Peoria Standard

Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met Nov. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Attendees: Board President Jeff Parker, Treasurer John Walter, Village Clerk Gloria J. Collier, Village Administrator Ben Schloesser, Trustee Brian McGuire, Trustee Sherman Pochek, Trustee Matt Lanter, Trustee Natalie Jablonski, Trustee Brian Thouvenot (on line), Trustee Cary Lewis, Police Chief Matthew Blomberg, Chief Doug Little, Director of Public Works Rick Tucker, and Building and Zoning Director Dan Thomas

1) Call to Order

Mayor Jeff Parker called the Regular Meeting of the Village of Swansea Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 6, 2025.

II) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Parker.

Ill) Roll Call

Village Clerk Gloria J. Collier conducted roll call

IV) Mayor's Announcements/Correspondence

Mayor Parker began by discussing plans to add new signage at strategic locations entering Swansea. He explained that he had taken this initiative further by asking local schools to conduct an art contest where students would design signs for the village. The Mayor presented the artwork submissions and requested that trustees review them before leaving to select two favorites, noting "the kids are anxious to see who's going to win that contest." He emphasized wanting to add color and texture to the village entrance signs through the children's artwork, saying "they did some major thinking with that. It's been really cool."

The Mayor then announced a memorial service for his support dog Homer, who passed away on May 30th. The service will be held October 15th at 10 AM on the second floor of the Saint Clair County Courthouse. Chairman Kern organized the memorial and commissioned a plaque to be hung in the courthouse. Mayor Parker explained Homer's significant work, stating he "sat with children at CAC, that's a children's center" and assisted kids who suffered abuse during forensic interviews. He noted Homer participated in over 1,800 interviews and made numerous visits to High Mount, Wolf Branch Elementary and Middle School to talk about safety. "The dog was loved by all," Parker said, expressing gratitude that Chairman Kern allowed the memorial.

Mayor Parker announced he would be sending trustees a job description for an economic and community coordinator position, asking them to review it and be ready to discuss details at the next meeting. He mentioned strong support from local business people, quoting one who asked "when are we going to get this going?" The Mayor expressed his desire to create an ad hoc committee of business people, particularly retail, to work with this new position on helping existing businesses and attracting new ones. He emphasized not wanting to "keep kicking things down the road" and wanting to move forward if the board agrees.

The Mayor noted that Jim Page from the American Legion was expected but apparently crossed paths and may attend next week to discuss what the Legion does for veterans and benefits veterans may be missing.

V) Mayor's Appointments

Mayor Parker announced the appointment of nine park board members, noting the board "was just about ready to dissolve" before he put out a call for volunteers on social media. He received such a great response that instead of dissolving, they would have nine board members plus two advisors.

The appointments were: Lisa Wilson as Chairperson (3-year term), Kristen Kellogg (3-year term), Roy Lantry (3-year term), Chuck Heinzl (2-year term), Stephanie Hawks (2-year term), Bob Verheyen (2-year term), Tim Carpenter (1-year term), Rose Connor (1-year term), Charlie Pitts (1-year term), with Diane Wickline and Jonas Wilson serving as advisors. Motion by Trustee Lanter, seconded by Trustee Thouvenot, to confirm the park board appointments. Trustee Votes - All Ayes.

Mayor Parker then introduced Lisa Wilson, the new Park Board Chairperson, calling her "a ball of fire" and explaining his decision to appoint her as chairman. Wilson addressed the board, introducing herself as a Swansea resident with a family of five who has lived at two different addresses in the village. She expressed enthusiasm for parks and recreation, mentioning her children attend Wolf Branch and the family frequently visits the parks. Wilson outlined her vision: "Any chance to get seniors in the park, arts in the park, things like that, make it a place people want to go."

Mayor Parker stated he had asked the new board to meet with Heartland Conservatory, who is conducting a parks study, and encouraged them to be "thinkers outside the box," noting the facilities available including "a gym out there in Clinton Hills."

POLICE PENSION

Mayor Parker announced the reappointment of Jacque Thro to the Police Pension Board for a 2-year term.

Motion by Mayor Parker, and seconded by Trustee McGuire, to confirm the reappointment. Trustee Votes - All Ayes.

VI) Approval of Minutes

Board Minutes-September 15, 2025

1. Board Minutes - September 15, 2025

2. Committee Minutes - September 15, 2025

3. Special Meeting Board Minutes - September 25, 2025

4. Special Meeting Committee Minutes - September 25, 2025

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee McGuire to approve the board minutes from September 15, 2025. Trustee Votes - All Aves.

Special Meeting Board Minutes September 25, 2025

Motion by Trustee McGuire and seconded by Trustee Lanter, to approve the special meeting board minutes from September 25, 2025. Motion carried with Trustee Thouvenot abstaining as he was not present at that meeting.

Special Meeting Committee Minutes-September 25, 2025

The special meeting committee minutes from September 25, 2025 were approved as part of the same motion.

VII) Acceptance of Minutes of Advisory Boarfds/Place on File

Motion by Trustee Lanter and seconded by Trustee McGuire to accept and place on file the Police Commissioner Meeting Minutes from September 23, 2025. Motion carried unanimously.

VIII) Park Board Chairman Report

Charlie Pitts reported that the next Park Board meeting would be Saturday at 8:00 AM at the Thompson Building. He provided an update on the Dracula Spectacular, stating that while it would be a smaller event than last year, it would be "better coordinated." He mentioned they had secured "a really great jump center for the kids."

Lisa Wilson added that her mother-in-law would be doing storytelling at the event, and they would have "a couple ghost stories going around from people from Looking Glass Theater." Pitts noted he still hadn't found someone to play Dracula and asked for volunteers. When asked about a slight cost for the storytellers, the board indicated the Village Investment Program (VIP) would handle it. Discussion followed about the Santa House beginning after the Dracula event.

IX) Village Attorney/Village Administrator-Announcements/Comments

Police Chief reported nothing at this time. Fire Chief had nothing to report.

Public Works Director Rick Tucker reported they were "following around a bunch of street projects" with everything moving forward, though somewhat slowly. He noted they had "a lot of things going on in the streets."

Building and Zoning Director Dan Thomas provided several updates. First, he warned that code enforcement had "taken off in a really steep trajectory" and the board should expect pushback from residents. He explained, "we are trying our best to follow the ordinances as they're written even if that is somewhat inconvenient." When asked if he was getting pushback for enforcing the laws, Thomas confirmed they were, noting their intention was "not to be difficult or hammer people for the sake of doing it. It's just to be consistent."

Thomas announced a new complaint intake program starting October 1st, saving the village $15,000 by utilizing existing systems. Residents can access it through the village website by clicking "report a concern." He noted it would be featured in the next Swansea Report.

Regarding Sycamore Village, Thomas reported the owner had contacted him about clearing trees and overgrowth. After Thomas showed the owner the bids, the owner agreed to select one and pay for the work himself. A contractor confirmed the owner had reached out to move forward. Thomas emphasized that existing liens on the property would remain in place.

Mayor Parker asked Thomas to address the CVS project. Thomas explained he had issued the formal building permit after receiving final renderings, and work should resume this week. He acknowledged the site was "a little unsightly" but emphasized this was a redevelopment of an existing building "riddled with mold" and "a complete disaster inside and out."

Trustee Thouvenot expressed strong concerns about the lack of progress, stating his belief that the owners should come before the board to explain their strategy. He argued that with contractors "out busting their humps right now with the weather," the site had been vacant with rain getting into the building. He added, "if somebody's looking at investing in our community right now, they see that and they just keep driving."

Trustee McGuire defended the situation, noting they couldn't start until the building permit was issued the previous Friday. Thomas explained the difference between a professional construction entity and a property owner acting as general contractor. The Mayor suggested waiting two weeks to see progress before deciding whether to request the owner appear before the board.

Rocky McDonald from the public raised concerns about liability, explaining the building sits only two feet from his property line and workers cannot access the back without coming onto his property. Thomas agreed to reach out about liability agreements.

Trustee Lanter noted he had received two phone calls from residents thanking the village for eliminating eyesores they had lived next to for years, providing positive feedback on code enforcement efforts.

Village Administrator Ben Schloesser reported on several items. He announced an emergency repair authorized for Duncan Avenue where undermining and erosion was causing the street to cave in. With approval from the finance chair and mayor, Hanks was authorized to begin work, with excavation mostly complete.

Schloesser introduced the board to Gordian, a job order contracting system that could "wildly speed up our process of procuring work orders for the village." He explained it operates like Sourcewell but for construction work rather than goods, using a pre-bid book of prices. This would help address issues with change orders by providing pre-established prices.

He reported work had begun on the DCEO grant for exhaust removal systems at both engine houses. He also discussed growing issues at High Mount School where transit riders are walking onto school property from the shared use path, with plans to meet with Saint Clair County Transit and school officials.

Schloesser notified the board of a payment request from IDOT for $35,000 to close out the Richland Creek bike trail ITEP project from 2012, proposing to pay from Fund 99. He distributed an opinion letter on committee votes and confirmed the village's grocery tax ordinance was formally under review by the Illinois Department of Revenue.

X) Public Comment –

Rocky McDonald addressed the board regarding compatibility of offices between village trustee and deputy fire chief positions. He cited Illinois Municipal Code stating "a trustee shall not hold any other office under the municipal government during his term," with an exception for volunteer firefighters receiving compensation. McDonald argued that command-level positions like deputy chief are considered municipal offices, not just volunteer roles.

He referenced case law including Rogers v. Village of Tinley Park, explaining that offices are incompatible when one is subordinate to the other or duties are inherently conflicting. McDonald stated the attorney general recognizes firefighters and city council members as compatible but "the ruling does not extend to command officers who exercise supervisory authority."

McDonald requested the board seek an advisory opinion from the Illinois Attorney General or have the city attorney review the statutes and case law, asking to be informed of findings by the next board meeting. He also mentioned discovering that assistant state's attorney positions are incompatible with village trustee positions in the same municipality, suggesting the village should review compatibility when candidates apply to run for board positions.

XI) Report of Committees

Personnel Committee - Comments

1. A conference request for Kristina to attend training April 30-May 1, 2025 at a cost of $975 was presented.

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustec Jablonski, to approve the conference request. Trustee Votes -- Ayes.

2. A travel request for Chief Blomberg to attend the quarterly FBI NAA Railsplitters meeting in Peoria at a cost of $273.46 was presented.

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee Thouvenot, to approve the travel request. Trustee Votes -- All Ayes.

B. Finance Committee Report - Comments

1. Approval of Bills

Trustee Lanter reported bills totaling $763,024.05, noting this included property tax payments.

Motion by Trustee Lanter and seconded by Trustee Lewis, to approve payment of bills. Trustee Votes - All Ayes.

Finance Committee Report - Comments- No additional comments were presented. Placed on Hold: A resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Swansea Authorizing The President of the Board of Trustees to Accept the Proposal and Execute all Documents Necessary for Credit Card and On-Line Bill Payment Service to be Provided by Caselle (Civic Systems) with Fees to be Absorbed by the Customer and Collected by Payment Processor (ZIFT)

C. Judiciary Committee - Comments

Ord. No. ____ An Ordinance Amending Section 70.001 And Creating Chapter 74 Within Title VII: Traffic Code

Motion by Trustee McGuire to read by title only. Motion carried. The clerk read the ordinance title. This constituted the first reading.

D. Community & Economic Development - Comments

1. Ord. No. 1997. An Ordinance Of The Village Of Swansea, Illinois Authorizing The Establishment Of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) "Interested Parties" Registries and Adopting Registration

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee Pochek to approve Ordinance No. 1997. Trustee Votes - All Ayes.

2. Res. No 1-2707 Resolution Establishing a time and place for a Public Hearing to Consider the Redevelopment Plan and Project for the Triple Lakes TIF, specifically 5:45pm November 24th, 2025, at the Swansea Government Center

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee McGuire to approve Resolution No. 1-2707 establishing a time and place for public hearing on November 24, 2025 at the Swansea Government Center. Trustee Votes - All Ayes.

3. Ord. No 1998 An Ordinance of the Village of Swansea That Proposes the Approval of a Business District Plan for the Proposed Triple Lakes District and Fixing a Time and Place for a Public Hearing Date on the Plan and Designating the Business District

4. Ord. No. An Ordinance Annexing Certain Contiguous And Adjacent Territory to the village of Swansea, St. Clair County, Illinois

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee Jablonski to suspend the rules and move to second reading of Ordinance No. 1998 with updates to Section 1. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee Jablonski to approve Ordinance No. 1998. Trustee Votes --- All Ayes.

5. Res. No. 1-2708 A Resolution Approving A Professional Services Agreement With PGAV Planners, 200 North Broadway, Suite 1000, St. Louis, MO, 63102, For On-Call Services At An Hourly Rate, Not To Exceed $20,000.00

Trustee Jablonski requested her name be spelled correctly on the document.

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee McGuire, to approve Resolution No. 1-2708 with the correction. Trustee Votes -- All Ayes.

6. Res. No. 1-2709 A Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the Village of Swansea and The DESCO Group, To Allow the Village to Affix Temporary Solar-Powered Cameras on Utility/Light Poles at the Swansea Schnucks Complex

Trustee Jablonski again requested her name be corrected on the document.

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee McGuire to approve Resolution No. 1-2709 with the correction. Trustee Jablonski abstained due to conflict of interest. All others voted Ayes. Motion carried.

7. Res. No. 1-2710 Resolution Approving Purchase of Two Bus Shelters Within TIF District1 - TBD

Trustee Jablonski requested her name be corrected on this document as well.

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee Lewis to approve Resolution No. 1-2710 for purchase of bus shelters at $21,450 for two shelters. Trustee Thouvenot voted no, stating "for reasons I don't think we're ready for those." All others voted Aye. Motion carried.

E. Public Safety Community - Comments

Approval of Revised Fire and Police Commission Rules

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee Lewis to approve the revised Fire and Police Commission Rules with changes as noted. Trustee Votes - All Ayes. Motion carried.

F. Public Works - Comments

1. Ord. No. An Ordinance Declaring Personal Property Owned by The Village of Swansea and Used by the Public Works Department as Surplus

Motion by Trustee McGuire to read by title only, seconded by Trustee Lanter. Motion carried.

The clerk read the full ordinance declaring various vehicles and equipment as surplus. Trustee Jablonski requested her name be updated on the document. This constituted the first reading.

2. Res. No. 1-2711 Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a New Pegasus $5 Mower with Quattra Blade System At A Price Of $65,865.50 From Erb Turf & Utility Equipment, Inc., 1500 Boul Avenue, Swansea, IL 62226

Trustee Jablonski requested her name be corrected.

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee McGuire to approve Resolution No. 1-2711. Trustee Votes - All Ayes. Motion carried.

3. Res. No. 1-2712 A Resolution Approving the Price Quotation Of $6,810.00 For the Purchase of a Sure-Trac 7x24 Top Tube Trailer from Camper Exchange Inc., 1401 S. Illinois Street, Belleville, IL 62220

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee McGuire to approve Resolution No. 1-2712. Trustee Votes - All Ayes.

4. Res. No. 1-2713 A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase Of A New 2025 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, From Broadway Ford Truck Sales, Inc., 812 E. Taylor Street, St. Louis, MO 63147, For the Swansea Public Works Department, At A Purchase Price Of $49,300.00

Trustee Jablonski requested her name be updated.

Trustee Thouvenot asked how many more vehicles were in the budget, to which staff confirmed this was the last for Public Works.

Motion by Mayer Parker and seconded by Trustee McGuire to approve Resolution No. 1-2713. Trustee Votes - All Ayes. Motion carried.

G. Cultural Committee - Nothing Requested at Agenda Time

H. Swansea Report Comments

Draft November Report Articles due to sproffitt@swanseail.org October 23rd

The deadline for November report articles was announced as October 23rd.

XII) Old Business

No old business was discussed.

XIII) New Business

Trustee Lanter raised the issue of extending the sewage deduction period for summer water usage. He explained the current ordinance allows deductions from May 1st to August 31st for lawn watering and pool filling, but residents have requested extending it through September due to continued hot weather. Lanter sought the board's temperature before investing administrative time in an ordinance change.

Board members expressed support, with Trustee Thouvenot commenting "Climate change" and others agreeing it would be a good idea to examine. Mayor Parker directed Dan Thomas to look into the ordinance change.

XIV) Announcements

Mayor Parker announced that the Wolf Branch girls' softball team had made it to state finals, playing Tuesday with potential championship or consolation games Thursday. The fire and police departments would escort them back to town around 8 PM Thursday, with a celebration at Wolf Branch School. The Mayor mentioned his granddaughter plays third base and he would be attending in Marion,

Trustee Lewis announced that The Social Kitchen food truck in Swansea received a national award from the Better Business Bureau or similar organization. He emphasized the need to support this nationally recognized Swansea restaurant.

Trustee McGuire reminded everyone about the Fire Department open house on Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM at Engine House 2 on Huntwood Road.

Trustee Thouvenot inquired about open burn dates, expressing concern about a resident burning on Old Collinsville Road during drought conditions. Discussion followed about the November 15th start date and the fire department's ability to cancel burn days during high-risk conditions. Administrator Schloesser confirmed Fire Chief Little had cancelled burn days in the past and sent notices on high-risk days.

XV) Adjournment

Motion by Mayor Parker and seconded by Trustee Jablonski to adjourn. Trustee Votes - All Ayes. Motion carried unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned.

 https://www.swanseail.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10062025-137