Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome President and the Board of Trustees Met Aug. 5.

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 Civic Center, 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., by phone

Steve Roth, Village Treasurer

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the July 15, 2021 Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez stated hearing none, the July 15, 2021 minutes would stand approved as submitted.

Motion to approve the July 15, 2021 Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 22-07 dated August 5, 2021 totaling $9,370.39. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $6,527.89 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $1,232.29 will be paid from the 1% Fund, $1,444.17 will be paid from the Water Fund and $166.64 will be paid from Motor Fuel. Richard & Steinman bill will be paid out of line item is 1574.

President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 22-07 as amended. Motion to Approve the Bills to be Paid as amended by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez stated that Treasurer Roth will review the warrants this weekend and the checks will go out on Monday August 9, 2021.

President Lopez stated with the increase of Covid cases, we will be back to zoom meetings for the near future.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of August 5, 2021, via email. Currently there is approximately $610,059.14 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $75,616.81 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $21,945.43 in the INB GRF account and $221,069.77 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $305.00; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $742.43; 1% NHR - $299,282.39; Road & Bridge - $18,518.28; and Police Equipment Fund - $2,039.83, Cannabis Fund - $2,040.93, and for the MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $72,757.96. Thank you to Trustee Leigh Irons for gathering the documents the Auditor needed from the Police Department to finish up the audit. Still waiting from IL DCEO on awaiting the grants we have applied for.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

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

He noted that during the time 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 she has received a resignation letter from the acting chief, and we wish him the best of luck.

Trustee Raftis reported that the Public Works Dept has concluded cleaning out the culverts and that the water is moving. The repair in front of the Once in a Blue Moon has been completed also and saved the Village well over $15,000.

Trustee DeHart reported the gazebo and wheelchair ramp at the library, the staining and seal coats have been done. New side door and hardware on the side of the garage by the library has been installed. There was a neighborhood Facebook post on a complaint about something in the park, Trustee DeHart has sent a message to the individual but have not heard anything back yet. We are not sure what the complaint is and hope to hear from that individual soon.

Trustee Lael stated that 1322 Wabash is almost complete and looks great. Trustee Lael asked if they were compliant with a liquor license? President Lopez stated that yes, they have been issued their license.

Trustee Smith stated Sangamon County Department of Public Health along with the Village of Jerome will be hosting a COVID Vaccine Clinic on Friday August 20th from 10 am to 1 pm at the Jerome Civic Center. Trustee Smith is working on a possible Flu Clinic in October, and she has sent out more letters requesting clearing of line of sight blocking of branches throughout the Village. There are a few limbs out and debris that Trustee Smith has addressed, and she will be out walking this next week to see any progress from those residents.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated he had nothing to report.

Village Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report other than that AARPA funding will be funneling through DCEO.

President Lopez wanted to remind everyone that we are back to zoom due to the spike in positive Covid cases. The Vaccine Clinic flyers will be posted at the Village office, various businesses on Wabash, on the website and the media to get the word out. Calls are coming in from new businesses, nothing firm yet, just questions at this time.

OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez presented Ordinance 22-04 Allowing Food Trucks in the Village of Jerome. President Lopez would like to table this until the end of summer due to staffing issues with the Village businesses.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of Financing Terms for the Public Works Truck. Government Capital Corporation proposed financing $80,302.00 for 5 years with an interest rate of 2.86% with an annual payment of $17,726.51.

Motion to authorize and approve the terms of the lease purchase agreement between the Village of Jerome and Government Capital Corporation proposing financing $80,302.00 for 5 years with an interest rate of 2.86% with an annual payment of $17,726.51 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of Commercial Sweeping of Village Streets. Trustee Raftis stated there was some confusion as this line item is for deeper patching of Streets that are beyond our ability. The lowest bid for the deeper patching throughout the Village is from PH Broughton for $19,940.00 being paid out of the 1% fund. President Lopez stated, he has had comments that residents stated there hasn’t been this much work on the streets in a long time.

Motion to approve PH Broughton in the amount of $19,940 for various patching of the streets throughout the Village by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of Electric Bids for the Civic Center Kitchen Upgrade for a stove. Trustee DeHart stated there was 2 bids so far on installing an outlet for the stove in the Civic Center. Trustee DeHart would like to see how far they are out to do the work before we proceed. Costs for a new stove will be between $400 - $1,000.

Motion to authorize and approve installation of an electrical outlet in the Jerome Civic Center not to exceed $700.00 by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of hiring a full time Police Officer. Trustee Leigh Irons stated she received the application from Kyle Forsyth and would like to hire him as a full time officer in the amount of $24.00 per hour effective August 5, 2021 subject to a background check.

Motion to approve hiring Kyle Forsyth as a full time police officer at $24.00 per hour effective August 5, 2021 subject to a background check by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE, except Trustee Raftis voted present;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of appointing an acting interim police chief. Trustee Leigh Irons would like to appoint Kyle Forsyth as acting interim police chief effective August 14, 2021, with a stipend of $500.00 every pay as the acting interim police chief.

Motion to approve appointing Kyle Forsyth as the acting Interim Police Chief effective August 14, 2021 with a stipend of $500.00 every pay as the acting interim Police Chief by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE, except Trustee Raftis voted present;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of Proclamation Declaring and Continuing the State of Local Disaster.

Motion to approve a Proclamation Declaring and Continuing the State of Local Disaster by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Iron;

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of Rule No. 21-2 Village of Jerome Local Liquor Control Commissioner. President Lopez asked the Trustees to read through the Proclamation Declaring and Continuing the State of Local Disaster and reach out to himself or Attorney Brokaw with any questions or concerns.

President Lopez asked for discussion and approval of COVID-19 Mask Policy. Attorney Brokaw stated that since COVID-19 cases have spiked President Lopez had asked for a face mask policy to continue the commitment to maintain a safe and healthy workplace.

Motion to approve the COVID-19 Mask Policy by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

Trustee DeHart asked if we are continuing to rent the Jerome Civic Center and will we need to implement a mask policy for renters? President Lopez stated yes, Trustee DeHart will be making the signs asking all to wear masks while in the building.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons 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 DeHart seconded the motion.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:30 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:59 pm.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 8:06 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee DeHart.

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