Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met June 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Lopez, followed by Roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL: The following were present:

Mike Lopez, Village President

Kathy DeHart, Trustee of Public Property & Co Trustee Public Health

Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health (attended by phone due to illness)

Also Present:

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C.,

Steve Roth, Village Treasurer

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the June 2, 2022, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the June 2, 2022, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the June 2, 2022, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez stated that he has received feedback that some residents does not want the food to be served outside at the 4th of July parade being held on July 2, 2022. The Village will have the parade with the food outside, Hyvee has graciously donated all the food and drink and President Lopez is looking to work with 2 businesses in providing condiments. Any trustees that can be there that day and can help out please reach out. President Lopez has received two volunteers to cook the hot dogs and we will have a trustee take photos. The bulletin went out and President Lopez has received good feedback even with the typo. President Lopez wanted to give thanks to the employees who have been working during the last few hot days. President Lopez reminded the employees and the trustees of the board to watch their tones and be respectful when speaking with the public. Treat people with respect. President Lopez stated a home in Jerome sold over market price in 12 hours. President Lopez is considering the Village to host an ice cream social maybe in August or September. President Lopez asked Attorney Brokaw to review the abandon vehicle, weeds/brush, and abandon homes ordinances and sharpen the teeth on the ordinances for the board to review. The new employees are doing well and is catching on. President Lopez stated that has been no development on Shop n Save.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:46 pm.

Alan Diedrick asked Attorney Brokaw if walking with the traffic or against the traffic is the right way. After some time Attorney Brokaw stated that residents are asked to walk to the left of traffic. Alan also asked if residents are allowed to park any which way on the side of the road. Attorney Brokaw stated no you are suppose to park going with the traffic. Although if residents have a parking area off the road they can park any way they can as they are on private property. Alan also asked about the corner of Iles and Park, there is a lot of trash in the ditch and they do not mow the ditch.

Trustee DeHart asked about 1311 Iles a complaint was received but after reviewing the tax rolls, that home is in the City of Springfield. President Lopez will call Springfield Building & Zoning tomorrow and report the complaint. President Lopez will also contact Mr. Schaffer with District 186 regarding the school not mowing up to the road on the property adjacent to Franklin Middle School.

Alan Diedrick stated that the bulletin was awesome and it was the best in the 30 years he has lived in Jerome.

Jackie Bordewick stated that years ago when the Village hosted an ice cream social, it seemed the board had lost interest. Jackie recommended the Village book some sort of entertainment during the ice cream social.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:54 pm.

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith reported by phone that she is working through complaints and fire pit applications. Trustee Smith is reaching out to Sangamon County Public Health on the requirements for the food handling license for the July parade.

Trustee Raftis reported that Public Works received complaints where a car went through a yard at Glenn and Park. Trustee Raftis would like to doll up that intersection and has eached out to Benton & Associates on removing the big grate and somehow dress up the area, that area does flood badly. At the next meeting Trustee Raftis would like to add to the agenda the opening of bids for the Astro van. The exhaust fans in the shop are inoperable and it is very warm in there. Dave is exploring options now and in the mean time we have floor fans trying to cool the area. There is a drainage issue from the Boulevard Town homes and Trustee Raftis has left a message with Nate Bottoms. Trustee Raftis state Dave is making a list of the sight issues that are around the village and Trustee Smith will send out letters to remind residents to trim their trees away from the signs and lights.

Trustee DeHart stated that Trustee Smith and herself have split the fire pit applications, they have had success with the trash can being moved back from the road. Elections will be held at the Jerome Civic Center on June 28th, 2022. Matrix will be finalizing the computer upgrades this week and Trustee

DeHart has received two more volunteers for the library and will work to create a schedule to open the Library.

Trustee Lael stated 2722 Leonard has a junk car, white tahoe and junk on the roof. Trustee Lael has reached out to the owner of the property and it should be taken care of by Sunday by the tenants. There is a car on Reed, Trustee Lael spoke to the resident reminding them that a vehicle can only be on the street for 7 days not in the yard but in the driveway and it needed to have the 2 tires repaired and update the sticker. Trustee Lael stated there is no movement on the vacant lot on Glenn.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated Chief Forsythe completed the audit with the State of Illinois and will be relinquishing several rifles. Alison is doing well in school and she will be done in the beginning of August. Chief Forsythe is looking for an earlier class for Cody to go through. Alison and Chief Forsythe will both be in attendance for the parade. Matrix will be installing the computers in the Police Department.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated the water employees had more training on the new system on Wednesday for the online payments. The system is going live on Friday June 17, 2022 and a letter requesting residents emails will be mailed and it will also be added to the website.

Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 23-04 dated June 16, 2022, totaling $44,482.20. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $15,155.05 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $23,061.72 will be paid from the Water Fund, $434.92 will be paid out of the ARPA funds, $1,321.26 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $602.25 will be paid out of the Motor Fuel. Treasurer Roth stated there is an error on the warrants as the Matco states it will be paid out of Property/Water. Treasurer Roth stated to remove Water, it is strictly Property and on the second page the comcast bill should be 111.51 which is a water line item.

President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 23-04 as amended. Motion to Approve the Bills to be Paid as amended by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of June 2, 2022, via email: Revenues: The Income Tax revenue leveled off from last month, seeming to indicate that Income tax payments came in early or on time more so this year than in past years. Telecom continues to decline, but all other revenue appears to be holding steady. Funds: There are approximately $932,017.58 in the Illinois Funds GRF account after I transferred the funds into the 1% and Cannabis funds. There is $134,806.32 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $45,463.76 in the INB GRF account and $158,489.95 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $255.00; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $702.43; 1% NHR - $488,453.30 (with June revenue included); Road & Bridge - $18,991.94; Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $4,287.08 (with the June revenue included); MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $90,947.45; American Rescue Funds - $75,017.59. Annual Audit The audit will be performed next week, June 21-23, 2022.

OLD BUSINESS DISCUSSION: Trustee DeHart asked to table the Leasing of the Jerome Civic Center until the next meeting.

President Lopez opened discussion on a future date to review executive meeting minutes. After discussion, the board agreed to a date of July 21, 2022 to review the Executive Meeting Minutes.

President Lopez opened discussion for the approval of the purchase of a radar and police speed trailer. Trustee Leigh Irons stated that the Police Department needs 2 handheld radars at a cost of $908.89 each and a speed trailer at a cost of $8,995.00. The radars will need calibrated when they arrive, and it will be about 8 weeks for the speed trailer to be delivered.

Motion to approve the purchase of 2 handheld radars and a speed trailer not to exceed $15,000.00 by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion for the purchase of four speed humps and associated signage for Iles Ave & Urban Ave. Trustee Raftis stated that these are 4 inch humps and are removeable and can be moved to various locations within the Village. Trustee Raftis stated that there are white ribbons in the Village are possible locations that the speed humps can be moved to. Trustee Raftis asked if the Trustees could look at these locations and report back their opinion. Park Ave has seen traffic slowed down. Total costs would be $8,750.00.

Motion to approve the purchase of 4 speed humps and associated signage for Iles not to exceed $8,750.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion on the Purchase of Arrow Board Refurbishing Supplies/Equipment. Trustee Raftis stated the 2 arrow boards needs some refurbishments. One is operable but the other needs some work, 2 batteries and 2 jack light kits. These arrow boards are needed if the Public Works are working on Wabash Ave. Total costs should be less than $500.00.

Motion to approve the Purchase of Arrow Board Refurbishing not to exceed $500.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion for the Presentation of Patching and Micro Surfacing Project. Trustee Raftis stated that they are still working on pricing. This project will not be a full repair, it is a 3/8” to ¾” asphalt topping that would be applied to the streets that re in decent shape, to prevent them from degrading and could possibly last another 10 years. Costs on 8410 sq ft full patching is $39,000 and 31,123 sq yards of the micro surfacing would be $210,000. If the Village wanted to spend an additional $50,000 to $70,000 they could add a tap coat for the dust management. Trustee Raftis asked to place this on the July 7th agenda to discuss again.

President Lopez opened discussion on approval to Purchase of Equipment for the 2022 Ram 2500 Utility Truck. Trustee Raftis stated he would like to purchase running boards and a ladder rack for the truck. These items would be installed by the dealer.

Motion to approve the purchase of a ladder rack and running boards not to exceed $3,000.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion on a Limb Pick Up #2. Trustee Raftis would like to target July 18 – 22 for a limb pickup. Limbs that are out already will not be picked up. The soonest limbs may be out for pickup will be July 11, 2022.

Motion to approve July 18-22, 2022 for the 2nd limb pickup by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion on a Large Item Pickup. Trustee Raftis stated since the bulletin went out referencing a large item pickup he felt it necessary to discuss this. Trustee Raftis has reached out to Lake Area Disposal and they will provide a 20 yard dumpster for $400.00 for one week. Trustee Ralph Irons asked what will be allowed in the dumpster? Trustee Raftis stated he would prefer it be for large items. Trustee Raftis is entertaining the dumpster being delivered to the South bay and have one of the seasonal workers baby sit it and have residents bring their id to allow items to be dumped.

President Lopez opened discussion on Ordinance 23-04 Authorizing the Disposal of Surplus Property. After discussion the board would like to amend it to include the office shredder and to correct the typo of 200 Chevy Astro Van to a 2000 Chevy Astro Van.

Motion to approve Ordinance 23-04 Authorizing the Disposal of Surplus Property as amended by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked the Board to send in to the Clerk by June 30, 2022 any agenda items they are wanting included in the next agenda.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons to go into Executive Session to discuss the minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act for purposes of approval by the Body (5ILCS 120/2(c)(21); Trustee Raftis seconded the motion.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:52 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:04 pm.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 8:05 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis.

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