Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Village Committees met Sept. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the committees:

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, Building and Zoning Director Joseph Iliff, and Director of Public Works Rick Tucker

Absent:

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Held 6:04 to 6:05

Chair: Trustee Neumeyer; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V, McDonald, Thouvenot 1. Resignation of Part-Time Civilian Police Aide

Chief Blomberg stated that it was mentioned at the last meeting. Their last day was yesterday.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Held 6:05 to 6:08

Chair: Trustee Lanter; Vice-Chair: Trustee Thouvenot

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker 1. General Fund Analysis

Trustee Lanter stated it is close to budget for both revenues and expenses, and it is $165,000 into the green. Sewer revenues are ahead of budget and sewer expenses below budget, but there is a $65,000 deficit.

Motion to Put on File: Made by Trustee Neumeyer, seconded by Trustee Parker

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Approving a Month-To-Month Lease Agreement for Village Property at 1810 North Illinois Street with Happy Dog’s Grooming, an Illinois Limited Liability Company, at a Price Of $900.00 Per Month

The Village Administrator said this would allow them to continue their business, and the Village would receive low hassle income. Trustee McDonald asked what the utility bills are. The Village Administrator said $250-260 and it was being rented for $715.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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 6:09 to 6:54

Chair: Trustee Thouvenot; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker

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). Trustee McDonald wanted to do the executive session during the board meeting.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Contract for the Demolition of a Structure on 225 Brackett Street, From _____________________________, for $____________.00

Trustee Thouvenot said the tree issue was significant. The Village received a bid for 225 Brackett from one bidder and no bids from either for 314 Brackett. Trustee Thouvenot said it will be way over budget for both properties. The Village Administrator said the Village could run a deficit for that line item or make a fund transfer. Trustee Thouvenot wanted to put more funds in the budget in the future. Trustee McDonald asked how much surplus is in the budget and how much is in the contingency fund. The Village Administrator said it will be eaten up by legal funds probably, but the Village could use Arpa funds. Trustee McDonald asked how much is in the contingency fund. Trustee Lanter said he does not know. Trustee Neumeyer asked when the demolishing will be done. The Village Administrator said the Village gave them thirty days. Trustee Lewis said the Village has progressed further than 16 years ago. Trustee Lanter asked if the Village is expecting bids for the ones that have not come in. The Village Administrator said they have not heard back from Hanks so in theory Hanks would respond. He thinks the difference will be in the margins. Trustee McDonald asked if the pendings will be resolved in two weeks. The Village Administrator said they hope so. The Building and Zoning Director said Hanks indicated so. Trustee Thouvenot believed it should be postponed. Trustee Lanter was in favor of postponing. Trustee Lewis agreed with Trustee Thouvenot. Both resolutions were postponed. Trustee McDonald wanted the Village Administrator to tell bidders the Village won’t do a downpayment.

3. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Contract for the Demolition of a Structure on 314 Brackett Street, From _____________________________, for $____________.00

4. Discussion on Parking Standards in Residential Areas

The Building and Zoning Director said in the code it states where vehicles can be parked in a residential property. Someone parked in their backyard and he does not know if it’s legal. He stated the code says it can be parked in the front or the side, but he does not know if that means it can’t be parked in the rear yard. He wants to know whether it should be rewritten to be more clear. The Village Administrator said it needs clarity. Trustee Parker asked if it says parking can be done in the backyard on an improved surface. The Building and Zoning Director said it does not say that. Trustee Parker said it’s clear that nothing can be parked in the backyard. Trustee Lewis said if people live by an alley their parking is their backyard, but if it’s grass then they shouldn’t be parking there. He asked if someone has a truck and they are loading from their backyard would they be punished. The Building and Zoning Director said that would be different and this is if it was long term parking. The Building and Zoning Director said there are some people who’s garage is in their backyard. Trustee Thouvenot said people have a right to use their backyard but there should be an improved surface, so it does not get overgrown. Trustee McDonald said old Swansea has alleys and the same principles need to be applied to the front. The Village Administrator said it sounds like the board wants new language to be brought requiring hard surfaces in the backyard too. Trustee Parker said that could cause it to become a junkyard. The Building and Zoning Director said a dilapidated vehicle would not be allowed anyways. Trustee Parker said if there is not a garage there and six people park in the backyard it becomes a junkyard. The Village Administrator said not by definition, and it sounds like Trustee Parker wants a cap on it. Trustee Lewis was concerned the language could cause issues if there was a party going on and a large amount of cars were present. Trustee Neumeyer said if there was a large amount of cars present for a long time it would be an issue. The Village Administrator asked for the definition of improvement. Trustee Thouvenot provided the definition. Trustee McDonald said older parts of Swansea should park in the backyard because there is no parking in the front. The Building and Zoning Director said he could address that. Trustee Thouvenot wanted to update the ordinance to say if someone parks at their property outside of their driveway it has to be on an improved surface no matter where.

5. Ord. No. _____ An Ordinance Adding the Intersection of Kinsella Avenue and Roclare Drive to the Schedule of Three-Way Stop Intersections

Trustee Neumeyer asked which intersection of Kinsella and Roclare would be the one. Chief Blomberg said there is only one. Trustee Lanter said many people have asked for stop signs in the past and it is not good legislation to approve stop signs without following what the experts say. He stated TWM has given input over the years and the police believe it causes more problems. Her said there needs to be good data to indicate a stop sign needs to be there. Trustee Lanter said the next hundred meetings could be filled with discussions about stop signs. Trustee Lewis said the people reached out to him saying they believed the speed limit signs would be there longer. Trustee Lewis said he does not see a reason not to do it. He also said every person asking for a stop signed should be listened to, and asked if there was any ordinance. The Village Administrator said an ordinance stated there needs to be a following of the uniform traffic code. Trustee Parker asked if it requires a traffic study for stop signs on village roads. The Village Administrator said no, but it has other requirements such as not installing one for speed control. Trustee Parker said it is not just for lowering speed and it will help with dangerous drivers. A member of the public said a stop sign will not stop these people and they will just blow through the stop sign. Trustee Neumeyer asked who will be responsible for people stopping on Roclare and hitting somebody. The member of the public said people would speed through even with officers there. Trustee Thouvenot said a vote is not required when there is a motion to forward and a second.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

6. Update on Code Enforcement Cases on Dilapidated Properties

The Building and Zoning Director said he thought about some ways to strengthen the code so someone cannot leave a property abandoned. He thinks this might cause the owners to do maintenance even if the building is just sitting there. He said if the Village gives them a list and they fix it then the case is closed. Trustee Neumeyer said what if they don’t do anything. The Building and Zoning Director said the Village would do the work and bill them, but not enough people pay the bill. Trustee Neumeyer believed there needs to be more teeth. The Building and Zoning Director said these ideas would provide more teeth. Trustee Neumeyer asked if any other municipalities do it that way. The Building and Zoning Director said yes. Trustee Thouvenot said he liked the idea of getting ahead but asked how the list would be sent out, and how many vacant buildings are there. The Building and Zoning Director said he is not sure how many properties and it would take some time to create the list, but if the Village isn’t proactive it will have to come back when the buildings are a problem. Trustee Thouvenot recommended looking at this as a potential ordinance change. Trustee McDonald asked about two properties on Gilbert. The Building and Zoning Director said both properties are dealing with insurance claims. Trustee McDonald said they have been vacant for six years and they are not on the report. He said to make the people do something. The Building and Zoning Director said 112 has a deadline next week. The Village Administrator asked what the board would like as a threshold for properties to be on the list. Trustee McDonald said if there is a house with multiple broken windows then it attracts bad people. The Village Administrator asked if the board would like to see every house with tall grass on the list or what they would like the threshold to be. Trustee Thouvenot said if there are key dates coming up it should be on the list. A member of the public said he lives in Castle Acres and they put a fountain in the pond and he is trying to get the grass cut there. He said it’s the Village’s property. The Director of Public Works said they do take care of the weeds and it’s a routine to trim them along the guardrail. He said he does not know which property is the member of the public’s. The Director of Public Works said he will be happy to take a look because it is part of the routine. The Building and Zoning Director said it is part of the road not Village property. The member of the public said it is. The Village Administrator said they will take a look at it.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Held 6:00 to 6:04

Chair: Trustee Parker; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lewis V.

Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, Neumeyer, Thouvenot

1. Chief’s Commendation to Officer Clayton Proffitt for Spearheading the PD Fundraising Efforts to Benefit the Illinois Special Olympics

Chief Blomberg commended him for doing a fundraiser for the special Olympics.

2. Investigations Report

Chief Blomberg presented a report of the cases and which ones are solved. He does not believe the current changes in the State will make the police’s job more difficult.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: Held 6:54 to 7:25

Chair: Trustee McDonald; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V. Neumeyer, Thouvenot

1. Presentation by Jennifer Alrashdi, Neighborhood Ambassador for i3 Broadband about Installation of Fiber Optic Cables in Swansea Neighborhoods

She did not arrive. The Village Administrator said the Village has still not received payment, and she told him that the claim has been made to the subcontractor’s insurer. He will keep Board informed. The Building and Zoning Director said it will be good when she is here to answer questions.

2. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Approving the Price Quotation of $44,064.00 from Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc., 6306 N. Alpine Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111, for the Purchase of Seventy-Two (72) Media Cloth Filters and Assemblies for the Wastewater Treatment

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Authorizing the President of the Board of Trustees to Execute a Contract with Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. for Engineering Services for an Assessment of the North Bridge in Clinton Hills Conservation Park at Hourly Rates Plus Reimburseables Not to Exceed $15,200

Trustee McDonald asked Trustee Lanter what he thought when he went out there. Trustee Lanter said we wanted TWM to approve the north bridge to hold 16 tons and to design a guard rail. Trustee Lanter said TWM will run the numbers and if it comes back at 10 tons they can leave it at 10 tons or see if they can improve it. Trustee McDonald asked why the Village needs the front loader to cross it. The Director of Public Works said it’s just in case. Trustee McDonald said the south bridge needs to be closed. The Director of Public Works said it has been closed several times but the disk golfers open it up from time to time. Trustee McDonald said there is no guard rail on the other bridge and asked if netting can be put there. The Director of Public Works said they can figure something out. Trustee Lanter said this would be the best approach. The Village Administrator said the Village needs to anticipate additional costs. The Director of Public Works said the capacity of the bridge can be scaled back but the Village needs to understand what can get across it.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

4. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Authorizing the President of the Board of Trustees to Execute a Contract with Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. for Engineering Services for an Assessment of the South Bridge in Clinton Hills Conservation Park at Hourly Rates Plus Reimburseables Not to Exceed $11,900

Trustee Lanter said they went out and looked. The engineers feel strongly that if it was left as a pedestrian bridge the Village could take the metal mesh deck off and make it a wooden deck with some other improvements. Trustee McDonald said there needs to be center supports. Trustee Lanter said that would be a part of the reassessment. Trustee Thouvenot said the Village won’t know the cost until step one. Trustee Lanter said getting an evaluation now would save money. The Village Administrator said the Village can use Arpa funds. The Director of Public Works asked if the bridge should be closed. The Board said yes. Trustee McDonald asked if golf carts were permitted. The Director of Public Works said no but they are seen.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

5. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Authorizing the President of the Board of Trustees to Execute a Contract with Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. for Engineering Services Related to the Northern Dam in Clinton Hills Conservation Park, including a Preliminary Classification Report, a Topographic Survey, a Hydrologic & Hydraulic Analysis, Improvement Plans, Bid Documents, Construction Phase Services, and, if Necessary, a Breach Analysis, Emergency Action Plan, and Operation & Maintenance Plan at Hourly Rates for a Maximum Cost of $30,500

Trustee Lanter said it is at the northeast corner close to Hidden Lakes. There is a very old corrugated pipe that is collapsing. It is washing away the dam and now is the decision time so the Village won’t have to tear out part of the trail later. TWM would evaluate and send it to the IDNR. TWM does not think it will be a rated dam. Trustee Thouvenot asked if it is the lake on the right hand side or where the homes are. Trustee Lanter said it is the pond north of the north bridge. The Building and Zoning Director said it is east of Fletchers. Trustee McDonald asked if they would have to drain the lake and said the Village would not want to lose a lake.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

6. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Approving a Homeowner Stormwater Conveyance System Improvement Grant for Woodfield Lake Estates Homeowner Association, 1413 Olroyd Drive Swansea, IL 62226 at a Guaranteed Maximum Reimbursement not to Exceed $12,000.00 Related to Restorative Work to a Stormwater Conveyance System and Erosion Control The HOA president was present. The Building and Zoning Director said there is $3,000 left in the budget. The HOA president stated it was a 5 acre lake. Over past five years they have been saving money and several houses are by the lake. They got a bid and they are going to do it. If they get the money they would like to do more work. They have applied for the 50% maximum. Trustee Lewis asked what the extra work would be. The HOA president said it would be more work on the lake. Trustee Thouvenot asked what work has been done to determine it was stormwater that caused these problems. The HOA president said water from several other properties that are not theirs have their water drain down into the lake, and the erosion is occurring due to the runoff. Board President Leopold asked where the Village could get the rest of the money from. The Village Administrator said there are several options. Trustee McDonald said he lived on a lake and he had to put a rip rap wall on it. He doesn’t understand why the Village is responsible for it. Trustee McDonald said it is a private lake with private benefits for those who live there. The Building and Zoning Director said he does not have an analysis on it and the Carrington project was done because their lake collects from several other neighborhoods not just their own. He said he is not sure how much water comes from outside the Woodfield Lake neighborhood. Trustee Thouvenot asked if the other neighborhoods have access. The HOA president said yes. Trustee Thouvenot said there is not a lot of money. Board President Leopold asked if the Director of Public Works and the Building and Zoning Director can go out and look at it and this be tabled. Trustee Lanter said this is similar to other cases the Village has done and a wetlands drains there. Trustee Lanter does not have an issue with paying a bit but he wants a $5,000 limit. Trustee McDonald said for them to go out there and look and table this. Motion to Adjourn: Made by Trustee McDonald, seconded by Trustee Neumeyer

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

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