Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees Met April 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order

President Lopez called the April 15, 2021 meeting of the Village of Jerome Board of Trustees to order at 6:31 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 Raftis

President Lopez

Attorney Brokaw

Treasurer Roth

Present:

President Mike Lopez

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

Attorney Jason Brokaw

Treasurer Steve Roth

Approval of Minutes

April 1, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes

A motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons to approve the Minutes of the April 1, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lael.

Roll Call Vote:

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

The motion carried.

April 8, 2021 Special Meeting Minutes

A motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons to approve the Minutes of the April 8, 2021 Special 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 Smith, Trustee L. Irons, Trustee Raftis

The motion carried.

Approval of Warrant List 21-24

President Lopez stated that Warrant List 21-24 dated April 15, 2021 totaled $256,379.20. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $6,874.61 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $185406.56 will be paid from the 1% Fund, and $64098.03 will be paid from the Water Fund.

A motion was made by Trustee R. Irons to approve Warrant List 21-24 dated April 15, 2021 for a total of $256,379.20. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lael.

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 stated no public comments had been received.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:37 pm.

Reports from Village Departments

A. Public Health

Trustee L. Irons reported she has started receiving fire permit applications.

Trustee Lael asked if the couches have been removed. Trustee L. Irons stated no, she will be sending the Chief of Police out to the residence.

B. Public Works

Trustee Raftis had nothing to report.

C. Public Property

Trustee DeHart the library is not open. The wall is still being repaired and with it being a plaster wall she would like to keep the library closed until it is completely dry.

The permanent park signs are up in the park. Not many people have been wearing masks in the park. There has been no movement on the replacement of the stove in the civic center.

President Lopez has spoken to the Fire Safety Department to come out and do the calculations on the civic center, library, and the office. Trustee DeHart would like to be present in the meeting when they come out.

D. Building & Zoning

Trustee Lael reported on 1526 Glenn will be demolished and the property is up for sale. Applications are coming in for fencing permits.

E. Public Safety

Trustee Smith reported there had been 102 calls for service in March 2021. 47 of those calls were in the Village of Jerome.

F. Water Department

Trustee R. Irons had nothing to report.

G. Village Treasurer

Treasurer Roth reported the following:

Revenues: This is my last report for the fiscal year. The revenues have been report and received for April for Telecom, Sales, 1%, Use, Income, Personal Property Replacement and Cannabis Tax. We have also received the MFT tax revenue for March and there was Gaming revenue reported for March. Overall the numbers are good considering we are still without Shop N Save. We have posted increases in revenue when compared to last fiscal year in all categories except Telecom, MFT and Personal Property Replacement Tax. Although these revenues are nowhere near where we were several years ago, the bottom line is that they continue to increase from where we were last year.

In fact, I reported last month that we had received in February the largest monthly Gaming revenue for the Village. However that was surpassed in the month of March when our share was $19,707.64. This amount completely erased the deficit we had in this fiscal year. Hopefully this will continue into next fiscal year.

Funds: There will be approximately $481,611.69 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $60,619.09 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $52,984.42 in the INB GRF account and $193,304.66 in the INB Water account after paying tonight’s warrants. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $0; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $487.43; 1% NHR - $261,302.26 after paying this week’s warrants and adding in April’s revenue; Road & Bridge - $18,518.28; Police Equipment Fund - $39.83, Cannabis Fund - $1,624.57 with deposit of April revenue; and for the MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $54,568.47.

Trustee Lael asked about the decrease in Telecom Treasurer Roth stated that he has noticed this and will be investigating it and will put a call into Department of Revenue.

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 asked that Trustees send into the Clerk and to himself on items that they wish to be in the bulletin by next Friday. He would like to see the bulletin out in the next two weeks.

Old Business

A. Discussion and Approval 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 that he feels the Village needs at least 1 pickup and he would like to have it done in May of 2021, President Lopez expressed he would like the date set so that we can publish it in the bulletin, on water bills and website. Possibly May 17th or May 24th for pickup.

A motion was made by Trustee Raftis to approve one limb pickup in the month of May 2021. 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.

B. Discussion and Consideration of FY2022 Budget Draft

Treasurer Roth has made the changes to the FY 2022 Budget that was discussed at last weeks special meeting. Treasurer Roth has sent those out to the Board via email this week.

General Revenue Fund

Board of Trustees $168,875.00

Street Department $194,835.00

Property Department $39,580.00

Police Department $341,811.33

Public Health Department $2,650.00

Building & Zoning $5,000.00

Total $752,751.33

Special Funds

Police - Cannabis Fund $2,200.00

Police- Vehicle Fund $500.00

Police - DUI Fund $200.00

Police - Equipment Fund $900.00

Streets - Road and Bridge $37,000.00

Streets - MFT Fund $81,500.00

Streets - 1% Fund $365,950.00

Streets - Rebuild Illinois $55,000.00

Total Special Funds $543,250.00

Water Funds

Water Department $605,680.00

Total All Funds $1,901,681.33

President Lopez wanted to go on record to thank Treasurer Roth for all his hard work along with previous Clerk Linda Wheeland in the last year.

The Board discussed the differences between last years budget and this years budget. Next month President Lopez will be sending out a memorandum detailing all expenses over a certain amount will need to be approved prior to spending in order to curb our spending. President Lopez stated just because it is appropriated does not mean we will spend it. Public Works and the Police Department must spend wisely and will have parameters in place for the future spending.

A motion was made by Trustee Lael to Approve the FY 2022 Budget as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee DeHart.

Roll Call Vote:

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

Nay: Trustee Raftis and Trustee R. Irons

The motion carried.

New Business

A. Discussion and Action on Annual Curbside Pickup of Large or Bulky Items

A motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons to skip the Annual Curbside Pickup of Large or Bulky Items in 2021. 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.

B. Discussion and Approval of Ordinance 21-18 Making a Supplemental Appropriations for Expenses for the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year ending April 30, 2021.

Treasurer Roth stated that the appropriation was short in the General Funds for this Fiscal Year and it is necessary to pass this to pay the bills through the end of the year.

A motion was made by Trustee Smith to Approve Ordinance 21-18 Making a Supplemental Appropriation for Expenses for the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year ending April 30, 2021. 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.

C. Discussion and Approval of Village Auditors

A motion was made by Trustee Lael to Approve Pehlman & Dold, P.C. as the Village Auditors for FY 2021 Audit. 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.

D. Discussion and Approval of Ordinance 21-19 Authorizing the Disposal of Surplus Property by the Village of Jerome, Illinois

Trustee Lael asked if we could reuse the steel posts somewhere else in the Village? Trustee DeHart stated that according to Dave, we are not able to use the posts. Trustee Lael stated he feels that is a waste disposing them. Trustee Lael also asked why don’t we donate the bicycles? President Lopez asked Trustee Lael to discuss this with Dave tomorrow.

A motion was made by Trustee Raftis to Approve Ordinance 21-19 Authorizing the Disposal of Surplus Property by the Village of Jerome, Illinois. 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.

E. Discussion and Action on FY 2022 Village Engineer Contract

Trustee Raftis stated that the Board has had plenty of discussions regarding the Village Engineer.

A motion was made by Trustee Raftis to approve a 60-day notice to terminate the contract with the Village Engineers. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lael.

Roll Call Vote:

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

The motion carried.

F. 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, April 15, 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 3/28/2021 through 4/3/2021, Sangamon County experienced 110 new cases per 100,000 people and a test positivity rate of 3.4%. 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 April 14, 2021, and shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on June 17, 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 Ralph Irons to approve Proclamation Declaring and Continuing State of Local Disaster. 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.

Additional Comments:

President Lopez stated he will adding to the next agenda the reappointment of the Clerk, Treasurer, and reappointment of the Law Firm Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C. and also swearing in the Elected Officials.

Attorney Brokaw wanted to remind the Trustees that the Budget is an internal document and once he receives from Treasurer Roth the numbers for the Appropriations, he will forward the Official Appropriation Ordinance to the Board for approval.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons to adjourn the meeting. 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 and the meeting adjourned at 7:29 pm.

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