Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees Met March 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order

President Lopez called the 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

Clerk Cave called the roll:

Trustee Lael

Trustee DeHart

Trustee Ralph Irons

Trustee Smith

Trustee Leigh Irons

Trustee Philip Raftis

President Lopez

Attorney Brokaw

Treasurer Roth

Present:

President Mike Lopez

Trustees Kathy DeHart, Leigh Irons, Ralph Irons, Dale Lael, Christina Smith, Philip Raftis Clerk Lisa Cave

Attorney Jason Brokaw

Approval of Minutes

February 18, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes

A motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons to approve the Minutes of the February 18, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee R. Irons, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons & Trustee Raftis

The motion carried.

Approval of Warrant List 21-21 President Lopez stated that Warrant List 21-21 dated March 4, 2021 totaled $39,791.11. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $20,984.23 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $325.67 will be paid from the 1% Fund, and $18,415.69 will be paid from the Water Fund and $64.84 will be paid out of the Motor Fuel Tax Funds.

Warrants will not be mailed until next week.

A motion was made by Trustee Lael to approve Warrant List 21-21 dated March 4, 2021 for a total of $39,791.11. The motion was seconded by Trustee Raftis.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee R. Irons, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons & Trustee Raftis

The motion carried.

Visitors Acknowledgement

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

He noted that during the time period when remote meetings are being held public comments must be submitted in writing to the Clerk by email or by placing them in the deposit slot outside the office front door by 6:00 p.m. the day of the meeting.

Clerk Cave had received one email to be read at the board meeting as follows: An email was received at 11.54 am on March 4, 2021 stated I have a neighbor at 1509 W Isles who is parking old vehicles in his backyard (which is visible from all of my property), he has been doing this since he bought the property last fall. What can be done about this? Not only is it unsightly, it is against village ordinances and an environmental hazard. The email has been forwarded to the appropriate trustees and they will report at the next meeting after they have investigated the complaint.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:38 pm.

Reports from Village Departments

A. Public Health

Trustee L. Irons reported there are complaints on property with limbs and couches out front of their residence. Letters are going out this week to have them cleaned up. President Lopez stated he will contact Sangamon County to see if there is any grant money available for dumping of these items and will report back at the next meeting.

B. Public Works

Trustee Raftis reported that hopefully the snow is done and pot hole season is upon us. The backhoe has 100 hours and is in need for service through the dealer. Dave has expressed interest in installing warning lights and flashers. We received additional road salt, and Dave has noticed that we need to trim back the trees over the streets. We will be sending out letters to those residents before work is done. There are stick piles out already and they will be getting letters.

C. Public Property

Trustee DeHart reported she participated in the budget meetings last week to finalize the budget. Some projects we are working on this year are salt shed door and track, replacing light fixtures and door hardware repairs in the village hall and the garage door opener is having issues. The carpets have been cleaned this week in the Village hall. Dave is scheduled to complete the annual safety list at the playground this month and will report back when it is completed. It is possible we may have to add some soil to the playground and Trustee DeHart will look at IL Dept of Public Health for signage at the park, whether there needs signs on masks, social distancing, and possible capacity. Trustee DeHart is still looking at the priorties for next fiscal year.

D. Building & Zoning

Trustee Lael reported he has spoken to Michael Chau and he has not gotten back to him. It appears he is relying on the landlord for the drawings at the new location.

E. Public Safety

Trustee Smith reported that Officer Derek Hull is finishing his 2 week transition training course and when he returns we will have him working on the community outreach program that Tricia started last year, which involves the juice boxes and sports equipment. It is a good way for the Police to do some outreach during the summer.

We will be getting notices out on employment opportunities for part time and full time positions with Officer Brewer leaving in May. Working on the budget and have circulated all the police activity and calls for service to all the trustees and if anyone has any questions please let her know.

F. Water Department

Trustee R. Irons reported that during investigating the delinquent water accounts, Dave has identified 2 properties that are damaged and he will be digging up the pits and repairing those in the next two weeks. With the warmer weather approaching Dave will be working on the main water valves and boxes, finishing repairing 4 fire hydrants and water flushing on the mains. Notices will be posted on the village website. Dave passed his water operator test. He is waiting on one piece of documentation to turn it in. Dave has already reached his certified hours and once he turns it in he will be licensed to be a water operator. President Lopez stated that today Dave and Billy came across a contractor who was in the pit and shut off the water to do repairs and they informed him the village will be sending out a fine of $250.00. The vendor stated he had no knowledge of it. Dave will be sending out the fine letter.

G. Village Treasurer

Treasurer Roth stated he has met with every department head to finalize the budget. He is still awaiting some figures for example salaries that need to be sent to him so he can send out the draft budget sometime this weekend to all board members.

Treasurer Roth has spoken to DCEO regarding the CARES grant and he is resubmitting to them the required documentation necessary.

Treasurer Roth provided each member of the Board his bi-monthly report. Treasurer Roth stated in his report that currently there is approximately $400,483.53 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $51,555.39 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $30,288.60 in the INB GRF account and $253,021.97 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $22.10; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $457.43; 1% NHR - $414,113.46; Road & Bridge - $18,526.27; and Police Equipment Fund - $39.83, Cannabis Fund - $1,291.59 and for the MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $36,378.98.

H. Village Clerk

Clerk Cave stated she had nothing to report.

I. Village Attorney

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

J. Village President

President Lopez reported the following:

The Shop n Save Covid testing site with the IL Dept of Public Health is going very slow. People are not getting tested. They will be occupying that location through April of 2021. They will be sending out some press release encouraging people to get tested and sign up for the vaccine.

Thanks to all the trustees that have met with Treasurer Roth on the budget. Spoke with Clerk Cave on getting a bulletin/newsletter out soon. President Lopez stated that under Phase 4 parks can be open. President Lopez will work with Dave and Trustee DeHart on when that will happen and what needs to happen to do it safely. Discussion will need to happen on whether we have any civic events this summer along with the limb pickup prior to the newsletter going out.

Old Business

A. Appointment of Individuals to Village Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission

President Lopez has one person for the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission. Zack Stenemeyer, 1632 Reed Ave, moved into the Village 8 months ago. He is interested in participating in some fashion. He works as a planner with IL Dept of Transportation. President Lopez has another person for appointment that he will bring to the board at a later time.

A motion was made by Trustee Lael to appoint Zack Stenemeyer to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Trustee Smith.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee R. Irons, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons & Trustee Raftis

The motion carried.

New Business

A. Discussion of Annual Curbside Pickup of Branches, Tree Limbs, and Tree or Shrubbery Trimmings, Including the Number of Times in 2021 and the Months in which the Pickup will Occur.

Trustee Raftis stated the Village had one pickup last year due to COVID. Trustee Raftis would like to see at least 1 this year possibly 2 if we could even get some summer help to help Dave and Billy. Trustee Ralph Irons asked what the normal costs of the program? Trustee Raftis stated that we had budgeted $2,000 to $2,500. President Lopez asked what months he is anticipating picking up the limbs. Trustee Raftis wants to check with Dave but he would like to do it in the spring and fall if possible. Trustee Leigh Irons suggested that we push it to May 2021 which allows residents to pull their limbs out of their yard. Treasurer Roth stated last year was $1,700, but some charges may have been posted to the wrong account.

Last year the Board had the engineering company fill out the grant applications to DCEO on the Iles Ave project. President Lopez stated he has spoken to DCEO and is setting up a meeting to finalize the application with the engineering company, Trustee Raftis, Treasurer Roth, members of DCEO and himself next week. We are told once it is reviewed and approved the Village could receive up to $1,050,000 for Iles Ave.

B. Proclamation Declaring and Continuing State of Local Disaster

Attorney Brokaw stated that this Proclamation is continuing the State of Local Disaster that has been passed previously. The Proclamation before the Board is for 60 days. President Lopez read the Proclamation Declaring and Continuing State of Local Disaster.

DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Village President by Section 11 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act (20 ILCS 3305/11), Illinois, I, Michael P. Lopez, the Village President of the Village of Jerome do hereby declare, with the consent of the Village Board of Trustees, that a Local Disaster continues to exist as of this date, March 4, 2021, for the reasons stated herein.

Positive cases of the COVID-19 virus continue to be confirmed within Sangamon County. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported that, during the week 2/14/2021 through 2/20/2021, Sangamon County experienced 76 new cases per 100,000 people and a test positivity rate of 2.5%. Therefore, executive orders may be necessary to slow the spread and/or mitigate the effects of the epidemic. Emergency Procedures and protocols are necessary to facilitate decision making within the Village and allow expedited procurement if necessary. The Village may require resources from the Strategic National Stockpile. This disaster will exceed the Village’s available personnel and financial resources, and therefore funding and resources from State and/or Federal Government will be necessary to mitigate the disaster.

During the existence of the Local Disaster, the Village President shall exercise such authority as provided under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, and, if necessary, may take separate action pursuant to the Illinois Municipal Code and Section 101.7 the Code of the Village of Jerome to declare a Local State of Emergency and issue executive orders.

This Declaration is effective February 18, 2021, and shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on April 15, 2021, unless extended by the Village of Jerome Board of Trustees. This Declaration of Local State of Emergency shall be filed with the Village Clerk and copies posted at public buildings of the Village as soon as practicable.

A motion was made by Trustee Lael to approve Proclamation Declaring and Continuing State of Local Disaster. The motion was seconded by Trustee Raftis.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Trustee Lael, Trustee DeHart, Trustee R. Irons, Trustee Smith, Trustee L. Irons, & Trustee Raftis

The motion carried.

Executive Session

A motion was made by Trustee Lael 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 L. Irons seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

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

The motion carried.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:11 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:29 pm.

Clerk Cave called the roll.

Present:

President Mike Lopez

Trustees Kathy DeHart, Leigh Irons, Ralph Irons, Dale Lael, Philip Raftis, Christina Smith Clerk Lisa Cave

Attorney Jason Brokaw

Treasurer Roth

Trustee DeHart stated that due to COVID we will not be having an easter egg hunt and at this time we are unsure about the library as the staff is older. Trustee DeHart has spoken to the insurance company to ask questions on how to reopen safely. President Lopez stated that we will need to discuss when we will reopen the office and rental of the building to the public.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Trustee Lael to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Leigh Irons.

Roll Call Vote:

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

The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:32 pm.

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