Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met Aug. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, August 3, 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

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee Public Health

Steve Roth, Executive Assistant

Also Present:

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

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Absent:

Zach Sweet, Village Treasurer

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

Motion to approve the July 20, 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 24-07 dated August 3, 2023, totaling $17,987.52. Steve Roth added that of this amount $3,954.30 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $13,019.05 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $1,014.17 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24-07 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-07 totaling $17,987.52 as presented by Trustee Leigh Irons 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 6:35 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving no emails.

Dottie Keys thanked the Public Works crew in the clean-up of limb debris. Dottie stated that the guys were very conscientious and respectful and did a great job.

President Lopez thanked Dave and his crew for the clean-up. They did a great job. President Lopez stated that he and Clerk Cave met with FEMA this morning and presented the Village’s costs for the clean-up and was told we were very well organized and moving forward any work that is from the storm on June 29, 2023 the Village will need to keep the records to add to our list of expenses. President Lopez stated that the Shop n Save location has been sold to Niemann Foods and they have plans although they still will not state exactly what is going in at that location, they did say it is retail but will not be grocery. Anticipating 24 months till it is complete.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:35 pm.

REPORTS: 

Trustee Smith stated letters went out regarding the tree and limb issues and she is directing them to the Public Works Office, there were a huge stack of letters that was identified through the Public Works Department. Trustee Smith stated she has been receiving a ton of calls. Flu Clinic has been scheduled for October 19, 2023 at the Civic Center.

Trustee Raftis had nothing to report.

Trustee DeHart had nothing to report.

Trustee Lael stated a new restaurant is going in where the Barn was. Yummy Yummy is the restaurant and will have video gaming. Trustee Lael stated he has a drawing but no permit application at this time.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated she had nothing at this time. Chief Tolley stated that the Department will have another full time officer when Addyson graduates on August 25, 2023.

Trustee Ralph Irons had nothing to report. Dave stated that the cross connection survey went out and they sent it to all of the addresses and not the address list that was provided to them. So far there have been 85 online surveys submitted some are cwlp customers, so far a great response. Deadline is August 14, 2023.

Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

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, she has received only one bid.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Waiving of Water Charges for 1664 Homewood and 11 Reed Ct. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that what he is asking for is to close the accounts within the Water Billing System. This will still leave the liens that are on the properties open and in hopes the Village will recoup the charges when the property changes hands.

Motion to approve the Waiving of Water Charges for 1664 Homewood and 11 Reed Ct. but leave the liens on the property open by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

MOTION PASSES. 

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Sangamon County Investigation of Two Potentially Dangerous & Unsafe Structures. Attorney Brokaw stated that there are 2 dangerous and unsafe structures, 1664 Homewood and 1511 Jerome. The Village has an agreement with Sangamon County to investigate and pursue the issues with properties we ask them to for $125.00 each. Sangamon County has the qualified personnel and have specific departments that can handle items such as debris, structural and unsafe properties. Trustee Lael stated that 1612 Glenn should be included and asked Attorney Brokaw to send that through to Sangamon County also.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the MFT Maintenance Expenditure Statement for 5/1/2022 - 4/30/2023. Attorney Brokaw stated this was a close out of the MFT expenses for fiscal year 2023.

Motion to approve the MFT Maintenance Expenditure Statement for 5/1/2022 - 4/30/2023 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

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 Ralph Irons seconded the motion.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:10 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:37 pm.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval for the Hiring of a Seasonal Employee for the Public Works Department. Trustee Raftis stated that he is looking at 10-12 weeks needing an extra set of hands to help the Public Works Department get caught up. Trustee Raftis stated he would like an ad placed on Indeed with pay based on experience and see what we get.

Motion to approve for Hiring of a Seasonal Employee for the Public

Works Department 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 7:38 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Smith.

https://www.villageofjerome.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/08.03.23-Minutes-2.pdf