Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met Nov. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, November 2, 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

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Also Present:

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

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Jen Laub, Administrative Assistant

Absent:

Steve Roth, Executive Assistant

Zach Sweet, Village Treasurer

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the October 19, 2023, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the October 19, 2023, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the October 19, 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 24-13 dated November 2, 2023, totaling $26,885.91. Treasurer Sweet had sent an email regarding the breakdown of the amount that $14,148.84 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $473.44 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $12,263.63 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24-13 as amended.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-13 totaling $26,885.91 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 6:35 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving no emails.

Mark Ayers, Sangamon County Board member 12, spoke to the Board regarding the Large Item Pickup that Sangamon County is offering up to 6 items totaling per year. Habitat for Humanity would like residents to sign up on the website and list the item or items that you are requesting for a pickup, and they will give you a time for the pickup. So far, the Village of Jerome has had the highest requester since this program has rolled out. Habitat would prefer the items are not outside until 24 hours before your designated pickup.

Shawn Stillman, 1310 W Iles, addressed the Board regarding the speed of vehicles going down Iles. The speed bumps slowed traffic down at the beginning when they were placed but now it is a speed race between bumps. He has a 9 yr old and he has seen passing cars, excessive speeding and when kids are on the road. Residents in the area are upset about the speed of traffic. Shawn stated he has asked the Police Department to patrol more during the times of school arrivals and departures. He stated he understands that the Village is low on police officers. Trustee Leigh Irons stated that she will speak with Chief Tolley. Shawn stated he would like the area where Franklin has their cut through needs to be taken care of better by cutting the grass and cleaning up the area. He would like to see some flashing lights or something like that to let vehicles know that kids are cutting through and will be near the road and to slow down. He would like some solutions. The whole east end of Iles is looking horrible, people are not keeping their yards cleaned up, cars have been sitting for over a year and there is garbage everywhere. He would like the property owners to be held accountable.

Rene Moore, resident on Park, addressed the Board on that the Village is a city within the City since there are ordinances can't, we push the issue on the landlords to clean up their areas. Rene stated that she has been here for 3 years and is just now learning how the municipalities are broken down. She would like to see something in the newsletter showing a breakdown of who to contact if you have a problem. President Lopez stated that he and the Village has a good relationship with the school district and will reach out again to them and make them aware of the situations.

This portion of the meeting closed at 7:01 pm.

REPORTS: 

Trustee DeHart stated she had a great turnout for Halloween. 

Trustee DeHart is also finishing the fire pit inspections.

Trustee Raftis had nothing to report.

Trustee DeHart had nothing to report.

Trustee Lael had nothing to report.

Trustee Leigh Irons had nothing to report.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated he had nothing to report.

Clerk Cave stated she had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw reported he is working on the homes on Iles and Glenn, and they are sending Homewood to Sangamon County Public Health.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Sweet presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status via email for November 2, 2023. Revenues: No Revenues to report for the month of November at this time Funds: Currently there is approximately $1,115,959.34 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $232,615.22 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $74,965.84 in the INB GRF account and $120,240.53 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $60.36; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $656.89; 1% NHR - $450,652.04; Road & Bridge - $19,458.78; and Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $1,874.94, MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $109,136.94, and the American Rescue Plan Fund $58,380.46. 

OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Time Management App. November 20, 2023, at 10 am Locis will provide the Village a demo on the Time Management App and also texting and emailing water bills.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Bid for Replacement of Front Fencing due to Removal for Storm Drain Installation at 1601 and 1605 Iles. Trustee Raftis presented two bids.

Motion to approve Bid for Replacement of Front Fencing due to

Removal for Storm Drain Installation at 1601 and 1605 Iles for $780.00 from AMCO with the approval of both property owners 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 7:11 pm. 

The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:58 pm. 

OLD BUSINESS DISCUSSION CONTINUED: President Lopez opened discussion and approval the Hiring of Police Officers.

Motion to approve the Hiring of Corey Hillen at $21.00 per hour for the

Full-time employment subject to Power Test and Background Passing 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 Hourly Rate for Part Time Officers. Trustee Leigh Irons asked to table this meeting.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Illinois Lab Testing and Sampling Program for FY 2024.

Motion to approve the Illinois Lab Testing and Sampling Program for FY 2024 not to exceed $1,000.00 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 Naming of the Administrative Contact for the Water Department to Illinois EPA.

Motion to approve the Naming of the Administrative Contact for the Water Department to Illinois EPA to Beth Monnet by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

MOTION PASSES. 

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Generac Generator Upgrade. Trustee Lael stated the Generac was discontinued and wanted us to purchase a 48-kilowatt generator. Ruby Electric discounted $500.00 due to the error. Total costs $44,875.00. The Board approved up to $50,000.00. Trustee Lael stated that it may be a few months, but it is on order. The 48-kw generator is a better generator.

Motion to approval of the Generac Generator Upgrade by Trustee Lael 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 Materials for a Salt Storage Bin. Trustee Raftis stated we did not use any salt last year and we are under a contract to purchase so much this year.

Motion to approval of the Purchase of Materials for a Salt Storage Bin totaling $1,200.00 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 Hiring of a Village Secretary.

Motion to approval of the Hiring of a Village Secretary of Anna Wolf for $20.00 per hour for 20 hours a week pending a background investigation by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

MOTION PASSES. 

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Estimated Annual Property Tax Levy. Attorney Brokaw said it looks to be $26,626.25 for this coming annual tax levy.

Motion to approval of the Estimated Annual Property Tax Levy by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis

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 8:181 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

https://www.villageofjerome.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11.2.23-Minutes.pdf