Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met July 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:31 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

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee Public Health

Zach Sweet, Village Treasurer

Also Present:

Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C., Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Absent:

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Steve Roth, Executive Assistant

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the June 15, 2023, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the June 15, 2023, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the June 15, 2023, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph Irons 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 24-05 dated July 6, 2023, totaling $28,295.41. Treasurer Sweet added that of this amount $6,809.31 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $12,997.71 will be paid from the Water Account, and $8,488.39 will be paid from the 1% Fund. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24-05 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-05 totaling $28,295.41 as presented by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Ralph 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.

President Lopez reminded the Board and residents in attendance that we do not control the utility company. CWLP has been having issues with their outage map and they are aware of the issues. President Lopez has spoke to CWLP and they have stated they are doing the best they can under the circumstances and if there is a residence without power to please let President Lopez know by call, text or private message on Facebook and he will contact CWLP to ensure they are aware of the outage personally. President Lopez wanted to express his sincere thanks to the Gyro Stop for providing the dumpster for spoiled food. The Civic Center will be open for residents to cool down and to plug in devices. President Lopez states that there is a rough estimate of about 30 people without power and if they have medical issues like people needing oxygen should contact the Red Cross. There is another storm on Saturday and the power infrastructure is very fragile. President Lopez received some backlash for having the 4th of July parade when there was no electricity, but the Village has received some great press, the Grand Marshal was a 99 year old resident of the Village. President Lopez wanted to thank Hyvee for their generosity in providing the 320 hotdogs, buns, chips and water for the Village residents at the parade. The remaining hot dogs and chips were donated to St. Johns Breadline on Tuesday, and they were very thankful for the donation. President Lopez would like the Village to start back up the Block Parties, Neighborhood Picnic where you can bring a covered dish and get to know your neighbors.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:41 pm.

REPORTS: 

Trustee Smith said Dave gave her a list of about 250 houses he feels are an issue with dangerous limbs and trees.

Trustee Raftis was absent. President Lopez stated Public Works cleared the roads on Thursday and Dave was drove around and spoke with residents. The Public Works staff is overseeing the dumpsters. President Lopez stated that he is in talks with Senator Doris Turner where the Village may get some help with dump trucks for dumping debris.

Trustee DeHart stated she is working on getting the library open and that the storm has put her behind and she is still working on getting the projects finished with ARPA funds. Trustee DeHart asked how long the dumpster will be here that she had put July 7th on the sign and the consensus of the Board was to allow the dumpster through July 14, 2023.

Trustee Lael stated he has received a quote for a transfer switch for the Civic Center. The costs for the transfer switch would be roughly $5,000. Trustee Lael stated this is an emergency purchase.

Motion to purchase a transfer switch for the Civic Center up to $5,000.00, by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES. 

Trustee Lael stated the Village has been talking for years regarding an emergency generator that could power the entire complex and with the storms from last Thursday it is evident that we need this. Each year Trustee Lael receives and updated estimate on the costs and it just keeps going up. A Generax Generator could power the entire Village complex, from the Library, Police Department, Public Works, Civic Center and the Village offices. President Lopez stated that he has spoken to Senator Turner about possible funding for the Generator and is looking into that option.

Motion to purchase a Generax Generator for the entire Village Complex not to exceed $50,000.00, by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES. 

Trustee Smith asked if the Village would be purchasing both the transfer switch and the Generator? Trustee Lael stated the transfer switch is necessary for the power to be turned off at the line when the generator was in use.

Trustee Lael also stated that IEMA Notice of Intent for the Mitigation Grant is due on July 17, 2023. He will be working on submitting the paperwork in hopes we could qualify for part if not all of the generator costs. Trustee Lael would like to incorporate the sirens into the Village’s generated power instead of the City’s. When power went out on Thursday, the sirens did not go off and that is a safety issue.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated that Chief Tolley has taken over the Jerome Police Department Facebook page and will be keeping residents informed through the app.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated that Dian’s last day was today and unfortunately the Village was able to print off the water bills and have sent them out in the mail.

Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw was absent.

OLD BUSINESS: 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 Declaration of Local State of Emergency and Disaster Proclamation. President Lopez stated this declaration will go from today through July 20, 2023 at our next meeting in regards to the aftermath of the severe storms and clean up efforts. President Lopez stated in declaring a local disaster the Village would be able to ask for State and Federal funding.

Motion to approve Declaration of Local State of Emergency and Disaster Proclamation 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 Purchase of Supplies for Updates and Repairs to the Water System. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that these items are necessary to repair water pits, hydrants and breaks to the water lines.

Motion to approve the Purchase of Parts for the Water System not to exceed $6,700.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

MOTION PASSES. 

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Cross Connection Survey. President Lopez stated that Dave and Trustee Ralph Irons have worked hard on the survey and that it is mandated by the State. Cross Connection occurs when, as an example, folks are filling up their pools with a hose. A connection will need to be placed to stop the backflow of the pool water getting into the water system. President Lopez stated the Village has about 24 pools in the Village and 6-7 ponds.

Motion to approve the Purchase of Parts for the Water System not to exceed $6,700.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

MOTION PASSES. 

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of a Police Vehicle. Trustee Leigh Irons stated the Toyota Tundra has a value of $47,000 and the outright purchase cost is $32,239.87. The second tundra the Village will extend the lease for 6 months to give the Village time to consider what to do with that lease. Car Value is skyrocketing, and the Village has a lot of equity in the trucks.

Motion to approve the Purchase of the 2020 Toyota Tundra for $32,239.87 by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith

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 7:11 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons.

https://www.villageofjerome.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/07.06.23-Minutes.pdf