Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met Aug. 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was held on line due to COVID-19 public health needs Meeting ID: 848 8646 3967 and password: 519489 at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8711380985 or Zoom App on a mobile device.

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, Fire Department (FD) Chief Chris Tell, Administrator Benjamin Schloesser, Park Board Chairman Mike Koeneman, Clerk Lauren O'Neill. The public was invited to attend. Absent: Director of Public Works Rick Tucker

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 “***”.

I) Call to Order

II) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag

III) Roll Call

IV) Approval of Minutes - Motion by Wells, Lanter to approve the Board and Committee Minutes of 8/3/20, with the Judiciary Committee Minutes being updated as follows (see the current reading and the corrected reading of the Judiciary section provided): McDonald reviewed that his ownership relationship was not correctly reflected in the minutes and requested wording changes so “owned by an elected official” would be replaced with “owned by McDonald Mobile Homes of which Trustee McDonald is a shareholder” and Trustee McDonald requested that the nature of the concern be expanded upon and include specific language used in the discussion. It was reviewed that minutes are summaries of content and not word for word transcriptions. The below changes were agreed to with Trustee McDonald abstaining from the vote.

Judiciary Committee section entitled Modification to Video Gaming Code New Category providing for video gaming at laundromat(s).

The changed involves the section that currently reading as follows:

Currently there is one facility in Swansea and it is owned by an elected official, Trustee McDonald, and operated by a third party. The facility has operated as a laundromat since about 1963. Concern was noted of potential negative publicity for actions. Alley noted that he would attempt to mitigate any concerns related to publicity and take the steps to amend the code with the increase in liquor licenses and creating the new gaming category. McDonald will sustain from votes on this topic. If a tie vote resulted, the Mayor noted that he would support the changes allowing for gaming at laundromat(s). A neighboring community offers gaming at their facility.

With the acceptance vote, the section content would be updated to read as follows:

Currently there is one facility in Swansea and it is owned by McDonald Mobile Homes of which Trustee McDonald is a shareholder, and operated by a third party. The facility has operated as a laundromat since about 1963. Concern was noted of potential negative publicity for actions due to Trustee McDonald being a part owner in the business. Alley noted that he would attempt to mitigate any concerns related to publicity and take the steps to amend the code with the increase in liquor licenses and creating the new gaming category. McDonald will sustain from votes on this topic. If a tie vote resulted, the Mayor noted that he would support the changes allowing for gaming at laundromat(s). A neighboring community offers gaming at their facility.

1. Board Minutes – August 3, 2020

2. Committee Minutes – August 3, 2020

V) Acceptance of Minutes - Motion to accept the minutes – Wells, Lanter 

1. Park Board Minutes June 13, 2020

VI) Mayor’s Announcements/Correspondence

1. Proclamation recognizing Jaylon Muchison’s accomplishments and Jaylon Muchison Day in Swansea on 11/28/20. Jaylon is an international speaking event winner. He is a Belleville West High School student, his winnings at multiple events is noteworthy, and the Mayor indicated that he would take Jaylon Muchison to lunch on 11/28/20. Jaylon Muchison spoke to the Board, thanking the Board for their recognition. He also thanked others for their support, including his parents, friends, coaches, and teachers. He reviewed that he learned of the competition through his Belleville West English teacher, and the coaching and mentorship that he received at Belleville West was instrumental in his success locally and internationally. Motion by Wells, McGuire to accept the proclamation.

VII) Village Attorney- No Comments / Village Administrator and Department Head Reports Comments – It was reviewed that Tucker is attending to his father’s funeral and family needs. COVID updates were reviewed. The local schools have moved to remote learning for the beginning of the school year. COVID eligible reimbursement items/costs are relatively small. It was noted that many costs related to COVID are not reimbursable. For example, laptops for remote work do not qualify for reimbursement. The HR manager is doing a great job in this trying time of COVID. There are efforts being undertaken to seek and complete grant applications and prioritizing projects for the Village. Rebuild Illinois grant for the repaving of older sections of Swansea was reviewed. Sewer Plant study and analysis information will be presented at a later date. Alley noted that demo projects on Bobbie Drive were completed and paperwork is being completed/filed to allow for reimbursements to the Village. Some residents expressed interest in a potential next phase of the project. Grant application work due this week and other grant actions being voted on this evening were reviewed. Projects in the Ravenel area of Swansea were discussed. While restoration of Boul Avenue is part of the Swansea Street Scape Plan, it was reviewed that Swansea does not own or control the road and has no authority to implement improvements to the roadway. Alley will continue to research options to encourage improvements in the area. Garden Street assessments and efforts that support redevelopment in the Garden Street and Metro link area were noted. Code enforcement was reviewed. The PD stats and report were provided in the packet, and the PD verbal report was briefed during the extended/re-opened Safety Committee meeting this evening. The FD emailed a copy of their monthly report to the Board members. FD calls, including response to a recent lightning strike to a home were reviewed. FD members are following COVID response precautions. FD truck service to be completed in September was noted. To date there have not been any reasonable bids for the 1990 FD pumper truck and other options will be reviewed. Equipment maintenance/replacement needs for hand lights on the FD trucks were reviewed. Dive equipment (such as breathing apparatus) needs were also reviewed.

VIII) Park Board Chairman Report - Park Board Chairman Mike Koeneman thanked Alley for attending a recent Park Board meeting. The Spooktacular event is still being planned for 10/24/20, while recognizing that COVID health concerns may require the event be canceled this year. Some ideas for Clinton Hills were addressed at recent Park Board meetings. A representative of the Park Board may address the Committee/Board at an upcoming meeting, with the topic being included on the applicable agenda. Local school use of the parks for cross county training/meets were touched upon and supported by the Park Board. It was noted that Wolf Branch School extracurricular activities are canceled or postponed due to current COVID response needs. The applicable Park Board requests from the school for use of the park areas were provided to the Board.

IX) Treasurer’s Report - of 8/17/20 was read - Motion to accept the report (roll call) - Wells, McGuire.

X) Public Comment - No Comments (other than those provide under (V1)).

XI) Report of Committees

A) Personnel Committee – No Comments

B) Finance Committee Report – Comments

1. Approval of Bills for 8/4/20 – 8/17/20 totaling $396,639.67 - Motion to approve and pay from proper accounts (roll call vote) – Lanter, Wells. 

2. General Fund Analysis – No Comments

3. Ord No. 1886 / An Ordinance Declaring Personal Property Owned By The Village Of Swansea As Surplus, Specifically A Sunfire 6-Burner Commercial Stove With Griddle, And A Greenheck Exhaust Hood, Model Ghew-6.00-S, And Authorizing Them To Be Sold - Motion to read by title – Lanter, Wells. Motion to accept (roll call vote) – Lanter, Wells.

C) Judiciary Committee – Comments

1. Ord No. 1887 / An Ordinance Amending Chapter 150 of the Swansea Municipal Code Regarding the Adoption of International Residential Code Table R301.2 (1) - Motion to read by title – Lanter, Wells. Motion to accept (roll call vote) – Wells, Lanter.

D) Community & Economic Development – Comments

1. Res No. 1-2371 / A Resolution Accepting The Professional Services Contract From Thouvenot, Wade, And Moerchen Inc., 4940 Old Collinsville Road, Swansea, IL 62226, For Preparation And Submittal Of An ITEP (Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program) Application To IDOT For Sidewalk Along West Side Of IL 159, From Boul Avenue To IL 161, For A Lump Sum Of $4,300.00- Motion to read by title – McDonald, Wells. Motion to accept (roll call vote) – McDonald, Wells.

2. Res No. 1-2372 / A Resolution Accepting A Proposal From Thouvenot, Wade, & Moerchen Inc. 4940 Old Collinsville Road Swansea, IL 62226 For Professional Services Related To Floodplain And Floodway Analysis Of Swansea Creek At A Price Not To Exceed $17,500.00 - Motion to read by title – McDonald, Wells. Motion to accept (roll call vote) – McDonald, Lanter.

E) Public Safety Committee – Comments

1. Resignation Letter of PD Officer VanWaes – Motion by Parker, Lanter to accept the letter of resignation and place it on file. It was reviewed that a letter would be prepared (by the PD Chief), signed (including the Mayor’s signature), and provided to PD Officer VanWaes.

2. Ord Draft / An Ordinance Declaring Personal Property Owned By The Village Of Swansea And Used By The Fire Department As Surplus, Specifically A 2007 Ford Expedition XLT, Vin 1FMFU165X7LA62999, And Authorizing It To Be Sold – It was noted that this item does not need to be addressed as an emergency. It will be on the next meeting’s agenda and voted on at that time.

F) Public Works Committee – No Comments

G) Cultural Committee – Comments

1. Althoff High School Cross Country Meet 9/22/20 and 10/15/20 – It was reviewed that the requested use changes, including the splitting or additional days and other items of the request could be approved, but the approval would be subject to State of Illinois and St. Clair County mandated restrictions related to COVID containment. Motion to approve the request as noted – Wells, Lanter. Appropriate notice of approval with the subject pending COVID impacts would be provided to the school.

2. Belleville East High School Cross Country Meets Request (9 am on the Multiple Dates of 9/5/20, 9/19/20, 9/26/20, and 10/3/20) with the request involving the High School laying out the 2-mile and 3-mile course and asking Swansea to provide the course mowing for the meet. The approval could be approved subject to State of Illinois and St. Clair County mandated restriction related to COVID containment and notice that Swansea would not be able to guarantee the mowing support and should the High School want the course mowed, then they might arrange for the mowing for the course. Motion to approve the request as noted - Wells,

Lanter. Appropriate notice of approval with the subject pending COVID impacts and information regarding mowing would be provided to the school.

H) Swansea Report Committee – No Comments 1. September Report – No Comments

XII) Old Business – Potential park projects and donations to support the projects were reviewed. The $7K of donations for the lake fountain project is expected to allow the project to be implemented. An offer to complete the work for an amount not to exceed $7K was received. There was concern noted that implementation would require applicable electrical and grounding work. Alley will review the proposed actions before they are implemented. State liquor and gaming enforcement related to COVID mandates were noted. The Swansea PD does enforce the mandates, but does provide some educational information related to the COVID response mandates of the State of Illinois and St. Clair County.

XIII) New Business – No Comments

XIV) Announcements – No Comments

XV) Adjournment – Motion by Lanter, Wells

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1355