Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met Dec. 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order President Lopez called the December 19, 2019 meeting of the Village of Jerome Board of Trustees to order at 6:45 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 Attorney Jason Brokaw Treasurer Roth

Approval of Minutes

December 5, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes

A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to approve the Minutes of the December 5, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. The motion was seconded by Trustee Smith.

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

The motion carried.

November 21, 2019 Executive Session Minutes

A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to approve the Minutes of the November 21, 2019 Executive Session of the Board of Trustees. The motion was seconded by Trustee Smith.

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

The motion carried.

Approval of Warrant List 20-16 President Lopez noted that Warrant List 20-16 dated December 19, 2019 totaled $43,342.33. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $10,308.93 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund and $33,033.40 will be paid from the Water Fund.

A motion was made by Trustee L. Irons to approve Warrant List 20-16 dated December 19, 2019 for a total of $43,342.33. The motion was seconded by Trustee Smith.

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

The motion carried.

President Lopez asked for a moment of silence in memory of John Olinger who was a resident of Jerome since 1959 and recently passed away.

Visitors Acknowledgement President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:49 pm. There were no public comments and this portion of the meeting closed at 6:50 pm,

Reports from Village Departments

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

. There are still issues with residents not putting stickers on yard waste bags.. She will be holding Bingo in the Civic Center on the following Sundays next year -

January 26, February 23rd, March 29th, and April 26th.

B. Public Works Trustee Tripp reported the following:

Dave Wilken pre-salted the roads during the day on Sunday in preparation for the predicted snow event. He came back at 10:30 p.m. and worked until 8:30 a.m. on Monday plowing Jerome streets. He did a great job.

Trent Bree passed the written test for a CDL license. He now has a learner's permit. Residents have been complaining online about leaves in the gutter after the snow. He wanted to make clear that residents are responsible for taking care of leaves in gutters.

Trent is working out well. Trustee DeHart did an awesome job of getting holiday decorations put up.

Dave Wilken reported that the white truck was taken in for repairs to the exhaust manifold gaskets on November 12th with expectations it would be ready on December 2nd. However, it took longer to be looked at and during repairs an additional problem came up with the head which then was sent to a machine shop. The truck should be back tomorrow or early next week.

C. Public Property Trustee DeHart reported the following:

• Holiday decorations are up. Broken and damaged decorations were disposed of.

• Sunday from 1:00-3:00 Santa will be at the Civic Center. He is not asking to be compensated but does suggest attendees donate an item for Toys for Tots.

Bill Canham is working to produce signs for the Library and at lles and Chatham.

• Public Works staff installed a drop box in the west door of the Library.

D. Building & Zoning Trustee Lael reported the following:

• The walls will be going up next at the home being built at 1510 Glenn.. Work continues on The Barn restaurant.

He received blueprints for a new home at 1631 Vernon.

E. Public Safety Trustee Smith commended the Chief and Jerome Police Officers for working to cover all shifts.

Chief Estill reported the following activity over the past 30 days:

• 1 incident of fake money being passed

• 1 possible overdose. 5 suspended license arrests. 1 fleeing and attempt to elude police

1 involuntary committal

• 1 internal theft at a business

• 1 stolen vehicle. 1 abandoned vehicle towed

• 6 traffic accidents

• 1 burglary to a business

He and Private Brian Brewer cleaned out 70% of the evidence room including case files that are closed or dismissed. They will continue to work on getting the evidence room cleared and up to date over the next few months.

President Lopez noted that the labor agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police was signed by the Board last week.

F. Water Department Trustee R. Irons reported the following:

• Treasurer Roth provided him with the following comparison of water revenues:

                                           2018                   2019 

Sept.                               $40,000               $48,000 

Oct.                                 $45,990               $49,102 

Nov.                                $37,015               $37,806 

Total to date                 $303,681             $288,611 

Equipment is needed to maintain and service the new meters. He will meet with Dave in January to discuss what needs to be purchased.

• The new water clerk, Betsy Buttell, is doing well.

• Next year he will be looking into providing an online payment option for water customers.

Dave Wilken noted that a LOCIS representative provided training for the new water clerk today. Beacon training will be done tomorrow.

G. Village Treasurer Treasurer Roth reported the following:

• We have received all tax revenues for December.

• We have received MFT revenue for November.. We have received Gaming Revenue for October.

• We have not received our Road and Bridge check from Woodside Township. He will contact the Township.

• Checks for the December 5th warrants were mailed out right after that meeting. Payroll was met for December 15th. Checks will be mailed out following this meeting.

• The balances of various accounts are approximately as follows:

> Illinois Funds General Revenue Account - $359,377

> Motor Fuel Tax Fund - $6,209 (This fund was expended for the West Grand Court project and still owes the General Revenue Fund $24,540. Treasurer Roth will reimburse the GRF as MFT funds are received.) 

> INB General Revenue Account - $23,583

> INB Water Account - $305,330

> 1% Account - $259,533 (this figure does not include revenue for December)

• We received a check from Midwest Meters for the returns and the purchase of our old meters.

• Sales taxes in December 2019 are comparable to December 2018. Overall, sales taxes are down $70,000 and 1% taxes are down $20,000.

H. Village Clerk 

Clerk Wheeland reported the following:

. We have received notice that the appeal sent to the Census Bureau regarding a residential address that should be included in Jerome was approved. 

. A records disposal request sent to the Secretary of State's office on December 10th was approved on the 11th. After the first of the year we will arrange document shredding with Affordable Shred including boxes of Police Department documents that are copies of computer files which do not require approval from the State. 

. Liquor licenses and video gaming permits for 2020 were delivered yesterday. 

. The tax levy ordinance approved by the Board at the last meeting was filed with the County Clerk Tuesday.

I. Village Attorney 

Attorney Brokaw stated he had no report.

J. Village President 

President Lopez stated he had no report.

Old Business 

There was no old business.

New Business

A. Discussion and Approval of Hiring a Part-Time Officer 

This item was addressed after Executive Session.

B. Discussion and Approval of Purchase of Battery-Powered Tools 

A motion was made by Trustee DeHart to approve the purchase of cordless tools for the Public Works Department not to exceed $525. 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.

C. Discussion and Approval of Adjustment to Public Works Supervisor Raise 

Trustee Tripp explained that the Village had gone through several Public Works Supervisors over the past couple of years, that Davę Wilken had been doing a great job, was operating the department under budget, and should be paid at fair market value for the position.

A motion was made by Trustee Tripp to approve an adjustment to Dave Wilken's prior annual raise of an additional $160. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lael.

Roll Call Vote: 

Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee Tripp, Trustee Smith 

Nays: Trustee R. Irons, Trustee L. Irons 

Before voting Trustee R. (rons expressed concern with maintaining a consistent approach when considering salaries in relation to the budget.

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 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)) 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. Trons

The motion carried.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:16 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:36 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

A. Discussion and Approval of Hiring a Part-Time Officer A motion was made by Trustee Smith to approve hiring Jonathan Albright as a part-time police officer at $17.00 per hour. The motion was seconded by Trustee R. Irons.

Roll Call Vote: 

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

The motion carried

President Lopez asked Trustee Smith to send the December Police schedule to trustees. He also noted that the Village office will have reduced hours on Christmas Eve from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Adjournment

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

Roll Call Vote; 

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

The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm.

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