Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met June 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order President Lopez called the June 6, 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, Dale Lael, Christina Smith, Jake Tripp Clerk Linda Wheeland Treasurer Steve Roth Attorney Jason Brokaw

Absent: Trustee Ralph Irons

Approval of Minutes

May 16, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes

A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to approve the Minutes of the May 16, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. The motion was seconded by Trustee DeHart.

Roll Call Vote: 

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

The motion carried.

April 4, 2019 Executive Session Minutes A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to approve the Minutes of the April 4, 2019 Executive Session of the Board of Trustees. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lael.

Roll Call Vote: 

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

The motion carried.

Approval of Warrant List 20-03 President Lopez noted that Warrant List 20-03 dated June 6, 2019 totaled $21,961.47. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $20,871.46 will be paid from the General Revenue

Fund and $1,090.01 will be paid from the Water Fund. Of the amount being paid from the GRF, $9,570 will be reimbursed from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund.

A motion was made by Trustee Lael to approve Warrant List 20-03 dated June 6, 2019 for a total of $21,961.47. The motion was seconded by Trustee DeHart.

Roll Call Vote: 

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

The motion carried.

President Lopez recognized that today was the 75th anniversary of D-Day and that it would be the last time living members of the armed forces who participated would be in attendance at a major ceremony recognizing the significance of that time. He thanked resident John Olinger who was in attendance for his service during World War II and all Jerome residents who have served in the military.

Visitors Acknowledgement 

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:35 pm.

Resident Steve Buckman asked the Board what could be done about a trampoline that was left at 2724/2726 Park Street by a former renter about four years ago. There is no netting around not anchored down. Children are now using the trampoline until 8:30 p.m. He is concerned for their safety and the damage that could be done to his garage if the trampoline is blown into it during a severe windstorm.

President Lopez asked Trustee Lael and Trustee Leigh Irons to research the issue.

Jackie Bordewick thanked Trustee Leigh Irons for addressing her complaint about uncut grass at 19 Homewood Court. She noted that an unlicensed vehicle has been parked in the driveway for years.

Trustee L. Irons said she is addressing seven or eight inoperable vehicles in the Village but would also look into this one.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:41 pm.

Discussion and Approval of Plats of Surveys for Properties at 1500 and 1530 Wabash Avenue 

Mimi and Michael Hurwitz, owners of the properties at 1500 and 1530 Wabash Avenue, were in attendance to discuss their proposal to divide the Food Fantasies building from the strip mall and combine it with property to the west to facilitate the expansion of Food Fantasies,

Attorney Brokaw said preliminary conversations have been held with everyone regarding the necessary parking and zoning requirements for the division. The warehouse building at the rear of 1530 Wabash will share access rights with the Food Fantasies property, enhancing usability of the land. The division needs Village Board approval authorizing the President to sign the plats which the owners will file with the Sangamon County Recorder.

A motion was made by Trustee Lael to approve plats of survey for properties at 1500 and 1530 Wabash Avenue. The motion was seconded by Trustee Smith.

Roll Call Vote: 

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

The motion carried

Reports from Village Departments

A. Public Health 

Trustee L. Irons reported the following:

• She has been making phone calls, writing letters, and talking to landlords about many= public health violations in the Village. 

• Waste Management is still not picking up yard waste in Jerome. She has made three phone calls to the company with no results and suggested the Village take some sort of action. Attorney Brokaw said he would work with Trustee L. Irons to determine what could be done. 

• A $50.00 fine was assessed for a trash burning violation and was received from the offending resident.

B. Public Works 

Trustee Tripp reported the following:

• The Public Works staff has been working steadily on road patching including west of Leonard Street and Iles Avenue and the location of a previous water main break at Corbin Street and Vernon Avenue. They will be concentrating next on roads along the July 4th parade route.. 

• A six-month evaluation was done for Dave Wilken. He is doing a good job.

• Matt Cassens's six-month evaluation will also be done soon.

• The culvert on lles Avenue at Leonard Street will be replaced on June 20th requiring lles Avenue to be closed. It will re-open on June 21st. 

• The Village has received a number of calls about sewer issues with all the recent rain. These problems, however, are the responsibility of the homeowner, not the Village, Residents should call the Sangamon County Water Reclamation District which owns the sewers. 

• A lot of limbs came down recently due to winds. The Public Works crew picked up limbs in the street. A limb still attached to a large tree at a residence was in the street and threatening a power service line. CWLP would not deal with the limb until it fell and took out the line. The homeowner called a tree service to remove the limb.

• More rock and oil for road patching was purchased today.

• Dave Wilken is researching the micro-surfacing of roadways as a maintenance procedure. It is one-fourth the cost of mill and overlay and looks like new asphalt. This could be a cost savings possibility for road maintenance.

• The reconstruction of lles Avenue was not included in the State capital bill although there is a possibility of getting some discretionary funding for the project.

C. Public Property 

Trustee DeHart reported the following:

• She is working with Dave Wilken on purchasing upgraded cleaning supplies for use by renters of the Civic Center. 

• The extension ladder needed to be replaced and a taller one was purchased that will reach the roofs.. 

• Dave found a book deposit to retrofit for the Library door. 

• A bookcase was fixed at the Library and supplies were purchased to secure bookshelves to the wall. 

• Flowers will be planted in front of the park and at the Jerome sign at lles Avenue and Chatham Road.

• Jose Lopez called her about the issue of slowing down traffic entering Thayer Avenue from Wabash Avenue. The Village does have the equipment to put in a rumble strip at this location although the Village engineers will need to be consulted. She will get back with Mr. Lopez.

• The flags in front of the Civic Center and at the park were replaced before Memorial Day.

D. Building & Zoning 

Trustee Lael reported the following:

• The lease has been signed for the Mexican restaurant going in the former Hunan Chinese Restaurant building. 

•  Lamar Outdoor Advertising has purchased the Mid America billboards and would like to install digital billboards. The issue with digital billboards not permitted by IDOT along

Historic Route 66 must be addressed, however.

• The required landscaping at the billboard on Chatham Road has not been installed and Trustee Lael will contact the property owner to address this issue.

E. Public Safety Trustee Smith reported the following:

• A meeting was held with the police union on May 31st and negotiations are ongoing,

• She met with Chief Estill to discuss scheduling issues at the Police Department.

• Allied Plumbing donated $1,000 for the purchase of police equipment.

F. Water Department 

Trustee R. Irons was not in attendance and there was no report.

G. Village Treasurer 

Treasurer Roth reported the following:

• No revenues have been received for the month of June.

• Gaming revenue was received for March. 

• Checks for the May 16th warrants were mailed out right after that meeting. Payroll was met for May 30th Checks will be mailed out following this meeting.

• The balances of various accounts are approximately as follows:

► Illinois Funds General Revenue Account - $264,582 

► Motor Fuel Tax Fund - $29,228

► INB General Revenue Account -$39,407

► INB Water Account - $355,123

► 1% Account - $326,064 The annual audit will begin next week.

.

H. Village Clerk 

Clerk Wheeland reported the following:

• The Village-wide garage sales are this weekend from 8:00 - 5:00 on Friday and 8:00 - 1:00 on Saturday. Debbie Denk has arranged for Salvation Army to be at the parking lot on the west side of the Jerome Methodist Church across from the Municipal Center from 1:00 – 3:00 on Saturday and she needs a volunteer to help them get set up to accept donations.

I. Village Attorney 

• Attorney Brokaw stated he had no report.

J. Village President President Lopez reported the following:

• He is working with Debbie Denk to organize the July 4th parade. There are 13 entries at

this time. We have received one monetary donation. A total of $200 is needed. He will be contacting businesses regarding donations or discounts on food.

• There is still no news on the Shop 'n Save building. 

• He has received several calls requesting mosquito spraying in the Village. He explained that the Board had suspended this program as a cost-cutting measure. Also, with the surrounding communities not spraying the effect was compromised.

Old Business 

There was no old business.

New Business

A. Discussion and Approval of Ordinance 20-04 Making Appropriations for Expenses of the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2020 

• Attorney Brokaw explained that the appropriations ordinance had been introduced at the last meeting and is adopted annually to approve spending for the fiscal year. He noted that the General Revenue Fund, Water Fund, and other dedicated funds are included.

A motion was made by Trustee Lael to approve Ordinance 20-04 making appropriations for expenses of the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2020. The motion was seconded by Trustee L. Irons.

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee De Hart, Trustee Tripp, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons

The motion carried.

B, Discussion and Approval of Plats of Survey for Properties at 1500 and 1530 Wabash Avenue This item was addressed earlier in the meeting after Visitors Acknowledgement.

C. Discussion and Approval of Ordinance 20-05 Amending Section 600,1-9 Changing the Monthly Minimum Water Meter Charge 

Attorney Brokaw stated that this ordinance was an initiative related to the purchase of smart water meters which will include a monthly subscription per meter. The monthly minimum water meter charge to customers will increase by $1.00.

A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to approve Ordinance 20-05 amending Section 600.1-9 changing the monthly minimum water meter charge. The motion was seconded by Trustee De Hart.

Roll Call Vote: 

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

The motion carried.

President Lopez mentioned that Attorney Brokaw had provided all required documents to the company financing the purchase of smart water meters. Attorney Brokaw said that the Government Capital Corporation, Midwest Meters, and Harvey Dye Plumbing will all work together to get the water meter project going.

President Lopez suggested installing the commercial meters first and then installing meters at the residences of Board members so they will be familiar with them if residents have questions.

President Lopez also stated that he will be purchasing new flags to place along the parade route and will seek donations or pay for them himself.

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 ILCS 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 Lael seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote: 

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

The motion carried.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:18 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:59 pm.

Clerk Wheeland called the roll. 

Present: President Mike Lopez 

Trustees Kathy DeHart, Leigh Irons, Dale Lael, Christina Smith, Jake Tripp 

Clerk Linda Wheeland 

Treasurer Steve Roth 

Attorney Jason Brokaw

President Lopez reminded trustees that the Village needs to watch costs and that any expense over $50.00 should be approved prior to purchase.

Attorney Brokaw explained that the Illinois Municipal League was offering workshops for elected officials and his law firm will credit the cost of attendance from their bill for any Jerome official.

Adjournment 

A motion was made by Trustee Tripp to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Smith.

Roll Call Vote: 

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

The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 9:01 pm.

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