Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met Sept. 21.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

I) Call to Order

II) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag

III) Roll Call

IV) Approval of Minutes – Motion to approve the outlined below minutes - Wells, McGuire

1. Board Minutes – September 8, 2020

2. Committee Minutes – September 8, 2020

V) Acceptance of Minutes – Motion to accept the outlined below minutes – Wells, McGuire

1. Park Board Minutes July 11, 2020

VI) Mayor’s Announcements/Correspondence – No Comments

VII) Village Attorney - No Comments / Village Administrator and Department Head Comments: The Village’s Metro Way project work was recently recognized with a Citizens for Modern Transit Award (remote/virtual recognition event). Alley was thanked for his work. A summary of the award and work will be included in the next issue of the Swansea Report. Reviews continue related to potential reimbursements related to COVID response (CURES). The Metro East Business Incubator is working towards an on-line platform that may include a video that may involve fundraising requests. The activity involves partnering with educational institutions and other neighboring governmental and business entities. The Bonds require annual IEPA update compliance reports that have been worked. Schloesser will provide a fact sheet to the Trustees in a few days related to the potential cost for refinancing and the savings related to the potential reduction in interest rate(s) that may be available for refinancing of the bonds. This item may be on the next agenda to at that time obtain committee and Board support for refinancing recommendation(s). Tucker noted that he submitted a written report, but do to an absence in the office the report was not included in the packets. He noted that he would forward the report to the Trustees tomorrow. Tucker reviewed that the digester blower is not working and this specific part has had repeated issues (3rd time), while there have been no issues with similar blowers. Maintenance records are complete. Despite the manufacturer denying coverage due to the part being out of warranty, Tucker noted that he was going to pursue the issue further with the manufacturer to obtain resolution to the issue. He noted that the Village could expect to incur inspection fees and shipping costs to address the blower issue, but would like the manufacturer to cover repair costs. The Sweeper has current issues, despite replacement of parts and another approximately $1,500 of repair cost is expected. The mechanic is looking at some alternative parts/repairs that may address the issues. Annual testing proficiency to the EPA has been completed and the Village earned 100 percent on all the tests. It was noted that Dallas had to leave this evening’s Board meeting to attend another meeting. The FD is finishing up the monthly report and expects to have it completed at the end of the week. The FD is working on creating a video for recruitment, completing it in house at zero cost to the Village. There are currently about 5 openings for paid on call fire fighters. Fire College training, using the Village’s facility, with about 35 – 38 attendees from other FDs to attend the upcoming 2-day event, scheduled for 10/3/20 and 10/4/20.

The Advanced Fire Technician class with about 7-8 Village of Swansea personnel taking the course at no cost to the Village of Swansea was noted, indicating the class completion is helpful for Swansea’s certified ISO rating. The PD recruitment video was complimented by the FD Chief. The PD Chief noted that about three-fourths of recent applicants noted having viewed the video and that it enhanced their knowledge and interest in the Swansea PD. There were about 38 people that tested for the recent PD Officer eligibility list. Swansea PD response to a recent domestic battery complaint was reviewed. The PD is working with area apartment and other community areas to encourage their investment in cameras. Occupancy permit questions and concerns related to area apartments were touched upon.

VIII) Park Board Chairman Report - It was noted that Park Board Chairman Mike Koeneman was not able to attend this evenings meeting, but submitted a written report. The report noted that the current year’s outdoor Spooktacular event will be canceled due to COVID health concerns. The event may be held in the future years under a different name as the Park Board is considering renaming the event. The Village of Swansea visits in the Park with Santa is looking at potential indoor events that allow for more social distancing opportunities than the Santa House, such as the Thompson Center and the Norman Lehr Center. While there is interest in continuing to hold the event, the reality of COVID health and safety concerns may continue to impact the viability of this event this year. Disc golf activities at the Clinton Hills Park are popular and there is a shop within the Fletchers building that sells equipment. There is interest in holding a national disc golf tournament in the future. There may be a request for facilities/entities that operate within the Village’s park to inform the Village (and in turn the Board of Trustees and the Park Board) of new ventures and activities. Advertising the location of Swansea businesses might be something to pursue with signage within the parks and the facilities/entities that operate in the Village. There may be a potential to sell advertisements to local businesses too.

IX) Treasurer’s Report for 8/31/20 was read – Motion to accept the report (roll call vote) – Wells, Neumeyer

X) Public Comment - No Comments

XI) Report of Committees

A) Personnel Committee – No Comments

B) Finance Committee Report – Comments

1. Approval of Bills for 9/9/20 through 9/21/20 total bills are $245,485.65 – Motion to approve and pay from appropriate accounts (roll call vote) – Lanter, Wells

2. General Fund Analysis - No Comments

C) Judiciary Committee – Comments

1. Ord. No. 1889 / An Ordinance Amending The Swansea Municipal Code Chapter 52: Sewer Regulations, § 52.112 Deductions For Water Not Entering Sewer, To Revise The Application Date For Such Deductions / Motion to read by title only – Wells, Neumeyer. Motion to accept (roll call vote) – Wells, Lanter

2. Ord No. 1890 / An Ordinance Amending The Swansea Municipal Code A New Video Gaming Category To Allow Video Gaming In Self-Service Laundry / Motion to read by title only – Wells, McGuire / Motion to accept (roll call vote) – Wells, Neumeyer.

3. Ord. Draft / An Ordinance Amending Chapter 152 Of The Swansea Municipal Code Regarding Floodplain Development Regulations – This item will be on the next meeting’s agenda and the Board will vote on this non-emergency item at that time.

D) Community & Economic Development – Comments

1. Findings and Facts (FF) 1718 Helen St. / Motion by McDonald, Lanter to accept and place the FF on file.

2. Res No. 1-2374 / A Resolution Approving The Special Use Request For 1718 Helen Street In Accordance With The Zoning Regulations Of The Village Of Swansea / Motion to read by title only – McDonald, Wells. / Motion to accept (roll call vote) – Wells, Lanter

E) Public Safety Committee – No Comments

F) Public Works Committee – No Comments

G) Cultural Committee – No Comments

H) Swansea Report Committee – No Comments

XII) Old Business – The Village of Swansea Sewer Rate Review Committee held their  second meeting with Rollie Thouvenout. Some additional reviews are required and to occur. There is a current discrepancy that is being further investigated to determine whether there is a timing issue or error. Utility past due payments are still above pre-COVID periods, but the delinquent payment gap is narrowing since the past due balances are again subject to penalty fee requirements. Alley reviewed that he’s preparing bid sheets that will allow for multiple line items related to Melvin Price Park projects such as tree removal, resurfacing, tree planting (native trees, with staggered plantings to avoid trees all maturing at the same time were noted as something that should be reflected in the bid requests. Alley having had to leave the meeting was not in attendance to hear this comment. an item that would be followed up with Dallas since he had to leave this meeting to attend another meeting).

XIII) New Business - No Comments

XIV) Announcements - No Comments

XV) Adjournment Motion – Wells, Lanter

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1367