Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Committees met June 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the committees:

In light of the current COVID-19 public health emergency, this meeting will be held remotely only. The public can observe and comment, when appropriate, by connecting on line at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8711380985 or using the Zoom App on a mobile device by entering the Meeting ID number: 850 5384 2976 and the password: 336871

Attendees: Board President Leopold, Trustees Lanter, McDonald, McGuire, Neumeyer, Parker & Wells, Treasurer John Walter, Building and Zoning (B&Z) Director Dallas Alley, Police Department (PD) Chief Steven Johnson, Director of Public Works Rick Tucker, Administrator Benjamin Schloesser, Clerk Lauren O'Neill, Park Board Chairman Mike Koeneman, potentially other community members. Absent: Fire Department (FD) Chief Chris Tell.

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.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE - Held from 6:00 to 6:09 pm

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

1. FY 2021 Raises Discussion – There was consensus that it is not prudent at this time to implement raises or bonuses. The Village is exploring options on how to get through this difficult financial time with reduced revenues currently and over the next 9 months or more. Employees are valued, there have been no layoffs due to COVID-19 impacts, and everyone needs to accept that funds are not available to support raises/bonuses at this time. The Village needs to balance the budget. The topic of raises will not be revisited before March 2021.

2. Non-Agenda Item – The personnel handbook is being reviewed by Schloesser, Human Resource Manager Kristina Essenpreis, and Trustee Wells. There are both Union and Non- Union content being reviewed.

3. Motion to Adjourn – McGuire, Wells.

FINANCE COMMITTEE - Held from 6:09 to 6:25 pm

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

1. Delinquent Sewer Payment Moratorium – There have been no penalties for late payments over the past approximate 2 months. About 60% did not pay their sewer bills on time. Public utilities still have a moratorium on shut offs due to COVID-19 impacts to community members. Some utilities have the moratorium in place until further notice, such as IL American water. Other utilities, such as Ameren have established that on 7/1/20 there will no longer be this moratorium in place. A moratorium from shutting off the utility is different from charging fees for late payments. There was consensus that no penalties would be charged until the end of July. Beginning with the end of July delinquencies would be subject to penalties. The information regarding the begin date for charging late payment fees could be advertised with the next billing or in other manners.

2. General Fund Analysis through 5/20/20 – General fund revenues were budgeted at $490K, with actuals per the report being $409K (an approximate $81K decline in revenues). State income tax revenues are down at least 10%. Tax revenues related to businesses selling cannibus products are up a small percentage. Otherwise revenues are down about 20% and the decline in revenues is expected to continue into the future. The report showing $551K of budgeted expenses compared to $330K actual expenses, painting a rosier picture than is actually the case. Some items were backed out and accrued into other periods. Many expenses have not been received for the period due to billing delays of the various entities that would have normally billed the Village to have been included in the report period. Verizon, Regis, TWM, Kurrowski, Dispatch, and other entities’ bills have not hit the Village books for this report as would be expected in the absence of COVID-19 impacts. For example, the approximate $30K May Verizon bill will be billed and paid in June. At some point in the future the delayed billings will result in substantially more expenses being billed to and paid by Swansea. See the Finance Committee for impacts Sewer revenues discussed earlier. Sewer revenues are down about 60%. Sewer Capital fund has been impacted by interest rates that have plummeted ($6K budgeted versus $3K actuals). There are a lot of fixed costs for the Sewer plant and a significant net operating loss for May and year to date.

4. Motion to Adjourn – Lanter, McGuire 

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - Held from 6:25 to 6:27 pm

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

1. Draft Ordinance: An Ordinance Amending The Swansea Municipal Code By Revising Section 130.38 Relating To Products Containing Cannabiniol. Motion to forward this item to the Board – Wells, Neumeyer. The resolution provides for updates/compliance with new State laws, related to THC thresholds and other items. There is reputable company that wants to locate in Swansea and may move into the area in mid-July. There was consensus that emergency treatment for this ordinance was appropriate and that the Board would vote on the item this evening.

2. Motion to Adjourn – Wells, Neumeyer

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Held from 6:27 to 6:36 pm

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

1. Finding of Facts / Approval Recommendation of the Business District Development & Redevelopment Commission / Petition 2020-003 Business District Improvement Program for 1820 Garden Street - Motion to forward this item to the Board – Wells, McDonald. The application requests reimbursement of $210K plus closing costs and legal fees for the property acquisition. Business District funds will be used for the acquisition of the property. The structure on the property caught fire about a week ago. State law prevents the seller from collecting insurance monies without deducting the insurance proceeds from the purchase price. Alley will verify whether insurance monies were paid and if verify the payment amount, if insurance collections by the current owner were pursued.

2. Draft Resolution / A Resolution Authorizing A Reimbursement Grant Of $210,000.00 Plus Closing Costs And Legal Fees From The Illinois Rte. 159/Boul Avenue Business District Fund To The Village Of Swansea, 1444 Boul Avenue Swansea, IL 62226, For The Acquisition Of 1820 Garden Street. Motion to forward this item to the Board – Wells, Parker.

3. Draft Resolution / A Resolution Authorizing The President Of The Board Of Trustees And The Village Clerk To Affix Their Signatures To Various Documents To Purchase Property Located At 1820 Garden Street For The Amount Of $210,000.00 Plus Closing Costs And Legal Fees. Motion to forward this item to the Board –Wells, Neumeyer. The potential entrance off Bobbie Drive to the Park was discussed, noting that the Township is resistant to collaboration efforts. The Village can address pavement up to the property line. The Township could choose whether to address pavement on their side of the property.

4. Draft Resolution / A Resolution Approving A Bid From Petroff Trucking Co. Inc., 2469 Petroff Plaza, Pontoon Beach, IL, 62040, For The Abatement Of Asbestos And Demolition Of Four Structures Located At 200, 204, 208, And 212 Bobbie Drive At A Guaranteed Maximum Fee Not To Exceed $31,692.00. The details regarding the entity, address, and not to exceed price were detailed in an email provided to the Board and reviewed at the meeting. Motion to forward this item to the Board – Wells, Parker.

5. Draft Resolution / A Resolution Authorizing The President Of The Board Of Trustees To Execute An Agreement Authorizing A Reimbursement Grant Of $198,000.00 From The Illinois Rte. 159/Boul Avenue Business District Fund To Classic Auto Body Inc. For Site Improvements On The Property Located At 1421 North Illinois Street. Motion to forward this item to the Board – McDonald, Wells. It was reviewed that this is a renewal of an existing agreement. The typical agreement period is 6 months, resulting in updates as needed. The agreement will allow for the reimbursement request as noted.

6. Draft Resolution / A Resolution In Support Of An Application To The Metro East Park And Recreation District For Park Trail Grant Funds For Fiscal Year 2020. Motion to forward this item to the Board – McDonald, Neumeyer. While there is a reluctance to spend monies now, this opportunity provides for a higher certainty of grant award and return on investment. The grant for the trail at Clinton Hills Park and the sister grant that would result in the Village paying less if award was received.

7. Motion to Adjourn – Neumeyer, McDonald

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE- Meeting not held

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

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE- Meeting not held

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

CULTURAL COMMITTEE - Held from 6:36 to 6:45 pm

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

1. Schranz Park Band Shell Request Summer Concerts Sandra Carter – It was reviewed that the events have been successfully operated in the past. The park bathrooms are not open to support the event currently. There are still COVID-19 response recommendations related to the number in a gathering that were reviewed. The event requested the concert begin 7/1/20. The event start date if pushed back a month might potentially be allowed if restrictions are lifted. Schloesser will contact Sandra Carter and discuss the potential of an August begin date, noting that if COVID-19 restrictions/limitations are still present that this could further delay the event. After the call the item may be revised at the second meeting in July.

2. Motion to Adjourn – Lanter, Wells

SWANSEA REPORT COMMITTEE - Held from 6:45 to 6:47 pm

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

1. July Swansea Report – The Senior Van operations are closed until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Tour of Belleville article was noted as having been from an earlier issue and the content will be reviewed, revised, eliminated as applicable. The draft needs to be submitted to the printer in the next couple of days. There was noted as being space available to review Sewer billings and the applicable dates as to when delinquent payments will be subject to fees. The Park Board planning this year’s Spooktacular Event was discussed.

2. Motion to Adjourn – Neumeyer, McGuire

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1329