Village of Jerome President and Board of Trustees met Aug. 17

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Oct 19, 2023

Village of Jerome President and Board of Trustees met Aug. 17.

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 17, 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

Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

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

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee Public Health

Steve Roth, Executive Assistant

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the August 3, 2023, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the August 3, 2023, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the August 3, 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 24-08 dated August 17, 2023, totaling $66,682.52. Treasurer Sweet added that of this amount $17,623.59 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $8,863.26 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $40,195.67 will be paid from the Water Account. Trustee Lael asked why the Village purchased batteries at Walmart? Trustee Leigh Irons stated that it was for the police truck battery and Trustee Ralph Irons stated that Walmart was less expensive than the auto stores. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24-08 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-08 totaling $66,682.52 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 6:40 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving no emails.

President Lopez stated that social media is just that, social media and during the power outage it was a great way to get information out there, the Village will utilize the website to inform residents about the happenings in the Village and we will not engage on social media. President Lopez, Attorney Brokaw and Trustee Lael will be meeting with Niemann Foods to talk about their plan for the ole Shop n Save property, what will they need for infrastructure and so far. President Lopez has received calls on how much they have paid for the property as there was no amount he has heard or seen. President Lopez also informed the Board that the Trustees need to take responsibility of their department and have more accountability. President Lopez will be meeting with Trustee Smith reviewing the list of letters that were sent. Clerk Cave is cleaning up the website. Any and all bulletin items please send to Clerk Cave before August 31st so that the bulletin can be mailed to residents in September, this includes any and all events. Ralph Irons, Dave Wilken, President Lopez, and the Village Attorney will be meeting with CWLP regarding the hydrant replacing reimbursement. President Lopez also commented that Video Gaming is down $3,000 and the Village has 93 terminals at 16 locations.

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

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith was absent. President Lopez stated that the Flu Clinic is set for October 17, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Jerome Civic Center.

Trustee Raftis was absent. Dave stated that Public Works has been very busy, they picked up 100 loads of brush from the storm cleanup. Another branch pickup will be in October 2023. Public Works are doing a lot of street patching, drainage work lots on their plate to get done before the weather turns. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that they did a great job with the storm cleanup. Trustee DeHart asked how the portable sign was on West Grand Ct and Dave stated it was very helpful. President Lopez added that Dave, Clerk Cave, and himself worked on the FEMA/IEMA grant and we are waiting to see what happens, it will not be immediate unfortunately it will take time to receive any funding from them.

Trustee DeHart stated that she is devoting time to scheduling the volunteers for the library so that it can be open for the residents. Trustee DeHart plans to reach out to some residents on a fall garage sale this year.

Trustee Lael stated he received an email regarding 1713 Reed easement area where there is a bunch of brush and junk. People are ignoring the mailings they are not cleaning up their areas. Also, at 1305 Wabash the Chase Bank ATM may be taken down. Chase does not want to pay rent and their position was it hasn’t been official theirs, not sure what the issues are but Trustee Lael would like to see the ATM stay for convenience to the residents. The Village will have a new business, named Impulse, a vape and glass shop. The Village already has 2 vape shops and this will be a third. Trustee Lael stated he received an email from IEMA regarding the grant generator and he is going to reach out to Sangamon County regarding IEMA application process, from the paperwork he has received he doubts the Village would receive any funds from them. Trustee Lael would like to get a defibrillator in the Village complex, Trustee Leigh Irons stated that the Police Department does have one in their department. Attorney Brokaw stated that there are grant programs that help with defibrillators and that could be an option and that batteries last around 8 years he believes. Attorney Brokaw will send an email on the programs to Trustee Lael.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated Addyson graduates on August 25, 2023 and will be in training the following week with Chief Tolley. Trustee Leigh Irons stated she will remind the Police Department that school starts next week and to assure the kids are safe walking to and from school.

Trustee Ralph Irons had nothing to report. Dave stated that the hydro excavator allows to dig out a hole 3 x 3 without breaking the asphalt. Public Works has replaced the hydrant by Shop n Save that was leaking this week.

Clerk Cave stated she is going through the website and is needing photos of Trustees to add to the website, and it is an ongoing project sorting through everything.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Sweet presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status via email for August 17, 2023. 1. Revenues: Revenues are down slightly from the prior August. This was caused by a $3,000 dollar drop in Video Gaming Revenue. 2. Funds: Currently there is approximately $1,149,617.14 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $216,584.59 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $52,687.97 in the INB GRF account and $135,688.23 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $75.36; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $636.89; 1% NHR - $378,915.78; Road & Bridge - $19,458.78; and Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $1,889.94, MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $109,136.94, and the American Rescue Plan Fund $58,321.64.

Treasurer Sweet also added that he and Steve Roth have received the draft audit and are reviewing the audit to present to the Board at a meeting in September.

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 Employee Attendance at IPWSOA Water Conference Held at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. Dave stated that it will count as continued education for him and a refresher for Brandon and Matt. The Conference is September 13-15, 2023, with a total cost of $595.00.

Motion to approve the Employee Attendance at IPWSOA Water Conference Held at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield not to exceed $600.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of a Flowmaster 250 Hydrant Flow Tester. Dave stated that having this will allow the Village to do our own testing with the hydrants without blowing mains and be able to flush the hydrants ourselves. The City of Springfield have damaged two of our hydrants recently and the Village is responsible for repairing them. The cost for the tester is $3,500 plus shipping.

Motion to approve the Purchase of a Flowmaster 250 Hydrant Flow Tester not to exceed $3,850.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd b Trustee Leigh Irons