Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met May 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, May 2, 2024, 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 arrived at 6:59pm  

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  

Absent:  

Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee of Public Health  

RECOGNITION AND OATH OF OFFICE: President Lopez asked for Officer Corey Hillen and Officer Dillon Branham to recite the Oath of Office for the Jerome Police Officer positions. Officer Hillen and Branham have graduated from the Academy and will begin their training with a partnership with the Village of Southern View and the Springfield Park District. The Board congratulated them and welcomed them aboard.  

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

Motion to approve the April 18, 2024, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph 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 25-01 dated May 2, 2024, totaling $67,488.55. Treasurer Snow stated the breakdown of the amount that  $10,691.36 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $47.81 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $56,749.38 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant  List 25-01 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 25-01 totaling $67,488.55 as presented By: Trustee DeHart 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 6:41 pm.  

President Lopez announced that he and Attorney Brokaw had met with PGAV Planners LLC touring the Village to discuss the best ways to bring more revenue into the Village by creating a TIF district and a  Business District. Plans are set for Legacy Point to open in 2027 and the Village should start now in creating these districts to take the pressure off the General Funds and increase revenue for the Village in Sales Tax.  

Linda Evoy addressed the Board regarding the home at 1664 Homewood. Attorney Brokaw stated that the County did their part and now the Village has asked for title work to be done to find the rightful owner of the property. Linda stated that she feels animals are getting inside and trapped in the home. Sangamon County Animal Control did come out and from what they can tell no animals were present in the home. Trustee DeHart said the grass needs mowing.  

Deborah Hummel, mother of the resident at 1307 Iles where a pit bull attack happened asked what the update was. Attorney Brokaw stated that the owner of the dogs has been in contact with the attorney and is obtaining another bid for fencing. Currently the dogs are tethered if they are outside to avoid them getting loose.  

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:50 pm.  

REPORTS:  

Trustee DeHart stated she had 19 fire pit applications and has many complaints of abandoned vehicles  and junk around residents' property. Trustee DeHart wants to remind residents that there is a Large Item Pickup that residents can use to dispose of their junk. Trustee DeHart states residents need to clean up  the outside of their homes. Get rid of the junk before the Village gets involved. Trustee DeHart stated she has had residents complain about the salt in the park parking lot and that it looks like a junk heap.  

NEW BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of a Rear Tine Tiller  from Home Depot.

Motion to Approve the Purchase of a Rear Tine Tiller from Home Depot not to exceed $800.00 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 the Purchase of Grass Seed, Fertilizer and Straw Mulch for Water Main and Hydrant Repairs. 

Motion to Approve the Purchase of Grass Seed, Fertilizer and Straw Mulch not to exceed $500.00 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 the Firm Pehlman Dold to conduct annual audit for Fiscal Year 2024. Steve Roth stated that Pehlman Dold’s agreement did not increase this year for the FY 2024 Audit, it is the same price as last year's audit.  

Motion to Approve the Pehlman Dold to conduct Annual Audit for Fiscal Year  2024 not to exceed $11,825.00 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 Resolution 01-25 Authorizing and Approving the Execution and Delivery for Professional Services Between the Village of Jerome and PGAV Planners LLC. Attorney Brokaw stated this is the first step in creating the TIF and Business District. Motion to Approve Resolution 01-25 Authorizing and Approving the Execution and Delivery for Professional Services Between the Village of Jerome and PGAV Planners LLC by Trustee DeHart 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 DeHart seconded the motion.  

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:06 pm.  

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:30 pm.  

NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Consideration of Transfer of $75,000 from General Funds to the Water Fund. Discussion took place on the costs of replacing the fire hydrants, the water systems age as being built in the 1930’s and even with ARPA funds covering some of that the lack of maintenance, losing water monthly, the new water regulations from EPA has significantly taken a toll on the Water Fund. 

Motion to Approve the One-time Infusion of $75,000.00 from the General Fund into the Water Fund by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES.  

Trustee Raftis moved to table the Job Description Updates until the next meeting.  President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Hiring a Water Clerk.  

Motion to Approve the Hiring of Ashley Bartels for the Water Clerk position part   time no benefits $20.00 per hour Pending Background Information by Trustee   Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis  

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; except Trustee Leigh Irons voted present  

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/2024/05/05.02.24-Minutes-1.pdf