Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met June 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order President Lopez called the June 20, 2019 meeting of the Village of Jerome Board of Trustees to order at 6:30 pm.

Pledge of Allegiance President Lopez led all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call Present: President Mike Lopez

Trustees Kathy DeHart, Leigh Irons, Ralph Irons, Dale Lael, Christina Smith, Jake Tripp Clerk Linda Wheeland Treasurer Steve Roth Attorney Jason Brokaw

Approval of Minutes

June 6, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to approve the Minutes of the June 6, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. The motion was seconded by Trustee De Hart.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee De Hart, Trustee Tripp, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons Present: Trustee R. Irons The motion carried.

May 16, 2019 Executive Session Minutes A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to approve the Minutes of the May 16, 2019 Executive Session of the Board of Trustees. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lael.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee R. Irons, Trustee Tripp, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons

The motion carried.

Approval of Warrant List 20-04 President Lopez noted that Warrant List 20-04 dated June 20, 2019 totaled $44,453.38. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $11,414.33 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund with part being repaid from special funds and $33,039.05 will be paid from the Water Fund.

A motion was made by Trustee Lael to approve Warrant List 20-04 dated June 20, 2019 for a total of $44,453.38. The motion was seconded by Trustee DeHart.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee R. Irons, Trustee Tripp, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Trons

The motion carried.

Visitors Acknowledgement 

A. Presentations by County Auditor Andy Goleman and Judge Raylene Grischow County Auditor Andy Goleman explained that his office has three full-time employees who are the official accountants for Sangamon County. Their duties include monitoring the internal financial operations of the County, reviewing all bills submitted for payment and passing them on to the Treasurer for processing, being in charge of $101,000,000 worth of fixed assets, and working with the County Administrator on budgets for all County departments. Auditor Goleman is expecting the County's financial situation to improve over the next 18 months, even though there have been big cuts from the Federal government he anticipates higher State revenues.

Judge Raylene Grischow could not attend the meeting.

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:37 pm.

Hal Pilger of Homewood Avenue stated that Jerome is plagued with residents putting branches and trash at the curb even though the Village had announced there will be no branch pickups for the rest of the year. This is degrading the look of the Village and will bring down property values. He asked if there are plans to fine these property owners and what else the Village can do.

President Lopez explained that if the property owner does not respond to a request from the Village to address an ordinance violation there is a legal process that must be followed.

Trustee L. Irons said that last year three to four liens were filed against properties the Village took action on to clean up. This will be done again if needed. Trustee Irons noted that she has been contacting landlords of properties with public health violations and she has been concentrating on properties along lles Avenue, although has also been addressing other properties. It can be challenging to deal with absentee landlords.

President Lopez stated that he had contacted Springfield Alderman Joe McMenamin asking for assistance in dealing with trash along the apartment complex that is in the City but has an entrance on lles Avenue.

Mr. Pilger asked what could be done about trailers and boats that are parked in driveways.

Trustee Lael said that those property owners would be fined if the vehicles were not removed.

Trustee L. Irons said she is working with Chief Estill to develop citations that can be issued by our police officers for public health violations.

Attorney Brokaw explained that letters must be sent to property owners giving them the chance to address a violation before the Village can take action to clean up a property. After that a lien can be recorded to cover the cost of the work. He further explained that unpaid fines must be collected through the court system.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:46 pm.

Reports from Village Departments

A. Public Health 

Trustee L, Irons reported the following:

• Ten fire permits were processed this week.

• She thanked residents who submitted pictures of public health violations in the village. 

• She asked for patience as she tries to address the many public health issues right now in Jerome. 

• She turned in the food preparation application to the Sangamon County Department of Public Health for the July 4th celebration. 

Dave Wilken mentioned that the sewer line going to Subway is still open and barricaded off. It goes through the Barrelhead parking lot. This situation has not changed in two months. Trustee Lael said that Ridings Plumbing had indicated they would fix the sewer line. Trustee Irons said she would address the problem.

B. Public Works 

Trustee Tripp reported the following:

• Matt Cassens has been with the Village for six months and Dave Wilken recently prepared his first evaluation.

• The Public Works staff is working on road patching along the July 4th parade route.

• He and the Village secretary persistently received phone calls from a Georgia company wanting to put out bids throughout the country for the West Grand Court road project. They finally stopped answering the calls,

Trustee DeHart asked where the water is coming from that floods lles Avenue near the apartment complex. Dave Wilken explained that the water comes off the entire parking lot of the complex although drainage should be provided within that property.

Trustee Tripp asked Kevin Kuhn about the possibility of putting in rumble strips at the intersection of Thayer Avenue and Wabash Avenue, Mr. Kuhn stated he will contact the City of Springfield Traffic Engineer regarding this project since the City has jurisdiction of the frontage road at this intersection.

Resident Jose Lopez mentioned that the ditch and culvert at the property north of his on Thayer Avenue have filled in causing water backup during heavy rains. Dave Wilken said he would look into the matter.

Dave Wilken reported the following:

• lles Avenue was closed to through traffic between Welch Street and Leonard Street yesterday so a broken concrete culvert under the road that was sinking could be replaced. The Public Works staff completed the replacement within three and a half hours this morning after which the road was re-opened. They will continue to add rock and seal the area later this summer. 

• On the north side of lles Avenue at Leonard Street there is a drainage issue that goes back to a previous owner who filled in a swale and put insufficient tile to accommodate drainage. The tile fills in causing flooding in the area. The two homeowners along this ditch will work together to correct the situation. There is a storm drain to the north that is set up to take the drainage.

C. Public Property 

Trustee DeHart reported the following:

Several plants have been lost around the Civic Center and at the park due to lack of maintenance. She has been working with Trustee Tripp on these issues and Tripp Landscaping will donate shrubs and a tree. Work to install the plants will start at noon on Sunday and assistance would be appreciated. Trustee DeHart would like to start a garden group to maintain the landscaping. 

• Public Works staff secured the two high bookcases to the wall in the Library so books can now be put on them. 

• The new Library volunteers are working on the kid's room. 

• The Library volunteers will have a unit in the July 4th parade. 

• Once all work is completed in the Library a grand re-opening event will be held. 

• She is looking into having a movie in the park funded through donations. She has located audio/video equipment that can be used and is researching the costs of obtaining the rights to publicly show a movie.

Dave Wilken stated that he and Matt will be concentrating on work at the library and the park after the July 4th parade.

A call was received from a person who would like to honor Mr. Belton, a 65-year resident of Jerome who served in World War II and died in 2014. Next year will be the 75th anniversary of when his plane was shot down over Holland. He collaborated with the Dutch people and they honored him with a plaque displayed in the lobby of the Village office along with two other plaques in his honor. He purchased tulips that were planted on City of Springfield property many years ago in remembrance of this collaboration, although these flowers are now gone. The person would like to purchase tulip bulbs and plant them in Jerome in dedication to Mr Belton.

D. Building & Zoning 

Trustee Lael reported the following:

. Construction work has begun on the Pizza Hut today at the Jerome Mini-Mall. Their contractor finally applied for a permit.. 

• A sign was installed at the Hunan Chinese Restaurant although it is different than what was shown on their plans.

• Work on the new Mexican restaurant is moving along.

• He is tackling many issues in the Village, many of which originate on rental properties.

• He would like to pursue assessing a fee on rental properties.. 

• He is concerned about the abandoned properties at 1620 and 1664 Homewood Avenue,

Attorney Brokaw explained that the Village can continue to mow the properties and record liens to recoup the costs. Any further action will take a long time to get results while legal processes are conducted. The property taxes have been sold for 1620 Homewood although the taxes continue to be paid for 1664 Homewood Avenue.

E. Public Safety 

Trustee Smith reported the following:

• She met with Chief Estill and President Lopez to discuss the budget. The Chief is minimizing overtime hours. 

• Preparations are underway for the next union negotiations meeting scheduled for next Thursday. 

• Chief Estill has dealt with the abandoned vehicle at 19 Homewood Court and it should be removed within the next two weeks.

Chief Estill reported the following:

There are still a number of cars being stolen in the Springfield area. These vehicles are usually left unlocked with the keys in them. A Jerome officer spotted one of these stolen vehicles heading west on lles Avenue from MacArthur Boulevard. When the officer began following the vehicle the suspect fled at a high rate of speed down Lincoln Street so pursuit stopped. Officers responding to the area were unable to locate the car although it was later found abandoned behind a house on Barbara Court. There were two burglaries to unlocked motor vehicles in the 1300 block of Glenn Avenue and the 1700 block of lles Avenue. A credit card taken from one of the vehicles was used at a local gas station where the suspects were caught on camera; however, the subjects have yet to be identified. Officers have taken the LEADS (related to using mobile computers in police vehicles) recertification test bringing them up-to-date on mandatory certification laws.

F. Water Department 

Trustee R. Irons reported the following:

• He met with a gentleman working with the Illinois EPA to discuss the process for distributing the annual water quality report to water customers. This year the report will be posted on the village website rather than being mailed to customers. A postcard will be sent to customers directing them to the website for access to the report. This will become the process for distributing the report going forward.

G. Village Treasurer 

Treasurer Roth reported the following:

• We have received all tax revenues from the State of Illinois for June, the MFT for May, and Gaming Revenue for April.

• Revenue is down for Sales Tax, 1% Tax, Telecom and MFT as compared to this time last year. Sales and 1% Tax revenue is $22,728.25 less than it was last year at this point.

• Gaming Revenue for FY219 was up again slightly from the year before, as it has done for the last four years.. 

• Checks for the June 6th warrants were mailed out right after that meeting. Payroll was met for June 15th Checks will be mailed out following this meeting.

• The balances of various accounts are approximately as follows:

> Illinois Funds General Revenue Account - $319,646 

> Motor Fuel Tax Fund - $23,018

INB General Revenue Account -$35,510 

> INB Water Account - $358,160

► 1% Account - $342,823

H. Village Clerk 

Clerk Wheeland reported the following:

• The Village received a letter this week from IDOT confirming their continued support to split the maintenance costs for the traffic signal at Wabash Avenue and Leonard Street for the next State fiscal year. Clerk Wheeland will be submitting a bill to IDOT in July for one-half the annual electrical costs of operating the traffic signal. This should amount to about $300. 

• She talked with President Lopez about the need to put out a bulletin to inform residents of the several projects underway and to remind them of programs that have been cut back this year due to budgetary constraints. She asked Board members to submit articles to her by next Friday.

I. Village Attorney 

Attorney Brokaw reported the following:

• In years past the Board has annually approved prevailing wage rates. This responsibility is shifting back to the Illinois Department of Labor (IDL). The Village should notify any contractor for a job that they are subject to the prevailing wage rates that can be obtained from the IDL.

J. Village President 

President Lopez reported the following:

• The Village will continue to aggressively pursue funding for the reconstruction of lles Avenue. Although it was not included in the State capital bill, there is discretionary money available. 

• He asked trustees to help with the July 4th parade and celebration. There are 21 units registered to participate at this point. Monetary donations are still needed. Hal Pilger said he and his wife would pay for the hot dogs. 120 new flags were purchased to place along the parade route. 

• The Public Works staff is working hard to patch the roads. 

• The next Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 3rd Warrants must be submitted earlier than usual.. 

There is no word on the Shop 'n Save property.

Old Business 

There was no old business.

New Business

A. Discussion and Approval of Fixing Three Fire Hydrants in Jerome (This item was addressed during the Water Department Report.)

Trustee R. Irons reported that three fire hydrants in the Village are not working and he is concerned with the potential liability if they are not fixed.

Attorney Brokaw said that if there are alternative fire hydrants available there isn't an issue but the sooner the hydrants are fixed the better.

Dave Wilken explained that two of the hydrants had been tagged by the fire department and the third was leaking and seized up. The cost to fix the fire hydrants submitted by City Water, Light and Power is $18,007.50. The cost is high because repair of the hydrant at 1516 lles Avenue is more complicated, will require the road to be closed, and will require the water to be turned off in the area with a boil order instituted afterwards. Also, this fire hydrant should be moved away from the adjacent driveway and further back from the road.

Treasurer Roth said that the FY 2020 budget includes the first payment for the new water meters, however this payment is not due until June 2020 (next fiscal year) so there is money in the budget for fire hydrant repairs. Since the estimate from CWLP does not include moving the fire hydrant on lles Avenue, additional money should be approved for this part of the project.

A motion was made by Trustee R. Irons to approve contracting with City Water, Light and Power to replace three fire hydrants for an amount not to exceed $24,999.99. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lael.

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee R. Irons, Trustee Tripp, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons

The motion carried.

B. Discussion and Approval of Bid for West Grand Court Road Project (This item was addressed during the Public Works Report.)

Village Engineer Kevin Kuhn explained that the bid opening for the West Grand Court road project was held on Monday. Only one bid was received for $217,101,87; however, it w $35,000 less than estimated. Usually more than one bid is required but IDOT approved the process because the one bid received was so much lower than anticipated. The project includes the reconstruction of the road and gutters. Kuhn & Trello will hold a pre-construction

The project should be completed within 90 days. Trustee Lael agreed to contact the property owner with a fence on the right-of-way that will be removed.

A motion was made by Trustee Tripp to approve the $217,101.87 bid from P.H. Broughton for the West Grand Court project. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lael.

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee R. Irons, Trustee Tripp, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons

The motion carried.

Executive Session 

A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to go into Executive Session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of a specific employee or legal counsel for the public body (5 İLCS 120/2(c)(1)); collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)); and minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act for purposes of approval by the Body (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)). Trustee R. Irons seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee R. Irons, Trustee Tripp, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons

The motion carried.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:53 pm

The Board returned from Executive Session at 10:28 pm.

Clerk Wheeland called the roll. Present: President Mike Lopez Trustees Kathy DeHart, Leigh Irons, Ralph Irons, Dale Lael, Christina Smith, Jake Tripp Clerk Linda Wheeland Attorney Jason Brokaw

Adjournment A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee R. Irons.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee R. Irons, Trustee Tripp, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons

The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 10:28 pm.

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