Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met Nov. 20.

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, Fire Department Chief Chris Tell, Police Department Chief Matt Blomberg, Building and Zoning Director Joseph Iliff, and Director of Public Works Rick Tucker

Absent:

I) Call to Order

II) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag

III) Roll Call

IV) Approval of Minutes

1. Board Minutes –November 6, 2023

2. Committee Minutes – November 6, 2023

3. Executive Session Personnel Committee Meeting - November 6, 2023

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

V) Acceptance of Minutes

VI) Board President Leopold’s Announcements/Correspondence

A) Appoint New Member James Reiss to the Planning and Zoning Board

B) Proclamation

1. Zander Mueth 2023 MLB- Pittsburgh Pitcher

Board President Leopold said Zander Mueth was selected to the MLB draft second round selection by the Pittsburg Pirates. He said Zander is a Swansea resident that graduated from Belleville East. Board President Leopold commended and recognized his accomplishments and connection to Swansea.

VII) Village Attorney/Village Administrator-Announcements/Comment

1. Department Head Reports

a. Public Works/Sewer Department

None

b. Police Department Monthly Stats

None

c. Fire Department Monthly Stats

Doug Little will start Nov 27th. The Lighted Christmas Parade is Dec 1st. If there is bad whether it will be Dec 3rd and just be Santa at the firehouse. Bianca will complete basic orientation class on Dec 3rd and start hazmat training. 

d. Building and Zoning Department

He included a list of cases that the Board wanted. He audited everything they have been working on. The owner of 206 Clara got a demolition permit and started the process, so it won’t cost the Village money. The Village will demolish two on Brackett St and the Village is waiting for approval from Ameren that the utilities have been disconnected. The owner of the two on Gilbert that Trustee McDonald asked about will get a demolition permit. Trustee McDonald said on East Caroline and Anna there are some bad houses and a house all boarded up. Trustee Parker asked if they looked into doing an ordinance to make the insurance company pay for slowing the Village down when dealing with burnt down houses. The Building and Zoning Director said if a property is in dangerous condition for so long there could be a registry fee and annual inspection. Trustee Parker wanted to do something. Trustee McDonald said there was a home in a mobile home park that had damaged side walls, but Code Enforcement couldn’t find the owner. Trustee Parker said the owner is a corporation in New Jersey and to talk to an attorney.

VIII) Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer gave his report.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

IX) Public CommentNone

X) 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. Swearing-in of Derek Schackmann as Probationary Police Officer Done during committee.

3. Certificate of Appreciation to Officer Matthew Lindley for 10 Years of Service Done during committee.

B. Finance Committee Report – Comments

1. General Fund Analysis

Done during committee

2. Approval of Bills

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. 2023 Tax Levy

Nothing done this meeting.

C. Judiciary Committee – Comments

1. Ord. No. ____ An Ordinance Amending the Swansea Municipal Code Section 150.136 Exterior Property Areas for Parking of Motor Vehicles

Motion for First Reading: Made by Trustee Lewis, seconded by Trustee McDonald

Trustee Votes: All ayes

D. Community & Economic Development – Nothing Requested

E. Public Safety Committee – Comments

1. Video Wall Project Quotes for Consideration

Done during committee.

F. Public Works Committee – Comments

1. Pavement Management Program Update – Jeff Reis, TWM

Tabled.

G. Cultural Committee – Nothing Requested

H. Swansea Report Committee – Nothing Requested

XI) Old Business

Trustee Neumeyer said the Santa House needs volunteers. The Village Administrator said he would like to move forward with the hiring process for Finance Manager. He said Kristina put a skill test on the ad. Her and Emily have made heat maps for who passed. Next week he would like to schedule interviews and asked who would like to sit in. Trustee McDonald wanted someone from the finance and personnel committees there to get it done quickly. The Village Administrator and Board President Leopold didn’t want it to be too crowded in there, but the Village Administrator said it could be done. Trustee Thouvenot asked about Thompson’s Gas. The Village Administrator said they explored change of ownership of the right of way. The Village Administrator said IDOT stated Thompson’s Gas would have to buy it. Trustee McDonald said those prices are pretty cheap. The Village Administrator said Thompson’s Gas has a business district application and said he has not heard back from Big R.

XII) New Business

The Village Administrator said they met with the HOA group on Tuesday. Board President Leopold said the HOA group they met with has had concerns for the last year about the apartments and they have met with them every three months. Trustee McDonald said someone from their organization should be on the Planning and Zoning board. Board President Leopold said they are continuously meeting with the group and trying to resolve their problems, and as long as they do that the group should be pleased. Trustee Thouvenot said they are nice apartments and it’s the traffic that’s the issue.

XIII) Announcements

Trustee Parker asked everyone to come to the rotary fundraiser on Feb 24th and said there are 4 rotary members present right now.

XIV) Adjournment

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

https://www.swanseail.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2935