Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met May 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

VILLAGE OF SWANSEA BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS May 1st, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Administrative Building Board Room at 1444 Boul Avenue, Swansea, IL 62226

Attendees: Board President Michael Leopold, Treasurer John Walter, Village Clerk Tyler Thompson, Village Administrator Ben Schloesser, Trustee Jeff Parker, Trustee Matt Lanter, Trustee Richard “Rocky” McDonald, Trustee Brian McGuire, Trustee Cary Lewis, Police Department Chief Matt Blomberg, Fire Department Chief Chris Tell, Building and Zoning Director Joseph Iliff, and Director of Public Works Rick Tucker

Absent: Trustee Marilyn Neumeyer

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Held 6:00 to 6:03

Chairperson: Trustee Neumeyer 

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V, McDonald, McGuire, Parker 

1. Canvass Of April 4, 2023 Election

The County Clerk certified the election results.

Motion to Accept: Made by Trustee McGuire, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Discussion- Employee Wellness Program

The Human Resource and Risk Manager was supposed to be present but she is not so its postponed until the next meeting. 

3. Executive Session: “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.” 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). The board did not go into it.

Motion to Adjourn: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Lewis

Trustee Votes: All ayes

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Held 6:03 to 6:13

Chairperson: Trustee Lanter 

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, McGuire, Parker, Neumeyer 

1. Approval Of New Money Market Account With Busey Bank, With The Village Mayor, Treasurer, And Administrator As Signers Treasurer needs it to be in the minutes that the Board approved it. Motion will be done during the board meeting. 

2. Ord. No. _____An Ordinance Amending The Swansea Municipal Code Chapter 30 General Provisions Setting The Effective Date For Salary Increases For Non-Contract Employees

Trustee McGuire thinks its crazy that raises do not take effect until July when all union employees get it May 1st. Trustee McGuire thinks it should be same as contract employees and wants to do both votes tonight. He said the last eight years he has been on the board it has been May 1st. Trustee McDonald called several people to ask why it’s in July and it is because there used to be tight budgets, so it is to make sure the budget clears and they know if they over or under spent. He said it clearly states in the statue that is how it is and the Board should follow the procedure. Trustee Lewis said they know the funds are in the budget and he understands why that was done previously, but he does not see why they could not push forward with it. The Village Administrator said the Board could make a motion tonight to make sure raises go into effect May 1st then do an ordinance later. Trustee Parker said he is in favor of changing it and two months will not be a factor in whether there are raises. Trustee Lanter said they would be delaying for $6,000 dollars and that does not make sense. Trustee McDonald said they need to be accountable to the public and they just approved the budget, not pay raises. Trustee McDonald said they have to follow the guidelines. Trustee McGuire said that’s why he is asking for the change, and it should not be different for one set of employees. Trustee Parker agreed.

Motion to Forward: Made by Trustee McGuire, seconded by Trustee Parker

Motion to Adjourn: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Held 6:13 to 6:16

Chairperson: Trustee Lewis V 

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

1. Ord. No. _____ An Ordinance Amending The Swansea Municipal Code Chapter 31 Mayor And The Board Of Trustees Amending The Appointment Of Trustees To Serve On Standing Committees

Trustee Lewis wants to establish vice chairs so if the chairmen is gone they know what is going on. Board President Leopold said they have had a couple of occasions where the chairmen is gone. Trustee Lanter wants to strike a duplicate mention. Board President Leopold said to take out the second mention.

Motion to Forward: Made by Trustee Lanter, seconded by Trustee McGuire

Motion to Adjourn: Made by Trustee McDonald, seconded by Trustee McGuire

Trustee Votes: All ayes

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Held 6:16 to 6:23

Chairperson: Trustee McGuire 

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V, McDonald, Parker, Neumeyer 

1. Executive Session: “Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.” 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11). Done in regular meeting when attorney is present.

2. Report On Code Enforcement Cases On Brackett Street And Gilbert Street

The Building and Zoning Director gave a report on cases and what the situation is along with the next steps. Board President Leopold wants the report on a regular basis. Trustee Lewis asked about 329 Gilbert Street. Trustee Lewis asked if the people cannot mow it or if they are uncooperative. The Building and Zoning Director said the people never responded to the notice.

3. Report On Mobile Home Licensing, Inspections, And Code Updates

The Building and Zoning Director said starting May 1st every mobile home park has to be licensed with Swansea. 7 parties they needed applications from. All but two have responded and licenses will be processed. If there are outstanding code cases the information will be summarized so they understand they have open cases. If they cannot get into compliance, they will lose their license.

Motion to Adjourn: Made by Trustee Lanter, seconded by Trustee McGuire

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Held 6:23 to 6:25

Chairperson: Trustee Parker 

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V, McDonald, McGuire, Neumeyer 

1. Res. No. _____A Resolution Authorizing The President Of The Board Of Trustees And Village Clerk To Affix Their Signatures To A Contract Agreement With Maids My Way, 220 East State Street, Suite 1B, O’Fallon, IL 62269, For Twice-Weekly Cleaning Services At The Swansea Police Department, For A Monthly Cost Of $1730.00 Per Month

Chief Blomberg said they have had no cleaning service for over a month.

Motion to Forward: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee McGuire

Motion to Adjourn: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: Held 6:25 to 6:27

Chairperson: Trustee McGuire 

Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker, Lewis V 

1. Discussion Item – Gilbert Street Phase II STP Grant Award

The Village received a grant for phase 2 on Gilbert.

Motion to Adjourn: Made by Trustee McGuire, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

CULTURAL COMMITTEE: Held 6:28 to 6:29

Chairperson: Trustee Lewis V 

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

1. Trustee Lewis said there is a fundraising event by the Rotary Club at the Knights of Columbus to eradicate polio on May 5th

SWANSEA REPORT COMMITTEE: Held 6:29 to 6:30

Chairperson: Trustee Neumeyer 

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, McGuire, Parker, Lanter 

1. The next edition comes out in June. Chief Tell will have info about Hyper Reach and how to sign up. A member of the public said he is helping a business make improvements to get a liquor license and asked what changes they need to make. Board President Leopold said to give his phone number and name to the Village Administrator so the Village Administrator can speak to him. The Village Administrator asked which license they are trying to apply for. The business owner said they have a liquor license, and they want to apply for gaming. The Village Administrator said they came here before, and the Board said there was not significant enough improvement for the license. The business owner said his customers have been asking him why they there is no license for gaming. Motion to Adjourn: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Lewis

Trustee Votes: All ayes

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2834