Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees Committees met Oct. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the committees

The meeting was held on line due to COVID-19 public health needs Meeting ID: 868 6773 5458 and password: 331616 at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8711380985 or Zoom App on a mobile device. Attendees: Board President Leopold, Trustees Lanter, McDonald, McGuire, Neumeyer, & Wells, Treasurer John Walter, Building and Zoning (B&Z) Director Dallas Alley, Police Department (PD) Chief Steven Johnson, Fire Department (FD) Chief Chris Tell, Director of Public Works Rick Tucker, Administrator Benjamin Schloesser, Clerk Lauren O'Neill. The public was invited to attend. Absent: Trustee Parker.

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 6:30 to 6:40 pm

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

1. PD Promotion of Breanna Kemper-Damm to Sergeant – Motion to forward the item to the Board – Wells, McGuire. Wells said that the ceremony should have been after the Board vote. The Board could have voted no and not approved the promotion and this would have been an issue. Breanna Kemper-Damm’s qualifications, and personal and professional accomplishments were reviewed and the oath of office was administered and signed.

2. Motion to Adjourn – Wells, Lanter

FINANCE COMMITTEE- Held from 6:40 to 6:42 pm

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

1. Draft Ordinance Amending The Annual Municipal Budget Of The Village Of Swansea, Il For Fiscal Year 2021, May 1, 2020 – April 30, 2021 Thereby Providing Additional Funds For Land Acquisition - Motion to forward this item to the Board – Wells, Neumeyer. It was noted that the item does not need emergency treatment. The item will be on the Board’s agenda to allow for a vote on 10/19/20. It was noted that there were larger expenditures for land acquisition and demolition, which reflected a quicker trajectory than recognized on the TIF long-term plan.

2. Azavar Update – The quarterly report was included in the packets. There were 40 exceptions noted for gas & electric addresses. There were 7 addresses for sales tax revenues. The audit notice was sent for cable. Schloesser indicated that Trustees could call him if they have any questions.

3. Motion to Adjourn – McGuire, Wells

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE- Meeting not held

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

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- Meeting not held

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

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE- Held from 6:42 to 7:01 pm

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

1. Discussion Fall Burn Schedule – It was noted that burning was halted due to COVID concerns and the concerns remain. Wells reviewed the Stanford/Brookings Institute substantiated findings that yard-burning pollutants have negative consequences for COVID recovery, increasing death rates.

He will provide Trustees with the information. Lanter said that burning yard waste during a pandemic that attacks the respiratory system was not a wise decision. There are significant public safety health concerns related to yard waste burning, even in the absence of a COVID pandemic.

Trustees were requested to take action for the public safety of the community and ban burning permanently. Tucker noted that Parker was unable to attend the meeting, but had been reviewing and collecting information related to alternatives to burning. Tucker said that the Village of Swansea does not burn yard waste, but rather currently collects the yard waste so that when the limbs and other debris are sufficiently accumulated a tub grinder might be rented. It was noted that renting the expensive equipment was a sound financial decision for the Village of Swansea.

Opening a drop off point for citizens’ yard waste was suggested as a potential alternative for a short period to avoid long-term management of a collection site. Tucker noted that Granite City’s website provides information that their citizens can bring yard waste to the City’s property and that he was attempting to speak to a Granite City official to obtain details regarding their experience with the program. Other communities that offer alternatives to yard waste burning were reviewed.

It was noted that Republic Service offers yard waste pick up under three 3-month agreements. The current pick up period concludes at the end of December. The yard waste collection program begins again April 1st. Schloesser was requested to touch base with Republic Service to see whether a special fall pick up or discount might be available to discourage burning and the applicable health concerns that are heighted due to the COVID pandemic. The FD Chief noted a willingness to implement the decision reached by the Committee and Board. One Trustee minimized the impact of potential resumption of yard waste burning in Swansea, noting that California has been in the news recently for having the worst air quality in the world due to the record uncontrolled wild fires occurring in that state that have devastated lives and property. Another Trustee suggested that the decision regarding yard waste burning resumption be left to those that might respond to a published article in the Swansea report, rather than having Trustees take action to resume or ban burning. Some potential dates for a short resumption of yard waste burning were suggested. It was reiterated that the Trustees are elected to take actions that protect the health and safety of the community and that burning yard waste is widely recognized as a health and safety concern. The appropriateness of the topic being on the Public Safety committee was noted. The additional information will be obtained and provided for review in advance of the topic being added to the next Committee meeting.

2. Motion to Adjourn – McDonald, Wells

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE - Held from 7:01 to 7:04 pm

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

1. Road Closure Request – The PD Chief previously approved the request. The PD Chief is authorized to approve these requests.

2. Non-Agenda Item – It was noted that there are barricades in front of the Village of Swansea playgrounds. While the state allows for opening of such facilities, this was noted as very different from encouraging opening. Additionally, the bathrooms remain closed and the barricades with the continued closures of the playground facilities in Swansea continues to be recommended to reduce the potential for liabilities against Swansea that might result if Swansea opened the equipment. There might be an expectation with opening the facilities additional cleaning would need to be provided that could strain or jeopardize the health of Swansea support/staff.

3. Motion to Adjourn – Wells, McGuire

CULTURAL COMMITTEE- Meeting not held

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

SWANSEA REPORT COMMITTEE- Held from 7:04 to 7:08 pm

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

1. Swansea Report October Articles – This Friday there will be a golf fundraiser at Stonewolf Golf Club. Information on the fundraiser benefit may be included in the Swansea Report. There is currently work to allow the Santa House to operate at the Thompson Center with large Plexiglas screening, cleaning, and other social distancing precautions this season, despite the presence of the COVID pandemic. The expected dates of operation of the Santa House in Swansea is 11/29/20 – 12/23/20 with hours of noon to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays and 5 pm - 8 pm on weekdays. It was noted that Belleville will not be opening a Santa House due to COVID concerns, and the Swansea Santa House may be the only Santa visit opportunity in the local area and as a result might have a significant number of people willing to come and visit with Santa. Voting and election information will also be included in the Swansea report. FD Chief noted that he would provide some information regarding the date/route for the Santa Clause drive around program, which will be an alternative to the Santa Clause parade that has been held in the past.

2. Motion to Adjourn – McGuire, Lanter

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1380