Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board Committees met Aug. 5.

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 Brian Thouvenot, Trustee Cary Lewis, Police Department Chief Matt Blomberg, Director of Public Works Rick Tucker and Building and Zoning Director Greg Anderson

Absent: Trustee Richard “Rocky” McDonald and Fire Department Chief Chris Tell

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Held 6:00 to 6:10

Chair: Trustee Parker; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V, McDonald, Thouvenot

1. Travel Request- IML Annual Conference- Sept. 18-21 ,2024 - Kristina Essenpreis, Kari Speir and Greg Anderson

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

2. Travel Request- ICMA Annual Conference- Sept. 21-25th- Village Administrator- Ben Schloesser

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

3. Travel Request- IGFOA Annual Conference- September 9-11th – Finance Manager – Kari Speir

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

4. Proposal to Hire Full-Time Code Enforcement Officer

The Village Administrator said it is full time with benefits instead of part time with no benefits. He said there is a significant need for manpower. Trustee Parker said it is well worth it and he spoke to some Granite City inspection officers, and they have 6 people. Trustee Neumeyer asked about the money coming in. The Village Administrator said it is not meant to be a revenue stream and will help the Village. Trustee Lewis said there was quite a bit of inspections with the part time staff and commended them for their work. He said this will be a benefit to all of Swansea. The Village Administrator said there was one full time and a part time previously and Eric averaged six inspections a day. Board President Leopold said they haven’t been able to follow up on everything they wanted to and now they will be able to catch up. He thanked Greg Anderson for catching the Village up. Motion to Forward: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Thouvenot

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Held 6:10 to 6:13

Chair: Trustee Lanter; Vice-Chair: Trustee Thouvenot

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker

1. General Fund Analysis- Sample for Discussion

Trustee Lanter and Kari looked into adding additional columns for comparing to the past. He said it is only two months of data but includes the information that is requested. Trustee Thouvenot said he and Trustee Lanter had a conversation about it and he thinks this is beneficial but he would like the current budget to be period to date. He thinks it would be a better view of where they are. The Village Administrator said quarterly updates from the financial manager would help. Trustee Thouvenot said he is good with it as long as that is changed. Trustee Thouvenot said this will be used well past their terms.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Held 6:13 to 6:28

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

Members: Trustees Lanter, Neumeyer, Parker, Thouvenot

1. Executive Session to Review Previous Executive Minutes

Motion to Enter: Made by Trustee Lewis, seconded by Trustee Thouvenot

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Motion To Declare Previous Executive Minutes As Public/Confidential

The Village Administrator said the Village Attorney reviewed the voting issue and he agreed that they should be voting at the committee level. It is reported to the Board regardless of vote outcome and the Board votes regardless of how the committee votes. Board President Leopold said they set the precedent since they had been doing it forever so they should continue. Motion to Declare: Made by Trustee Lewis, seconded by Trustee Thouvenot

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Held 6:28 to 6:43

Chair: Trustee Thouvenot; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker

1. Ord. No. ____ An Ordinance Establishing Chapter 156, Of The Swansea Municipal Code Regarding Vacant Properties And Dilapidated Structures

Trustee Thouvenot said it changed the definition of multi family property from 10 units to what the MR2 code says. It gives a max of 2 years that a property can be legally vacant. Board President Leopold asked about legally vacant and said some properties have been vacant longer than 2 years. The Building and Zoning Director said the majority of properties listed on the vacant property report are delinquent on property taxes and the Village can declare them abandoned. He said it will get the structure back to a state of occupancy. Board President Leopold asked what if it’s vacant and they have been maintaining it. The Building and Zoning Director said they have 2 years a property can be vacant but then it needs to be fit for occupancy. Trustee Parker said maintaining the property is the real issue. The Building and Zoning Director said correct and some vacant buildings are being sort of maintained. Trustee Parker wanted to get aggressive. The Village Administrator said the Village has no desire to become a long term landlord but getting them back to productivity is important. Trustee Lewis liked the definition of vacant and thinks it is a step in the right direction. The Building and Zoning Director said if a property is vacant for more than 30 days the property needs to be up to code and boarded up with no dilapidated structures or tall grass. The owners have to outline who in the area will maintain the property. Trustee Thouvenot asked if it was 60 days or 30. The Director of Public Works said 60 is the definition for vacant but after they become vacant they have 30 days to register. Board President Leopold said he is in favor. Trustee Parker asked how much money they have available to tear down dilapidated structures and asked if there was a need for a small tax to demolish. The Village Administrator said thus far they have pulled from general funds and said to look at how the first year goes. Board President Leopold said the County coughed up to do one demolition for the Village because it got money to do so. He said the County still has money so there is some leeway to help but the funds should be gone next year. The Village Administrator said if the Village sets up liens or sells the properties the funds should be recycling. Trustee Thouvenot said they budgeted more funds for demolition this year and they can re look at it in the future. The Village Administrator said he agrees it’s good to have it tied to a line item for tracking. Trustee Parker would like the Building and Zoning Director to call the Mayor of Madison to see how they get their properties down so quickly. Trustee Neumeyer said the judge would keep giving violators 30 days. The Village Administrator said that is something they could deal with again. Trustee Thouvenot said for the Village to keep showing up to the court hearings. Motion to Forward: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Lewis

2. Discuss Parkway Drive

Trustee Thouvenot said this report is about the drive on the north side of the U-Haul development which has been delayed. The concern was about the impact on Parkway Drive which would lead into the northern entrance, and the developers agreed to not put an entrance there. A no through traffic sign was recommended. Trustee Lanter asked if they will eliminate the curb cut. The Building and Zoning Director said there is no curb cut, it is just gravel and his recommendation is to take up the gravel and put signs that there is no through traffic. He doesn’t think a curb would be needed. The Building and Zoning Director said U-Haul could compromise but they can’t financially do roadway improvements. The Building and Zoning Director said there are multiple properties on Parkway Drive.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Held 6:43 to 6:54

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

Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, Neumeyer, Thouvenot

1. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Accepting The St. Clair County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Village Administrator said after conversations with County this is their recommendation and allows access for future grant funding.

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

2. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Accepting The Price Quotation Of $12,505.66 Submitted By Utilitra, 200 Lakefront Parkway, PO Box 158, Edwardsville, IL 62025, For The Purchase And Installation Of One (1) Automated License Plate Recognition System At The Intersection Of Sullivan Drive And Llewellyn Road

Chief Blomberg said this allows them to get license plate information and camera footage if there is a criminal investigation. Board President Leopold asked how many the Village has already. Chief Blomberg said two and they are shared, but this one is not shared.

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

3. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Accepting The Price Quotation Of $16,632.00 From WSI Technologies, 9045 River Road, Suite 125, Indianapolis, IN 46240, For A Five-Year Contract For Service And Maintenance Relating To Police Department Call Recording Services

Chief Blomberg said it is not budgeted for, but it is important and the best system to use. The Village Administrator said they have a couple options. They could do a 5 year plan or pay up front. He would like the 5 year contract and they have funds available. Deputy Chief Keith Howard investigated and this is the best.

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

All ayes do all ayes for the others

4. Letter of Commendation received from St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department Captain Greg Hosp regarding Officer Seth Belford

It is a partnership with the County. The job accomplished a lot and Officer Seth did a wonderful job. It eliminated a gang in East Saint Louis and the charges were intense. Chief Blomberg said Officer Hewitt made a traffic stop and he found firearms, ecstasy, and meth. The Metro detail is still going well and they are filling shifts. Trustee Parker said during his time with the State’s Attorney if they made a bust in East Saint Louis it had widespread effects. Board President Leopold wanted to write the officers notes to put in their files.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: Meeting Not Held

Chair: Trustee McDonald; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V. Neumeyer, Thouvenot

Meeting Not Held

CULTURAL COMMITTEE: Held 6:54 to 6:54

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

Members: Trustees Lanter, Neumeyer, Parker, Thouvenot

1. Trustee Lewis said the Special Olympics t-shirt date is coming up. Board President Leopold said it got pushed back to September instead of August.

SWANSEA REPORT COMMITTEE: Held 6:55 to 6:56

Chair: Trustee Neumeyer; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Parker, Thouvenot

1. Draft September Swansea Report. Articles due to sproffitt@swanseail.org by August 12th

Trustee Neumeyer said there are spaces. Board President Leopold said there’s the Firehouse Open House coming up. Trustee Lanter said it is in October. Trustee Parker asked about putting pictures of officers. Chief Blomberg said he would have to do it by squad. Trustee Neumeyer said ponies for polio is in it.

https://www.swanseail.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08052024-62