Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Village Committees met March 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Attendees: Board President Michael Leopold, 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, Building and Zoning Director Dan Thomas, and Director of Public Works Rick Tucker

Absent:

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Held 6:00 to 6:09

Chair: Trustee Parker; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V, McDonald, Thouvenot

1. Travel Request- Kristina Essenpreis- IPBC All Member Meeting 3-20-2025

Board President Leopold has letter from Marilyn Neumeyer, she said because of her health issues she has stepped down from her position. She said it has been a great experience and she will have wonderful memories of everyone she has been able to meet and work with. She vacated it March 3rd 2025. Board President Leopold said they need to honor her in some way and asked the Park Board for ideas. He said it’s important for Marilyn to be present to accept the honor but that will be several months from now. He asked for whoever the Mayor is to honor her and give her an award of some sort and make sure she is able to attend. He said she was part of Swansea Patriots and ran the Park Board for many years. He left it up to the Park Board how they want to honor her. Trustee Parker said he visited Marilyn and she was weak but is looking much better. She is hoping to move to Grand Manor and she is currently at St Paul’s in Belleville.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Travel Request For Chief Blomberg & Deputy Chief Howard To Attend The 2025 Illinois Association Of Chiefs Of Police Conference April 22-25 In Lincolnshire, IL

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. Request to Hire Code Inspector- Kelly Vogelsberg

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

4. HR Manager Essenpries said she and the Director of Public Works have worked on public works hirings before and don’t show up to the interviews or get qualified candidates. Someone from Express Employment Professionals came to her and she thinks it will help. The Village would have to pay one and half times whatever they chose to pay the person but the Village wouldn’t have to pay taxes or IMRF for the time until they make them an employee. The Director of Public Works said they vet the candidates and know what the Village is looking for. He said they already send the Village good people to hire. He said the Village had 3 no shows in one day before. The Village Administrator said it is a challenging position to hire for and this type of role is what Express specializes in. Trustee McDonald asked if there are any issues with union. The Village Administrator said no. Trustee Lewis said this is an employment agency that vets them. HR Manager Essenpries said yes. Trustee Thouvenot asked if they are union employees. HR Manager Essenpries said once they are hired they are. Trustee Thouvenot said it might be a concern if people leave before they become union. The Director of Public Works said they have a 90 day probationary period and if an employee doesn’t work out for those 90 days they don’t have to go through the union. Trustee McDonald didn’t want to have a union issue. Trustee Parker said they are under probation until the end of the period and it saves $1540. The Village Administrator said he would like to start moving forward with it to bring something to next meeting. Trustee Thouvenot wanted to hear from the union first.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Meeting Not Held

Chair: Trustee Lanter; Vice-Chair: Trustee Thouvenot

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker Meeting Not Held

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 6:10 to 6:15

Chair: Trustee Thouvenot; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Neumeyer, Parker

1. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Approving A Pre-Annexation Agreement Between The Village Of Swansea, Illinois And Triple Lakes Farm, LLC (Further Discussion Pushed To A Later Meeting)

Trustee Thouvenot said they have to do things with the future developer so it’ll be at a future meeting. Trustee McDonald wanted it delayed because they haven’t answered his questions. He said he can’t vote on it until they have answers. Trustee Lewis said they keep moving it back and he is nervous that citizens might not understand what is happening. He said he understands Trustee McDonald’s position. Trustee Thouvenot said they have a motion to postpone it so Trustee’s questions can be answered. Board President Leopold said they won’t be talking about it tonight so anyone who is here for that can come to April 21st when it will be discussed.

Motion to Move Off Table: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee McDonald

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes:

Ayes: Trustee Parker, Trustee Lanter, Trustee McDonald, Trustee Thouvenot

Nos: Trustee Lewis

2. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Approving A Recapture Agreement Between The Village Of Swansea, Illinois And Triple Lakes Farm, LLC (Further Discussion Pushed To A Later Meeting)

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

Trustee Votes:

Ayes: Trustee Parker, Trustee Lanter, Trustee McDonald, Trustee Thouvenot

Nos: Trustee Lewis

3. Res. No. ____ A Resolution Approving A Redevelopment Agreement Between The Village Of Swansea, Illinois And Triple Lakes Farm, LLC (Further Discussion Pushed To A Later Meeting)

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

Trustee Votes:

Ayes: Trustee Parker, Trustee Lanter, Trustee McDonald, Trustee Thouvenot

Nos: Trustee Lewis

4. Res. No. _____A Resolution Approving A Professional Services Agreement With PGAV Planners, 200 North Broadway, Suite 1000, St. Louis, MO, 63102, For A Feasibility Study And Creation Of TIF And Business Districts For The Triple Lakes Development Area, At A Lump Sum Of $39,500.00 With Up To $500 Of Reimbursable (Further Discussion Pushed To A Later Meeting)

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

Trustee Votes:

Ayes: Trustee Parker, Trustee Lanter, Trustee McDonald, Trustee Thouvenot

Nos: Trustee Lewis

5. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Which Provides For A Feasibility Study On The Creation Of A New TIF District To Include A Portion Of The Village Of Swansea Known As Triple Lakes, And Which Authorizes Expenditures In The Course Of Planning And Redevelopment, Prior To The Redevelopment Project Area Being Established, That May Be Reimbursable From Future TIF Proceeds (Further Discussion Pushed To A Later Meeting)

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

Trustee Votes:

Ayes: Trustee Parker, Trustee Lanter, Trustee McDonald, Trustee Thouvenot

Nos: Trustee Lewis

6. Ord. No. _____ An Ordinance Annexing Certain Contiguous And Adjacent Territory To The Village Of Swansea, St. Clair County, Illinois

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 Lanter

Trustee Votes: All ayes

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Held 6:15 to 6:30

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

Members: Trustees Lanter, McDonald, Neumeyer, Thouvenot

1. Discussion – New Officer Testing/New Eligibility List

Chief Blomberg said only 8 showed up for the test and they will interview 3 on Wednesday night. Trustee Parker asked if any failed the test. Chief Blomberg said yes. Board President Leopold asked if any are decent. Chief Blomberg said yes and the list will last for two years and if they get through the list they have to test again. Trustee Parker asked if there are any laterals. Chief Blomberg said zero. Trustee Lewis asked if they have done everything they can to attract or if nobody wants to be a cop. Chief Blomberg said the Village lags behind nationally and neighboring agencies are spending a lot on promotional videos and getting firms to help. Board President Leopold asked if other agencies give bonuses. Trustee Parker said their salaries are usually higher. Chief Blomberg said salaries aren’t an issue. Trustee Lewis wanted to look into more social workers. Chief Blomberg asked if he wants social workers to become cops. Trustee Lewis said yes because social workers want to do some form of work and they might have more success with that. Trustee Parker said he is shocked by the numbers and there used to be 15 or 20 people testing for a position. Chief Blomberg said Collinsville and Fairview test together and half weren’t qualified and they were eventually whittled down to 5 candidates. Brian McGuire asked if it is an Illinois thing. Chief Blomberg said he isn’t sure and if it was about money Missouri people would come here. Trustee Parker asked if he has advertised in Missouri. Chief Blomberg said yes they use handshake, indeed, and LinkedIn which are nationwide. Trustee Parker asked if he has talked to instructors on the old Belleville Campus. Chief Blomberg said they are working cops and they are having the same problem. He said the current cadets are all from the north. Board President Leopold thanked the Chief. Trustee McDonald asked about any alternatives to make the officers more effective. Chief Blomberg said the LPRs commitment has been amazing and has helped stop crimes. Trustee McDonald asked if all major intersections are covered. Chief Blomberg said not all but there is money in the budget. Trustee Parker said the problem is that it’s only a tool and it isn’t the same. Board President Leopold asked about the cost of LPRs. Chief Blomberg said $12,000. Board President Leopold said there are ongoing costs. Chief Blomberg said the SD cards. The Village Administrator said ongoing costs are not very significant. Trustee McDonald wanted more LPRs. Board President Leopold asked how many more locations needed to be hit. Chief Blomberg said the top choices are old Collinsville and Thouvenot Lane. The Village Administrator said they have been partnering with other communities to reduce cost. Chief Blomberg said LPR is a license plate reader. Board President Leopold asked if it catches people going through red lights. Chief Blomberg said only if they are watching it live. Chief Blomberg said he hopes he can get at least one officer for patrol. He said the officer wouldn’t be off field training until January. Trustee McDonald asked if they should be sending two people away when they are already short. Chief Blomberg said Keith Howard is getting the chief certification exam and this one has a lot of breakout sessions so it is the most important. Trustee Parker said there is possible communication with other chiefs about finding candidates and the Village doesn’t want to lower its standards. Chief Blomberg said the annual report for last year has been pretty busy. Trustee Parker said the officers do a great job and they have great drive.

2. PD 2024 Year End Report Released

3. Res. No. _____ A Resolution Accepting The Price Quotation Of $16,320 From Dinges Fire Company, 243 E. Main St., Amboy, IL 61310, For Four (4) Complete Sets Of Lion Turnout Gear PPE For The Swansea Fire Department

Fire Chief Little said they are budgeted for and a new employee needs the gear, another needs an update, and two were damaged during firefighting efforts. They have secondary sets but need four. The Village Administrator asked what the turnaround is. Fire Chief Little said sometimes early as six weeks but they said eight. Trustee Parker asked how many calls. Fire Chief Little said they are increasing each year. Trustee Parker said he was driving down Huntwood and he saw the firefighters going to a call. Trustee Parker said to thank them. Trustee McDonald said the Village put some stuff out to bid. The Village Administrator said they will have all the information at the next meeting. He said the Village has had a lot of political sign issues and the Building and Zoning Director will run through the sign code. The Building and Zoning Director said signs in the right of way are prohibited and signs affixed to poles or trees are prohibited. He said anything from the utility pole to the street are right of way. Board President Leopold asked if they are storing signs they pick up. The Building and Zoning Director said they store them. Board President Leopold asked if they call the candidates. The Village Administrator said they let the candidates know. Trustee McDonald asked if it specifically says they can’t put a sign in right of way. The Building and Zoning Director says the code specifically says none in the right of way. Trustee McDonald asked if they have them identified on right of way. The Building and Zoning Director said they can’t specifically say for 100%. Trustee McDonald said they don’t know where right of way is but they’re randomly saying where it is. The Building and Zoning Director said code says political signs are permitted under laws of the state and the United States, and the state code says signs can’t be posted closer than 20 feet from the property line or street. Trustee McDonald said they would have to give people a chance to move signs because all signs are closer than 20 feet. The Building and Zoning Director said he understands and deals with sign codes a lot and they are trying to follow letter of the code, and they could reevaluate the sign code. Trustee McDonald said 20 feet from the street should be safe. Board President Leopold said he has never seen signs 20 feet from street. Sherman Pochek said it would be nice to get a curtesy call instead of signs being removed. The Building and Zoning Director said they can but staff is usually busy. Board President Leopold said it would be calling a lot of people but they will try to make calls. Trustee McDonald wanted to give people time to get in compliance. The Building and Zoning Director said understood and there are size requirements based on the type of sign. The Village Administrator said it is a tough situation for staff. Trustee McDonald said for the next round of elections it should be given out to candidates on where they can put signs and have the people sign it. 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 6:30 to 6:42

Chair: Trustee McDonald; Vice-Chair: Trustee Parker

Members: Trustees Lanter, Lewis V. Neumeyer, Thouvenot

1. Res. No. _____ Resolution of Support For The 2025 Community Development Block Grant

Trustee McDonald asked if it was timing issue. The Village Administrator said it was. The Director of Public Works said it is the annual for the past several years sewer lining program that has been beneficial in stopping infiltration and it has been a worthwhile project. He said the grant is $95,000 and focuses around St. Clair Lake. He said they have been repairing a lot of manholes as well. Board President Leopold said he signed a letter to Chris Belt and Jay Hoffman about a $570,000 grant that the Village has been promised that they have been waiting for and haven’t got yet. The Village Administrator said the project area is well defined so if they repair the issues then they wouldn’t be able to use the funds when they get them. Board President Leopold said he has spoken to people there. Trustee Lewis said a citizen there said their car tires were ruined so he asked if it is costing money to not start working on it and if the Village can reimburse citizens. The Village Administrator said it’s not reimbursable. Trustee McDonald asked about 20 ft setbacks for state roadways and if other roadways are fine. The Building and Zoning Director said he isn’t aware of any difference between roads and he can print out copies.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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: 6:43 to 6:44

Chair: Trustee Neumeyer; Vice-Chair: Trustee Lanter

Members: Trustees Lewis V, McDonald, Parker, Thouvenot

1. Board President Leopold wanted to put something about the Swansea Rotary Club fundraising. Trustee Parker said they could and said they could put something about the paddle race for the Special Olympics Cheer Team. Trustee Parker said they are world champs for hip hop.

https://www.swanseail.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03032025-96