Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met Jan. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, January 5, 2023, 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, arrived at 6:40

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

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 December 15, 2022, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the December 15, 2022, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the December 15, 2022, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; Trustee Leigh Irons arrived after the minutes were approved

MOTION PASSES.

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 23-17 dated January 5, 2023, totaling $68,065.45. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $23,513.10 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $18,096.16 will be paid from the Water Account, $13,366.19 will be paid from the 1% Fund, $5,000.00 will be paid from the Cannabis Account, and $8,090.00 will be paid from the ARPA account. Treasurer Roth stated there is an error on page 3 Amazon Visa charge shows code 5876, the correct code is 9769 for $38.48. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 23-17 as amended.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 23-17 totaling $68,065.45 as amended by

Trustee Leigh 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 6:41 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving no emails.

Elizabeth Hockenyos introduced herself as a member of the Boy Scouts and is working towards the Merit Badge by attending a counsel meeting. President Lopez welcomed her.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:44 pm.

President Lopez asked for a moment of silence for Harry Strimell, a previous Trustee and Village President who loved the Village of Jerome and conversation. President Lopez asked Trustee DeHart to order a plaque for the remembrance board and possibly renaming the Hippo at the Village Park to Harry the Hippo in remembrance. President Lopez thanked Harry for the lively dialogue and stated Rest in Peace my friend.

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith was absent although Trustee DeHart reported that there was some trash and landscaping items that have not been paying for service. Trustee DeHart and Trustee Smith will be sending letters to the properties for compliance.

Trustee Raftis reported the new truck is almost here, the pictures he has seen look good. Over the holidays, the stop sign at Maple and Lincoln was hit but Public Works were able to replace it quickly.

Trustee DeHart reported during the Christmas holiday, the Village had a water leak and that the staff came in and repaired the leak. Trustee DeHart was reporting in real time on the Village Facebook Group to alert residents and keep them informed. Trustee DeHart spoke with Bacon Von Buskirk regarding the Civic Door replacement, and it still appears it will take the full 7 weeks to receive. Trustee DeHart will reach out to Nate with Matrix for a time to install the computers in the main office and will speak with Ryan Electric to schedule the wiring upgrade at the Library.

Trustee Lael reported that Wing Stop will be reopened within two months. They have received a delivery of all new equipment.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated the Police Department is staying busy. One of the police vehicles was involved in a minor traffic accident on Christmas which ended with no damage to either vehicle. Chief Forsyth has reported some problems with the portable radios and Trustee Leigh Irons will look into that and obtaining a mobile phone for the Police Department to carry so they do not have to use their personal phone. Cody started the academy on Wednesday January 4th and will be in the class for 17 weeks.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated he and Treasurer Roth had several interviews and will be 2 that will be interviewed later tonight. Diane has been coming in 2-3 days a week to keep up with the Water Department. Trustee Leigh Irons asked if anyone else has been having cloudy water and why that was? Trustee Ralph Irons will contact Dave and report back.

Clerk Cave reported that at the next meeting the Executive Minutes Review will be on the agenda and asked if any Trustees need to schedule a time, please reach out and set an appointment.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

President Lopez stated he did speak with the Niemann Group and they are 60 days out for any announcement. There is also another deal for the real estate at Putt Putt. There is a 10 ft alley, Northeast corner by Putt Putt between properties that has not been vacated. President Lopez stated that the Village needs to investigate the alley.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of January 5, 2023, via email: Revenues: We have not received the revenue for January yet. We have not yet received our Road and Bridge Tax check for the year as of yet either. Funds: Currently there is approximately $1,029,743.21 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $164,775.19 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $28,802.12 in the INB GRF account and $180,045.59 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $110.36; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $687.43; 1% NHR - $265,349.07; Road & Bridge - $6,330.64; and Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $5,361.12, MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $109,136.94, and the American Rescue Plan Fund $143,784.39.

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

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Interior Painting Project of the Jerome Civic Center and the Municipal Building Lobby. Trustee DeHart stated she had sent an email to all Trustees earlier that stated the following: Project includes painting Civic Center walls, replacing baseboards and floor registers and also includes repair to walls and painting the Municipal building, lobby and replacing baseboards. *This project and purchase of supplies and materials were not purchased or completed in the last FY/CY as previously planned and voted on. Public works staff stability has it back on their schedule. Estimate costs $1,500.00. Preliminary cost estimates for paint and painting supplies $725.00, Cove Base adhesive and tools $432.00, Replacement registers $120.00, Wall repair material $223.00, Total $1,500.00 estimated. Menard’s or possibly Sherwin-Williams for paint. Best prices at the time of purchase. FYI, it does not include painting the ceiling, hallway, kitchen or restrooms at this time. Other projects need to be completed prior to painting some of those spaces such as replacing ceiling light fixtures, front doors and correct water fountain plumbing issues and purchase of a new one. Trustee DeHart stated that the Board approved this last year but because of other projects this did not get done.

Motion to approve the Interior Painting Project of the Jerome Civic Center and the Municipal Building Lobby not to exceed $1,500.00 by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A motion was made by Trustee Ralph Irons 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 7:05 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:56 pm.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Hiring of a Water Clerk.

Motion to approve the Hiring of a Water Clerk pending references and background checks at $20.00 per hour by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 23-08 An Ordinance Revising the Number of Liquor Licenses in the Village of Jerome. Attorney Brokaw stated that this Ordinance will reduce the number of licenses to the current existing ones and that any other business that would like to open within the Village that would like a liquor license would need to apply and it would come before the Village Board for approval to increase the number of licenses. Clerk Cave stated this Ordinance allows for 12 Tavern and limited beer and wine licenses, 2 package liquor and a total of 7 restaurants.

Motion to approve Ordinance 23-08 An Ordinance Revising the Number of Liquor Licenses in the Village of Jerome by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Leigh 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 7:59pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

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