Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome President and the Board of Trustees Met June 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held the regular scheduled meeting at the Jerome Municipal Building, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois via Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Lopez, followed by Roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL: The following were present:

Kathy DeHart, Trustee of Public Property & Co Trustee Public Health

Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health

Also Present:

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C.

Absent:

Steve Roth, Village Treasurer

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the May 20, 2021 Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez stated hearing none, the May 20, 2021 minutes would stand approved as submitted.

Motion to approve the May 20, 2021 Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the March 18, 2021 Executive Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez stated hearing none, the March 18, 2021 executive minutes would stand approved as submitted.

Motion to approve the March 18, 2021 Executive Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the May 6, 2021 Executive Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez stated hearing none, the May 6, 2021 executive minutes would stand approved as submitted.

Motion to approve the May 6, 2021 Executive Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez presented Warrant List 22-03 totaling $34,396.35. Trustee DeHart asked about the uniform purchase from Leon Uniform line 23, Trustee Leigh Irons stated it was purchased in April.

President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 22-03 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List to be Paid as presented by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth was absent at this meeting but did provide to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of May 20, 2021. Checks for the warrants for the last Board meeting were mailed out right after the meeting and we met payroll for May 30th. Checks will be mailed out following this meeting. Currently there is approximately $537,381.96 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $66,078.36 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $10,761.17 in the INB GRF account and $221,923.39 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $315.00; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $622.43; 1% NHR - $277,659.13; Road & Bridge - $18,518.28; and Police Equipment Fund - $2,039.83, Cannabis Fund - $1,624.67, and for the MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $72,757.96. Reminder that the Auditors will be at the Village June 29th-July 1st, working in the boardroom. Please do not touch the documents that are being kept in the boardroom currently and during the audit, and avoid the boardroom during these days if you can.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

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

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 comments had been received.

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

REPORTS:

Trustee Leigh Irons stated that Officer Brewer has retired after 35 years of service; we thank him for his service. We will be planning a reception for Officer Brewer when the civic center opens back up. The Village is still in need of police officers. President Lopez read a letter from Chief Mark Estill on June 1, 2021:

President Lopez and Village Trustees,

As of June 1, 2021 I am submitting my Retirement Letter as Chief of Police with the Village of Jerome to be effective June 30, 2021 at the end of the day,

I served 27 years with the Village of Jerome Police Department as of June 1, 2021. Since my appointment as interim Chief in February 2017 and Chief’s position in August of 2017 it’s been an honor to serve the Village of Jerome as your Chief of Police.

I will officially be retired as of July 1, 2021 from the Jerome Police Department.

Thank you for the opportunity of being a Police Officer and Chief of Police with the Village of Jerome. Mark Estill (Chief of Police)

President Lopez spoke with Chief Estill before the meeting and wished him well from the Board.

Trustee Raftis reported the Public Works Department have started painting the streets, 20 loads were picked up from the limb pickup. We have ordered the signs and posts ordered for the speed hump. The backhoe is in the shop for the 100 hour service and will be adding some warning lights to the backhoe while it is in the shop. Matt the summer help is doing great and arriving early. Reminding residents to keep their ditches clean in front of your home. We will not be mediating over whose leaves they are. Keep your ditches clean of debris to allow drainage. Trustee DeHart stated that there are some residents that are not mowing their ditches. They are mowing the yard just not the ditch. Trustee Smith stated that she will send out the letters to the residents and asked Trustee DeHart to send the addresses to her.

Trustee DeHart reported the salt shed has been completed. Still receiving bids on the garage roof behind the library. 2 air conditioners went out, they were the originals and were replaced. Dave will be spraying for pests and will be adding mulch to the Village property, Still waiting on a meeting to finalize with Mamcon for the TV install and WIFI still in the works on the detail of when they will be installing. Residents have complained about speeding on Glenn and Iles.

Trustee Lael that the corner obstructions need to be removed. Trustee Smith stated she will send letters out to the residents once she receives the addresses from Trustee Lael.

Trustee Smith reported she has approved 10 fire pit applications this week. There are two yards on Glenn that are overgrown, they were both taken care of this afternoon, also received a couple complaints of trash and trees down and will be sending letters out this week.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated the IEPA contract and payment has been made. Estimates on the two hydrants will need to be on the next agenda for replacement, The new tablet has come in and Dave is working on it,

Dave is going to be flushing out the hydrants at the end of the month and letters will be send to the residents. The hydrants will be cleaned and painted. We have received some complaints on the water pressure of the Village. There are 2 water services that will need to be excavated.

Village Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

President Lopez has received questions on when the Board will meet in person. President Lopez is planning the second meeting in July and at that time we will open the office back up, The 4th of July parade will be on July 3rd at 9 am. Emails and mailing for previous participants are going out to invite them this week. Businesses are reporting they are feeling back to normal. Video Gaming businesses are reporting an increase in their business as well.

OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez presented Ordinance 22-04 Allowing Food Trucks in the Village of Jerome. President Lopez would like to table this to the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez asked Trustee Raftis to discuss the purchase of a newer dump truck on a lease option. Trustee Raftis has obtained two bids on a truck lease, Drake Scruggs will not take a trade and neither will the other company he contacted, Bob Ridings in Taylorville will accept the trade and is the lowest bid. Ridings stated with a trade it will be a total of $78,802.00 with a 5 year lease, without the trade is $91,802.00. National Municipal Leasing out of Minnesota provides leases for municipalities and we will own it out right after the 5 years payment of the lease. We will be allowed to structure out lease to start when the truck arrives. Payment of the truck will be taken out of the 1% and Public Works, $10,000 in each of the department’s budget for the year. Trustee Lael stated he felt it was a good deal and with the new truck we will have a warranty with it. Trustee Raftis will be meeting with Treasurer Roth to ensure the structure of the lease is within the budget. The document that was shared in the Board meeting is attached to the end of the minutes.

Motion to approve securing financing terms and lease on a 2022 Ford F550 with the final document to be approved by the Board by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

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 of the public body (5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1)); minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act for purposes of approval by the Body (5ILCS 120/2(c)(21); Trustee Raftis seconded the motion.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:14 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:07 pm.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION CONTINUED: President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of raising Part time Police Officers Hourly Pay

Motion to approve part time police officer pay to $20.00 per hour with no benefits effective June 1, 2021 by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez presented discussion and approval of an increase of pay for Officer Derek Hull for added duties.

Motion to approve an increase to $23.00 per hour to full time officer Derek Hull effective June 1, 2021 by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of advertisement for full time and part time Police Officers.

Motion to approve advertisement for full time and part time Police Officers by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez presented discussion and approval of an advertisement for Police Chief with Salary.

Motion to approve an advertisement for Police Chief with Salary by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 8:11 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons.

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