Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Village Committees met Feb. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Attendees: Board President Michael Leopold, Village Clerk Tyler Thompson, Village Administrator Ben Schloesser, Trustee Jeff Parker, Trustee Richard “Rocky” McDonald, Trustee Brian Thouvenot, Trustee Cary Lewis, Police Department Chief Matt Blomberg, Deputy Police Department Chief Keith Howard, Fire Department Chief Doug Little, and Director of Public Works Rick Tucker

Absent: Treasurer John Walter, Trustee Marilyn Neumeyer, and Trustee Matt Lanter

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Held 6:04 to 6:16

Chair: Trustee Parker; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V, McDonald, Thouvenot

1. Travel Request- The Village Administrator Schloesser- IML 2-3-2025

Trustee McDonald asked if it would help the new code enforcement with new laws. The Village Administrator said absolutely, he would be all for it. Trustee McDonald said it would be worth it. Everyone was in favor. The Village Administrator and Dan are going.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. ACE Award Presentations to Officers Lindley, Hewitt, & Schackmann

Chief Blomberg said the ACE award is an annual award for officers who do great self-initiated work. He wanted to recognize their work for doing that. Chief Blomberg presented them with the awards. He said they are chomping at the bit to do important arrests.

3. Officer of the Year Award Presentation to Officer Matt Lindley

Chief Blomberg said it is the fourth time Officer Lindley is getting it and it is based on voting by the officers. He won it unanimously. He had 115 arrests last year, Chief Blomberg said special units seek him out for assistance in finding fugitives because he is so good. He is also a field trainer. He got an award for an arrest last St. Patrick’s Day. Chief Blomberg said he appreciates it. Board President Leopold said this is what makes Swansea a great place to live. Trustee Parker said it is a great police department.

4. Officer Lindley Received A Certificate Of Merit At The 2025 SILEC/SIPCA Awards Banquet On January 23, 2025 For His Arrest Of A Heavily Armed Suspect During The 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

5. Request To Hire POC FF – Thomas Voellinger

Fire Chief Little said he is very eager and he passed physicals. Trustee Parker asked about the Facebook reels. Fire Chief Little said First Arriving has been promoting the fire department. He had some inquiries into the part time day shift position and there are several promising candidates.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Held 6:16 to 6:20

Chair: Trustee Lanter; Vice-Chair: Trustee Thouvenot

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker

1. Memo- Budget Process For FY2026

The Finance Manager is not present because of illness. Board President Leopold said this is the first time he has seen it broken out like this and it is very detailed. He said to tell the Finance Manager it is appreciated. The Village Administrator said they are learning the new budgeting software and training ClearGov software. Trustee McDonald asked how to make the process laid out like this if they lost the finance person. The Village Administrator said this was originally his document and it is usually internal but he wanted to show it to them. Trustee Thouvenot asked about federal funding and existing grants. The Village Administrator said the federal grant is for Gilbert Street reconstruction. It is two phases but no guidance. He doesn’t expect funds to be withheld and they are far in the future so it will likely not be affected by the pause. He said he met with heartlands about a comprehensive plan and decommissioning the dam for the Clinton Hills wetlands classroom project. They are trying to rework funding sources for that project. Trustee Lewis said the wetland project would be hardest to get federal funding for. The Village Administrator said yes, out of the two. Trustee Lewis asked about Gilbert. The Village Administrator said he hasn’t seen anything about infrastructure being affected long term but he will let he board know if it is. 2. Project Timeline For FY26 Budget

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Held 6:20 to 6:38

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

Members: Trustees Lanter, Neumeyer, Parker, Thouvenot

1. Executive Session to Review Previous Executive Minutes

Trustee Lewis said it is for looking at previous executive minutes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Lewis said they will stay confidential. Trustee Lewis said they did not see anything to make public due to their sensitive nature

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Held 6:38 to 6:39

Chair: Trustee Thouvenot; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker

1. Ord. No. _____ An Ordinance Declaring The Parcel Located At 320 Arbor Drive Owned By The Village Of Swansea As Surplus And Authorizing The Village Administrator To Affix Their Signature To A Contract For The Sale Of Said Property

The Village Administrator said they already passed the ordinance but there were errors. It was rewritten and repassed because there is a new company for it to be purchased under. It is a local investor

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 6:39 to

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

Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, Neumeyer, Thouvenot

1. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Authorizing The Purchase Of Three (3) New 2024 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD Patrol Vehicles Plus Equipment For A Purchase Price Of $62,778.00 Each, At A Total Purchase Price Of $188,334.00 From Morrow Brothers Ford, 1242 Main Street, Greenfield, IL 62044

Chief Blomberg said it takes 9 to 10 months to get a car so they are ordering it now. Trustee McDonald wants years and milage. Chief Blomberg said they don’t know which cars they are getting rid of yet. The Village Administrator asked if he wants to know the vehicles they are getting rid of. Trustee McDonald said he wants it on the purchase. Board President Leopold said they can’t know that since it is 9 months from now. Chief Blomberg said they will be getting rid of hybrids. The Village Administrator said they can bring the info when they bring the surplus ordinance. Trustee McDonald wants the village to know which ones are being replaced so people know they are not new vehicles. The Village Administrator said it’s a good thing to say but it’s how to say it that’s the problem. The Village Administrator said they have a capital plan to replace 3 cars every year. Trustee Thouvenot asked when cash changes hands. Chief Blomberg said this is just to get in the ordering process. Motion to Forward: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee McDonald

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: Held: 6:43 to 6:46

Chair: Trustee McDonald; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V. Neumeyer, Thouvenot

1. Trustee McDonald said they got a new hot asphalt truck and it is a great investment. Board President Leopold asked if it is a busy year. The Director of Public Works said yes. Board President Leopold said they only knocked over one mailbox. Board President Leopold said someone complained about them only plowing one side of a street. Board President Leopold said they do a good job and they work all night. Trustee Parker said some of them haven’t plowed before. The Director of Public Works said it’s the most intense snow they’ve seen. Board President Leopold said if he only gets one email it’s a bonus. The Director of Public Works said they followed through.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

CULTURAL COMMITTEE: Held 6:47 to 6:58

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

Members: Trustees Lanter, Neumeyer, Parker, Thouvenot

1. Trustee Lewis said some residents wanted to speak. Joel House from Larkin Meadows asked about storage facilities. The Village Administrator said the Village received the new submittal last week and they will be at the March planning and zoning meeting. He has not reviewed the documents yet. Joel said there are concerns in the subdivision about home values. Board President Leopold said to attend the March 11th planning and zoning meeting. He said the developers will put the plan forward on what they want to do. Joel wanted to revisit traffic signs and there have been some incidents at the corner, and there is a lot of congestion because there are families with a lot of cars. He said when people enter off Llewellyn if they enter at the same time someone is leaving they won’t see each other. He said it turns into one lane basically. Another member of the public said the Chief said if it is within a certain amount of feet from the fire hydrant they can call the police. Chief Blomberg said it is the Board’s discretion but the problem is that if they put a sign there then all the other neighborhoods will want one because they are the same make up. Board President Leopold asked if there are any other no parking signs in Larkin Meadows. Chief Blomberg said no. Trustee McDonald said if it is an ongoing problem take pictures and if it is every day then they need documentation. Trustee McDonald said the photos will tell how often it happens. Board President Leopold asked the frequency. Joel said weekends and evenings. Another member of the public said the school bus goes through there and sometimes they have to stop. Trustee McDonald said times and dates will help. Trustee Lewis said he has gone out there and seen the congestion. Trustee Lewis thinks they should erect a sign. Joel asked Chief Blomberg if his concern is cost. Chief Blomberg said it depends on the type of sign. A no parking sign is the Board’s discretion but he would need to check for standing. Another member of the public asked about a no parking after this point sign. The Village Administrator said as long as they can identify it as a unique situation otherwise it would be challenging. Another member of the public apologized to the Chief. Board President Leopold said to bring it back and they will address it. Joel said the street is cracking on the main road. The Director of Public Works said they found where there could be hollow areas under the street. He didn’t recall major cracking. Joel said it is a different area by townhouses. He said the street is caving in. The Director of Public Works said he will take a look at it and thanked them for bringing it up. The Village Administrator said they can call or email for him to give them the packet for the march meeting.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

SWANSEA REPORT COMMITTEE: Meeting Not Held

Chair: Trustee Neumeyer; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Parker, Thouvenot

1. Draft March Swansea Report- articles due to Stefanie by February 20th email: sproffitt@swanseail.org

Meeting Not Held

https://www.swanseail.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02032025-92