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Peoria Standard

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met Oct. 21

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Swansea Government Center | Village of Swansea Community and Economic Development | Facebook

Swansea Government Center | Village of Swansea Community and Economic Development | Facebook

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met Oct. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Attendees: Board President Michael Leopold, Village Clerk Tyler Thompson, Treasurer John Walter, Village Administrator Ben Schloesser, Trustee Marilyn Neumeyer, Trustee Jeff Parker, Trustee Matt Lanter, Trustee Brian Thouvenot, Trustee Richard “Rocky” McDonald, Trustee Cary Lewis, Police Department Chief Matt Blomberg, Fire Department Deputy Chief Doug Little, Director of Public Works Rick Tucker and Building and Zoning Director Greg Anderson

Absent:

I) Call to Order

II) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag

III) Roll Call

IV) Approval of Minutes

1. Board Minutes – October 7, 2024

2. Committee Minutes – October 7, 2024

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

V) Acceptance of Minutes

None

VI) Board President Leopold’s Announcements/Correspondence

Board President Leopold thanked the Finance Manager for getting the ARPA check for the parks and said they have been waiting for 3 years or more. He said thanks to the persistence of the Finance Manager they got the check.

VII) Board President Leopold’s Appointments

1. Matt Lynch- Park Board Chair

Board President Leopold said the former Chairman’s health is not the greatest so he is stepping back.

2. Charlie Pitts- Park Board Member

3. Fire Chief

Board President Leopold is not ready to make an appointment yet and he still has to talk to the committee. They should have a report next meeting.

VIII) Village Attorney/Village Administrator-Announcements/Comment

1. Department Head Reports

a. Public Works/Sewer Department

The Director of Public Works returned from the Louisville equipment expo and it was about turning away from gas powered and towards battery powered.

b. Police Department Monthly Stats

Nothing additional

c. Fire Department Monthly Stats

He received affirmative reply that they have received a grant.

d. Building and Zoning Department

He said one place on the nuisance property report is back in compliance. Board President Leopold asked about Lotus. The Building and Zoning Director said the owner is bringing Jarden into compliance and he wants to get an occupancy permit. Lotus is next and the owner reached out about liens on the properties. The Building and Zoning Director wants to get access to the properties and the liens remain. Board President Leopold asked if he is agreeable. The Building and Zoning Director said so far but it is going in the right direction. Trustee McDonald asked about homes on N Illinois St. He asked if the Village has filed to collect and take as payment. The Building and Zoning Director said he will have to look into it, but he knows there are liens. The Building and Zoning Director said there is a business district development meeting about Barcomm doing asphalt overlay on their property. He is putting the agenda together for the next planning and zoning meeting. Trustee McDonald asked about the old A and W where they are parking cars in front. The Building and Zoning Director said they have worked on it and there is only one business owner now. He will follow up on it.

IX) Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer gave his report. Board President Leopold asked about the ARPA fund and said they have until 2026 to spend it. The Finance Manager said yes. Board President Leopold asked what is unaccounted for. The Village Administrator said $215,000. Motion to Approve: Made by Trustee Lanter, seconded by Trustee Neumeyer

Trustee Votes: All ayes

X) Public Comment

A member of the public said she came here about a sign in Larkin Meadows and Deputy Fire Chief Little was there. It is a dangerous bend and when cars are parked there they can be hit. She wants a no parking sign there at the bend. Chief Blomberg said there is a hydrant there but if they want a whole length to be no parking it would have to go to the Board. The Police Department can enforce where the hydrant is. The member of the public said that’s not all of it. She said she spoke to Chief Blomberg last month and she wants to know where to go for the no parking. The Village Administrator said it would have to be an ordinance. Trustee Lewis said he wants more direction and to work with building and zoning. Board President Leopold asked Chief Blomberg to go out there and come back with a recommendation. Chief Blomberg will do that. Board President Leopold said to bring legislation if he agrees. A member of the public said in Sullivan Farms on Naughton Way there is a curve and when cars are parked there they have many near misses. She wants someone to come out. Chief Blomberg asked if she means the first intersection off Sullivan. She said 1724 Naughton Way. Trustee McDonald asked if Sullivan Farms has an HOA to stop parking on the street. Chief Blomberg will take a look. The member of the public said by Barbary Way and Naughton Way people park up to the stop sign and drivers can’t see cars turning in. Chief Blomberg said there are stop sign regulations. Trustee McDonald asked if the HOA restricts overnight parking. The member of the public said it does not restrict that. Trustee Parker said many HOAs don’t enforce it.

XI) 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).

Not done.

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 Thouvenot

Trustee Votes: All ayes

C. Judiciary Committee – Comments

1. Ord. No. 1971 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 111: Peddlers And Solicitors Regarding The Hours For Solicitation Within The Village Of Swansea

Motion for Second Reading: Made by Trustee Lewis, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

D. Community & Economic Development – Comments

1. Ord. No. 1972 An Ordinance Amending 154.080 PB – Planned Business District Regarding Notice Of Public Hearing Requirements

Motion for First Reading: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Ord. No. 1973 An Ordinance Amending 154.079 HB – Highway Business District Regarding Notice Of Public Hearing Requirements

Motion for First Reading: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. Ord. No. 1974 An Ordinance Amending 154.070 C - Conservation District Regarding Notice Of Public Hearing Requirements

Motion for First Reading: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

4. Ord. No. 1975 An Ordinance Amending 154.081 LI – Light Industrial District Regarding Notice Of Public Hearing Requirements

Motion for First Reading: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

5. Ord. No. 1976 An Ordinance Amending 154.082 HI – Heavy Industrial District Regarding Notice Of Public Hearing Requirements

Motion for First Reading: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

6. Max’s One Stop Application for Video Gaming Terminals

7. Ord. No. 1977 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 114 Of The Swansea Municipal Code Regarding Classifications For Class B Video Gaming

Motion for First Reading: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

8. Ord. No. 1978 An Ordinance Amending 154.147 Strictly Prohibited Signs

Motion for First Reading: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Neumeyer

Trustee Votes: All ayes

9. Res. No. 1-2646 A Resolution Authorizing The President Of The Board Of Trustees And The Village Clerk To Affix Their Signatures To Various Documents To Purchase Property Located At 425 Timber Ridge For The Amount Of $130,000.00

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes:

Ayes: Trustee Neumeyer, Trustee Parker, Trustee Lanter, Trustee Thouvenot, Trustee Lewis

Nos: Trustee McDonald

E. Public Safety Committee – Nothing Requested

F. Public Works Committee – Comments

1. Res. No. 1-2647 A Resolution Approving The Price Quotation Of $44,064.00 For The Purchase Of Seventy-Two (72) Pile Cloths And Frame Assemblies For The Wastewater Treatment Plant’s Cloth Media Disk Filters From Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc., 6306 N. Alpine Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

G. Cultural Committee – Nothing Requested

H. Swansea Report Committee – Comments

1. Finalize November Report. Please email any changes to sproffitt@swanseail.org by end of day 22nd

XII) Old Business

The Village Administrator said work continues on Triple Lakes and they are making headway. He received a note that the traffic study for Jennings Station was approved. He met with St Clair County Transit to align maintenance of the trail in the Village. He spoke with Bi State about building on 159 next to the Garden St properties. He thanked the Building and Zoning Director for working on ordinance violations and preferred solutions. He has been doing interviews for Fire Chief and met with the brewery about a shared use path. Next Tuesday the APA is putting together a workshop for planning and zoning training. He is getting it to the planning and zoning board but he thinks it could be valuable for this board too. It is at the Gateway Center in Collinsville from 6 to 8. Trustee Lewis said a citizen called him several times about why the SRO is not at High Mount at all times. Trustee Lewis said he knows they can’t take another officer off the street. Chief Blomberg said he has one SRO for 3 buildings. Trustee Lewis said Wolf Branch has resources similar to an SRO there. Chief Blomberg said Wolf Branch has a security officer which has a very different role than an SRO and both require a police officer to be there at different times. Chief Blomberg said they go out of there way to have the SRO at High Mount more because they pay but most of the SRO’s pay comes from Swansea. Chief Blomberg said High Mount gives $20,000 which is a third of the salary, not including pension. Chief Blomberg said Wolf Branch doesn’t think they should be obligated to pay. Trustee McDonald asked if they took the SRO office out. Chief Blomberg said the SRO always shared an office with the security officer. Trustee Lewis wants to make it clear. Trustee Parker said the Chief is right and the officer is at High Mount 2/3rds of the time. He said the SRO is not just for one school and every kid needs an opportunity to see the officer. Trustee Lewis said he wanted to give the member of the public an educated answer. Trustee Lewis said his daughter goes to High Mount. A member of the school board said the SRO leaves next year so the point is moot. Trustee McDonald asked about getting milage from the vehicles being replaced and he wanted Trustee Parker to review the fire vehicle purchase. Trustee Parker said Trustee Lanter and the Fire Chief were in charge of it and the Fire Chief said it is bigger than expected but it has plenty of uses since it can tow things, go anywhere, and fight brush fires. The Fire Chief said it is usable. Trustee Parker said it is something they can use and will last. Trustee McDonald asked about the Clinton Hills timeline. The Director of Public Works said they started immediately. A member of the public said it is finished. The Village Administrator said there was a long standing insurance claim from a year ago about storm damage and the Village will receive payment this week. Trustee McDonald said there will be holdbacks if repair isn’t done.

XIII) New Business

None

XIV) Announcements

A member of the public said the residents of Sullivan Farms are happy with the road repair and it looks good. Board President Leopold thanked the Fire Department for the open house and it was awesome. He thanked the Director of Public Works and Fire Department for helping with the Dracula Spectacula.

XV) Adjournment

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

https://www.swanseail.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10212024-73

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