Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met July 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS 

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

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Held 6:40 to 7:27

Chair: Trustee Neumeyer; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V, McDonald, Thouvenot 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 Neumeyer, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Motion to Forward: Made by Trustee McDonald, seconded by Trustee Lewis

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 Forward: Made by Trustee Lanter, seconded by Trustee Lewis

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Meeting Not Held

Chair: Trustee Lanter; Vice-Chair: Trustee Thouvenot Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker Meeting Not Held

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Meeting Not Held

Chair: Trustee Lewis V.; Vice-Chair: Trustee McDonald Members: Trustees Lanter, Neumeyer, Parker, Thouvenot Meeting Not Held

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Held 6:00 to 6:21

Chair: Trustee Thouvenot; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker 1. Discussion: Occupancy Permits

A member of the public wanted clarification on the policy regarding occupancy permits. She wanted to know what the consequences are if someone fails to comply and who is responsible to ensure a property is inspected. She had an issue a year ago with a tenant. The Police Chief said there is a blotter that goes out on the website. The member of the public asked if it could go out in the Swansea Report. Trustee McDonald said landlords might not always know if the police are called so they would not know to check the blotter. Board President Leopold asked the Village Administrator who is legally responsible for issues with occupancy permits. The Village Administrator wanted to confirm with the Building and Zoning Director before giving an answer. Trustee Thouvenot said the issue is there needs to be a lease agreement and the tenant might not do the proper thing and come to the Village and get an occupancy permit. The Village Administrator said the landlord could tell the tenant they have to do it, and he does not know if the Village should have the duty to do that. Trustee Thouvenot said the landlord could put a date on the lease for the tenant to fill out the occupancy permit. Trustee Thouvenot said he will work with the Village Administrator and the Building and Zoning Director to figure it out. Board President Leopold said to check with the Village Attorney.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Held 6:21 to 6:40

Chair: Trustee Parker; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lewis V. Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, Neumeyer, Thouvenot 1. Discussion Item – Helen Street Pedestrian Safety

The owner of Soulcial Kitchen said there is a kitchen across the street from his campus and he would like the Village to do something about safety. The Director of Public Works said the Village cannot do much at the top of the hill and it is the water company’s duty to restore the street because a water main was put in. He said the Village could get with engineers and reprofile the entire block. The Village Administrator said the Village could paint a pedestrian crosswalk there. Board President Leopold thinks the Village should do that. Chief Blomberg thinks the Village should just shut down Helen Street. The Village Administrator said the Police Chief could shut it down on busy days, but that might be jumping the gun right now since it is not that busy yet. Board President Leopold said the road has to be fixed first and a crosswalk might be good. 2. Discussion Item – Traffic Mitigation on Kinsella

A member of the public said they have had issues with speeding cars and run ins with people yelling on the street. They said they have noticed cops sitting there which has helped. Chief Blomberg said they have not seen much happening on the street. The member of the public wants a both ways stop sign at Roclare and Kinsella. Board President Leopold asked about the rules on how close stop signs can be. The Director of Public Works said there would need to be a traffic study then they go through the Police Department. He said there would be a counter for how many vehicles pass through. Trustee Lewis asked if there was a study done there before. The Village Administrator said no. Trustee Parker said a car count won’t tell anything. Trustee Lewis asked if there is any laws about caution signs. The Village Administrator said he is not sure. The Director of Public Works said yield and slow children signs do not need a traffic study. Board President Leopold asked him to put a slow children sign. He said sure. The member of the public said a driver came back with a vengeance to their house. Board President Leopold said to call the police and get their license plate number. The Director of Public Works said a slow children sign will be up by end of the week. Trustee Lewis said the Village will look into getting a stop sign.

3. 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

The Village Administrator wants to wait. No action.

4. For Information Only: Officers Lindley and Belford will be conducting a Joint Criminal Enforcement Detail with the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group on Saturday, July 15th 1100-1800. The Emphasis of the Detail is Unlawful Gun and Drug Possession and Fugitive Apprehension

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: Meeting not held

Chair: Trustee McDonald; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V. Neumeyer, Thouvenot 1. Discussion Item - Park District

Moved.

CULTURAL COMMITTEE: Meeting Not Held

Chair: Trustee Lewis V.; Vice-Chair: Trustee McDonald Members: Trustees Lanter, Neumeyer, Parker, Thouvenot Meeting Not Held

SWANSEA REPORT COMMITTEE: Meeting Not Held

Chair: Trustee Neumeyer; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Parker, Thouvenot Meeting Not Held

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2871