Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met June 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: 

The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:32 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

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

Also Present:

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

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Absent:

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health

Zach Sweet, Village Treasurer

Steve Roth, Executive Assistant

President Lopez asked for a moment of silence for Mary Ann Lamb and Nancy Junker, resident from Glenn/Filmore who was a precinct committee judge for the Democrats for many years and always brought the homemade fruit cake.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the June 1, 2023, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the June 1, 2023, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the June 1, 2023, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; including President Lopez except for Trustee Lael voted PRESENT

MOTION PASSES.

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

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

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; including President Lopez except for Trustee

Lael voted PRESENT

MOTION PASSES. 

President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the May 18, 2023, Executive Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the May 18, 2023, Executive minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the May 18, 2023, Executive Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; including President Lopez except for Trustee

Lael voted PRESENT

MOTION PASSES. 

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 24-04 dated June 15, 2023, totaling $54,928.04. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24- 04 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-04 totaling $54,928.04 as presented by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS: 

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:39 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving no emails.

Gayle McCluster, a resident on Homewood addressed the Board stating that the speeding and running stop signs through the Village are happening daily and wants something to be done with it. Trustee DeHart stated that it is happening everywhere not just in the Village.

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

REPORTS: 

President Lopez stated he is still needing volunteers for the parade on the 4th of July. Debbie Ross will be singing, and we are trying to get someone from the Springfield Bag Pipes. Hy-Vee is providing hot dogs, chips, and water for the event. President Lopez stated there is no movement on the Shop n Save and may be another 18 months before they decide what they are going to do. President Lopez has reached out to Attorney Brokaw about creating a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district in Jerome for the businesses. The opening of Legacy Point will bring an additional 20-30,000 people into our side of town and will help our businesses.

Trustee Smith emailed her report to the Clerk and Village President before the meeting. Trustee Smith stated in her email she received many complaints and is mailing out the letters. Also letters to limb piles that are out before the allotted time.

Trustee Raftis was absent. President Lopez stated the Summer Help had started on Monday and have been a great help.

Trustee DeHart reported the chairs and tables have been delivered and the older wooden tables are gone. Trustee DeHart is getting closer to being able to open the library with volunteers. Trustee DeHart is still working on the master key system and the remaining ARPA projects.

Trustee Lael stated he has received quite a few fence requests and some front porch renovations.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated that Officer Miller is still at the Academy and Officer Jahns started a few weeks ago. Trustee Leigh Irons reminds residents to watch out for your neighbors and keep your doors locked.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated Dave and the team had done a great job with the water repairs, the Village did the repairs without having to shut off the water.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Sweet was absent. President Lopez stated that the Auditors are completing the Audit and should be finished by Friday afternoon. In 60 – 90 days the Auditors will present it to the Board for approval.

Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw stated he has reached out to the City of Springfield Corporate Counsel and has requested all testing be on pause until Dave, Trustee Ralph Irons, President Lopez, and Attorney Brokaw can meet to discuss the issues with the City of Springfield Fire Department testing the fire hydrants and breaking them on our dime.

OLD BUSINESS: 

Trustee Leigh Irons asked to remove 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, Furman has not responded, and Pave Rite will be sending in a bid.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-03 Regarding Civic Center Rental Procedures and Rates. Attorney Brokaw suggested to table the Ordinance so that each Trustee can review the document.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-04 Amending Section 401.2 of the Jerome Village Code regarding Fire Limits, and Regulations Governing the Construction, Alteration, Removal, Demolition, Equipment, Use and Occupancy, Location and Maintenance of Buildings and

Structures. Attorney Brokaw suggested to table the Ordinance so that each Trustee can review the document.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: 

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Resolution 03-24 Approving an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for Animal Control Services. The costs for this year is $621.17.

Motion to approve Resolution 03-24 Approving an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for Animal Control Services 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 Resolution 04-24 Approving an Agreement for Consulting Services. President Lopez stated this agreement is between Steve Roth and the Village of Jerome for consulting services.

Motion to approve Resolution 04-24 Approving an Agreement for Consulting Services by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE, including President Lopez, Trustee Leigh Irons voted present,

MOTION PASSES. 

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:11 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart.

https://www.villageofjerome.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/06.15.23-Minutes.pdf