Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees Met Dec. 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

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. All votes will be via roll call when virtual meetings are held. 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 to approve the minutes outlined below (roll call): Wells, Parker It was noted that the file copy of item 3 was update to correct reflect the January 16, 2017 (vice 2018) Board of Trustee Executive Session Minutes that continue to require confidential treatment. The file copy of the agenda for the Semi-Annual Review meeting was also updated.

1. Board Minutes – December 7, 2020

2. Committee Minutes – December 7, 2020

3. Semi Annual Executive Session Review Committee Minutes- December 7, 2020

V) Mayor’s Announcements – None / Correspondence – Schloesser noted that a letter was just received today from the Village of Swansea’s consultant regarding Swansea’s use of funds. The letter relates to the five SCBAs to be purchased under the draft resolution that the Board will vote on this evening. The letter supports the conclusion that the Village of Swansea will not be able to be reimbursed for the $44K related to this particular purchase from the total of $260K expected to be received from the State of Illinois. The $44 purchase expected to be approved in resolution form this evening will not qualify for reimbursement when the State of Illinois funds are received in the future. Schloesser noted that he would forward a copy of the letter to the Board, if requested.

VI) Village Attorney – No Comment / Village Administrator & Department Head Comments – Schloesser reviewed meetings/calls related to review of funds use and purchase of breathing apparatus equipment for the Swansea FD (see V).

Tucker noted that a written report was submitted. He added that Kyle Wallace gave the Village of Swansea his 2 weeks’ notice to work for the Caseyville Township, and that Wallace’s last day with the Village of Swansea is 12/31/20. It was suggested that an exit interview be held with Wallace. Schloesser will coordinate/complete the exit interview. Denzel Jones hired about 2 weeks ago is working out well, eager to learn, and has abilities/skills that he is able to apply to meet the needs of the Swansea’s Waste Water Treatment Plant. An employee that expects to retire near the June 2021 period was noted. Tucker noted that he is able to assist the Street Department with their needs, while noting action is required to replace the vacancy due to Wallace’s resignation. There was consensus that the hiring process should begin as soon as possible. Tucker indicated that he would work tomorrow will the HR Manager on the advertisement for the position and the compensation range.

The FD Chief noted that a written report was submitted. He reviewed calls and trainings, including an 18-week training that will be held on Saturdays and Sundays beginning 1/9/21. He reviewed the ISO survey request. He also shared that St. Elizabeth Hospital reached out to the FD to offer COVID vaccines to FD responders and about 9 to 10 Swansea FD personnel were vaccinated this past Sunday afternoon, receiving their first of the two-part vaccine. The FD Chief thanked the Board for the five breathing apparatus purchase to be voted on this evening. He reviewed the shortened burning allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am – 4 pm between 12/1/20 and 12/15/20. The Board previously reviewed that the Village should take efforts to move away from allowing burning, including environmental, health, and fire safety issues.

The PD Chief noted that a written report was submitted. PD responses to address community safety, vehicle incidents, and crime were reviewed. It was noted that overtime use was currently under budget by about 39% or about $16K. Tow fee revenues increased about 32% or $8K. Officer trainings being transitioned to on-line forms in response to COVID health concerns were noted. The PD Chief thanked Trustee Wells and Clerk O’Neill for their support over their years of service. He also thanked the entire Board for their support of the Swansea PD and keeping the PD officers safe during these trying times of COVID infections. The PD Chief reviewed responses to address soliciting and panhandling in the roadway areas. Efforts are currently being taken to address panhandlers in a way that discourages the activities and deescalating the situations without citations/arrests, while the PD attorney reviews current rulings and laws/ordinances. The types of soliciting are being reviewed. It was suggested that soliciting for funds regardless of whether by an individual, charity, or other entity might be disallowed. The need to continue to allow candidates to solicit petition signatures was noted. The attorney review of the subject matter is pending. The review includes means of protecting the Village of Swansea and the PD officers responding to citizen complaints and safety concerns. A Trustee expressed concern that some soliciting actions in neighborhoods are related to canvassing the area for the purpose of burglary and other criminal activity, and these actions need to be thwarted.

Alley noted that Eric Heinzl is working well as a recently hired Code Inspector. He has done more training work than anticipated and some of his certification work will soon be completed. Alley noted that the ISO recertification for commercial rating system for flood insurance policy would be going from Class 7 to Class 6, which will provide discounts to be revised from 15% to 20%. The TWM Metro Way Project is expected to go for bid in January 2021. Coordinating work with IDOT Metro Way and 159 cross walk was reviewed. Bids may be available for the Garden Street demo work (4 buildings) and included on the 1/4/21 Committee/Board meeting agendas. It was noted that there was not a lot of asbestos removal required for these structures. Alley reviewed continuing follow up efforts related to reimbursement for the Castle Acres Project. He noted that the IDNR representative is not as responsive as he would like and he may have to appeal to the IDNR head at the end of the month to obtain action/resolution on the matter. Leopold indicated that he will also try to follow up with representatives to obtain needed actions.

VII) Park Board Chairman Report – Park Board Chairman, Mike Koeneman was not present. Leopold noted that a written report was not submitted, but commented that the Santa House was doing well and attendance was estimated to be about double compared to last year and that there were people from surrounding communities visiting the Swansea Santa House. Neumeyer touched on the visitors, pictures taken, and thanked the volunteers supporting the event.

VIII) Treasurer’s Report for 11/30/20 was read. Motion to accept the report (roll call): Wells, Lanter

IX) Public Comment – Pat Kinsella noted that he was a resident and with his involvement with the Bristol Hills HOA he wanted to make sure sidewalks were constructed on the remaining unbuilt lots and common ground area. He communicated his awareness that the Southern Illinois Land Investment, which developed the Bristol Hills subdivision, may have recently conveyed the remaining, approximate nine lots. He noted that should the Southern Illinois Land Investment entity dissolve, would Swansea make sure that the required sidewalks would be completed for the common and area and remaining lots. Alley reviewed the areas to have sidewalks and the area, such as out lot E, which is referenced as a drainage out lot, where sidewalks would not be appropriate. He noted that there is a sidewalk across the street from this area. He added that a connection ramp and stripe across the street might be appropriate. Alley reviewed that as homes are built in Bristol Hills, regardless of ownership, the applicable sidewalks will have to be put in. Alley noted that he would stay on top of the sidewalks going in and that ordinance requires sidewalks on buildable lots and the final occupancy will not be issued without the sidewalk work being completed. He reviewed that monetary bonds are required up to 2 years from final plat, which was issued in 2015. Therefore, bonds are no longer required for this area. Alley also reviewed that utility and drainage easements are drawn on the plat. Sidewalks are not typically drawn on plats, unless the plat involves improvements that would include sidewalks. He also touched upon signage areas for example in out lot A.

X) Report of Committees

A. Personnel Committee – Comments

1. Approval for Tuition Reimbursement Ashley Robbins – Motion to authorize the reimbursement (roll call): Wells, Lanter.

2. Resolution 1-2383 / A Resolution Approving Retroactive Pay And Corresponding Pay Rate Increases For Village Employees For Fiscal Year 2021 As Prescribe By The Annual Budget And Attached Hereto And Incorporated Herein As Exhibit A. / Motion to read by title (roll call): Wells, Lanter. Motion to accept the resolution (roll call): Wells, Lanter. It was reviewed that on 12/7/20, the Board approved the retroactive pay increases, but the vote was not approved in resolution form at that time. Therefore, the item was added to the agenda this evening.

3. Resolution 1-2384 / A Resolution Approving Pay Rate Increase for Village Volunteer Fire Fighters From $10.00 Per Call To $11.00 (not $10.50) Per Call / Motion to read by title (roll call) - Wells, McDonald. Motion to accept the resolution ((roll call) Trustees Lanter and McGuire abstained, other Trustees voted yes) - Wells, McDonald. It was reviewed that on 12/7/20, the Board approved the pay increase to $11 per call, but the vote was not approved in resolution form at that time. Therefore, the item was added to the agenda this evening.

B. Finance Committee Report – Comments

1. General Fund Analysis – No comment

2. Approval of Bills totaling $284,698.98 for the period 12/8/20 – 12/21/20 – Motion to approve the bills and pay them from the proper accounts (roll call) – Lanter, Wells.

3. Ordinance 1895 / An Ordinance Of The Village Of Swansea, St. Clair county, Illinois, Establishing Tax Levies For All Corporate Purposes To Be Levied Against All Property Subject To Taxation Within The Village Of Swansea, Illinois For The Purpose Of Providing Funds For The Fiscal Year Commencing May 1, 2021 And Ending April 30, 2022 / Motion to read by title (roll call): Lanter, Neumeyer. Motion to accept the ordinance (roll call): Lanter, Wells.

C. Judiciary Committee – No Comments

1. Consolidated Swansea Election

D. Community & Economic Development – No Comments

E. Public Safety Committee – Comments

1. Resolution 1-2385 / A Resolution Accepting The Price Quotation of $42,798.72 Over Five (5) Years ($7,757.96 For First Year, $8,760.19 For All Subsequent Years) Submitted By Axon Enterprise, Inc., 17800 N. 85th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85255, For Twenty-Two (22) Body Cameras, Camera Mounts, Charging Stations, And Cloud-Based Data Storage For The Swansea Police Department To Safely And Effectively Carry Out Their Duties / Motion to read by title (roll call): Neumeyer, Wells. Motion to accept the resolution (roll call): Neumeyer, Wells.

2. Resolution 1-2386 / A Resolution Accepting The Price Quotation of $44,326.43 Submitted By Sentinel Emergency Solutions, 2900 Telegraph Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125, For Five (5) MSA 4500 PSI G1 SCBA’s And Accompanying Equipment For The Swansea Fire Department To Safely And Effectively Carry Out Their Duties / Motion to read by title (roll call) - Neumeyer, Wells. Motion to accept the resolution (roll call) - Wells, Neumeyer.

F. Public Works Committee – Comments

1. Resolution 1-2387 / A Resolution Approving The Expenditure Of Funds For The Repair By Kaeser Compressors, Inc., PO Box 946, Fredericksburg, VA 22404 Of An Omega Blower At The Swansea Wastewater Treatment Plant, At A Cost Of $12,083.48 - Motion to read by title (roll call): Neumeyer, Wells. Motion to accept the resolution, amended to provide for installation at a cost not to exceed $2,000 (roll call): Wells, Neumeyer.

G. Cultural Committee – No Comments

H. Swansea Report Committee – No Comments

1. January Swansea Report Draft

XI) Old Business – It was reviewed that Resolution 1-2382 (A Resolution Authorizing the President of the Board of Trustees and Village Clerk to affix their signatures to a loan agreement with the Bank of Springfield, 1717 North Illinois St., Swansea, IL 62226, for

$9,387,981.38 to pay off the Village’s IEPA loans for the Wastewater Treatment Plant) was approved at the 12/7/20 Board meeting. Schloesser noted that the loan process with the Bank of Springfield was completed to replace the IEPA loan and an additional $20K was required to pay off the IEPA loan in full. Written permission from the Mayor and Finance Chairperson were obtained for the needed transfer of Sewer Funds to pay off the IEPA loan. Walter was again thanked for bringing this opportunity to fruition as the refinancing opportunity provided significant savings over the remaining life of loan. The savings are still expected to be about a half million dollars.

XII) New Business – It was noted that the HR Manager was reviewing guidance related to COVID vaccinations. Some communities are mandating vaccine participation. Swansea may not mandate employees take the vaccine. However, the Village of Swansea may encourage employees that are eligible for the vaccines to take them. Applicable religious/health waivers preventing an employee from vaccination would also be recognized. There may be protections for employers that should employees not take the vaccines, then they might be recognized as opting out of work comp claims related to COVID. Employees that refuse to take the vaccine and become ill from COVID may not be eligible for sick time compensation. There policies and procedures and administrative law are being reviewed on this topic.

XIII) Announcements – The Santa house was noted as being at least $1K to the good and potentially more with donations for pictures and additional donations, including an anonymous donation of $500 and additional donations of various smaller increments.

XIV) Adjournment (roll call) – Neumeyer, McDonald.

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1418