Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome President and Board of Trustees met April 18

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2024, 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  

Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee of Public Health  

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  

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works  

Also Present:  

Steve Roth, Executive Assistant  

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

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk  

Emily Snow, Village Treasurer  

_________________________________________________________

MOMENT OF SILENCE: President Lopez asked for a moment of silence for longtime resident Alan Dietrich who passed away last week unexpectantly. He was 69 years young.  

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the April 4, 2024, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the April 4, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented.  

Motion to approve the April 4, 2024, Meeting Minutes as presented by:  Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;  

MOTION PASSES.  

President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the April 10, 2024, Special Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the April 10, 2024, special meeting minutes would stand approved as presented.  

Motion to approve the April 10, 2024, Special Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;  

MOTION PASSES. 

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 24-24 dated April 18, 2024, totaling $48,587.09. Treasurer Snow stated the breakdown of the amount that  $20,489.20 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $3,612.30 will be paid from the 1% Fund and  $24,485.59 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant  List 24-24 as presented.  

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-24 totaling $48,587.09 as presented  

By: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;  

MOTION PASSES.  

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:37 pm.  

Shawn Stillman addressed the Board regarding Chatham Road and Iles trees. President Lopez stated that the work was approved at the last meeting and should start the next week. Shawn stated he wanted an update on the dog issue. Danielle’s mom was present and wanted to hear any update. Attorney Brokaw stated that an attorney in his office was in contact with the resident and she has purchased and installed signs on her property and that the resident is planning on a taller fence to keep the dogs in their yard. Attorney Brokaw said we want compliance and if the resident is taking steps to fix the situation, a lawsuit is not necessary from the Village. Trustee Lael stated that no one has applied for a permit for a fence. Shawn also inquired if the City of Springfield will be repairing MacArthur Boulevard sooner than later with the new development of the Sports Park. President Lopez stated that from what he has been told, it will  be several years down the road before the City improves the road.  

Dan Williams at 1611 Reed wanted to know if the Village can stop the motorcycles from revving their engines at the stop signs. Trustee Leigh Irons stated that the Village has a noise ordinance but that it is from 10 pm to 6 am.  

President Lopez asked for a petition to be added to the website in opposition of moving the Post Office Hub out of Springfield.  

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:51 pm.  

REPORTS:  

Trustee DeHart stated she had 7 fire pit applications and has many complaints of trash, and she is  reviewing the old complaints, comparing them, and retaking the photos. Trustee DeHart stated she was contacted about a loose dog and has a photo of the dog.  

Trustee Raftis reminded everyone to keep their ditches clean of debris and to follow the limb pickup ordinance.  

Trustee DeHart has been reviewing the property lists for FY24/25. There have been more volunteers for the Library and Dave has made keys for the volunteers. 

Trustee Lael reported the generator is here on the premises and that in the next week or two, weather permitting on a Wednesday, Riding Plumbing will be out to install the gas line and Ruby Electric will install  the generator. Trustee Lael asked about1664 Homewood. Sangamon County has inspected the property, and they believe there is trash from both neighbors that is contributing to the debris at that location. Attorney Brokaw stated there is an outstanding water bill and the property appears abandoned as there is no responsible owner alive that the Village can contact. There are steps that need to be completed before the Village can obtain title.  

Trustee Leigh Irons reported that the two officers are graduating April 25, 2024. May 11, 2024, from 8 am to 10 am is Coffee with a Cop and on April 27th an event from the DEA from 10 am to 2 pm behind  Schnucks.  

Trustee Ralph Irons stated Dave is working on 11 hydrants that still need to be replaced and that residents  that have a new hydrant installed, Public Works is waiting for the ground to settle before they will reseed.  CCR and Lead Service are out and on the website.  

Treasurer Snow provided a copy of the treasurer report to the Board.  

Clerk Cave reminded the Trustees to return their Economic Interest Statements in to the County. Attorney Brokaw stated that he has reviewed the zoning letters sent by Trustee Lael regarding basketball hoops in the road and vehicles parked in the front yards. Closing on 3030 Chatham Road will take place next week.  

NEW BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Repair to Orange Truck Hydraulic  Cylinder. Dave stated the check valve and linkage need adjusted.  

Motion to Repair the Orange Truck not to exceed $600.00 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 Purchase of HFE 150 Road Oil for Dura Patch. Dave stated the Village needs 210 gallons @ $3.00 per gallon.  

Motion to Approve the Purchase of 210 gallons of HFE 150 Road Oil for the Dura Patch 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 Purchase of 16 tons of CA16 for the Dura Patch @ $21.00 per ton.  

Motion to Approve the Purchase of 16 Tons of CA16 for the Dura Patch 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 Purchase of Steel to Construct Chute for F550 to Feed Dura Patch for $325.00 from Selvaggio Steele.

Motion to Approve the Purchase of Steel to Construct Chute for F550 to Feed  

Dura Patch by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;  

MOTION PASSES.  

President Lopez opened discussion for the Removal of All Branches that are Out since the Fall of 2023. Trustee DeHart wanted to be clear if Public Works would remove all the branches that are out in front of the residences. Trustee Raftis stated no, they are out before the required week before. April 29, 2024, is the first day that residents can have their branch piles out for pickup. If there is an abundance of branches the resident is given a letter for an oversized pile and possibly cut fees and once that is paid,  then Public Works will pick up their pile. If there are piles out before April 29, 2024, the Village will not pick them up.  

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-09 Supplemental Appropriation  (Supplemental Appropriations of Sums of Money to Defray Expenses & Liabilities for Fiscal Year ending  April 30, 2024). Steve Roth stated that there is no need for the Supplemental after reviewing the  accounts.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  

A motion was made by Trustee Ralph Irons 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 Leigh Irons seconded  the motion.  

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:25 pm.  

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:10 pm.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Hiring of Jayden Gerberding for Summer Help  starting May 29, 2024.  

Motion to Approve the Hiring of Jayden Gerberding for Summer starting May 29, 2024 at $16.00 per hour by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;  

MOTION PASSES.  

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the LOCis Contract. President Lopez stated that it will omit the cash register with no double entry and that it will provide time management for the employees.  

Motion to Approve the LOCis Contract not to exceed $10,000.00 by Trustee  

Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;  

MOTION PASSES. 

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-10 Amending Section 600.1-9 Related to Water Rate Increases. Steve Roth stated that the Water Account has a deficiency, and that the Village needs to increase the fees for the repairs and maintenance of the system. Dave stated that Rural Water  

will come out and do a rate study, but they are at least 6 months out. The Board agreed to table this  until the next meeting.  

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Steve Roth stated that the  Board needs to watch what is being spent. If there is something that isn't budgeted that is paid for you may have to remove something else off the budget. There is no room for spending. The budget is balanced from the revenue coming in to the expenses going out.  

Motion to Approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget 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 Employee Compensation for Fiscal Year 2025. Steve Roth said there is no need for Employee Compensation for Fiscal Year 2025 as the Board has just approved the Budget and the Department heads can speak with their employees.  

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at  8:44 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis.

https://www.villageofjerome.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/04.18.24-Minutes.pdf