Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met April 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Attendees: Board President Michael Leopold, Treasurer John Walter, Village Clerk Tyler Thompson, Trustee Brian McGuire, Trustee Jeff Parker, Trustee Matt Lanter, Trustee Richard “Trustee McDonald” 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 Dan Thomas

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- April 7, 2025

2. Committee Minutes- April 7, 2025

3. Public Hearing Minutes- April 7, 2025

Trustee Lanter wanted the resolution numbers. Trustee McDonald said there is an issue with what he voted for. Trustee Lewis said it doesn’t show he didn’t approve the last minutes

Motion to Approve With Changes: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Lewis

Trustee Votes: All ayes

V) Mayor’s Appointments

1. Business District Commission

Jason Keck.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

1. Park Board Minutes- March 8, 2025

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

VII) Village Attorney/Village Administrator-Announcements/Comment

1. Department Head Reports

a. Public Works/Sewer

Nothing additional. Trustee McGuire asked if there has been summer help response. The Director of Public Works said it is a full crew and they are showing up every day. They changed the interview process and they are doing well.

b. Police Department Stats

Chief Blomberg said him and the Deputy Chief are leaving for the chief conference and later he is leaving on vacation. Board President Leopold asked about the young boy going to every police department. Chief Blomberg said 203 agencies that were there so there are 1100 agencies he has been sworn into so he is the world record holder. Board President Leopold said it is the boy that was at the State of the Union that had brain cancer. Chief Blomberg said it’s terminal and he has had 13 brain surgeries. Chief Blomberg said he has beaten the odds so far.

c. Fire Department Monthly Stats

Fire Chief Little said March was increasingly busy. He said one of busiest months. He said he can’t put a correlation and it wasn’t storm related. He said he would like to get more people because the average amount on responses is 7. He would like to get in the 30s again. Board President Leopold said whatever he is doing is working because they are getting more guys.

d. Building & Zoning Department

He said 46 abandoned dilapidated vehicles were tagged for action and 5 trailers tagged for being unfit. He said his report reflects the uptick in action. Board President Leopold thanked him.

VIII) Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer gave his report.

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

IX) Park Board Chairman Report

Charlie Pitts said they are looking at putting on a fundraising event associated with the Swansea VIP group which is Volunteers Improving Parks which was formerly Swansea Patriots. They are working with another organization to put something special on. He said everything is planned for memorial day.

X) Public Comment

Steve Duff said he has been a resident of Swansea for 30 years. He wants the Board to entertain an ordinance prohibiting swing sets and trampolines in front yards. Board President Leopold asked if the Village has anything. The Building and Zoning Director said he could look into it and a prior community he worked at had issues cracking down on that. Steve said in his opinion they belong in the backyard and it doesn’t look attractive. Board President Leopold agreed. Steve said on Twin Lake by the tennis courts there is a section of concrete that has been patched many times. He brought it to the attention of the road commissioner. Board President Leopold said the Village doesn’t have a road commissioner. The Director of Public Works said they recently had a conversation and with the amount of traffic it would have to be when school was out. He said no later than the summer and it is in his plan. Steve thanked them for his time. CEO of World Changers Prep Academy said they are private school in the community on 3 Emerald Terrace. They have a free pre school for 3 to 5 year olds and it is funded by the state of Illinois. She is spreading the world that they are here and she would like to give more details. Board President Leopold asked her to give a flier to put something in the Swansea Report. Trustee McDonald asked if they take special needs. She said they do. 8:30 to 3:30 for pre school. Trustee McGuire asked for her business card to put a link on the website. Steve said he has noticed an increase in solicitors that are not verified by the police and they should have a lanyard. He asked if they could put something in the Swansea Report. Chief Blomberg said it is going in the next issue. Steve said there have been aggressive actions by them and once you open the door there is no security. He said they made an arrest in his front yard a couple years ago. Board President Leopold asked what recourse they have if they don’t have credentials. Chief Blomberg said they get a ticket and if they don’t leave they can arrest them for trespass. Trustee McGuire asked what the fine is. Chief Blomberg said whatever they determine in court.

XI) Report of Committees

A) Personnel Committee – Comments

1 Request to Hire Paid-on-Call Firefighters – Gabrielle Siekmann

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Request to Hire Paid-on-Call Firefighters – Marty ‘Leo’ Montanez

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

3. Swearing-In Probationary Police Officer George Atanasov

Board President Leopold said they were hired last meeting.

4. Swearing-In Probationary Police Officer Jackson Belt

5. Travel Request for New Clerk Training

Trustee Parker said she wanted to look at some training and the Village Administrator was looking into it. Board President Leopold said he doesn’t see a problem with it they just need information.

2 Finance Committee Report – Comments

1. Approval of Bills

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. General Fund Analysis

3. Ord. No. 1987 An Ordinance Enacting The Annual Municipal Budget For The Village Of Swansea, Illinois For Fiscal Year 2026, Beginning May 1, 2025 And Ending April 30, 2026

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes:

Ayes: Trustee McGuire, Trustee Parker, Trustee Lanter, Trustee McDonald, Trustee Lewis

Nos: Trustee Thouvenot

3 Judiciary Committee – Nothing Requested

4 Community & Economic Development – Comments

1. Huntwood Proposed Lease Extension For Cell Tower

2. Request For Motion To Approve The Change Of Use At 1718 Helen St

Nothing.

2. Public Safety Committee – Nothing Requested

3. Public Works Committee – Comments

1. Res. No. 1-2674 A Resolution Authorizing The President Of The Board Of Trustees To Execute A Contract With Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. 4940 Old Collinsville Rd, Swansea, IL 62226, For Engineering And Construction Observation Services On The Rosewood Subdivision Reconstruction, On An Hourly Basis Not To Exceed $78,250

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

2. Res. No. 1-2675 A Resolution Authorizing The President Of The Board Of Trustees To Execute A Contract With Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. 4940 Old Collinsville Rd, Swansea, IL 62226, For Construction Observation Services And Staking On The Gilbert Street Phase I Project, On An Hourly Basis Not To Exceed $98,750

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

4. Cultural Committee – Nothing Requested

5. Swansea Report Committee – Comments

1.Finalize May Report- please email any changes to sproffitt@swanseail.org by April 24th

Trustee McGuire will pass it on. The Treasurer wanted them to mention the Rreasurer was elected as well.

6. Old Business

Trustee McGuire said they tabled the Helen St issue and asked if they gave guidance on what they want to make it pass. The Building and Zoning Director said safety was a main concern. Trustee McGuire wanted to give them guidance. The Building and Zoning Director said they want to use the building as soon as the Village will allow it and they have been making aesthetic improvements. He said it took a while to figure out the proper answer so the application was in limbo and they are ready to use the building. He said the main concern was the safety aspect and he will address it with the applicant. Trustee Lewis asked about parking. The Building and Zoning Director said they had 9 spaces with an ADA. Trustee McGuire said the parking meets the size of the building. The Building and Zoning Director said gaming has been applied for. Trustee Parker said the issue is the street that cuts through. The Building and Zoning Director said it would be beneficial to have them here next time. Trustee Parker said it would be a great idea. Trustee McGuire wanted to put a list together to amend the ordinance. The Building and Zoning Director said the hangup wouldn’t happen again but having something in place to show an applicant would be good. Trustee McDonald said the issue is that it is permitted use and they can’t deny a permitted use. The Building and Zoning Director said permitted use in planned business has to be approved by trustees. Trustee McDonald said they have to clarify why it is not permitted. The Building and Zoning Director said safety is the primary concern.

7. New Business

None

8. Announcements

None

9. Adjournment

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

Trustee Votes: All ayes

https://www.swanseail.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04212025-104