Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Village Board met May 4

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, May 4, 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.

OATH OF OFFICE: President Lopez addressed the Village Board and the public on the certification of the 2023 Election by asking Trustee Leigh Irons, Ralph Irons and Dale Lael to approach and recite the Oath of Office of Village Trustee.

President Lopez stated that the Village Board has a vacancy of a Trustee for a two year term. President Lopez asked the Board to accept his temporary nomination of Trustee Christina Smith to be appointed to the position for 90 days.

Motion to approve the appointment of Christina Smith as a temporary Trustee for 90 days as presented by: Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

President Lopez asked Trustee Smith to recite the Oath of Office for Trustee.

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

Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Also Present:

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

Zach Sweet, Village Treasurer

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Absent:

Steve Roth, Village Treasurer

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the April 20, 2023, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the April 20, 2023, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the April 20, 2023, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 24-01 dated May 4, 2023, totaling $98,097.22. Treasurer Sweet added that of this amount $36,102.86 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $26,250.89 will be paid from the Water Account, $7,954.75 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $27,789.38 will be paid from the ARPA funds. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24-01 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-01 totaling $98,097.22 as presented by

Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Sweet stated he is working with Treasurer Roth to finalize the appropriations for FY 2024. President Lopez stated to Treasurer Sweet he appreciates all his due diligence in learning the position.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

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

Clerk Cave reported receiving one email that was sent to all board members. President Lopez asked that the email be read into the minutes.

Anthony Mohler sent an email to the Village Clerk on April 27, 2023 at 2:38 pm stating the following along with 10 pictures: Something need to be done with this tree and yard. You can not see pulling on to Mable st from evergreen ct. we all know how fast everyone goes down Mable st. and police don’t cover that street any more

Supervisor Dave Wilken stated that the tree needs to be removed.

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

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith stated she is going through fire pit applications for a permit.

Trustee Raftis had nothing to report.

Trustee DeHart reported Friday June 2, and Saturday June 3, 2023, will be the Village Wide Garage Sales. Trustee Lael reported that Wing Stop is not open, and they are still cleaning.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated Addyson has started the Academy on Tuesday May 2, 2023. It is a 12-week course and he should be done with the Academy in August. Trustee Leigh Irons stated she wanted to publicly thank all the first responders who arrived on scene at the Interstate 55 accident earlier in the week.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated Dave should have the Water Quality Report out soon. Diana has reported the new water clerk is working out great.

Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw stated he had nothing to report.

President Lopez stated that Hy vee will be providing refreshments for the July 4th parade. Unfortunately, there are several individuals that normally come to the parade on Saturday and are unable to attend on the actual 4th. President Lopez asked if the Board knew of anyone that could sing God Bless America to let him know. President Lopez has asked a resident to be the Grand Marshall of the parade as he is 99 years and 3 months old. President Lopez would also like to have a Trumpet play on Memorial Day at 3 pm for commorancies of the Veterans that have fallen in the Village.

OLD BUSINESS DISCUSSION: Trustee Leigh Irons asked to table the Hiring of the Police Chief.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Hiring of a Police Officer. Trustee Leigh Irons and Chief Tolley have interviewed a new officer and would like to hire him.

Motion to approve the Hiring of Aaron Jahns at $21.00 per hour effective May 15, 2023, by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Contract for Paving and Concrete Work for Municipal Complex to meet ADA Requirements. Trustee DeHart asked to table that until the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Preliminary Engineering Agreement for Vernon Avenue. Trustee Raftis asked to table until the next meeting.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of a Set of Forks for the Backhoe. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that this will assist Public Works in lifting various equipment and supplies within the Public Works Department.

Motion to approve of the Purchase of a Set of Forks for the Backhoe not to exceed $1,500.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the GPS Data Collection and GIS Mapping of the Village Water System by Illinois Rural Water Association. Trustee Ralph Irons stated this has been budgeted for FY 24. Dave stated that the GPS will map all the water infrastructures, mains, valves, hydrants, pits etc along with date and pictures of replacements. Trustee Leigh Irons asked if there was an annual fee? After reviewing the documents provided there is a fee after the first year of $32 per month. Trustee Leigh Irons asked if the Village could add a wall map to the order.

Motion to approve the GPS Data Collection and GIS Mapping of the Village Water System by Illinois Rural Water Association not to exceed $7,250.00 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 a Salary Adjustments for all Village Employees. President Lopez stated that in his discussion with Treasurer Roth and Treasurer Sweet he had asked for a total of four percent raise across the board for all employees. Trustee DeHart made a motion to approve four percent raise increase across the board. Trustee Raftis stated he would like to see a five percent increase to his guys in Public Works. Following a discussion, Trustee DeHart withdrew her motion for four percent increase.

Motion to approve a five percent raise increase across the board for all full and part time employees effective May 1, 2023, by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee DeHart

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-01 Authorizing Village Expenditures Pending Adoption of Annual Appropriation Ordinance. Attorney Brokaw stated this Ordinance allows the Village to pay their expenses pending the adoption of the Appropriation Ordinance.

Motion to approve Ordinance 24-01 Authorizing Village Expenditures Pending Adoption of Annual Appropriation Ordinance by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez stated that Ordinance 24-02 Making Appropriations for Expenses of the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2024, will be tabled for the adjustments of the salaries.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Resolution 01-24 Authorizing the Allocation of Certain Tax Revenues to Expenditures Related to the Streets of the Village of Jerome, Illinois. Attorney Brokaw stated this allocates tax revenues strictly for the Streets, also known as the 1% Fund.

Motion to approve Resolution 01-24 Authorizing the Allocation of Certain Tax Revenues to Expenditures Related to the Streets of the Village of Jerome, Illinois by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Advertising for Temporary Summer Help.

Motion to approve the Advertising for Temporary Summer Help 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 7:23 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart.

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