Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Village Committees met Oct. 9.

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, and Director of Public Works Rick Tucker

Absent: Building and Zoning Director Joseph Iliff

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Held 6:51 to 7:29

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 Parker

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Training / Travel Request for Emily Voellinger to Attend the Annual IMTA Institute

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. Request to Hire POC Firefighter- Mario Urias

Chief Tell said Mario completed all his physicals and drug screen. Trustee McDonald asked if the Board would be interested in having someone put videos of the parks and Village events on the website. The Village Administrator said they just did a redesign and have a two year contract. He said he will look into it.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Held 6:16 to 6:41

Chair: Trustee Lanter; Vice-Chair: Trustee Thouvenot

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker

1. Audit Presentation – Kevin Tepen

Mr. Tepen went over the main points. Trustee McDonald wanted it a couple weeks before the auditor came here. Mr. Tepen said Trustee McDonald can call him to ask questions anytime. Mr. Tepen said on page 16 it shows revenue is up with no single category causing it. Funds are up $3.6 million this year mainly due to ARPA funds and it was a good year. Trustee Thouvenot said on page 15 it says $2 million went to post employment health. Mr. Tepen said it is reconciliation between two statements and it is not paid separately like a pension fund. Trustee McDonald asked if post employees pay it. Trustee Lanter said correct. Board President Leopold asked if it is based on the amount of employees. Mr. Tepen said yes and no one funds it because it is just paying health care. He stated the Village has done very good and on page 19 the sewer fund revenue is up from last year. Expenses are a lot higher because of employee benefits. He said on page 73 the police pension fund increased by a good amount. He also stated the biggest part is return on investment and it hasn’t been good since it follows the market. The Treasurer stated that the state took over that. Mr. Tepen said the Village as a whole did well. Trustee Lewis asked about page 50. Mr. Tepen said If investment percentages are down the hit is rolled over years. Board President Leopold asked for Mr. Tepen’s card. Trustee McDonald asked how other municipalities’ budgeting is. Mr. Tepen said everyone is different. Some places don’t have Fire Departments or parks so its hard to say what the percentage should be. Mr. Tepen said pensions are pretty much out of the Village’s hands and he doesn’t think its possible to catch up. He said being at 65% funded is not bad. Trustee Lewis said the Village did better than last year and that’s what matters.

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 6:41 to 6:43

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

1. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Contract for the Demolition of a Structure on 225 Brackett Street, from S. Shafer Excavating Incorporated, 4212 Sam’s Road, Pontoon Beach, Illinois 62040 for $18,200.00 Trustee Neumeyer said the contract does not say they will do the cleanup. The Village Administrator said it is included in the contract. Trustee McDonald asked how much money is in the budget for demolition. The Village Administrator said $15,000. Trustee McDonald said to budget more next year. Trustee Neumeyer asked if the Village owns the properties after this. The Village Administrator said the Village will likely own it eventually.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Contract for the Demolition of a Structure on 314 Brackett Street, from S. Shafer Excavating Incorporated, 4212 Sam’s Road, Pontoon Beach, Illinois 62040 for $16,200.00

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Held 6:00 to 6:16

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

Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, Neumeyer, Thouvenot

1. The Recognition of Lt. Benjamin Sullins Firefighter of the Year with Turkey Hill Grange

Chief Tell recognized Ben Sullins. He received the firefighter of the year award from Turkey Hill Grange and has been with the Village for 10 years now.

2. Discussion Item – Cameras for FD Apparatus

Chief Tell stated that the cameras are about the size of a pen so they would not obscure the driver’s vision. They have GPS and motion detection that detects G-Force. They will be constantly recording and the footage goes to the company’s cloud. They have AI to see whether the driver is experiencing fatigue, if someone is on their cellphone, or if they are not buckled in. Chief Tell stated it has been a while since the firefighters have had an accident on a call and he would like to keep it that way. The cost for 10 cameras to cover all apparatuses including the command vehicle is $5,000. There is also a monthly charge per camera and there is no contract if the Village does not want to pay for GPS or mobile recording. Chief Tell said some ambulances use them. Board President Leopold asked if other communities use cameras for their Fire Department. Chief Tell said not locally to his knowledge. Board President Leopold asked why other communities are not using this. Chief Tell said he does not know. Trustee Parker said he thinks it’s a good idea. Board President Leopold asked if ARPA funds could be used. Chief Tell said there is money in the vehicle maintenance fund. Trustee McDonald asked if the insurance company would give a discount. The Village Administrator said it’s a smart move but so far they aren’t. Chief Tell said it is TrackNet’s program and he has seen an online demonstration. Trustee Parker asked for a straw poll and all Trustees were in favor. Trustee Parker said to bring something back next meeting.

3. Discussion Item – FD Rescue Strut

Chief Tell said it’s for vehicles that overturn on their side or roof. Currently the Fire Department’s struts do not allow lifting. It is under $15,000 for 3 kits including delivery, set-up, and training. Chief Tell said it has been budgeted for. Trustee Lewis asked if the police have this. Chief Tell said no. The Village Administrator said there will be a resolution at the next meeting. Chief Tell said it is a hand crank and they last 10 years.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: Held 6:43 to 6:49

Chair: Trustee McDonald; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V. Neumeyer, Thouvenot

1. 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 and Erosion Control System Trustee McDonald said he went out there to look and spoke to some people. He asked if the HOA pays a fee. The HOA representative said it pays for grass cutting. Trustee McDonald said he does not believe the Village should pay and does not believe it’s the Village’s responsibility. He said the last one the Village did was because there were dam problems. He asked the Director of Public Works if there is anything else. The Director of Public Works said the Building and Zoning Director had some ideas on how to help and there’s water from other neighborhoods draining in. Trustee McDonald said there is a lot of retention in the area, and he did not see mud or other water coming in. The HOA representative said Castle Pines and the Knolls flow in. He said its full of sludge and they can’t get a boat in. Trustee Lewis said he understands where Trustee McDonald is coming from, but the Building and Zoning Director and the Director of Public Works talked to him and said there would still be drainage if the lake was not there. Board President Leopold said he wants to hear what the Building and Zoning Director has to say. Trustee McDonald said he could walk it with the Building and Zoning Director. It was tabled. Motion to Adjourn: Made by Trustee McDonald, seconded by Trustee Lewis

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: Held 6:49 to 6:51

Chair: Trustee Neumeyer; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Parker, Thouvenot 1. Draft November Report: awaiting Thank You letter from Jim from the Rotary Club on page 4, awaiting flyer or more information for Lighted Christmas parade on page 8, check the dates on the calendars page 10, check information for Santa House on page 11.

The Village Administrator wanted the trail map to accompany the front page insert. Board President Leopold asked if it would be visible if shrunk. The Village Administrator said it would be inserted at the same size. Trustee Lanter was worried that it being black and white would make it harder to understand. The Village Administrator said he would look into it.

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2916