Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome President and the Board of Trustees met June 2.

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 6:32 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

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health

Also Present:

Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C.,

Steve Roth, Village Treasurer

Absent:

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the May 19, 2022, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the May 19, 2022, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the May 19, 2022, Meeting Minutes as presented by:

Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the May 5, 2022, Executive Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the May 5, 2022, executive meeting minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the May 5, 2022, Executive Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:36 pm.

Jackie Bordewick, 15 Homewood Court, addressed the Board on the purchase of a new radar trailer that is listed on the agenda when in December of 2021 the Village purchased a radar trailer for $400. Jackie asked where are the arrows and that radar trailer that was purchased? Trustee Raftis stated that the trailer which was purchased in December is inoperable at this time and needs service, the screen board is inoperable and that trailer that was purchased is used by the Public Works Department. Trustee Leigh Irons stated this radar trailer will be used by the Police Department and will be able to be moved at various places in the Village besides Iles Ave.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:38 pm.

President Lopez thanked everyone for coming to the meeting, there are quite a few items to cover tonight and several items we will consider purchasing. Hyvee has agreed to donate the hot dogs and drinks for the 4th of July parade. The Village will pick up the items on July 1st. Several businesses have reached out to Office that are requesting to walk in the parade. Any items that need to be surplus please let us know before the next meeting. Water bills are out. The Village office is now open again for public access. The bulletin is out in the mail. No development with Shop n Save yet.

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith reported she is working through complaints and working with Dave on the list for tree trimming. Residents will be required to reimburse the Village on the tree trimming.

Trustee Raftis reported that Public Works are working on patching and maintenance on equipment.

Trustee DeHart stated that Public Works are catching up on cleaning the baseboards, police department, civic center etc. Trustee DeHart will work with Trustee Smith on the complaints that need addressed. Trustee DeHart is working with Matrix System on upgrading the computer systems.

Benton & Associates has completed the survey of Iles and will provide the board with possible uses for the grant monies that the Village had received.

Trustee Lael stated that Sangamon County Hazard Mitigation Task Force meeting on May 26, 2022 and turned in all the paperwork. A house on Glenn with the burn issue has sold and Trustee Lael has spoke with him regarding bringing the home up to code.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated the new body cameras are in. Officer Puckett emailed the Chief on Tuesday stating that he would not be taking the full-time position. Alison is doing well in the full-time academy.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated that there are a lot of changes with water due to IEPA requirements. There may be folks looking into the pits to see if there are lead or copper.

Clerk Cave was absent from the meeting.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of June 2, 2022, via email: Revenues: We have received no revenue for June as of yet. Funds: Currently there is approximately $880,557.94 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $129,232.52 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $62,698.63 in the INB GRF account and $155,996.19 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $255.00; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $702.43; 1% NHR - $499,059.37; Road & Bridge - $18,991.94; and Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $4,046.91, MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $90,947.45, and the American Rescue Plan Fund $108,204.59. Just a reminder that the annual audit will be June 21st – 23rd.

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

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion for the purchase of a vertical barricade purchase. Dave stated that we need to purchase more barricades, that will allow traffic control and allow a safe distance away from the area the Public Works crew is working on. Dave would like to purchase 40 stackable barricades. The stackable barricades are the same ones the City of Springfield uses. Total costs are $2,480.00 at $62.00 each.

Motion to approve the purchase of 40 stackable barricades not to exceed $2,500.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion on the Purchase of Street signs and the appropriate hardware. Dave stated that the round posts are not compliant. Public Works will be removing those and replacing them with posts that are compliant. 95 street signs with brackets and hardware are needed. Total cost is $2,300.00. The signs will be reflective and at appropriate height.

Motion to approve the Purchase of Street signs and appropriate hardware not to exceed $2,500.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion for the purchase of the 2022 Ram 2500 instead of a Lease agreement. Treasurer Roth stated that we had discussed leasing the vehicle until the ARPA funds was received by the Village and after talking with Trustee Raftis the Village can purchase the vehicle with half coming out of the 1% fund and the other half using ARPA funds.

Motion to approve the Purchase of 2022 Ram 2500 totaling $66,375.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion on Ordinance 23-03 Amending Section 408.2-2 of the Village Code Related to Costs of Collecting Rates and Charges for Sewerage Service Imposed by the Sangamon County Water Reclamation District.

Motion to approve Ordinance 23-03 Amending Section 408.2-2 of the Village Code Related to Costs of Collecting Rates and Charges for Sewerage Service Imposed by the Sangamon County Water Reclamation District by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion on the Change in Rate for Legal Work. President Lopez and Attorney Brokaw has had several discussions regarding the rate for legal work. There has not been a rate increase in at least 6 years. Our current monthly rate is $525.00 and an hourly rate of $180.00 effective today June 2, 2022.

Motion to approve the change in rate for legal work to a monthly rate of $525.00 and an hourly rate of $180.00 by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

Trustee Leigh Irons asked to table the hiring of Ethan Smith as a full time Police Officer. President Lopez tabled a Future Date for Review of Executive Meeting Minutes.

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 Leigh Irons seconded the motion.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:09 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:11 pm.

OLD BUSINESS CONTINUED: President Lopez opened discussion for the Fiscal Year 2023 Raises for Jerome Employees.

Motion to approve a 10% increase in pay for Dave Wilken and Brandon Jackson retroactive to May 1st, 2022 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE, except Trustee DeHart and Trustee Leigh Irons voted NO;

MOTION PASSES.

Motion to approve a 3% increase in pay for the Police Department and the Village Office Staff retroactive to May 1, 2022 not included is seasonal or probationary personnel by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION CONTINUED: President Lopez opened discussion for the employee evaluations.

Motion to approve the employee evaluations that were presented to the Board in Executive Session by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened the discussion for the temporary office help.

Motion to approve the temporary office help in the amount of $225.00 to Teresa Kirk by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened the discussion for the Water Operator Stipend.

Motion to increase the Water Operator Stipend from $250.00 per month to $425.00 effective June 1st, 2022 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 23-03 dated June 2, 2022, totaling $89,242.23. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $6,646.00 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $14,241.10 will be paid from the Water Fund, $33,187.00 will be paid out of the ARPA funds, $34,298.17 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $876.96 will be paid out of the Motor Fuel.

President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 23-03 as presented. Motion to Approve the Bills to be Paid as presented by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 8:18 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

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