Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met Nov. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Attendees: Board President Michael Leopold, Village Clerk Tyler Thompson, Treasurer John Walter, 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 Chief Doug Little, Director of Public Works Rick Tucker and Building and Zoning Director Greg Anderson

Absent: Village Administrator Ben Schloesser

I) Call to Order

II) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag

III) Roll Call

IV) Approval of Minutes

1. Board Minutes –November 4, 2024

2. Committee Minutes – November 4, 2024

3. Executive Session Personnel Committee Meeting- November 4, 2024

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

V) Acceptance of Minutes

None

VI) Mayor’s Announcements/Correspondence

Board President Leopold said he got a call from the County about a house to be demolished on 159 and the bid opening is tomorrow.

VII) Village Attorney/Village Administrator-Announcements/Comment

1. Department Head Reports

a. Public Works/Sewer Department

Nothing further than written report.

b. Police Department Monthly Stats

Nothing further.

c. Fire Department Monthly Stats

He said October was a very busy month and he got excellent help. The pump and aerial tests were passed. December 6th is the lighted parade at 7pm.

d. Building and Zoning Department

He said the loan building bid opening is tomorrow, and the Village received a special use application from Oxford homes that will be at the next planning and zoning meeting. Trustee Thouvenot asked about Big R and the issues with the roof. The Building and Zoning Administrator said he spoke to the owner and he indicated that they do not want to move forward with the money for the parking lot since they need help with the roof so the owner would like the fund to build up before they come back. Trustee Thouvenot asked if it was a lack of financials or lack of wanting to get it done. The Building and Zoning Administrator said lack of wanting to get it done. Trustee McDonald asked if the Village can use the money. The Building and Zoning Administrator said yes. Trustee McDonald said doing it now would cost less money. Trustee McDonald asked the Director of Public Works if they are running at 88% capacity. The Director of Public Works said that is not the case and he was in a rush to get the report done. He said it is 11.8% under normal flows. Trustee McDonald asked about when the opening day for Kingdom Park is. The Director of Public Works said it is open and they did a fantastic job. Trustee McDonald asked about the final bill for the trail. The Director of Public Works said they just did the final walk through on Friday so they are still processing.

VIII) Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer gave his report.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

IX) Public Comment

Charles Jones from Sullivan Farms wanted to know about the storage units on Sullivan and Llewelyn. The Building and Zoning Administrator said the owner is still working with a traffic consultant on a traffic study. It might be there at the January meeting. The Building and Zoning Administrator said they will be notified by certified mail and a sign will be posted. Elizabeth Taylor from Brackett St said there are two huskies that run over loose from Gilbert during the day and night and they kill animals. She said it is a big problem and she wants clarification about nuisance animals. Chief Blomberg said they have been cited many times but he doesn’t know about the court cases. Trustee McDonald said to text him their names and he will look up the status. The Building and Zoning Administrator said he will get her name and phone number and he will have code inspectors look there. Elizabeth thanked the trustees for getting the abandoned houses down and she feels safer now. She asked who to talk to about buying land next to her. The Building and Zoning Administrator said he will call her tomorrow. A member of the public said it will soon be time for the Santa House and they are looking for volunteers. He said Trustee Neumeyer has a sign sheet. Board President Leopold asked what help they need. The member of the public needed people to sit at the desk and tell people what to do and take pictures. Elizabeth said she worked with Kemper-Daam and she has been a great police officer.

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.

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 Parker

Trustee Votes: All ayes

C. Judiciary Committee – Nothing Requested

D. Community & Economic Development – Comment

1. Res. No.1-2650 A Resolution Approving The Planned Business Submittal For 1341 N. Illinois Street In Accordance With The Zoning Regulations Of The Village Of Swansea

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes:

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

Nos: Trustee McDonald, Trustee Thouvenot

2. An Ord.1979 An Ordinance Granting A Special Use Permit For A Duplex At 204 Castellano Drive

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. An Ord. 1980 An Ordinance Amending 154.080: PB – Planned Business District Regarding Special Uses Motion for First Reading: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Lewis

Trustee Votes: All ayes

4. Res. No. 1-2651 A Resolution Approving The Variance Request For 1705 Kinsella Avenue In Accordance With The Zoning Regulations Of The Village Of Swansea

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 McDonald

Trustee Votes: All ayes

E. Public Safety Committee – Nothing Requested

F. Public Works Committee – Nothing Requested

G. Cultural Committee – Nothing Requested

H. Swansea Report Committee – Nothing Requested

XI) Old Business

The Building and Zoning Administrator said there is a FEMA rep present. The FEMA rep, Leyla Gulen, said tomorrow was the deadline to apply for assistance but it has been pushed back to December. She said Dec 13th is the deadline and there are two disaster recovery centers in the County, one is the Jordan center and one is in Cahokia, but they will close at the end of the week. She said people can call their number to apply for assistance and they can go on the website. She said renters do not realize they are eligible to apply for assistance and she urges everyone to submit applications. She said out of the counties affected 54,000 applications have been received. There were 9100 registrations in this county. She said renters can receive assistance for many things like temporary housing, storage costs, and other needs. She encourages everyone to apply especially now that the window has been widened. Trustee Thouvenot said people don’t often see the long term repairs after an event. The FEMA rep said their disaster recovery people found people living in homes with bad mold damage. She urged everyone to share the information. Board President Leopold asked to put it on the website. The Building and Zoning Administrator said it is on the website and in the Swansea Report.

XII) New Business

Trustee McDonald said someone who picks up trash sent him a text and he asked the police to watch Munie Dr for drunk drivers because there are a lot of beer cans there.

XIII) Announcements

None

XIV) Adjournment

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

https://www.swanseail.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11182024-79