Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Park Committees met Oct. 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the committees:

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 Ben Schloesser, Director of Public Works Rick Tucker, Clerk Lauren O'Neill. The public was invited to attend.

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 6:31

Co-Chairpersons: Trustees McDonald & Neumeyer 

Members: Trustees Lanter, McGuire, Parker, Wells

1. Request For New Hire Stefanie Proffitt in the position of Administrative Assistant – There were qualified candidates, two rounds of interviews, and the HR Manager, Administrator, and Co- Chairpersons recommended hiring of Stefanie Proffitt. Motion to forward the item to the Board - Neumeyer, McGuire.

2. Motion to adjourn–Neumeyer, Wells

FINANCE COMMITTEE- Held from 6:31 to 6:43

Chairperson: Trustee Lanter 

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

1. General Fund Analysis – The General Fund revenues are about $132K below budget as of 9/23/20. Many revenue categories have dramatically decreased, reinforcing the need to continue to carefully monitor and hold down expenses. Sales taxes are down about 16%. Water utility taxes are down 26%. Telecom taxes are down 12%. Cable/TV revenues are down 50%, Gaming income is down 50%, bank interest is down 30%, and use taxes are down 20%. Police revenues are $140,514 more than budgeted. Real estate taxes are currently up about $160K compared to the budget, but this may be a short-term timing situation rather that a long- term increase. The report shows motor fuel tax revenues about double the budgeted amount ($462,123.29 compared to the budgeted $238,095.00 amount). Total revenues are close to the budgeted amount and the net amount of revenues less expenses are about $700K. This month’s report shows Sewer revenues less expenses to be about $15K. This positive position for the Sewer Plant is impacted this month by many payments being received for bills that were past due. The Sewer Plant is really operating at best with a break-even cash balance position, involving repairs and not building reserves to address major issues that could arise in the future for the plant. PD expenses are about $126K over budget. On-going revenue concerns are expected through 2020 and 2021. There is still a need to continue tightening controls on expenses. Motion to accept the report – McDonald, Neumeyer.

2. Motion to adjourn–Lanter, Wells

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE- Meeting not held

Chairperson: Trustee Wells 

Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, McGuire, Neumeyer, Parker

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- Held from 6:43 to 6:46

Chairperson: Trustee McDonald 

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

1. Draft Resolution / A Resolution In Support Of An Application To The Illinois Department Of Transportation For Public Transportation Enhancement Capital Assistance Grant (ITEP) /

Motion to forward this item to the Board – McGuire, Wells. The ITEP is the grant that will support the continued revitalization of the southern part of the Village, with lighting and sidewalk improvements. It is an 80 / 20 with the state paying 80% and the Village paying 20% or about $100K for the $500K estimated total improvements. It was noted that the improvement might exceed $500K. The Village will review and determine the funds used, which could involve MFT, TIF1, or Business District Funds for the 20% match amount.

2. Motion to Adjourn – Wells, Lanter

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE- Held from 6:46 to 7:00

Chairperson: Trustee Parker 

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

1. Discussion Fall Burn Schedule – Wells noted that burning yard waste is a fire and health concern. With the on-going COVID 19 pandemic respiratory health concerns are heightened. McDonald noted that he wanted yard waste burning reinstated for a short period this year in the absence of alternatives. He noted he was concerned that yard waste would be illegally dumped in the storm sewers. Wells reviewed that an alternative was currently available with the $11 a month for Republic to pick up unlimited bags or cans of yard waste. Tucker reviewed that Granite City offers to its citizens a contained monitored area to drop of yard waste. The EPA requires monitoring of the fenced area and a concrete base. Much of the monitoring at the Granite City site involves cameras of the drop off area. It was estimated that an employee physically at the site might occur only about 25% of the time. Granite City didn’t express any contamination or other problems having occurred. Overall it was considered to be a great project that benefits the community and the environment. While the site is open 7 days a week, Granite City reserves the right to close the site at any time and without notice. This might occur in inclement weather or if the site is full and Granite City uses a semitrailer or other means to move the site contents. The Village of Swansea currently does not have a concrete pad, fenced area for the site. The Village has a dump truck and not a semitrailer for moving yard waste. McDonald, McGuire, Parker, and the FD Chief discussed operating a limited burn schedule on Saturday’s and Wednesdays only from 12/1/20 – 12/16/20 during the hours of 9 AM – 4 PM. Wells suggested reinforcing the benefits to the community of the current Republic yard waste pick up of only $11 a month. Motion by Parker, McDonald – To allow yard waste burning subject to weather/wind limitations that could prevent the burning for a portion or the entire timeframe of 9 AM – 4 PM 12/1/20 – 12/16/20 on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Wells voted no, Lanter voted present, and all other Trustees voted yes. The mayor was asked if he would like to express his vote, but declined.

2. Motion to Adjourn – McGuire, Wells

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE- Meeting not held

Chairperson: Trustee McGuire 

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

1. Discussion:YardWasteDisposalProgram 

2. Motion to Adjourn – Wells, Neumeyer

CULTURAL COMMITTEE- Meeting not held

Chairperson: Trustee Wells 

Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, McGuire, Neumeyer, Parker

SWANSEA REPORT COMMITTEE - Held from 7:00 to 7:01

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

1. October Swansea Report Draft – The first page needs to be corrected to reflect the Santa Visits article is featured on page 2, not page 4. Some additional article content will be provided tomorrow. The FD glow raffle event article needs to be removed.

2. Motion to Adjourn–Wells, Neumeyer

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1382