Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met April 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Members Present: Rose Connors Barb Kimutis Mike Koeneman Matt Lynch David McGhee Jonas Wilson Diane Wickline Village Liaison: Dave Seager

Guests: Mary Taylor Angie Dahm

Chairman Mike opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00am, followed by discussion of Agenda Items.

Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve 12 March 2022 minutes by Rose, second by David. Motion approved by all.

Other Committee Reports: None.

Clinton Hills Park Discussion: Barb contacted Ben requesting guidelines on what designates a conservation park. Ben provided 154.070 "C" - Conservation District. (Attached). 1. Charlie Pitts met with Heartland Conservancy. He emailed Mike K. the lease agreement between Heartland and the Village. Mike K. and Charlie will meet again with Heartland to address where they are going, where they will get funding. Heartland is also interested in working at Centennial Park along with St. Clair Township. 2. Last month, we approved the fund-raising disc golf tournament. They will pay a fee of $250 in addition to any other fees and deposits. Schools and churches will have to pay a deposit. Deposits will be returned when buildings or pavilions are cleaned, and date stamped as stated in rental agreement.

Matt Lynch takes over Clinton Hills meeting at 7:43am.

Continuing our discussion from the February meeting, we have some organization, ideas of what we want to do, and started putting those ideas into categories. First, we put down immediate needs, things like maintenance or things we need to do right away. These are naturalist and environmental categories that go along with the conservation nature of the Park. Next general activities - entertainment related. Today we can get familiar with the categories, then choose the top five or six. Consider cost, amount of money in the budget; and when the grant money will be available. The following are most important: 1. Inspect and fix bridges. 2. Relay out trails (can use golf carts). 3. Waiting for Ameren to install power lines. Fountains and bubblers are funded for year 2022. 4. Bike rack should be an easy fix.

Mike K. stated as Park Board members, we can't fix any of the priorities listed above. We can provide input to the Village Board, Matt Lynch can enlist other Park Board members and they will work with Ben, Joe, and Dave at the Village, developing ideas on trails at Clinton Hills,

Memorial Day Observance: 34th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony. 1. Master of Ceremonies, Chairman Mike Koeneman, Park Board. 2. Color Guard, Swansea Fire Department. 3. Pledge of Allegiance, Mike Koeneman. 4. National Anthem, Swansea Park Board. 5. Invocation, Pastor Steve, Community Bible Church. 5. Introduction of Park Board, Mike Koeneman. 6. POW - MIA Ceremony, Steve Pulley, Col USAF (Ret.) Oklahoma National Guard. Swansea Trustee (ret.) 7. Quilt of Valor Presentation, Barb Sweet (4 quilts). 8. Introduction of Elected Officials, Mayor Mike Leopold, Village of Swansea. 9. Mayoral Remarks, Mayor Mike Leopold. 10. Introduction of Guest Speaker, Mike Koeneman. 11. Introduction of Guest Speaker, Matt Lynch, John Michael, Soulcial Kitchens, USAF. Brigadier General. 12. Military Themes. Swansea Park board. 13. Benediction. Pastor Steve. Community Bible Church. 14. Retiring of colors. Swansea Fire Dept.

Set up time for volunteers starts at 7:30. Scouts will place flags around memorial trees and benches, then remove them when everyone leaves. Food is taken care of.

New Business: 1. Barb brought to our attention that nine Park Board members is not enough to staff the events we have planned though out the year. 2. Matt suggested that when we have a large project, we organize sub-committees. We may need to come back at a later date, set another timeline, prioritize our projects, etc. 3. David suggested a quarterly or bi-annual meeting with those who are invested in the Conservation Park being Fletcher's, Heartland Conservancy, Fan Man Disc Golf, and the Village. Input from each would let participants know how things are going.

Unfinished Business: Discuss possibility of a plaque for the people who have donated money for memorial benches or trees at the next Park Board meeting. Benches and trees will be installed when trails are fixed.

Public Comment: Angie Dahm spoke with Marilyn about adult men using the softball diamond behind her backyard. The balls go into her yard, often hitting her house, very close to her windows. She checked with George Wilkerson, Principal at High Mount School. He informed her that there hasn't been a softball team at High Mount in seven years and that he doesn't see softball returning to High Mount any time soon. What can be done to eliminate the situation? Mike K. suggested that she contact Chief Johnson directly. Since the Park Board is an advisory board, Dave Seager advised Mrs. Dahm to attend the next Village Meeting, Monday, Apr 18th, beginning at 6:00pm. Village meetings are held on the first and third Monday of the month.

General Discussion: None.

There being no further business, motion to adjourn made by David, second by Barb at 8:25am. All in favor. Meeting adjourned.

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1662