Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Village Board met March 2 

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of the

Village of Jerome Board

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, March 2, 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, via phone Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health, via phone

Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety

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.,

Zach Sweet, Village Treasurer in Training

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Absent:

Steve Roth, Village Treasurer

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the February 16, 2023, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the February 16, 2023, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the February 16, 2023, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh 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 23-21 dated March 2, 2023, totaling $13,239.86. President Lopez added that of this amount $9,019.17 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund and $4,220.69 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez stated that Trustee Lael would like to use a different vendor than Springfield Overhead Doors by Hart as they will not register with the Village. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 23-21 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 23-21 totaling $13,239.86 as presented by

Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

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. 

Clerk Cave reported receiving no emails.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:37 pm.

REPORTS: 

President Lopez stated there is no movement on Shop n Save, hopefully there will be a decision in the next few days, there are many stories but one thing he was told it would not be a grocery store. Easter Egg Hunt on April 2nd, July 4, 2023 for the July 4th parade and celebration starting at 9 am, the Village needs volunteers to serve breakfast hot dogs. Thank you to all Trustees for your help. Treasurer Roth has emailed everyone for the budget meetings. Please make every effort to attend the budget meetings.

Trustee Smith stated that she had nothing to report.

Trustee Raftis stated that he had nothing to report.

Trustee DeHart reported the Ryan Electric is finishing up the electricity in the library and Public Works will need to do some repairs behind them. IT project is nearing completion and should have a time in the next week to meet with the President, Clerk and Treasurer. Easter Egg Hunt supplies have been purchased. Dave has completed a park inspection for the year and there are some chains on the swings that need to be replaced. Trustee DeHart has asked Public Works not to cut the grass yet and to keep the park closed.

Trustee Lael reported that Wing Stop is in the works and there is a new business coming to 1501 Wabash called TC Nail Salon.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated the Police Department is conducting interviews for the Police Department. Ads are out and folks are still applying. The Village is paying $20-$22 per hour to start.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated the water surveys will be going out to the residents soon. Dave is ahead of most Villages on the new requirements the state has passed.

Clerk Cave asked for any bulletin items to be emailed as soon as possible. Clerk Cave also reminded the Trustees that the Statement of Economic Interest is in your emails and will need to be filled out, if possible, please send me a copy for your file.

Attorney Brokaw stated he had nothing to report.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of March 2, 2023, via email: Revenues: We have not received the revenue for March yet. Funds: Currently  there is approximately $1,055,908.44 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $176,678.12 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $58,162.26 in the INB GRF account and $193,425.57 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $105.36; Law 

Enforcement – Vehicle - $666.89; 1% NHR - $346,945.57; Road & Bridge - $19,458.78; and Police  Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $784.94, MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $109,136.94, and the American Rescue Plan Fund $120,951.69. The Budget Worksheets have been distributed. I am tentatively planning on the first rounds of meetings for the week of March 12, 2023. Please check your calendars for that week and let me know your availability. The second round of meetings will occur the week of March 26, 2023, so that I can have the draft of the budget for discussion and review on April 6, 2023. 

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

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Bids on Replacing the Roof on the Police Department. Trustee DeHart asked to table until the next meeting.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval on the Water Adjustment for 11 Reed. Trustee Ralph Irons asked to table until the next meeting.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval on the Hiring of Police Officers. Trustee Leigh Irons stated she would like to hire Addison Miller as an officer effective May 1, 2023, at $21.00 per hour. Addison currently works for the Sangamon County Jail, Church Security and is an EMT. Trustee Leigh Irons stated he will need to go to training in April.

Motion to approve the hiring of Addison Miller as a Part time Police

Officer for $21.00 per hour and a start date of May 1, 2023, by Trustee

Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES. 

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Hiring of a Police Chief. Trustee Leigh Irons asked to table until the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Purchase and Installation of Security Cameras in the Municipal Building Offices from Thirdwave Data. Trustee DeHart stated that the cameras will be interior cameras anywhere cash is present. Total costs for the cameras, labor and the recording systems is $994.00.

Motion to approve the Purchase and Installation of Security Cameras in the Municipal Building Offices from Thirdwave not to exceed $1,100.00 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 Leigh 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 Ralph Irons seconded the motion.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:04 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:25 pm.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:27pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

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