Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met March 17.

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 March 3, 2022, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the March 3, 2022, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the March 3, 2022, 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 22-22 dated March 17, 2022, totaling $88,983.30. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $7,046.15 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $81,714.63 will be paid from the Water Fund, $222.52 will be paid from the 1% Fund.

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

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of March 17, 2022, via email Revenues: Our revenues continue to stay stable and not much change overall as we enter the last stages of the fiscal year. As things continue to even out it will assist in making our budgeting process that much more efficient as we will not have the ups and downs as we have had in the past. However, with tax holidays and suspension of taxes being discussed at the State Capitol we will need to monitor that closely as it can directly impact the financial status we have at this point. Funds: There are approximately $865,345.06 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $118,054.75 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $18,761.66 in the INB GRF account and $204,239.00 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $270.00; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $697.43; 1% NHR - $466,045.67 (with March revenue included); Road & Bridge - $18,991.94; Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $3,567.23 (with the March revenue included); MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $72,757.96; American Rescue Funds - $108,150.06. First draft of the budget worksheets have been sent out and I will be meeting with departments to conduct follow up meetings to finalize the budgets before the next board meeting. Please review those drafts before we meet again.

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 two emails. DRAFT

On March 15, 2022 at 4:44 pm Kym Garner wrote: Hello, I just wanted to put to the board if we will finally be able to have an official Jerome Garagesale weekend this year. Last year we were able to hodgepodge together a few common dates using the Residents of Jerome Facebook group. Even if Jerome doesn’t want to have an official garagesale date, can you please provide us with a deadline for information going into the spring newsletter. That way us residents can once again heckle out a date and give it to you so the Village might be able to then put a mention in the spring newsletter (hopefully for free) so that all of the residents not just the Facebook friendly ones could know the date chosen for a “un official ” garage sale in case they would like to participate this year. Thank you Kym Garner

On March 4, 2022 at 9:05 am, Natalie Enrietto sent the following email: I just wanted to thank you all for an exceptional job well done on snow removal this season. I never once felt roads in the village were impassible, never felt buried in my driveway and was just overall very impressed with the work crews did to keep traffic moving, especially during the 3 major storms. Thank you again for the hard work and effort. It is very much appreciated! Natalie Enrietto

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:39 pm.

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith stated she has been receiving fire pit applications and is working through them. Trustee Smith wanted to remind residents that the Village does not pick up large items; residents will need to purchase a sticker and contact their waste hauler for removal. Limb pickup is scheduled for April 11, 2022, do not put any limbs out until the weekend before.

Trustee Raftis stated Public Works has started the winter cleanup and getting the equipment ready for spring. Trustee Raftis would like to remind residents that Habitat for Humanity offers large item pickup.

Trustee DeHart stated the Eagle Scouts are done with the inventory at the Library. Trustee DeHart would like to publicly thank the person or persons for cleaning up all the litter on Chatham Road, Iles and South Street. Trustee DeHart also stated that the Village Park repairs are underway and that the Village Park should be open to the public this weekend. Trustee DeHart announced an Easter Egg Hunt for either April 9th or 10th and would like some feedback from the Trustees on which day they would prefer. Donations are welcomed.

Trustee Lael stated Lincoln Yellow Cab needs drivers. Trustee Lael has reached out to Michael Chau on the progress of opening Wrap n Go, Michael is in Vietnam visiting family. Trustee Lael reported nothing is moving on Debbie’s Video Gaming. Trustee Lael stated he will continue to check the progress of the new businesses in the Village.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated there is a lot of wrong information being given to our residents and she is wanting to clarify a few things. First, we have police every day, it may be county or other entity, but we have coverage. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 if not call the non-emergency number at 217- 753-6666. The Village will not disclose when our police are on duty for the safety of our residents and our police. The Village does not need to invite more crime into our village by letting people know when there is no one here. Regarding our new officers, Officer Buck who is a certified fto officer will be starting the 1st week of April and will be riding with the Chief for the 1st week to get acquainted with the Village. Then Officer Buck will be working opposite of the Chief. Alison will begin school in May of 2022. Trustee Leigh Irons stated she encourages any resident that has any questions or concerns about the police department to please either email her or call.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated that the new E-pay is almost ready thanks to Treasurer Roth getting it going. Currently, the Village is waiting to view the draft website and our IT guy to install the credit card access at the Village office. Once that is done, we will be ready to allow residents to utilize the new system. Treasurer Roth and Trustee Ralph Irons will be putting together a letter and will get information to the Clerk to add it in the newsletter.

Village Clerk Cave reminded everyone to file their Economic Interest Statements with Sangamon County. Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

President Lopez stated the bulletin is on hold for E-Pay along with a separate mailing that will go to each residence. President Lopez stated that the first week of May 2022 will be an in person meeting. President Lopez also wanted to remind the Trustees that there will be an additional meeting in April to discuss the budget. Saturday July 2, 2022 at 9 am will be the 4th of July parade.

OLD BUSINESS DISCUSSION: Trustee DeHart asked to table the Leasing of the Jerome Civic Center until the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez asked Trustee DeHart to present for discussion and approval of the Rental of Equipment for Shared Use with Streets and Property in the Park for $1,500.00. Trustee DeHart stated that we had to wait for warmer weather to clean up some trouble spots with streets and replenish the rock in the park, it will require the renting of a mini skid-steer. Trustee DeHart stated that unfortunately Dave verified the rental rate today and the rate on the rental has increased to $1,825.00 for 5 days. Trustee DeHart stated that Streets will utilize the mini skid-steer for 1 day and Parks will utilize it for the other 4 days.

Motion to approve the Rental of a Mini Skid-Steer for Shared Use with Streets and Park for 5 days not to exceed $1,900.00 by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Lael.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked Trustee DeHart to present for discussion and approval the Purchase of Gravel Replenishment in the Park for $1,600.00. Trustee DeHart stated that the pea gravel needs replenished under the swings and playground. 9 inches of pea gravel is recommended on the playground and under the swings. Dave has recommended 40 tons of pea gravel to build the play ground up.

Motion to approve the Purchase of Gravel Replenishment in the Park not to exceed $1,600.00 by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Lael.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked Trustee Leigh Irons to present for discussion and approval of Updating the Police Department Computers and Docking Stations from Matrix Systems for $15,236.75. Trustee Leigh Irons stated this upgrade will consist of 2 computers inside with docking stations and 2 computers in the trucks with docking stations. Trustee Smith stated that the computers do need to be updated.

Motion to approve Updating the Police Department Computers and Docking Stations from Matrix Systems for $15,236.75 Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

Upon roll call, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked Trustee Raftis to present for discussion and approval of the CDL Training Expenses Agreement. Trustee Raftis stated that this agreement will require Matt Turner, in the event that he leaves employment with the Village of Jerome within one year, he must pay back 50% of the cost of his CDL, if Matt leaves after two years of employment, Matt will not have to pay back any costs. Trustee Raftis stated the costs for the CDL class is $4,950.00.

Motion to approve the CDL Training Expense Agreement by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked Trustee Leigh Irons to present for discussion and approval of the Police Training Expenses Agreement. Trustee Leigh Irons stated that this agreement is similar to the CDL agreement, that as new officers come into the Police Department, and are required to do any Academy, the officer will be asked to sign the agreement and if they choose to leave Jerome’s employment, they will reimburse the Village for their training within a specific time frame.

Motion to approve the Police Training Expenses Agreement for the Police Department by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael.

Upon roll call, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked Trustee Raftis to present for discussion and approval of the Proposal for Engineering Services from Benton & Associates, Inc. Cameron Jones addressed the Board stating this Agreement will be for the conceptional design on Iles. Cameron stated with having one million dollars secured, it still may not be enough to fund the entire project. The design will include all improvements to the road, storm sewers, curb and gutters, surveying etc. Treasurer Roth stated that it is a long road but the preliminary work is necessary to see how far the money will take us on the road. Trustee Smith asked how long Iles is. Trustee Raftis stated it is one mile long. Treasurer Roth also stated that the fee for the engineering agreement can be paid out of the grant funding.

Motion to approve the Proposal for Engineering Services from Benton & Associates, Inc. for preliminary work on Iles by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:34 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis.

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