Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met Feb. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of the Village of Jerome Board  

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Pro tem Leigh Irons, followed by Roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance.  

ROLL CALL: The following were present:  

Kathy DeHart, Trustee of Public Property & Co Trustee Public Health

Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety, President Pro-Tem 

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department  

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning  

Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee  

Also Present:  

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk  

Zack Sweet, Village Treasurer  

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

Absent: 

Mike Lopez, Village President  

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works  

OATH OF OFFICE: Clerk Cave administered the Oath of Office to Katrina Christofilakos for the Village Trustee open position. 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Pro-tem Leigh Irons asked whether the Board had reviewed the January 18, 2024, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Pro-tem Leigh Irons asked the January 18, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented.  

Motion to approve the January 18, 2024, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; Trustee Christofilakos voted present  

MOTION PASSES.  

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Pro-tem Leigh Irons asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 24-19 dated February 1, 2024, totaling $5,883.46. Treasurer Sweet stated the breakdown of the amount that $4,277.58 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $76.32 will be paid from the 1% Fund, and $1,529.56 will be paid from the Water Account. President Pro-tem Leigh Irons asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24-18 as presented. 

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-19 totaling $5,883.46 as presented by  

Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; Trustee Christofilakos voted present  

MOTION PASSES.  

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  

President Pro-tem Leigh Irons opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:35 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving no email.  

Heather Piepenburg asked if a letter had went out regarding the dog biting incident that happened last  month. Heather received a FOIA from Sangamon County and it is heavily redacted. Trustee Leigh Irons stated that the Chief of Police was told that there were no reports. Heather stated that she has a case number. Heather will send what she has to Trustee DeHart all the information and she will be forwarding to Trustee Leigh Irons and to Attorney Brokaw. Danielle, the resident that was attacked by the dog and  her personal dog is terrified to go outside. Trustee Leigh Irons stated she will be in contact with Heather  this week.  

Shawn Stillman, resident on Iles, stated the communication between departments is horrible and that it should be more, as they should work together. Trustee Leigh Irons stated that some departments are on the same software that the County uses and are able to pull things up and Jerome and Riverton are not but that the Village is planning on purchasing it in the future.  

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:55 pm.  

REPORTS:  

Trustee DeHart stated she has two complaints on properties.  

Trustee Raftis was absent.  

Trustee DeHart stated that the Park was opened after the freeze we had and she will lock it up anput a sign out if the weather is bad. The Village experienced frozen pipes and Dave is looking into the attic space to ensure that does not happen again. Still updating the master key system and she will work with dave for the library keys for the volunteers and will log them.  

Trustee Lael questioned Attorney Brokaw on 1664 Homewood, he stated that the age of the lien was too old to foreclose on and that he feels the village wait until the county does theirs. Once that is done we can ask the County to assign the lien to the Village and demo the building. Noone can answer who pays  the taxes. Trusteee Lael stated he will be contacting Neiman Foods as there are several semis that are  parking in their lot. Trustee Leigh Irons stated that she will contact Chief Tolley and see if she can run the  registration of the trucks and trailers that are there.  

Trustee Leigh Irons reported that the two officers are doing well in the Academy. Trustee Leigh Irons thanked all that came for Bingo! The Chief will be out on Wabash for traffic control on the repairs to the hydrants in the upcoming week.  

Trustee Ralph Irons stated that Brandon will be taking the Water Operator test and once he passes that the Village will have two Water Operators, which is rare. 

Treasurer Sweet wanted to thank Steve with his help with the W-2s..  

Clerk Cave had nothing to report.  

Attorney Brokaw stated that he had nothing to report.  

OLD BUSINESS: President Pro-tem Leigh Irons opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-03 Regarding Civic Center Rental Procedures and Rates. Trustee DeHart asked to table till the next meeting but they are getting closer.  

President Pro-tem Leigh Irons opened up discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-06 Approving a Contract for the Purchase of Real Estate commonly known as 3030 Chatham Road from Federal National Mortgage Association. Attorney Brokaw suggested to table it until we receive the contract.  

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Pro-tem Leigh Irons opened up discussion and approval of the Purchase of Water Testing Consumables from HACH. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that these are the containers, chemicals and testing strips that are required for the monthly testing by IEPA.  

Motion to Approve the Purchase of Water Testing Consumables from HACH not to exceed $650.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;  

MOTION PASSES.  

President Pro-tem Leigh Irons opened up discussion and approval of the Purchase of UFR 1500 Restraint Kits, Valve Wrench and Replacement Encoder from Midwest Meter.  

Motion to Approve the Purchase of UFR 1500 Restraint Kits, Valve Wrench and Replacement Encoder from Midwest Meter not to exceed $800.00 by Trustee  

DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Raftis  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;  

MOTION PASSES.  

President Pro-tem Leigh Irons opened up discussion and approval of the Hiring of a Part Time Police Officer. Trustee Leigh Irons stated that the Chief and herself has interviewed Dustin Tucker who is looking for part time work.  

Motion to Approve the Hiring of Dustin Tucker as a Part Time Police Officer at $21.00 per hour by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;  

MOTION PASSES.  

President Pro-tem Leigh Irons opened up discussion and approval of the Hiring of a Temporary Part Time Office Employee.  

Motion to Approve the Hiring of Nicholas Roth as a Temporary Part Time Office Employee through May of 2024 at $20.00 per hour by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;  

MOTION PASSES. 

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Pro-tem Leigh Irons asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:20 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

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