Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois. 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

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

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

Absent:

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the May 5, 2022, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the May 5, 2022, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the May 5, 2022, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE, five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the April 21, 2022, Executive Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the April 21, 2022, executive meeting minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the April 21, 2022, Executive Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE, five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 23-02 dated May 19, 2022, totaling $33,060.31. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $10,366.43 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $21,810.16 will be paid from the Water Fund, $334.84 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $548.88 will be paid out of the Motor Fuel. Treasurer Roth stated there is a change on page 2, IMCO should be paid out of streets and water.

President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 23-02 as presented. Motion to Approve the Bills to be Paid as presented by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of May 19, 2022, via email: Revenues: We have our first reports of the new year, and except for Telecom, all revenue for the month of May has exceeded last year’s revenues. In fact, we had our single highest Income Tax revenue that I can remember, almost double what has been in the past. Further, Gaming Revenue and MFT finished last fiscal year on a strong note, both increasing from what had been the trend for the past year. For the Village and the things we want to accomplish, I am hopeful that this will continue into the new fiscal year. Funds: There are approximately $919,937.35 in the Illinois Funds GRF account after I transferred the funds into the 1% and Cannabis funds and I move money over to cover end of the year expenditures. There is $129,145.30 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $39,110.73 in the INB GRF account and $152,435.38 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $260.00; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $707.43; 1% NHR - $499,393.71 (with May revenue included); Road & Bridge - $18,991.94; Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $4,051.91 (with the May revenue included); MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $90,947.45; American Rescue Funds - $108,185.62. Annual Audit The audit will be performed June 21- 23, 2022. I have already sent out lists of documents I need from various departments for the audit and will set up the Board room the weekend before so that the auditors can complete their audit in a timely manner. For those providing documents, please provide them in advance as I indicated in my e-mail.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:35 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 no emails. Several individuals were present to speak with the board.

Heather Piepenburg of 1300 block of Iles addressed the board on people passing cars on Iles. Heather stated it is horrible traffic is there anything we can do to stop the issues?

Joe & Penny Cannella of 1300 block of Iles also addressed the board. Joe stated he is very concerned about a speeding white Nissan, he continues to blow past the stop sign also a yellow dodge pick up that is constantly passing and speeding on Iles. There is also a black SUV Mercedes on Park Ave that never stops at stop signs. Trustee DeHart stated that she brings anything up to the board when she sees it on social media.

Shawn Stillman of 1300 block of Iles stated he sees vehicles pass school buses. Noone can walk on Iles or ride their bikes. Someone is going to get hurt.

Allan Dietrick of 1600 Glenn asked the board who set the fire? President Lopez stated that the Spfld Fire Dept is still investigating.

Jackie Bordewick asked the board who are police officers were, do we have a field training officer, evidence officer, or a range officer? Trustee Leigh Irons addressed Jackie’s questions. First Trustee Leigh Irons stated she wants to thank everyone for coming and speaking about their concerns. Unfortunately, last year all our senior officers retired and due to the legislature, that has changed with policing, it is very difficult to find anyone that wants to work in Police. The Village currently has Chief Kyle Forsythe who is full time, Mark Puckett will be certified, he must qualify his range and 10 hours of refresher and he will be full time starting June 1st. Officer Jimmy Montgomery is part time and Trustee Leigh Irons will ask him to divert his attention onto Iles during his shifts. Chief Forsythe is also patrolling the Village. Alison Tolley is in training and will be out the first week of July and another part time officer begins in August which the Village will have 3 full time officers and 2 part time officers on staff. Trustee Leigh Irons also stated she has received additional applications that she is reviewing. Trustee Leigh Irons also stated she will reach out to other entities on borrowing their portable radar signs to act as a deterrent. Trustee Ralph Irons also stated that everyone is short staffed, its not just Jerome, it is City of Springfield, Sangamon County and all the municipalities around.

This portion of the meeting closed at 7:00 pm.

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 Smith seconded the motion.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:02 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:13 pm.

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith had nothing to report.

Trustee Raftis was absent from the meeting, no report was given.

Trustee DeHart had nothing to report.

Trustee Lael had nothing to report.

Trustee Leigh Irons had nothing to report.

Trustee Ralph Irons had nothing to report.

Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

President Lopez had nothing to report.

OLD BUSINESS DISCUSSION: Trustee DeHart asked to table the Leasing of the Jerome Civic Center until the next meeting. Trustee Ralph Irons and Treasurer Roth asked to table the sewer increase until the next meeting. President Lopez asked to table the Fiscal Year 2023 Raises for Jerome Employees.

President Lopez opened discussion on Ordinance 23-02 Making Appropriations for the Expenses of the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2023. Hearing none, President Lopez asked for a motion.

Motion to approve Ordinance 23-02 Making Appropriations for the Expenses of the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2023 by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion for the hiring of a Water Clerk. Ralph Irons presented hiring Richard Garfat as Water Clerk at $20.00 per hour.

Motion to approve hiring Richard Garfat as Water Clerk at $20.00 per hour by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened the discussion for the hiring of summer workers. Trustee Leigh Irons presented hiring Jacob Ruble and Sid Garrison both starting on Monday at $15.00 per hour. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that there is flagger training the next week that both individuals will need to go to.

Motion to approve the hiring of Jacob Ruble and Sid Garrison both starting on Monday May 23, 2022 at $15.00 per hour by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened the discussion for the hiring of the Village Secretary Position.

Motion to approve the hiring of Regina Morgan as the Village Secretary at a rate of $20.00 per hour by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened the discussion for the lease purchase of a 2022 Ram 2500. Treasurer Roth stated that the cost would be $63,175 and an additional $3200 for the extended warranty. The truck will replace the van, Treasurer Roth stated the costs would be shared between ARPA funding and the 1% account.

Motion to approve the lease purchase of a 2022 Ram 2500 in the amount of $66,375.00 by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion for the purchase of fire hydrants and hydrant installation parts for the Village repair and replacement from IMCO Utility Supply Co. Trustee Ralph Irons stated the purchase of hydrants are $3,195 each and with the right tools the Village could save over $10,000 doing the repairs instead of waiting for the City of Springfield to fix these. Treasurer Roth stated the cost would be paid for out of ARPA funds.

Motion to approve the purchase of 6 hydrants and equipment to repair not to exceed $20,000.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated that item F on the agenda is not necessary to discuss as the hydrant adapter parts from AEC are only $294.00 and that is under the threshold of approved spending without board approval.

President Lopez opened the discussion for the purchase of repair clamps and service materials for Village water system repair and replacement from Midwest Meter.

Motion to approve the purchase of repair clamps and service materials for the Village water system repair and replacement not to exceed $9,200.00 by

Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened the discussion for the purchase of supplies and specialty tools for Village water system repair and replacement from USA Bluebook. Trustee Ralph Irons stated these are wrenches and tools for main breaks and valve boxes. Due to the new lead and copper rules the Village will need to have these tools to repair any breaks and replace water lines.

Motion to approve the purchase of supplies and specialty tools for Village water system repair and replacement from USA Bluebook not to exceed $3,500.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; five yes, 1 absent

MOTION PASSES.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 8:45 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael.

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