Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met July 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Attendees: Board President Michael Leopold, Treasurer John Walter, Village Clerk Tyler Thompson, Village Administrator Ben Schloesser, Trustee Marilyn Neumeyer, 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, and Director of Public Works Rick Tucker

Absent: Building and Zoning Director Joseph Iliff

I) Call to Order

II) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag

III) Roll Call

IV) Mayor’s Announcements/Correspondence

A) Proclamation

1. 70th Anniversary of the Black Knights Drum & Bugle Corps

It was organized in 1953 and has represented this area in the USA and Canada. It consists of youth from 12 to 21 in Swansea and surrounding communities. They have won 5 national championships, 24 state championships, and were finalists in 25 national championships. Board President Leopold proclaims celebration of their 70th anniversary.

V) Newly Appointed Mayor’s Announcements/Correspondence

The Village Administrator said East West Gateway confirmed Gilbert Street phase 2 has been placed on the draft list of projects. The Village Administrator was elected President of the Southwest Illinois City Managers Association. He will host city managers at the soulcial kitchen.

VI) Approval of Minutes

1. Board Minutes- June 20, 2023

2. Committee Minutes- June 20, 2023

3. Special Board Meeting Minutes- June 29, 2023

4. Special Committee Meeting Minutes- June 29, 2023

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

None

VIII) Park Board Chairman Report

Will be done at the next meeting.

IX) Village Attorney/Village Administrator-Announcements/Comments

None

X) Public Comment

A member of the public said it is getting better on Llewellyn. Traffic slowed down. The Village Administrator said the 21st is the deadline.

XI) 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). Done during committee.

2. Travel Request for Kristina Essenpreis to Attend the Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. Travel Request for Chief Blomberg to attend New IL Chiefs Orientation in East Peoria, IL Sept. 12-15, 2023. Training is sponsored by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Executive Institute. Training Costs and Lodging are Covered by ILETSBEI

Motion to Accept: Made by Trustee Neumeyer, 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 Lewis

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Ord. No. 1946 An Ordinance Amending the Swansea Municipal Code Chapter 30 General Provisions Setting the Effective Date for Salary Increases for Non-Contract Employees

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes:

Ayes: Trustee Neumeyer, Trustee Parker, Trustee Lanter, Trustee Thouvenot, Trustee Lewis

Nos: Trustee McDonald

C) Judiciary Committee – Nothing Requested

D) Community & Economic Development – Nothing Requested

E) Public Safety Committee – Comments

1. Ord. No. ____ An Ordinance Declaring Personal Property Owned By The Village Of Swansea And Used By The Police Department As Surplus, Specifically A White 2017 Ford Interceptor SUV, VIN 1FM5K8AR0HGA37155, and A White 2016 Ford Interceptor SUV, VIN 1FM5K8AR7GGB74236, And Authorize Them To Be Sold

Not done this meeting. Trustee Lanter said the stop sign issue comes up a lot, but 5 or 6 years ago TWM came to a meeting and passed out a brochure about how stop signs are not effective at controlling speeding. The Director of Public Works said engineers he spoke to said the same thing. One of the most effective ways to decrease speeding is speed limit signs with a strobe light. Trustee Lewis said the Village needs to show it is making an effort. Trustee Lanter said to call the Columbia Police Department because they have added a bunch of flashing speed limit signs and it has worked. Trustee Lanter said they are not cheap and speed humps could also work. Trustee Parker said Chief Blomberg cannot put his police out there all the time and a stop sign is not going to slow everyone down. The Village Administrator suggested a community wide traffic study, but it is not cheap. The Treasurer said people everywhere are speeding. Trustee Thouvenot liked the alternatives cost wise.

F) Public Works Committee – Nothing Requested

G) Cultural Committee – Nothing Requested

H) Swansea Report Committee – Nothing Requested

XII) Old Business

Jay Hoffman sent a letter. Board President Leopold said some mayors got together a while ago to talk about how about some veterans do not have to pay property tax and that they believe it is hurting communities. Illinois put legislation together to have the state pick up the tab instead of local communities. The communities will be reimbursed for some of that loss of revenue. Board President Leopold said they won’t find this works and will probably try another way. Trustee McDonald asked about some houses that they were supposed to get updates on. The Village Administrator said the Building and Zoning Director was going to be here but his wife had surgery.

XIII) New Business

None

XIV) Announcements

Trustee Thouvenot said the Village young person Zander Mueth was drafted into the MLB. He wants people to go to the planning meeting about the Frank Scott Parkway development.

XV) Adjournment

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2870