Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees Met June 17.

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.

Steve Roth, Village Treasurer

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the June 3, 2021 Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez stated hearing none, the June 3, 2021 minutes would stand approved as submitted.

Motion to approve the June 3, 2021 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 asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 22-04 dated June 17, 2021 totaling $35,921.92. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $9,014.07 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $53.99 will be paid from the 1% Fund, $26,203.17 will be paid from the Water Fund and $650.69 will be paid from Motor Fuel.

President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 22-04 as presented. Motion to Approve the Bills to be Paid as presented by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Lael.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of June 17, 2021. Checks will be mailed out following this meeting. This fiscal year continues to impress at this point. We are up substantially from Revenues this time last year and even the year before in all categories, except the usual, Telecom. Gaming Revenue continues to hold and for the first time in a while the amount of Sales Tax and 1% Tax amount collected is substantial over what is normally collected. Although we have 10 months, to go for this fiscal year, we are definitely off on the right foot. Please continue to monitor your accounts and keep our monthly expenditures within budgeted amounts. There will be approximately $574,105.13 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $71,489.34 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $27,101.80 in the INB GRF account and $208,398.32 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 - $300,675.27 (with June deposit); Road & Bridge - $18,518.28; Police Equipment Fund - $2,039.83, Cannabis Fund - $1,846.85 (with June deposit); and for the MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $72,757.96.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

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 comments had been received.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:35 pm.

REPORTS:

Trustee Leigh Irons stated we are still needing applications for the Chief of Police and full and part time officers. June 30, 2021 will be the Chief’s last day with the Village of Jerome.

President Lopez spoke with Chief Estill before the meeting and wished him well from the Board. Trustee Raftis had nothing to report.

Trustee DeHart reported there was an emergency repair on the AC unit in the Jerome Police Department. Civic Center rentals have resumed and will be meeting with Debbie, Billy and herself on reviewing the cleaning procedures of the hall. Starfleet will be installing the thumb lock on the main door of the Jerome office. The library will be open soon. President Lopez asked Trustee DeHart to apply for a HomeTown Grant from T-Mobile that provides $50,000 to build or rebuild community spaces that promotes community involvement.

Trustee Lael reported the building next to Asian Market should be done by the end of July and possible opening September or October.

Trustee Smith reported there are 75 line of sight issues that Dave has put on a list regarding bushes and overhang of trees. There are 20 properties that has limbs out that will be getting letters to remove. Trustee Smith is working with Attorney Brokaw on a bank owned property on Park.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated he has nothing to report.

Village Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

President Lopez wanted to thank the board for all their help the last month. Reminder of the 4th of July parade on July 3rd at 9:00 am. No food will be provided due to Covid-19. Keep your eyes on your neighbors as there is a heat advisory. We are being aggressive with residents on weed violations. There has been no movement on the Shop and Save location. Trustee Ralph Irons asked if the area that has been barricaded off belongs to someone else. President Lopez stated that the folks from Niemann foods placed the barricades. There seems to be a dispute between the two property owners. Trustee DeHart stated she has found a costume of Uncle Sam and will bring it over for the 4th of July parade. Trustee DeHart stated that the Scouts are unable to attend on July 3, 2021.

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 Ralph Irons to discuss the compensation adjustment for the Jerome Water Clerk. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that currently Diane is making $14.71 an hour as the water clerk. Diane has done an exceptional job. Trustee Ralph Irons would like to raise Diane up to $15.00 per hour. Diane has stabilized that department. Trustee DeHart stated she is wonderful at speaking to the residents either in person or on the phone. Trustee Raftis stated he has no issues with Diane at all but didn’t we just raise everyone’s pay? President Lopez stated yes we did and that Diane is the lowest paid employee with the Village.

Motion to approve an increase of pay to $15.00 per hours for Diane Ahern, Water Clerk effective immediately by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

Treasurer Roth stated nothing against Diane, but we have increased salary rates on 2 separate times this fiscal year after we have already given raises for the fiscal year. Treasurer Roth wanted to caution the board with these increases we may run out of money in January for certain line items.

Treasurer Roth stated the $550,000, $250,000 and the $200,000 grants have all been approved. We have not heard about the 4th grant yet. President Lopez will be reaching out to the State to see when those funds will be released to the Village.

President Lopez stated that Franklin Middle School will be upgrading the bike path this year. Plans for the Macarthur Blvd construction is still underway, the total project will take 5 years to complete. The traffic study shows 20,000 – 27,000 cars per day from Iles Ave to Wabash on Macarthur. President Lopez will update as the project moves forward.

President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of fees for the Accounting Services by KEB. Treasurer Roth stated that KEB sent an email informing the Village they will be raising their rate. KEB has not raised their rate since 2018. KEB has also done all the adjustments for the last few years that the Auditor has addressed and has not charged the Village for the extra work. Treasurer Roth stated the costs will go up from $1,125 to $1,500 per month for their fees.

Motion to approve the increase in fees to KEB Accounting Firm by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez presented discussion and approval of CWLP Estimate to Replace two fire hydrants in the Village. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that CWLP identified two hydrants, during their testing, that are not functioning properly. Dave met with CWLP at the hydrants, 1 at Corbin and Vernon and the other one is at 16 Alberta Lane. Total estimated cost is $8,600.00. President Lopez will speak with the City of Springfield to see if we can recoup these funds.

Motion to approve replacement of two fire hydrants by CWLP not to exceed $9,000.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked for discussion and approval Emergency Replacement of the 1992 Air Condition Unit in the Police Department by Darrin Wood and Son Heating and Cooling. Trustee DeHart stated that it was discovered on Saturday that the air conditioner was not working. Darrin Wood came out and estimated a cost of $3,800.00 to replace the air conditioner. Trustee DeHart spoke with all the trustees this weekend to obtain approval prior to work being done. Luckily, Darrin Wood was able to come out on Monday afternoon and replaced the air conditioner for a final cost of $3,600.00.

Motion to approve replacement of the 1992 Air Conditioner Unit at the Police Department for $3,600.00 by Darrin Wood and Son Heating & Cooling by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez stated he is planning on the 2nd meeting in July to meet in person and present the retirement badges and certificates to Officer Brewer and Chief Estill. President Lopez reminded the Board that the next meeting we will go into executive session to review any applications for the Police Department.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:19 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

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