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 REGULAR MEETING

May 1st, 2023 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:18 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 Thouvenot, 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

I) Call to Order

II) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag

III) Roll Call

IV) Mayor’s Announcements/Correspondence

A.) Canvass Of April 4, 2023 Election

B.) Proclamation Of Building Safety Month 2023

Proclaimed by Mayor. May 2023 is Building Safety Month.

V) Swearing In Of Newly Elected Officials

1. Trustee Neumeyer was not present so she will be sworn in at the next meeting. The others were sworn in.

VI) Roll Call Of Newly Appointed Officials

VII) Newly Appointed Mayor’s Announcements/Correspondence

A. Thanks And Recognition To Outgoing Official

Trustee McGuire was given an award for his service.

B. Committee Appointments

Board President Leopold gave out his committee appointments. Trustee McDonald wanted Trustee Lanter off of the budget since he is a firefighter. Board President Leopold said he will take that up with the attorney. Trustee Thouvenot wanted that looked into.

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

Trustee Votes:

Ayes: Trustee Parker, Trustee Lanter, Trustee Lewis

Abstain: Trustee Thouvenot

Nos: Trustee McDonald

C. Mayor’s Appointments

VIII) Approval of Minutes

1. Board Minutes – April 17, 2023

2. Committee Minutes – April 17, 2023

3. Executive Session Personnel Committee Minutes- April 17, 2023

Trustee Lewis objected that in the Department Heads report the minutes stated he “said” and he wants it changed to “asked”.

Motion to Approve with Change: Made by Trustee Lewis, seconded by Trustee Parker

Trustee Votes: All ayes

IX) Acceptance Of Minutes Of Advisory Boards/Place On File

1. Park Board Minutes- March 11, 2023

Motion to Approve: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Rocky

Trustee Votes: All ayes

X) Park Board Chairman Report

The annual Memorial Day Observance is in 4 weeks at Mel Price Park. Last meeting they discussed the need to change the rental agreement. Large groups of over 50 that reserve the conservation park will need to provide portable restrooms because the park does not have enough. The Village Administrator said they submitted applications for work on the trails to the IDNR. Trustee Lewis asked if he wants the Village to supply the portapotties. The Chairmen said no the renters would. 

XI) Village Attorney/Village Administrator-Announcements/Comments

None

XII) Public Comment

A member of the public suggested security could have vehicles at the park to help people.

XIII) Report of Committees

A) Personnel Committee – Comments

1. 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).

Motion to Enter: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Lanter Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

B) Finance Committee Report – Comments

1. Approval of Bills

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Approval Of New Money Market Account With Busey Bank, With The Village Mayor, Treasurer, And Administrator As Signers

Motion to Approve of New Money Market Account With Busey Bank and Name the Village Mayor, Treasurer, and Administrator as Signers: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. Ord. No. 1945 An Ordinance Amending The Swansea Municipal Code Chapter 30 General Provisions Setting The Effective Date For Salary Increases For Non-Contract Employees

Motion for 1st Reading: Made by Trustee Lanter, seconded by Trustee Parker

Motion for 2nd Reading Due to Need for Timely Action: Made by Trustee Lanter, seconded by Trustee Parker

Trustee Votes: All ayes

Trustee Lewis said he would prefer it only be this time. Thouvenot wanted more information to revisit it at a later date. The Village Administrator said they could make a motion for this time and do an ordinance later.

Motion to Allow for Pay Increase for the 1st Pay Period in May: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee McDonald

Trustee Votes: All ayes

C) Judiciary Committee – Comments

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

Motion for 1st Reading: Made by Trustee Lewis, seconded by Trustee McDonald

Trustee Votes: All ayes

D) Community & Economic Development – Comments

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 already. 

E) Public Safety Committee – Comments 

1. Res. No. 1-2558 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 TwiceWeekly Cleaning Services At The Swansea Police Department, For A Monthly Cost Of $1730.00 Per Month 

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

F) Public Works Committee – Nothing Requested

G) Cultural Committee – Nothing Requested

H) Swansea Report Committee – Nothing Requested

XIV) Old Business 

Trustee McDonald asked about the CVS pharmacy grass. The Building and Zoning Director said Code Enforcement went out and some was already cleaned up. A member of the public asked abut the Llewelyn situation and when the campers will leave. Board President Leopold said he doesn’t know the time frame but a letter will go out this week. 

XV) New Business 

Trustee McDonald asked if the Village can get Schnucks to clean up. The Village Administrator said he will get in touch with the GM. Chief Blomberg said the Assistant Manager said Swansea’s PD has been the most responsive. Trustee Thouvenot said he noticed there are panhandlers. Chief Blomberg said there are constitutional issues there and he will try to address it the best he can. Trustee Parker said there is not much that can be done. Trustee Lewis said he gave them some info about centers. Trustee Lewis said he was contacted about the trash contract not having a bulk rate fee. The Village Administrator said they will be sending something over soon. Trustee McDonald asked about a Republic contact point. The Village Administrator said to pass concerns to him. 

XVI) Announcements

None

XVII) Adjournment

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2833