Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met Dec. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:34 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

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health, by phone

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

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:

Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the November 17, 2022, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the November 17, 2022, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the November 17, 2022, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; except Trustee Lael voted present MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the November 3, 2022, Executive Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the November 3, 2022, executive minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the November 3, 2022, Executive Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; except Trustee Lael voted present MOTION PASSES.

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 23-15 dated December 1, 2022, totaling $27,473.36. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $13,985.41 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $2,324.36 will be paid from the Water Account, $7,188.59 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $3,975.00 will be paid from ARPA Funds. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 23-15 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 23-15 as presented by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:40 pm.

Alan Dietrich addressed the board stating that the board needs a system for hearing impaired, he can barely hear what the Trustees are saying.

Clerk Cave received an email from Trustee Raftis that he requested to be read into the minutes. Trustee Raftis received an email from Michael Johnson on Friday November 18, 2022 at 11:14 am stating, For the Jerome board of trustees, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Philip Raftis on the concerns I have about traffic on the intersection of Park Avenue and Maple Avenue. I have a concern about people ignoring the stop sign as well as speeding down the aforementioned streets. I feel there needs to be more police presence on these roads to dissuade speeding and running stop signs. As I understand, several people have called with similar concerns. Is it going to take someone getting hit or worse for something to be done. Please consider this problem with great care and concern for the citizens of Jerome. I harken back to the days when people avoided Jerome because of the strict policing we once had. Thank you for your consideration in this mat. This is to be read into public record Michael Johnson 1232 W Maple Ave Jerome, IL 62704

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:43 pm.

President Lopez introduced Stephanie Ballinger with Benton & Associates. Stephanie asked for signatures for the grant paperwork that will be sent into the State and informed the Board Benton & Associates are speaking with the Engineering Firm that is responsible for the Macarthur project as to not have any overlap with Iles. Stephanie stated that the MFT program will be ready for the next agenda.

President Lopez stated there has been a big shakeup with DCEO and there seems to be a lack of paperwork that had been processed and project that have not been funded. A meeting will take place soon to address those issues.

President Lopez also stated that the Boards intention is to have a public meeting in January 2023 to address the Iles Ave project.

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith was apologized that she has been ill and has spoken with Trustee DeHart on the complaints of garbage in yards and the residents ignoring the letters, a plan is being constructed on how to move forward with those residents.

Trustee Raftis reported the plow has been installed, the first of two and that the new Ford is back to the dealer for a software issue and should be back by the end of the year. Salt has arrived and Public Works have replaced the radiator in the Street sweeper.

Trustee DeHart reported the electricians for the IT project in Civic Center will be out next week. The Civic Center door is out of commission and Dave has only had one reply for a bid. Library project has not been scheduled yet.

Trustee Lael reported that Wing Stop has drywall up, no word on when they will open back up. Trustee Leigh Irons was absent.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated Diane is doing a great job and that he will ask Trustee Leigh Irons to look into the resident’s complaint. Water bills went out today with Toys for Tots information on them.

Clerk Cave reported the first day for Candidate Packets are on Monday, December 12, 2022, from 10 am to 1:00 pm through Friday and then on December 19, 2022, from 10 am to 5:00 pm will be the last day to file.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

President Lopez stated that Toys for Tots is scheduled for December 10, 2022, from 12 pm to 3 pm. Neimann Foods will be meeting with President Lopez hopefully next week. President Lopez also wanted to send the Village condolences on the passing of Sam Montalbano, a Sangamon County board member. President Lopez reminded Trustee Raftis that the Village receives 5 tons of salt from the City of Springfield.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of December 1, 2022, via email: Revenues: We have not received the revenue for December yet. Funds: Currently there is approximately $1,019, 184.03 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $157,993.02 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $16,275.19 in the INB GRF account and $175,085.98 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $120.36; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $697.43; 1% NHR - $303,317.24; Road & Bridge - $6,330.64; and Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $5,164.95, MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $109,136.94, and the American Rescue Plan Fund $147,633.10.

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

President Lopez asked to table the 2022 Motor Fuel Tax program until the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of a Knox Box using ARPA funds. The Springfield Fire Department will be the ones to install the Knox box and they have recommended one that is black and is not recessed. Trustee DeHart would like it to be recessed and will reach out to them for another conversation prior to placing the order. Cost for the box is much higher for a silver or bronze box, for cost savings the board will order the black box.

Motion to approve the Purchase of a Knox Box using ARPA funds in an amount not to exceed $600.00 by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of Security Cameras and Equipment using ARPA funds. Third Wave had quoted $10,200 for the Village main complex which does not include the Jerome Police Department. The cameras will be on the main building, the civic center, the Public Works Garage, the equipment will be in a locked cabinet that the maintenance crew will not have access to. Treasurer Roth will investigate seeing how much funds there is left to install the Police Department set of security cameras and will have an answer at the next meeting.

Motion to approve the Purchase of Security Cameras and Equipment using ARPA funds with labor and installation in an amount not to exceed $10,200.00 by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

Trustee Raftis asked to table the Purchase of the Repair Parts and Maintenance Items for the Street Sweeper until the next meeting.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of 10 Meter Setters from Midwest Meters. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that Dave is needing 8-meter setters and would like to have a couple on hand for any future issues, each one costing $280.00 each.

Motion to approve the Purchase of 10 Meter Setters from Midwest Meters in the amount not to exceed $2,800.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Village of Jerome joining the Illinois Rural Water Association (IRWA). Trustee Ralph Irons stated IRWA will help educate and train our employees and provide equipment necessary and will aid in educating the community. The costs of joining depends on the number of residents in the Village. Total costs are $670.00.

Motion to approve joining the IRWA pending Jason Brokaw’s approval by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 23-07 Levying and Assessing Taxes for the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2023.

Motion to approve Ordinance 23-07 Levying and Assessing Taxes for the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2023, by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Resolution 06-23 Listing the Date, Time, and Place of Village of Jerome Board of Trustees Regular Meetings for 2023.

Motion to approve Resolution 06-23 Listing the Date, Time, and Place of Village of Jerome Board of Trustees Regular Meetings for 2023 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Holiday Dates for 2023.

Motion to approve Holiday Dates for 2023 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez wanted to remind the Trustees to inform their employees in their department regarding the Holiday Luncheon on December 7, 2022, at Noon for all Employees, Trustees and Public Officials.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:36pm. Motion was made by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis.

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