Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met Dec. 2.

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 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: Trustee Marilyn Neumeyer

I) Call to Order

II) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag

III) Roll Call

IV) Mayor’s Announcements/Correspondence

None.

V) Approval of Minutes

1. Board Minutes- November 18, 2024

2. Committee Minutes- November 18, 2024

3. Personnel Executive Session Minutes- November 18, 2024

Trustee McDonald wanted the personnel minutes to reflect that Board President Leopold said they were not going to talk about the police union.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

VI) Acceptance Of Minutes Of Advisory Boards/Place On File

None.

VII) Park Board Chairman Report

Not present.

VIII) Village Attorney/Village Administrator-Announcements/Comments

The Village Administrator said they lost a long time public works member. Dave Yarber died from cancer. He said he was a wonderful employee and nice man.

IX) Public Comment

None.

X) Report of Committees

A) Personnel Committee – Comments

1. Travel Request for Chief Chief Blomberg to Attend the Annual FBI National Academy Associates Executive Board Meeting – Swearing-In Ceremony as 2nd Vice President of the Railsplitters Division

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Request to Hire POC FF - Julieann Ellis

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

B) Finance Committee Report – Comments

1. Approval of Bills

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Ord. No.1981 An Ordinance Of The Village Of Swansea, St. Clair County, Illinois, Establishing Tax Levies For All Corporate Purposes To Be Levied Against All Property Subject To Taxation Within The Village Of Swansea, Illinois For The Purpose Of Providing Funds For The Fiscal Year Commencing May 1, 2025 And Ending April 30, 2026

Trustee McDonald wanted the increase to be shown in the motion next time. Trustee Lanter said they have to read it line by line next time.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

C) Judiciary Committee – Nothing Requested

D) Community & Economic Development – Comments

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

The Building and Zoning Director said petitioner submitted a diagram of dimensions of driveway and depicted vehicles. Trustee McDonald asked how they motion to deny it. Trustee Lanter said they do it in the affirmative and deny it. Trustee McDonald didn’t want to do spot zoning and said it was not designed to be a duplex. Trustee Lewis said it gives the opportunity but not the right. Trustee McDonald said they can’t tell the next person no if it’s the same dimensions. A member of the public said it will be two three bedroom units and she feels it is still in the character of the community. Trustee McDonald said from the legal description it would be a duplex.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

Motion to Approve: Made by Trustee Lewis, not seconded

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes:

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

Abstains: Trustee McDonald

3. Res. No. 1-2652 A Resolution Authorizing The President Of The Board Of Trustees And The Village Clerk To Affix Their Signatures To An Annexation Agreement With JMT Enterprises Group, Inc.

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

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

Abstains: Trustee McDonald

E) Public Safety Committee – Nothing Requested

F) Public Works Committee – Comments

1. Res. No. 1-2653 A Resolution Authorizing The Purchase Of A New 2024 Ford F-600 Cab And Chassis For The Public Works Department For A Total Purchase Price Of $71,252.00 From Weber Commercial Truck Center, 957 W. Pontoon, Granite City, lL 62040

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

G) Cultural Committee – Nothing Requested

H) Swansea Report Committee – Comments

1. Draft of January Report- please email articles to sproffitt@swanseail.org Articles due to Stefanie by December 20th

XI) Old Business

Trustee Thouvenot said the approved car business across from the Police Department placed cars there already without permit and didn’t do any improvements. They were there Sunday and there was a social media post to purchase vehicles. He thinks it’s out of line and thanked the Building and Zoning Director for getting the vehicles removed. He didn’t want to approve the permit until they get the state license and do the improvements. The Building and Zoning Director said he had a lengthy discussion with them and they are aware that no business will be conducted. They are required to get a used dealership license from the Secretary of State. The Village will require they gets the state license and they are aware. Trustee McDonald asked if the Village will have the same problem as further down the street. The Building and Zoning Director said he doesn’t think so since the stipulations are different and they did their due diligence to prevent it. Trustee McDonald asked if they can deny the permit. The Building and Zoning Director said he would not recommend that. The Village Administrator asked if the Board would like it. Trustee Parker asked if it was on purpose. The Building and Zoning Director said they did it on purpose to sell them but they said it was a private sell to cover upfront costs. The Building and Zoning Director said they broke their promise but agreed to remove the cars. He wouldn’t like to start the precedent of revoking business registrations for a simple mistake. Trustee McDonald said it is up to the Building and Zoning Director. Trustee Thouvenot said he wanted to bring it to the Board and said it is disappointing. Board President Leopold said they will have to hold his feet to the fire. The Building and Zoning Director said he doesn’t feel comfortable pulling the business license and the owner has to do an occupancy permit inspection next week. Board President Leopold asked to keep them informed.

XII) New Business

None.

XIII) Announcements

Board President Leopold said the lighted Christmas parade is the 6th. Chief Blomberg said Keith Howard is graduating and he will fly out to see him. Board President Leopold asked if they have a graduation ceremony and if the Village could give him a plaque. Chief Blomberg said sure. Trustee McDonald said it is something to be proud of.

XIV) Adjournment

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

Trustee Votes: All

https://www.swanseail.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12022024-82