Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met Oct. 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order President Lopez called the October 3, 2019 meeting of the Village of Jerome Board of Trustees to order at 6:33 pm.

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

President Lopez asked for a moment of silence in memory of Wes Barr, former sheriff and community volunteer, and Tyson Mendoza who died in a bus accident in Moultrie County. He explained the Village flag was at half-mast in their honor.

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

September 19, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Trustee Lael to approve the Minutes of the September 19, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. The motion was seconded by Trustee L. Irons.

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

The motion carried.

Approval of Warrant List 20-11 President Lopez noted that Warrant List 20-11 dated October 3, 2019 totaled $22,795.14. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $12,238.20 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund and $10,556.94 will be paid from the Water Fund.

Trustee Lael asked why mistakes made by Menards in coding payments end up costing the Village money. Treasurer Roth explained that Debbie had called Menards but they refused to issue credits for their mistakes. He suggested the best way around this would be to no longer make purchases at Menards.

A motion was made by Trustee L, Irons to approve Warrant List 20-11 dated October 3, 2019 for a total of $22,795. 14. 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.

Visitors Acknowledgement President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:38 pm.

There were no public comments and this portion of the meeting closed at 6:39 pm.

Reports from Village Departments

A. Public Health Trustee L. Irons reported the following:

• The Flu Shot Clinic was held on Monday. Twenty people attended. 

• She reminded residents that yard waste bags should only be put out with stickers from garbage disposal companies. She will contact Waste Management about their refusal to pick up yard waste in the Village.

• Several letters addressing branch piles were sent last week. She is working on ten more letters. 

• She reminded residents to pick up after their pets which should always be restrained.

B. Public Works Trustee Tripp reported the following:

• Public Works staff have completed patching on lles Avenue. Spots at the east end are in Springfield so those areas will not be repaired by Jerome. Some water main break areas have also been patched. Patching is done for the year because the patcher cannot be operated in lower temperatures. 

• Paving on West Grand Court is done. Landscaping and seeding will be completed next week.

• The old truck had some power steering issues. Public Works staff were able to make repairs so it will be put up for sale soon.. 

• The new truck has starter issues but this repair can be done in-house.

C. Public Property Trustee DeHart reported the following:

• She is working with Trustee Lael on replacing Village signs. They are attempting to find the correct person to talk with at IDOT regarding the signs on Wabash Avenue. There is room in the Public Property budget to pay for the signs.

• New volunteers are helping to keep the Library open during regular hours. She is working Monday nights and would like to re-evaluate the usefulness of being open during that time in the winter as no one is patronizing the library after dark. 

• Only one more blind needs to be replaced at the Library. 

• All event decorations are now being stored in the Library basement. She will be putting up Halloween decorations soon. 

• The Civic Center checklist will be revised to clarify the cleaning responsibilities of renters in hopes of obtaining better compliance. 

• Buffing and stripping the Civic Center floor is needed. 

• She asked President Lopez to notify Board members when the flag is at half-mast.

D. Building & Zoning Trustee Lael reported the following:

• No blueprints have been received for The Barn restaurant.

• He received a call from a contractor who is installing a kitchen fan. Trustee Lael speculated that it was for food preparation at Oh Icee. The owners mentioned possibly having a restaurant there when they first moved in. 

• Five parties have expressed interested in the former AT&T building but nothing has come through on any of them.

E. Public Safety Trustee Smith reported the following:

. It has been a quiet couple of weeks.

• Union negotiations will resume next week.

F. Water Department Trustee L. Irons reported that the new water meter system allows Trustee R. Irons to access water usage information which helps him to assist residents.

President Lopez noted that the water bills are in the process of being mailed. Staff received training on the new water meter system last week. The Water Department may need to purchase a tablet to be used with the system.

G. Village Treasurer 

Treasurer Roth reported the following:

. We have received tax revenues for September.. 

• We have received MFT and Gaming revenue for August.

• The following revenues have decreased over this time last year: Telecom (-$606), Sales Tax (-$44,884), 1% Tax (-$11,503), and MFT (-$774).. 

• The following revenues have increased over this time last year: Use Tax (+$3,253), Income Tax (+$12,190), and Gaming (+$4,213)

• He estimates a total loss this year of $110,000 from Sales Tax and $30,000 from the 1% Тах.

• Checks for the September 19th warrants were mailed out right after that meeting. Payroll was met for September 30th Checks will be mailed out following this meeting.. 

• He is in the process of finalizing the Annual Treasurer's Report. It should be ready for publishing next week.

• The balances of various accounts are approximately as follows:

> Illinois Funds General Revenue Account - $311,424 

> Motor Fuel Tax Fund - $26,966 

> INB General Revenue Account -$16,371 

> INB Water Account - $297,943 

> 1% Account - $389,018

H. Village Clerk Clerk Wheeland reported the following:

• She reviewed residential address data provided by the Census Bureau and sent in corrections last summer. The Census Bureau recently provided an update indicating corrections that were accepted and those that were rejected. Some of the unaccepted corrections could be appealed, but not all of them. 'An appeal was returned to the Census Bureau last week. 

• The cannabis tax approved by the Board at the last meeting was filed with the illinois Department of Revenue last Friday. 

• Liquor license and video gaming renewal applications will be sent out by next Monday.

I. Village Attorney 

Attorney Brokaw stated he had no report.

J. Village President 

President Lopez reported the following:

• Volunteers are needed for the Halloween party on October 26th Candy donations would also be appreciated. Trustee DeHart mentioned that she and Trustee Tripp had discussed bringing back prizes for costumes. She will provide suggestions for categories to Board members, 

• There are many positive things happening in the village. The roads are improving despite limited resources. Village officials are still working to get funding for lles Avenue through the State Capital Bill. 

• He noted the interest in cannabis businesses in the Village. Attorney Brokaw noted the State had sent out applications for recreational cannabis sales licenses this week. 

• There is still no update on the former Shop 'n Save building. President Lopez spoke with a representative of Niemann Foods who said no final decision has been made on how the building will be used under their lease. President Lopez emphasized that the Village needs a tax-generating business to locate there. 

• Once again the police will be in front of the Civic Center on Halloween night for community Outreach. The City of Springfield will provide a fire truck for the Halloween Party and on Halloween night. 

• He commended the Police Department for their work, particularly with some issues recently encountered. The body-worn cameras have paid off already. Neither the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department or nearby smaller communities are using these cameras.

Old Business

A. Update on Thayer Avenue Rumble Strip Request 

President Lopez stated he would be contacting IDOT to discuss the situation on Thayer Avenue. This item was tabled.

B. Discussion of Fines Related to Obstructions in Ditches 

President Lopez said he would send his ideas to Attorney Brokaw next week,

C. Discussion and Approval of Clearing Storm Drains on lles Avenue 

President Lopez stated that a letter was sent to the Sangamon County Water Reclamation District last week requesting their assistance with clearing storm drains on lles Avenue. They are tentatively scheduled to come to the Village during the week of October 14th.

New Business

A. Discussion and Approval of Ordinance 20-08 Restricting Issuance of Licenses, Permits, or Certificates Due to Taxes Payable or Debt Owed to the Village 

Attorney Brokaw explained that this ordinance was on first reading two meetings ago and he received no feedback from the Board. Some fine-tuning should be done regarding specific types of permits that should be addressed. Clerk Wheeland will look over the ordinance and provide suggestions.

B. Discussion and Approval of Ordinance 20-10 Authorizing the Disposal of Surplus Property 

Attorney Brokaw explained that this ordinance will authorize the disposal of water meters that were recently replaced. Board authorization is required for the disposal of surplus property.

A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to approve Ordinance 20-10 authorizing the disposal of surplus property. 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.

C. Discussion and Approval of Ordinance 20-11 Adopting an Expense Reimbursement Policy for the Village of Jerome 

Attorney Brokaw explained that State law regarding employee reimbursement for expenses changed last year. An employer now would be in a better position to have a policy on the books. He asked Board members to review the ordinance for what can be reimbursed in the proposed policy for the next meeting.

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 7:15 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:43 pm.

Clerk Wheeland called the roll. Present: President Mike Lopez Trustees Kathy DeHart, Leigh 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 DeHart.

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

The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 8:43 pm.

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