Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Village Board met Nov. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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.

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, arrived at 6:37pm

Also Present:

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

Steve Roth, Village Treasurer

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Absent:

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the October 20, 2022, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the October 20, 2022, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the October 6, 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 23-13 dated November 3, 2022, totaling $59,501.63. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $3,874.53 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $15,223.50 will be paid from the Water Account and $40,403.60 will be paid from the 1% Fund.

President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 23-13 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.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:35 pm.

Clerk Cave had no comments to read.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:36 pm.

President Lopez introduced Stephanie Ballinger with Benton & Associates. Stephanie presented a total of 6 options for the board to consider regarding lles Ave. Ranging in total from $600,000.00 to $6,680,000. The Village has been awarded a grant of $1,000,000 and was denied the grant of $3,500,000.00. Treasurer Roth stated that there are additional funds that can be used for the project and the board will need to decide if they want to deplete the funds that have been designated for road repairs since there are additional roads that need attention along with lles. After the presentation and discussion President Lopez stated that the Village will hold a town hall meeting for the residents to attend within the next 90-120 days. Stephanie Ballinger also stated that the Village needs to approve the Motor Fuel Tax program for 2022.

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith was absent, and Trustee DeHart reported that the Flu Clinic held on October 24, 2022, hosted 7 people for the Flu vaccine. Trustee DeHart has received one complaint on Iles with trash in the yard.

Trustee Raftis stated the Village has ordered the salt from the State of Illinois, the plow for the Ram has been ordered and they are still waiting on the hardware for the cutting edge of the orange truck. Trustee Raftis wanted to remind residents that the leaves are falling and to please do your best to keep them out of the culverts, drains and gutters. Limb pile removal will be next week, and letters will go out to the residents that won't be picked up.

Trustee DeHart reported the Halloween event on Saturday went well and that on the 31st Officer Tolley, Trustee DeHart and Trustee Leigh Irons handed out candy. Trustee DeHart has reached out to 2 vendors for an updated estimate, one from Third Wave on security and one for the roof of the garage. November 13, 2022, Trustee DeHart will attend the presentation from the Eagle Scout with the inventory of books. The Village Library hours are still slim and needs volunteers. Public Works has picked up the snow blower and they have cleaned out the gutters around the municipal complex.

Trustee Lael stated that the Wing Stop has had drywall delivered the last week since the fire during Labor Day of 2021. Trustee Lael stated a new nail salon is opening in the Jerome Mini Mall and a new home is coming at 1526 Glenn, no blueprints have been delivered yet. Trustee Lael stated that he has had some complaints on Air bnbs in the Village.

Trustee Leigh Irons wanted to thank Trustee DeHart, Dottie and Margaret for their help on Saturday for the Halloween event. Trustee Leigh Irons stated she would like to remind residents to keep their cars and homes locked up.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated we are still waiting for delivery on the hydrants and the additional materials. Public Works Supervisor Dave Wilken reported that some were a wait of 30 weeks. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that the bill pay is uploaded and will be exactly like the bill that is sent in the mail. The Village will do a test run for 10 residents to see that it is sent out correctly, most likely the board members. The Village needs more residents to sign up and the hope is after the next bulletin comes out it the Village will have more residents sign up for this convenience.

Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

President Lopez stated that the Halloween event on October 29, 2022, was a success and wanted to thank Trustee DeHart, Trustee Leigh Irons, Trustee Lael, Treasurer Roth and all the businesses that donated candy. President Lopez stated for these events we need more people. There were over 50 kids that came on Saturday, and we used to get over 150 but we gave away a lot of free stuff then also, with members of the board spending their own money to give items away. President Lopez also asked if Trustees cannot come in and sign warrants, please let him know, he does not want to sign them all but occasionally that will not be a problem. November 5, 2022 will be the large item drop off and it will happen rain or shine.

TREASURER REPORTS:

Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of October 20, 2022, via email: Revenues: We have not received the revenue for November yet. Funds: Currently there is approximately $965,333.82 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $151,855.79 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $39,416.70 in the INB GRF account and $164,343.92 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $125.36; Law Enforcement - Vehicle - $702.43; 1% NHR - $540,093.64; Road & Bridge - $6,330.64; and Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $4,948.48, MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $109,136.94, and the American Rescue Plan Fund $150,139.01.

OLD BUSINESS DISCUSSION:

Trustee DeHart asked to table the Leasing of the Jerome Civic Center until the next meeting.

Trustee DeHart asked to table ARPA funded project to upgrade the electrical wiring in the Village Library not to exceed $21,000.00 by Ryan Electrical Solutions.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION:

President Lopez opened discussion and approval the Purchase and Installation of 3 New Batteries for Orange Dump Truck. Trustee Raftis stated that the batteries currently in the truck cannot be used and will need each replaced for an amount of $138.00 each.

Motion to approve the Purchase and Installation of 3 New Batteries for Orange Dump Truck at $138.00 each by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Estimated Property Tax Levy Estimate. Attorney Brokaw stated that this is something that is done yearly, last year the street lights were $9,296.60 and police was $14,868.40, with the estimate for 2023 being a total of $25,373.25, of that street lights are $9,761.43 and police is $15,611.82.

Motion to approve the Snowplow Purchase for the 2022 Ram Utility Truck from Arrow Trailer and Equipment not to exceed $12,000.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

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 Ralph Irons seconded the motion.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:33 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:08 pm.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval on the Evaluation of Probationary Employee.

Motion to approve the Evaluation of Probationary Employee with a $1.00

an hour raise effective November 16, 2022 by Trustee Raftis 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 8:10pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis.

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