Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met  Nov. 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting was held on line due to COVID-19 public health needs.

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 "***".

1) Call to Order

I) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag

III) Roll Call

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

1. Board Minutes - October 19, 2020 

2. Committee Minutes - October 19, 2020

V) Mayor's Announcements/Correspondence - None

VI) Village Attorney Comments - None / Village Administrator Comments – Potential COVID cures reimbursements were touched upon. The updates to the Personnel Handbook having been reviewed by Trustee Wells, as well as the Personnel Committee Chairpersons, was noted. There were no revisions requested. The draft will be provided to all Trustees in advance of the next meeting. The draft ordinance will be on the next meeting and Schloesser noted that he would provide the draft handbook and ordinance in advance of the meeting. Althoff High School held an event at the Clinton Hills Park. The event venue was complemented and similar events are expected to be held at this location in the future. Tucker was thanked for his and his staff's support of events at the Clinton Hills Park.

VII) Public Comment - John O'Neill reviewed his 10/15/20 and 10/28/20 emails that contained environmental, health, and safety issues associated with yard waste burning that he provided to all Board members and that were supported by documents of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and concerns expressed by the St. Clair Health Department to the Village of Swansea. John O'Neill noted that Trustee Wells addressed concerns regarding yard waste burning and that the Other Trustees should similarly want to protect the health, safety, and environment for the citizens and surrounding communities and the Board should reverse the decision reinstating yard waste burning and ban yard waste burning. He asked to read the 10/28/20 email and have the reading be included in the minutes. He requested the supporting documents be placed on copy with the Village of Swansea. The 10/28/20 email was read, including the content provided as follows:

I sent all elected officials' information on the environmental, health and safety concerns of yard waste burning on 10/15/20 before the last board meeting and on 10/28/20 before this meeting. My inputs were not acknowledged or discussed so I will read what I sent:

Swansea Officials,

Since the citizens' health and safety costs of yard waste burning was not discussed at the 10/19/20 meeting, I am resending the background information from the CDC, EPA and NFPA (attached). Please see the entities' summary of the health/safety issues listed below. I want the environmental, health, and safety concerns of yard waste burning to be discussed and the vote to reinstate burning to be reversed. Please acknowledge receipt of this information and read and discuss it at the next meeting.

1. Open burning produces smoke that contains air pollutants (CDC) 

2. Exposure to these can worsen existing heart and lung conditions (CDC) 

3. People with or recovering from Covid-19 are at particularly high risk of respiratory health effects from exposure to smoke from burning (CDC) 

4. Burning can lead to burns and other fire injuries that require first responders to respond (CDC) 

5. Uncontrolled fires require first responders to respond (CDC) 

6. Burning of leaves produces a number of toxic, irritant and cancer-causing compounds (EPA) 

7. Pollutants from leaf burning inhaled increases the chance of respiration infection or asthma attacks and remain in lungs for years (EPA) 

8. Moist leaves burn poorly and produce high level of hydrocarbons such as aldehydes and ketones that cause irritation to eyes, nose, throat and lungs (EPA) 

9. Hydrocarbons in leaf smoke consist of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are known carcinogens (EPA)

10. Burning leaf piles create carbon monoxide emissions that reduce the amount of oxygen that red blood cells can absorb (EPA) 

11. Unborn children, newborn infants, smokers, the elderly and persons with heart and chronic lung disease are more susceptible to carbon monoxide (EPA) 

12. Increased health problems from leaf burning increase health costs (EPA) 

13. Burning leaves can lead to higher incidences of home and brush fires (EPA) 

14. About 17% of the population has asthma that's triggered by burning leaf smoke, causing coughs, shortness of breath, and chest congestions (Atrium Health) 

15.Yard waste burning negatively impacts other communities that do not burn yard waste (This item was discussed at the St Clair Health Dept meeting and they called Swansea to express their concerns.)

At the 10/19/20 Swansea Public Safety Committee meeting the Fall Burn Schedule was discussed. Only one Trustee Mr. Wells acknowledged the impact to public safety. The discussion focused on providing yard waste burning, because it was not allowed in the Spring due to COVID. The health concerns of COVID continue and have been elevated (See the attached Belleville News Democrat spreadsheet attached).

Swansea has shown care for the environment with the recycling program and also currently has a workable low cost environmentally sound and safe method to dispose of yard waste with yard waste pickup. The disposal cost is a little over $12 a month for an unlimited number of bags or cans of yard waste. There is no need to burn. The Public Safety Committee should not implement something that is detrimental to the health, safety, and the environment, and potentially lethal for those struggling with COVID.

On 10/19/20, the Public Safety Committee discussed not implementing a yard waste collection program similar to the program offered by Granite City without fully reviewing the costs and benefits. The discussion focused only on Swansea not having a concrete pad and fenced area under camera surveillance, as well as the periodic cost of using a dump truck and the rental cost for a wood-chipper. There was no discussion of the benefit of Swansea providing this service or seriously researching alternatives.

I ask that a full Cost Benefit analysis of the fall burn program be conducted and the Public Safety Committee seriously consider the environmental, health and safety issues of yard waste burning and reverse their decision to allow burning. It's difficult to see how Swansea can reinstate the yard waste burning, providing a convenience for a few residents at the expense of all in Swansea and the surrounding communities. The St. Clair County Health Department is concerned about Swansea allowing the burning of yard waste and called Swansea to express their concern. Note that in 1993 O'Fallon banned burning and most local communities have followed suit. Though a few residents may want to burn yard waste, Trustees are called upon to protect all citizens. The environment, health and safety costs of burning to Swansea and the neighboring municipalities should not be ignored.

In conclusion I want the Swansea elected officials to be concerned for the health and safety of Swansea residents. About 20 years ago our next-door neighbor disposed of smoldering leaves in a plastic waste can and started the siding on his house on fire. Another neighbor noticed the fire, the Swansea Fire Department responded, and the neighbor's home did not burn to the ground. Luckily our home was not damaged and out neighbor gave up yard waste burning.

Thank you for your time 

Swansea Resident John O'Neill

Comments following the email reading included the following:

The mayor noted that he did get the above email. He assumed that the entire Board and Department Heads also received the email. He noted that he assumed the email was read. He hoped that the content though not discussed, might have factored into the decision at the last meeting, which reinstated the yard waste burning under the Safety Committee. It was reviewed that the reinstatement on Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 am and 4 pm between the time frame of 12/1/20 through 12/16/20. Neumeyer and McDonald noted that they supported the reinstatement of the burning. Neumeyer noted that possibly next year Swansea might be able to provide a concrete, fenced area that has camera surveillance to allow Swansea residents to drop yard waste. She went on to express her concern that possibly dropping off yard waste would still be an effort and monetary cost to citizens, and therefore her yes vote reinstating yard waste burning focused on monetary costs. McDonald noted that the short time frame from 12/1/20 through 12/16/20 should be interpreted as an effort to phase out burning and that he would want the burning allowed to continue to be cut back until it is eliminated and banned. He added that he would like to see additional alternatives to supplement the current yard waste pick up available to residents that costs a little more than $12 a month for unlimited bagged or canned yard waste pick up. Wells pointed out the concerns related to yard waste burning that can result in other burning issues, such as rubbish/trash burning, which also presents significantly detrimental health, safety, and the environmental concerns (see the Judiciary Committee meeting).

VIII) Report of Committees

A) Personnel Committee - Comments

1. New Hire of Code Inspector - Motion by Lanter, Wells (roll call vote) to accept the hiring of Eric Heinzl for the position at a rate of $19 per hour, with a raise to $19.50 per hour following the successful property management certification and a raise of $3 per hour after the completion of the residential/commercial electrical certifications.

B) Finance Committee Report - Comments

1. Approval of Bills totaling $396,549.14 for the period of 10/20/20 through 11/2/20 and paying the bills from the proper accounts - Motion by Lanter, Wells (roll call vote). 

2. Audit Presentation - no comment

3. Res No. 1-23767A Resolution Accepting The Proposal Of The Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association, 500 East Capital Drive, PO Box 5180, Springfield, Illinois, 62705 For Workers Comp, Auto Liability & Comprehensive General Liability, Portable Equipment, Auto Physical Damage, And Property Insurance Coverage For The Village Of Swansea, Illinois, 2021 – Motion to read by title only - Lanter, Wells, noting that the 2021 Min/Max with 1 percent discount associated with prompt/advance payment be pursued. Motion to accept the resolution - Lanter, Wells (roll call vote).

C) Judiciary Committee - Comments

1. Deputy Clerk Appointment of Stefanie Proffitt Appointment of the Clerk with concurrence of the Board - Motion to accept the appointment by Wells, Neumeyer.

D) Community & Economic Development - Comments

1. Res Draft L A Resolution Approving A TIF District #1 Redevelopment Agreement Between Mueller Gass Enterprises, LLC And The Village Of Swansea, Illinois For Site Improvements At 14 North Belt East – It was noted that the draft resolution was on hold and that additional information is expected as note in the Community & Economic Development Committee this evening.

E) Public Safety Committee - Comments

1. Discussion New Hire Officer - There are no Board actions on this topic at this time.

F) Public Works Committee - Nothing Requested At Agenda Time - No comments

G) Cultural Committee - No Comments

1. Schranz Park Request Damascus Road Fellowship Picnic

H) Swansea Report Committee – Nothing Requested At Agenda Time - No comments

ix) Old Business - No comments

x) New Business – Comments included the following:

Trustee Wells asked about the FD Code Red Announcement. The FD noted that a Code Red Announcement provided a reminder (the information was previously included in the recent Swansea Report issue) for citizens of the reinstatement of yard waste burning on Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 am and 4 pm between the time frame of 12/1/20 through 12/16/20 and allowing/disallowing the burnings was subject to wind/weather conditions. The FD will review weather conditions. Additional Code Red Announcements may have to be managed and issued due to wind and other weather conditions to provide notice that yard waste burning is not allowed due to the wind/weather conditions. If wind/weather conditions do not allow burning, the 12/1/20 - 12/16/20 burning period will not be extended.

The Santa House to be operated at the Thompson Civic Center will involve social distancing and additional volunteers will be needed to manage the operations. The mayor requested that the Board members and others thank the Buelhorns for their efforts in designing the backdrop for the Santa House operations at the Thompson Civic Center at their own personal expense and time.

Tucker reviewed that the Boy Scouts mid-November camp out request for using the Schranz Park, TWM building restrooms needs to recognize that there is no heat at that time and therefore no restroom service. Other restrooms have heat and will be available to the Scouts.

XI) Announcements - None

XII) Adjournment Motion by Lanter, Wells

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1390