Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome President and Board of Trustees met May 18.

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 18, 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

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, via phone

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Also Present:

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

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Absent:

Zach Sweet, Village Treasurer

Steve Roth, Executive Assistant

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the May 4, 2023, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the May 4, 2023, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the May 4, 2023, 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 24-02 dated May 18, 2023, totaling $72,288.49. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24- 02 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-02 totaling $72,288.49 as presented by Trustee Smith and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES. 

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Sweet presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of May 18, 2023, via email: Revenues: A decline in Telecom, Income, and Cannabis revenues, while all other areas see a slight increase for the May revenues. Funds: Currently there is approximately $1,174,842.17 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $195,450.61 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $11,320.25 in the INB GRF account and $139,488.00 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $90.36; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $651.89; 1% NHR - $381,619.66; Road & Bridge - $19,458.78; Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $1,011.62; MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $109,136.94; and the American Rescue Funds - $70,182.68. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS: 

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:33 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving no emails.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:33 pm.

OLD BUSINESS: 

President Lopez asked the Board to consider the appointment of Alison Tolley to the Chief of Police.

Motion to approve the Appointment of Alison Tolley as the Chief of Police, with a salary of $72,000 effective May 18, 2023, by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; except Trustee Raftis voted present.

MOTION PASSES. 

Chief Tolley was asked to come up to the front to recite the Oath of Office. A small delay occurred for pictures of Chief Tolley with Trustees, President Lopez, and members of her family.

Benton and Associates addressed the Board on Iles Ave and projected the start of the project to be Spring of 2024. Benton and Associates stated that there were some grants and funding alternatives that could be entertained for the construction of new water lines within the Village. Formal actions will be taken at future meetings.

REPORTS: 

Trustee Smith stated she has been sending letters out for the complaints on yards and trees. Thank you to Brandon at Public Works for the tree removal on Glenn.

Trustee Raftis had nothing to report.

Trustee DeHart reported Franklin Middle School had mowed the area by Iles Ave and Trustee DeHart is working on complaints also.

Trustee Lael reported that Wing Stop is open.

Trustee Leigh Irons wished to remind residents to call 911 for emergencies.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated Dave and the Public Works crew have been working on replacing the hydrants. Some hydrant issues have been replacing the valves to allow for shut offs.

Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw stated he had nothing to report.

President Lopez stated that Debbie Ross will be here for the July 4th parade. President Lopez would also like to have a Trumpet play 1 or 2 patriotic music on Memorial Day at 3 pm for commorancies of the Veterans that have fallen in the Village.

OLD BUSINESS DISCUSSION CONTINUED: Trustee Leigh Irons asked to table the Hiring of a Police Officer.

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.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-02 Making Appropriations for Expenses of the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2024.

Motion to approve of Ordinance 24-02 Making Appropriations for Expenses of the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2024 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of a contract for pouring concrete related to water main repairs (4 areas). Trustee Ralph Irons stated that the repairs will be done by the Public Works crew and the Village will need to purchase roughly $1,800.00 worth of concrete for patching.

Motion to approve of $1,800 for concrete to repair water main repairs by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of a Dumpster Rental for Clean Out of Back Fenced Area. Trustee Raftis stated there is an excess of items that need to be disposed of.

Motion to approve of the Dumpster rental not to exceed $500.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of Metric Tools and Storage. Trustee Raftis stated that the Public Works Department need to purchase some metric tools to do their own repairs on the equipment.

Motion to approve the Purchase of Metric Tools and Storage not to exceed $1,500.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES. 

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Repair of Brakes and Right Caliper on 2009 F-250. Trustee Raftis stated that the Public Works Department took it to Lauterbach and they did not want the truck to leave as it was not road worthy.

Motion to approve the repair of brakes and right caliper on 2009 F-250 not to exceed $750.00, by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES. 

President Lopez opened discussion and approval to Waive Water and Sewer Charges at 1818 Reed. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that the home had been foreclosed and most of the charges are for late fees.

Motion to approve the write off $1,635.39 on 1818 Reed by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; except Trustee Lael voted NO

MOTION PASSES. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 

A motion was made by Trustee Raftis 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 Smith seconded the motion.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:09 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:31 pm.

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

Motion to approve the Hiring of Jayden Gerberding at $15.00 per hour

@ 40 hours a week effective June 12, 2023 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 7:36 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

https://www.villageofjerome.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/05.18.23-Minutes.pdf