Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met Dec. 16.

Here are 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:

` Mike Lopez, Village President

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

Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

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 December 2, 2021 Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked for a correction on roll call to ensure his name was listed as present. President Lopez asked the December 2, 2021 minutes would stand approved as amended.

Motion to approve the December 2, 2021 Meeting Minutes as amended 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 22-16 dated December 16, 2021 totaling $56,850.42. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $24,410.25 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $32,409.99 will be paid from the Water Fund, $30.18 will be paid from the 1% Fund.

President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 22-16 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Bills to be Paid as presented by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of December 15, 2021, via email. Revenues: We are seeing the same pattern continue as has been all fiscal year where certain accounts continue to underperform compared to last year and other are exceeding expectations. Please continue to monitor your accounts and keep our monthly expenditures within budgeted amounts. Funds: There are approximately $760,348.12 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $103,208.30 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $50,663.04 in the INB GRF account and $204,160.30 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $285.00; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $712.43; 1% NHR - $406,345.43 (with December revenue included); Road & Bridge - $8.26; Police Equipment Fund - $2,039.83, Cannabis Fund - $3,054.56 (with the November revenues included); MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $72,757.96; American Rescue Funds - $108,096.75.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:36 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 she had received several comments by email. One of the comments that was given on November 30, 2021 was not read aloud on December 2, 2021 meeting. Clerk Cave read the comments into the minutes.

On November 30, 2021 at 8:54 pm Jackie Bordewick wrote President Lopez or someone from Public Works needs to explain why nothing has been done to stop water running west on Wabash by Osaka noticed before November 12th and getting worse.

On December 14, 2021 at 4:40 pm Ben Story wrote I would like to commend Public Works for quickly responding to my house after I reported my property being flooded by an open fire hydrant across the street. That being said, I would respectfully ask that the village work with contractors to make sure that they communicate with homeowners when flushing the hydrants. Any time the hydrant is opened like this it floods down my driveway and my neighbors. Usually, it's a short time, but when it's on for a long time the water backs up and starts infiltrating the property. This go around I had items floating in my garage by the time I realized that the hydrant was open. Thank you, Ben Story

On December 16, 2021 at 4:33 pm Audrey Walling wrote Hello, My name is Audrey Walling and I would like to submit the following for public comment for the 12/16/21 Village Board Meeting: 1) I am requesting that the Village reopen the playground. The children in Jerome should have access to the playground, which is within walking and biking distance from their homes. The closure only forces families to seek other playgrounds within Springfield, which have not been closed to the public. There is no public health directive mandating the closure of playgrounds. 2) I would also like to address the traffic on Iles Avenue. The traffic travels at high rates of speed, well over the speed limit - making pulling out of your driveway or even walking down your own street dangerous. It is used as a cut-through from MacArthur to Chatham Rd. for traffic that likely does not reside within Jerome. Please consider speed bumps and sidewalks for the safety of the residents. Thank you, Audrey Walling

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:40 pm.

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith stated she has nothing to report.

Trustee Raftis addressed the water main leak on Wabash. Public Works and CWLP had tested the water several times and it registered as ground water. Around November 30, 2021 Public Works tested the water again and it registered a leak. CWLP came out and repaired the water leak. They replaced the line as there was many band aids on that line over the last 20 years. I want to extend our apologies to Ben Story on the water that ran into his garage. Public Works was repairing a water leak at 1636 Glenn which led to the water going down onto his property. Trustee Raftis instructed Dave to investigate purchasing better equipment to divert the water during repairs. Apologies again to Ben. Trustee Raftis wants to remind residents to keep their culverts clear from sticks, leaves and debris. A battery for the van is needed and we received the brake and drum kit for the orange truck. The Village is looking into purchasing equipment to divert lanes of traffic; ex: arrow board trailers and the gentleman selling those also has a traffic radar trailer to register speeding. The gutter on Alberta Lane has been repaired. On Dec 20th at 4 pm, a meeting with the property owners at Leonard and Iles, 2 Jerome residents and 1 City of Springfield resident. Dave is obtaining street sign replacement bids and will be completing pesticides testing.

Trustee DeHart stated that Public Works has been working on picking up the downed limbs from last week’s high winds. Public Works is doing an inventory and replacing fixtures. The broken panels on the playground repairs have been made and the park has been winterized and closed until March. Trustee DeHart has worked to repair the copier/scanner so Debbie can scan documents. Toys for Tots is this weekend December 18, 11 am to 3 pm. Sign will be out tomorrow reminding residents.

Trustee Lael stated he has nothing to report.

Trustee Leigh Irons was contacted by Woodside Township who wished to donate funding to the police Department. A few of our car computers needs replaced and with the $1,000 donation from Woodside Township that will help offset the costs of the computers. Trustee Leigh Irons reminded residents that the holidays are coming up lock your cars and to keep an eye out on your neighbors.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated that there was a water leak on Glenn Street. Our Public Works department was able to repair this leak in house saving $4,000 to $6,000. Trustee Ralph Irons would like to meet with Treasurer Roth, Dave Wilken, and Trustee Raftis to see what else we need to purchase to do more in house repairs in the future.

Village Clerk Cave reported that the liquor license and gaming renewals are being delivered in the next week. Only one license renewal has not been received.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

President Lopez stated anyone that could assist Kathy and himself for Toys for Tots Saturday 11-3 pm accepting donations. The office will accept donations on Monday if they are not able to make it on Saturday. President Lopez wishes to commend everyone for their work over the year. 2021 has been a stressful year and our Trustees work well together even if they have a different opinion. President Lopez stated that he does not want to be a micro manager but if you need any assistance, please let me know. No development on Shop and Save, they are still in talks with Mr. Yang. Revenues are good and the expenses are stable. Business in Jerome are flourishing. No word from DCEO on the decision for Iles Avenue. The Village will continue to meet by zoom until further notice. Call ahead for visitors in the front office. Reminder that the Park will be closed until March. Clerk Cave and President Lopez will be getting the bulletin out around the first of the year, the postcards were very helpful this year on getting dates out to residents.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez asked Trustee DeHart to present discussion and approval of purchasing materials and supplies to paint and do minor repairs in the Civic Center and Village Hall Lobby. Trustee Leigh Irons stated the civic center was painted in 2017. Trustee DeHart would like to repair floors, ceiling tiles, plates, diffusers, paint the civic center, lobby, kitchen, restrooms, and the village hall lobby. Trustee DeHart would like to replace the toilets soon. The toilets are the small toilets and the stalls have been painted over several times. After further discussion Trustee DeHart would like to approve not to exceed $1,000.

Motion to approve purchasing paint and supplies not to exceed $1,000 for the civic center lobby, village hall lobby, kitchen, and repair and replacement of switches and ceiling tiles by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Raftis.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked for discussion and selection for the E-Pay System for the Water Accounts. Treasurer Roth stated that a few months ago the Village approved Invoice Cloud to provide the Village residents to pay online but the State of Illinois Treasurer’s office has a program that is much cheaper than Invoice Cloud which has not been signed yet. The program with the Treasurer’s office does all and more than Invoice Cloud, the Village could accept payment by credit card or e-check on zoning permits, liquor license and any other payments the Village receives. The residents can go online to make that payment and it allows that all water customers can provide their email and send electronic water bills. The savings would be remarkable. Costs to the residents would be cheaper. The Treasurer’s Office is now pushing this program to all municipalities and there is no contract no penalties and it would only take an intergovernmental agreement. Treasurer Roth stated that he had hoped to have all the details to present but did not receive them at this time. Treasurer Roth recommends tabling it to the next meeting.

President Lopez presented discussion and approval of Ordinance 22-16 Amending Section 300.7-13 Changing the Number of Liquor Licenses available for the Restaurant Classification. President Lopez stated that the Village has received an application from the Olive Oil bread store requesting a liquor license. Trustee Lael stated that it would be good for them and us. Attorney Brokaw stated this Ordinance would be raising the total of restaurant liquor licenses from 7 to 8 total.

Motion to approve Ordinance 22-16 Amending Section 300.7-13 Changing the Number of Liquor Licenses available for the Restaurant Classification by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez reminded Trustees that we have a three-week break and please keep an eye on your emails and to respond accordingly. Commend Acting Chief Forsythe and Officer Montgomery on their work the last few weeks, they are doing a great job.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:22 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

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