s estimate for the PD build out was handed out prior to the meeting, giving an estimated cost of $248,165 plus $30,000 for special police lockers which are critical for a total of $278,165 for Phase 2 – employee bathrooms, lockers, hallway, uniform changing spaces, etc. Communication Center cost came in at $99,345. Johnson stated he thought it could be done cheaper than $64,000, and if Rejis does the wiring it may cost about $5,000. Sallyport was estimated at $272,986. The Sallyport is a small area that really doesn’t meet the needs, and isn’t necessarily secure to process criminals. Mayor Leopold said there would be no vote on this matter tonight, but asked the Board to keep in mind that $100,000 is coming from the State, but may not come until the end of 2020. The intended use of the money is to create jobs. He asked everyone to look at how, and from where the Village should get the rest of the money needed for this build out. He also suggested the group think about how much of it they want to do now, adding that all of it is important and all will eventually need to be done. This will be a discussion item for the next meeting. Trustee McDonald interjected that he really wants to see this project done, so the Village can move on, and suggested either TIF or borrowing the funds necessary. Trustee Neumeyer agreed. Mayor Leopold stated it is a Board decision. Trustee Parker asked how much money is available. Trustee Wells stated that there was more than $1,000,000 in the TIF fund, but Trustee McGuire pointed out that some of that money is already committed for other projects. Trustee Parker said Phase II is a necessity, but the Sally Port could be placed as a wish list item. Administrator Schloesser was asked for the amount of money available. Conversation continued about time frames, and if there was any cost savings for doing both projects at the same time. There was discussion about the “fine line” when using TIF money. Finally it was noted that the public must be made aware of the project and if TIF money will be used. Mayor Leopold said it will be put in the Swansea Report and on the Website.

3. Trustee Parker asked for a moment of silence for Illinois State Trooper Hopkins who was shot a killed, and laid to rest in recent weeks. Silence ensued.

4. Motion to adjourn – Parker, Wells.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE – Held from 6:33 to 6:48 pm

Chairperson: Trustee McGuire Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, Neumeyer, Wells

No items on agenda.

1. Mayor Leopold explained that for some time, the Village has been billed by the Township, and these bills have not been paid. The Village Attorney advises that if it goes to court we will have to pay, but if that occurs we will demand that they get better on their end, and supply us with proper information which they have never done. We had an agreement, and we are keeping good records of what we owe. There is a likelihood they don’t even know. Mayor Leopold feels no compulsion to pay, and the Attorney agrees that we don’t need to pay, but only keep good record of what we owe.

2. Trustee McGuire stated he took a ride around Clinton Hills with Rick Tucker and they determined the unpaved section of the parking lot should be sealed. Sonnenberg would charge $5,785 to clean off the area and seal it. All of it belongs to the Village, but we didn’t pave it. Tucker said there is a line item in the budget for Clinton Hills Property & Grounds Maintenance with over $9,000, but he thinks there is actually about $14,000 in that line item. Mayor reminded all about a chunk of money coming from the State next year (2020). Trustee Wells asked if we could move forward and be reimbursed, but it was agreed that this has to be used for a new project which is starting up at the time. Schloesser added that if this is in the $5,000 range, we should probably get a couple more bids. Dan Johnson from B&Z reminded the Committee that people with classic cars may not appreciate driving on a newly sealed lot. Schloesser said he will get additional bids.

3. Trustee McGuire said he wished to give the committee a heads-up about a mower we purchased from Erb last year. He said it was not the best purchase, and keeps breaking down. There is currently a quote of $2,000 to repair the mower. McGuire said we will end up making another purchase, so it is time to look at future options.

4. Trustee Neumeyer pointed out the need for lower mounted signage which says “No access to Park” and “No Outlet” before people pull down Schae-Fries. Tucker said signs would be addressed.

5. Motion to Adjourn – McGuire, Wells.

CULTURAL COMMITTEE – Meeting not held.

Chairperson: Trustee Wells Members: Trustees Lanter, McGuire, Neumeyer, Parker

SWANSEA REPORT COMMITTEE – Held from 6:48 to 6:53 pm

Chairperson: Trustee Neumeyer Members: Trustees Lanter, McGuire, Parker, Wells

1. October Swansea Report – Trustee Neumeyer noted dates that should be within the Swansea Report as follows:

a. October 19th – Rotary Karaoke

b. October 22nd – Citizen’s Police Academy

c. October 26th – Spooktacular Event

d. November 2nd – Wrestling Event at Fire House #2

e. Dec 1st – Santa House Opens with December 1st through 7th being times to visit Santa with your well- mannered pets.

Trustee Neumeyer requested help with setting up and tearing down for the Spooktacular event.

2. It was asked how the Email was working out for everyone. It was clear that many were having trouble. Chief Johnson suggested downloading the Outlook App for phone use. Administrator Schloesser invited anyone needing help to come in and see either Kristina or him. He also noted the Office 365 App as being helpful. 

3. Motion to adjourn – Wells, Lanter.

http://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1178