Village of Swansea Board of Trustees met Dec. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Attendees: Village Clerk Tyler Thompson, Treasurer John Walter, Village Administrator Ben Schloesser, Trustee Marilyn Neumeyer, Trustee Jeff Parker, Trustee Matt Lanter, Trustee Brian Thouvenot, Trustee Cary Lewis, Police Department Deputy Chief Keith Howard, Fire Department Chief Doug Little, Director of Public Works Rick Tucker and Building and Zoning Director Greg Anderson
Absent: Board President Michael Leopold and Police Department Chief Matt Blomberg
I) Call to Order
II) Pledge Allegiance to The Flag
III) Roll Call
Motion to Appoint Trustee Lanter Acting Mayor: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee McDonald Trustee Votes: All ayes
IV) Approval of Minutes
1. Board Minutes – December 2, 2024
2. Committee Minutes – December 2, 2024
Motion to Approve: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Thouvenot
Trustee Votes: All ayes
V) Acceptance of Minutes
1. Park Board Minutes- November 9, 2024
Motion to Approve: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Neumeyer
Trustee Votes: All ayes
VI) Mayor’s Announcements/Correspondence
None
VII) Village Attorney/Village Administrator-Announcements/Comment
1. Department Head Reports
a. Public Works/Sewer Department
Nothing further to written report.
b. Police Department Monthly Stats
Deputy Chief Howard said they received a resignation from Marquis Jones and Jan 4th is his last day. He was hired by ISP. Trustee Thouvenot said it’s great that Keith went to FBI training. He said the 2023 green stickers are expired and it’s hard to miss them. He wants the police to pay attention to it and mentioned the suspect that was caught during a traffic stop. Trustee Parker said that the reason they caught that person was because the officer is an outgoing go getter and the person in the vehicle mouthed “oh shit” when he saw the officer. Trustee McDonald said stopping someone for an expired registration is not negotiable and is probable cause. Trustee McDonald said Trustee Thouvenot brought up speeding along Frank Scott Parkway and someone sped past him going 75mph recently. He asked if the Police Department could set something up there to cover it. Trustee Thouvenot said it is technically a county road and there was an abandoned vehicle in the center turn lane. He called it in and got passed around to different departments. He wanted Deputy Chief Howard to figure out a solution. Trustee Parker said they could put the radar out there and said for the officers to be careful. Trustee Thouvenot said a speed trailer was put out on old Caseyville Rd and people fly down that street. Trustee Lewis asked for candidates for who will be SRO. Deputy Chief Howard said they are waiting for the resignation to drop before they put the posting out and they won’t know until they put it out this week. The Village Administrator asked if they are alright with moving forward for the next candidate. Deputy Chief Howard said there is a new hire candidate that works in Alton right now. He said there is no lateral list. Trustee Lanter asked if the Board had any objections with moving forward with that candidate. Trustee Lewis said he trusts Deputy Chief Howard’s judgment but he wanted someone similar to Marquis. Trustee Lanter said they have one candidate on the list then they have to retest. Deputy Chief Howard said they have to legally use the list.
c. Fire Department Monthly Stats
Fire Chief Little said it was a busy month. He said on Oct 7th the Board agreed to enter into a quote for hydraulic rescue tools to be refurbished. The business was doing a special so the cost went down by 50%.
d. Building and Zoning Department
The Building and Zoning Director said the Planning and Zoning Board public hearing for oxford homes will be held Dec 30th at 6pm at Engine House 2. He brought up some concerns about an abandoned building but it has been taken over by the bank and foreclosed. He met with the attorney last Monday. He spoke to JTS Motors and they will move some vehicles out of right of way.
VIII) Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer gave his Report.
Motion to Approve: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Parker
Trustee Votes: All ayes
IX) Public Comment
A member of the public said the Rotary Club had a successful raffle and they are redoing application to have three awardees for 2025. Applications will become available for 2025. There are more students to contend. She thanked the Swansea Report for discussing the raffle and said there will be an article about the winners of the raffle. The Rotary Club has its annual dinner auction in February. Trustee Neumeyer thanked everyone who has volunteered at the Santa House. Trustee Parker said the people present are outstanding rotary club members.
X) Report of Committees
A. Personnel Committee – Nothing Requested
B. Finance Committee Report – Comments
1. General Fund Analysis
Done during committee.
2. Approval of Bills
Motion to Approve: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Lewis
Trustee Votes: All ayes
3. Ord. No. 1981 An Ordinance Of The Village Of Swansea, St. Clair County, Illinois, Establishing Tax Levies For All Corporate Purposes To Be Levied Against All Property Subject To Taxation Within The Village Of Swansea, Illinois For The Purpose Of Providing Funds For The Fiscal Year Commencing May 1, 2025 And Ending April 30, 2026
The Village Clerk announced the tax levy.
Motion for Second Reading: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Lewis
Trustee Votes: All ayes
Motion to Approve: Made by Trustee Parker, seconded by Trustee Neumeyer
Trustee Votes:
Ayes: Trustee Neumeyer, Trustee Parker, and Trustee Lewis
Nos: Trustee McDonald and Trustee Thouvenot
C. Judiciary Committee – Nothing Requested
D. Community & Economic Development – Nothing Requested
E. Public Safety Committee – Nothing Requested
F. Public Works Committee – Comments
1. Res. No. 1-2654 A Resolution Authorizing The Purchase Of A New 2024 Ford Super Duty F-350 For The Public Works Department For A Total Purchase Price Of $50,025.00 From Weber Commercial Truck Center, 957 W. Pontoon, Granite City, IL 62040
Motion to Read: Made by Trustee McDonald, seconded by Trustee Neumeyer
Trustee Votes: All ayes
Motion to Approve: Made by Trustee McDonald, seconded by Trustee Thouvenot
Trustee Votes: All ayes
2. Res. No. 1-2655 A Resolution Accepting The Price Quotation Of $44,185.00 From Equipment Service Co. Inc., 4415 Douglas Rd., Millstadt, IL 62260, For The Purchase And Installation Of A New Galion Steel Dump Body And H.D. Western Snow Plow For The Public Works Department’s New 2024 Ford F-600
Motion to Read: Made by Trustee McDonald, seconded by Trustee Neumeyer
Trustee Votes: All ayes
Motion to Approve: Made by Trustee McDonald, seconded by Trustee Thouvenot
Trustee Votes: All ayes
G. Cultural Committee – Nothing Requested
H. Swansea Report Committee – Comments
1. Finalize January Report- please email articles or changes to sproffitt@swanseail.org by end of day Friday, December 20th.
XI) Old Business
The Village Administrator said the Santa House is looking for Volunteers. The second January meeting is on the 21st and there will be a meeting at 5:15pm to discuss contract negotiations. He has a resignation letter from Greg Anderson. His last day is Jan 8th. The Village Administrator thanked him for all the help during this time.
Motion to Accept Resignation: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee McDonald
Trustee Votes: All ayes
XII) New Business
Trustee McDonald said they finished the park and he spoke to Sheila. The cost from Hanks was $35,000. He said the Village will be paying all of it but TWM will reimburse for $15,000 of that. Trustee McDonald said they made provisions to High Mount School to help with their sign. He asked if the Village paid too much and the school reimbursed the Village. The Village Administrator said the Village is waiting for the check and he will report back. Trustee McDonald asked if they need to look at anything else. The Village Administrator said he will report back. Trustee McDonald said in the general balances from 2018 going forward there was a big jump in 2021-2022 and when looking at property tax increase they need to have reserves. He would like to know why the reserves changed so he would like an analysis. Trustee McDonald said the sewer numbers were backwards. The Director of Public Works said 54.8% is the average daily flow. Trustee McDonald said the Village will not need a new sewer plant. The Village Administrator said no. Trustee Neumeyer asked for any suggestions for the Santa House and Park Board. Trustee McDonald asked if they need general reserves to be at a certain level. The Village Administrator said yes and he can get it since it is in the code. Trustee Neumeyer asked if everyone gets the IML review magazine. Trustee Thouvenot said yes. Trustee Neumeyer said she hasn’t gotten hers in some time. Trustee Thouvenot said the number of people that want to go to the Santa House is increasing. Trustee Neumeyer said she will discuss numbers one day. Trustee Lanter said a moment of silence for Mike Koeneman. Trustee Lanter said a moment of silence for Dave Yarber.
XIII) Announcements
None
XIV) Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn: Made by Trustee Thouvenot, seconded by Trustee Parker
Trustee Votes: All ayes
https://www.swanseail.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12162024-85
