Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Village Board met July 21.

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

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health

Also Present:

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

Steve Roth, Village Treasurer, by phone

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the July 7, 2022, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the July 7, 2022, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the July 7, 2022, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Raftis

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:41 pm.

Mark Hansen addressed the Board regarding a large water bill he received. Mark stated he spoke with Denise regarding the usage and on 7/7/22 there was no water on but it was still showing usage and then on the 13th or 14th the Water Supervisor came out and stated there was water usage but could not detect a leak as there was no evidence in the yard or around the meter. Mark stated he is trying to sell the house and he would like a letter stating that there is no leaks at his residence. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that Dave has replaced the meter at his home and hopes that the situation has been resolved.

Allen Dietrich addressed the Board regarding walking against the traffic and that he would like to see that in the next bulletin to remind residents. He feels it is very dangerous to walk with the traffic and he sees too many residents walking with the traffic when they should be walking against the traffic.

Jackie Bordewick addressed the Board that the sign on Park street to alert drivers that there are speed bumps ahead was knocked down. Where is it at? Trustee Raftis stated that Public Works picked up the sign and it is in the shop waiting to be repaired. The Village is seeing supply chain issues and there are brackets that are necessary for the repairs and they have not come in yet.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:49 pm.

President Lopez reported that Covid is on the rise again and the Board will continue to meet in the Civic Center to allow for social distancing. President Lopez wanted to thank Dave and the Public Works staff they are doing a great job. President Lopez wanted to publicly apologize for the limb pickup notifications, unfortunately only water customers was sent notices and not the entire Village of Jerome. President Lopez stated that in the future there will be a coordinated notifications by postcards or by letters to ensure that all residents be notified. Limbs must be on the easement to be picked up, the Village will not go into a residents back yard or side yard to remove the limbs. Reminder to all residents to lock your cars, there are too many stolen vehicles around the City lately. Presidetn Lopez introduced Chief Forsythe to the residents in attendance and reminded the Board that Alison will graduate the first week of August. President Lopez is still working on the Ice Cream Social and when that will be in August or September 2022 and there is no update yet on Shop n Save.

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith reported that she is still receiving a steady stream of fire pit applications. Trustee Smith stated she is working on some complaints that have come in and will have a date for the Flu Clinic soon.

Trustee Raftis reported that a sign regarding limb pickup will be located at the entrance into the Village. Trustee Raftis reminded residents that there is a pvc frame of the size of a limb pile that will be picked up. Microsurfacing is on hold as Trustee Raftis is still waiting on a date for a meeting. Letters will be mailed out to residents to trim or cut trees, bushes, and etc. Public Works are working on minimal patching next week. Trustee Raftis would like to see about allowing residents to have any of the old signs the Village has deemed surplus.

Trustee DeHart stated she has ordered a white board on wheels to allow use in the Village meetings. Trustee DeHart stated that the Civic Center will be rented on Sunday.

Trustee Lael stated Debbie’s Gaming in the Jerome mini-mall is open and no word on the Barn space yet. Wing Stop is still not opened and Serve Pro has not been there lately as we are coming up to the anniversary of the fire.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated the radar buggy has been ordered and will arrive in the next 4 – 5 weeks. Trustee Leigh Irons reminded residents to lock your cars and keep an eye on your neighbors.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated that Denise is doing a great job and next week EPAY training will be in the office.

Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 23-06 dated July 21, 2022, totaling $47,379.06. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $20,084.23 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $25,840.74 will be paid from the Water Fund, $782.50 will be paid out of the ARPA funds, $671.59 will be paid from the 1% Fund.

President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 23-06 as presented. 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.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of July 21, 2022, via email: Revenues: For the most part, after some highs and lows the revenues have seemed to stabilize, with a number of funds still having higher receipts than expected. Since this ends the first quarter, the good news is that we are on track with revenue projections for the most part. However, I will continue to monitor. Funds: There are approximately $964,838.29 in the Illinois Funds GRF account after I transferred the funds into the 1%, Cannabis, and General funds. There is $140,700.64 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $45,024.46 in the INB GRF account and $175,470.56 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $600.00; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $717.43; 1% NHR - $510,308.61 (with July revenue included); Road & Bridge - $18,991.94; Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $4,472.16 (with the July revenue included); MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $90,947.45; American Rescue Funds - $66,277.27. Annual Audit: The audit will be performed next week, June 21-23, 2022.

OLD BUSINESS DISCUSSION: Trustee DeHart asked to table the Leasing of the Jerome Civic Center until the next meeting. Trustee DeHart asked the Board to review the program under IML called TULIP, as it offers us and individuals who would be renting the civic center to help cover negligent acts. Trustee DeHart stated that the website has a lot of great tools the Village could use.

Trustee Raftis asked to table the Presentation of Patching and Micro Surfacing Project along with the bid for tree removal and tree trimming in the Village.

Trustee DeHart stated that there was some interest expressed online for a Fall Garage Sale. Trustee DeHart stated she has spoke to a few individuals that are very excited about garage sales and would like to hold a spring and fall sale each year. Trustee DeHart stated she was unaware that there is such a huge following of garage sales pages online and that the people she has spoke to are very excited about posting it on those sites. Trustee DeHart would like to reach out to Jerome businesses to see if there are some sort of sales they can offer during the days of the sales. Trustee DeHart stated there is no need for it to be in the paper, the Village can put the signs up at the entrances to announce the sales.

Trustee Raftis asked for the Large Item Pick up be tabled as he has been out of town for work and have not been able to reach out to Lake Area Disposal again.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Resolution 03-23 Approving and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for the Local Government Health Plan. President Lopez stated this is something we do every year.

Motion to approve Resolution 03-23 Approving and Authorizing the

Execution and Delivery of an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for the Local Government Health Plan by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval for Resolution 04-23 Approving an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with Sangamon County Animal Control Services.

Motion to approve Resolution 04-23 Approving an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with Sangamon County Animal Control Services by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of CDL School Expense for Public Works Employee subject to reimbursement agreement. Trustee Raftis explained that the price of the CDL school has increased to $5,695.00. Matt Turner would start on August 1, 2022 and within 30 days he should be able to have a CDL. Matt Turner would sign an additional agreement that states if he leaves within 2 years he will have to repay a portion of the costs of schooling. Dave and Brandon both have their CDL’s, Matt is the only one without one. The Village is investing in the employees.

Motion to approve the CDL school expense of $5,695.00 subject to a reimbursement agreement by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A motion was made by Trustee Raftis 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 7:16 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:44 pm.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:44 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

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