Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Village Committees met Jan. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Attendees: Treasurer John Walter, Village Clerk Tyler Thompson, Village Administrator Ben Schloesser, Trustee Jeff Parker, Trustee Matt Lanter, Trustee Richard “Rocky” McDonald, Trustee Brian Thouvenot, 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: Board President Michael Leopold and Trustee Marilyn Neumeyer

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Held 6:00 to 7:01

Chair: Trustee Parker; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V, McDonald, Thouvenot

1. Executive Session: “Collective Negotiating Matters Between The Public Body And Its Employees Or Their Representatives, Or Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules For One Or More Classes Of Employees.” 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(2). Motion to Enter: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Lewis

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Travel Request- Finance Manger- Kari Speir- IGFOA Downstate Chapter Conference Feb. 10-11, 2025 Motion to Forward: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Thouvenot

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. Officer Paul Wuller – 20th Anniversary (January 6)

Trustee Parker congratulated the officers.

4. Officer Jason Tutterow – 20th Anniversary (January 6)

5. Officer Justin Schutzbach – 10th Anniversary (January 12)

6. CPA John Lynch Submitted His Resignation to Join the U.S. Marine Corps

Trustee Parker thanked him and said good luck.

7. Travel Request- Chief Blomberg and Deputy Chief Howard– Annual Southern Illinois Criminal Justice Summit in Effingham, IL Feb. 25-27, 2025

Trustee McDonald said since the Department is short does the Chief need to go. Chief Blomberg said they are only short one and he is not sending all the sergeants this year. It also counts towards continuing education.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

8. Memo – Accounting Administrative Assistant

The Village Administrator said during the organizational analysis and tax levy process they spoke about an administrative assistant to help. He thinks they could speed up the process and he would like to promote Amy Neutzling because she has taken up many of the duties and she has a background in accounting. It would save money versus hiring a new person and he thinks she would be able to handle it. He said it is an important position because there is currently no backup for payroll and it would take time and manhours away from the Finance Manager. He thinks it is a good use of funds and would result in better service. Trustee Lewis asked if she would be stationed out of the sewer department. The Village Administrator said she would be in the same place. Trustee McDonald asked if they would be hiring anyone additional. The Village Administrator said no. He wants to look at a finance software that he thinks would help accomplish goals. Trustee McDonald said sewer billing is every other month and he doesn’t like making changes in the middle of the year but this makes sense. Trustee Parker said in his study many places have assistants so this is very good.

9. Approval of Accounting Administrative Assistant Job Description

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

10. Stefanie Proffitt – Village of Swansea Pay Rate Change

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

11. Amy Neutzling - Village of Swansea Pay Rate Notification and Title Classification Change

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Held 7:01 to 7:07

Chair: Trustee Lanter; Vice-Chair: Trustee Thouvenot

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker

1. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Accepting The Price Quotation Of $39,175.00 From CLEARGOV, 2 Mill & Main, Suite 630, Maynard, MA 01754, For A Sixteen (16) Month Contract For Operational And Capital Budgeting Software The Village Administrator said this will help with efficiency in the finance department. They currently use accounting software for budgeting but it is not efficient and cumbersome and it takes a lot of extra work. He said the software is expensive. It is web based so it is easily accessible and it helps create digital budget books. It is in a layman accessible format and would help streamline the budget process and it requires less tools for the budget process. It takes information from the accounting system and updates to it. The number of spreadsheets will be less. He said it is expensive but there will be cost savings. The contract represents FY25 and FY26. He said it would be a good use of ARPA funds to see if they like it. Trustee McDonald asked who else uses it. The Village Administrator said Glen Carbon does and Highland will be about to. Trustee McDonald said Collinsville has a good budget. The Village Administrator said that is the type of robust software. Trustee Thouvenot asked if training is provided. The Village Administrator said yes. Trustee McDonald asked if Amy will do it. The Village Administrator said Amy and Kari. Trustee McDonald said ARPA funds should be used and asked if there is a renewal. The Village Administrator said if they renew there is an annual increase but no obligation.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Meeting Not Held

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

Members: Trustees Lanter, Neumeyer, Parker, Thouvenot

Meeting Not Held

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Held 7:07 to 7:23

Chair: Trustee Thouvenot; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker

1. Executive Session: “Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.” 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11). Motion to Enter: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Ord. No. _____ An Ordinance Granting A Special Use Permit For A Group Home At 225 Woodridge Drive Trustee Thouvenot said this is for granting a special use permit. A public hearing was held last Monday for the planning and zoning board. Both were forwarded affirmative to this Board. The Building and Zoning Director said stipulations have been put on the properties. For the Wood Ridge property they said a max occupancy of 8 and it needs to be registered as a rental property. They need a retroactive building permit for work they did last year putting up a wall. They will need an occupancy permit within 7 days of approval and they will need to modify the permit when someone new moves in. They must have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. The special use permit is nontransferable upon change of ownership. If the property is sold or foreclosed on the permit is revoked. The stipulations are the same for Brian Drive except for that property it is s max of 11 including children related by family, blood, or adoption since it is a women and children house. If they make that house for men they would have to get a permit again. Trustee McDonald asked if the rental properties are owned by someone out of state and if someone is required to be local that the Village can contact. The Building and Zoning Director said that is for vacant property registration but these people are aware the Village will contact them if there are issues and if it escalates the Village will take the owner to court. Trustee Thouvenot said some citizen concerns were quality of life issues and safety. He said these are families by definition and are treated the same as other families. He said neighbors can discuss it with the group home but if there are things that cant be remedied that way the Village code enforcement or police can be notified. He said the Village needs to enforce its codes and they have to treat them the same. He said hopefully they will all be good neighbors and there are no issues. A member of the public from Rosewood said he recognizes the Village has to approve it and there’s nothing they can do. He said the Rosewood residents can get heated and if there is a parking violation they will let the Village know. He said there was discussion about home values and he wants to relook at economic plans, and if the home values are high it will make this sort of thing less economically viable. Trustee Lewis said language like that can appear discriminatory. The member of the public said Oxford House said they have to be economically feasible and each house has to be self sufficient. He said he hasn’t had issues with them yet and he said 8 people have to be in there renting. He mentioned all the vacant properties on 159 and said the economic profile is outdated. Trustee Thouvenot said they acknowledged they have not followed the Village’s rules but they didn’t give good reasons. He said the Village wants to see its people thrive and have places for people in need. He said they have to maintain the integrity of the codes and processes. He said it was made clear to Oxford if they add more homes they need to go through the process like anyone else. He said they have to come to the Village and register so first responders will know how many are in each building. Trustee Thouvenot is happy that they have come to an agreement. He said nobody is getting special treatment. Trustee Parker said he is originally from Granite City and an Oxford Home moved next to his daughter. He said as neighbors they should talk to them and embrace them. They did that and that house is one of the cleanest places. The member of the public said they are not a direct neighbor and it will take convincing. Trustee Parker said he would be glad to talk to them. Trustee McDonald said it says there are no special locks on bedrooms. Trustee McDonald said code enforcement has been saying they need that. The Building and Zoning Director said they need locks on the bedrooms. Trustee McDonald said his grandchildren locked him out of the bedroom the other day and he thinks that it is an insane rule.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. Ord. No. _____ An Ordinance Granting A Special Use Permit For A Group Home At 109 Brian Drive

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Held 7:23 to 7:24

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

Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, Neumeyer, Thouvenot

1. Ord. No. ____ An Ordinance Declaring Personal Property Owned By The Village Of Swansea And Used By The Police Department As Surplus, Specifically A White 2019 Ford Interceptor Sedan, VIN 1FAH92MKXKG112049 With 40,337 Miles And Authorize It To Be Sold

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

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:

Meeting Not Held

Chair: Trustee Lewis V.; Vice-Chair: Trustee McDonald Members: Trustees Lanter, Neumeyer, Parker, Thouvenot Meeting Not Held

SWANSEA REPORT COMMITTEE: Meeting Not Held

Chair: Trustee Neumeyer; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Parker, Thouvenot

Meeting Not Held

https://www.swanseail.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01072025-89