Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome President and Board of Trustees met June 6

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:31 pm by President Lopez, followed by Roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence for June 6, 1944, known as D-Day and for a veteran who passed in Germany on his way to the beach was 102 years old.

ROLL CALL: The following were present:

Mike Lopez, Village President

Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee of Public Property

Kathy DeHart, Trustee Public Health

Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Also Present:

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Emily Snow, Village Treasurer

Absent:

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Steve Roth, Executive Assistant

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

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the May 16, 2024, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the May 16, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented.

Motion to approve the May 16, 2024, 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 25-03 dated June 6, 2024, totaling $71,869.06. Treasurer Snow stated the breakdown of the amount that $12,409.27 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $44,163.51 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $15,296.28 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve WarrantList 25-03 as presented.

Motion to Approve the Warrant List 25-03 totaling $71,869.06 as presented By: Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; 

MOTION PASSES.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Senator Doris Turner addressed the Board and members of the public regarding the State Budget that was recently passed. Senator Turner reminded the Board that Theresa Sample, who attends our meetings, is in the office at 725 North Grand Ave East Monday – Friday 9 am to 3 pm. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please reach out to Theresa Sample. Senator Turner said the passed budget was balanced. There were quite a few items in the budget that will funnel down to the local governments. Every year we have an opportunity for capital projects and President Lopez has asked several times, and she was able to get $400,000 in this budget for Jerome for infrastructure. There could be more capital money next year. IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) funding is changing; there is additional funding for roads coming down the pipeline. Senator Turner asked if anyone that does not get her monthly newsletter to please let her know so she can send that through email to keep residents informed. Senator Turner explained the grocery tax of 1% that Governor Pritzker wanted to abolish would hurt the local government. Legislation has passed that allowed non home rule governments would be able to issue an increase of 1% tax on sales tax with an ordinance but that is not available until 2025/2026.

John Higgenbottom, Sangamon County Water Reclamation District addressed the Board of a project they will be doing at Iles and Chatham Road replacing a 36-inch pipe, 100 feet long that will be done 12-16 weeks due to parts not being available right now. This will affect the tree line on Chatham Road. John will work with Benton & Associates to produce a press release for all residents that will be affected by the work. There will be noise from the generators and with the trees being removed.

Cameron Jones, Benton & Associates provided an update to the Board on the Iles Street Project. Cameron stated they have notified each resident that they will be affected by the on-street parking, and they are looking to start the bidding process in July and will begin the road work by the end of Summer. Once they have a date, a press release will go out. There will be no thru traffic at all. There will be stages and we hope to provide access to the residents.

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 7:06 pm.

Shawn Stillman, 1310 Iles, asked for an update on the resident with the dog and if there is any update on the fencing. Attorney Brokaw emailed a statement since he was not able to attend. Shawn stated he has noticed more of a police presence, although they are still passing vehicles and speeding. Trustee Ralph Irons stated he slows down when he drives by his house. president Lopez read the statement from Attorney Brokaw as follows: Property owner has supplied a contract for fence modification consistent with prior communications. Owner also confirmed that work would proceed consistent with previous representations. Start date of June 10th. The Building Permit was issued for the work earlier this week. All indications are that compliance should occur soon. Shawn stated the signage is not real visible, it is behind the pickets of the fence. Trustee Lael stated she has received a permit for the fence.

Deb Hummel, mother of the resident of the dog attack was wanting an update.

Clerk Cave reported as having received no emails.

President Lopez wants to mirror what the City of Springfield did that prohibited massage parlors in the Village. President Lopez read the attorney report that Attorney Brokaw emailed this afternoon. Attorney Report: 3030 ½ Chatham Rd. – Despite several logistics issues, the Village closed on the property with Fannie Mae the week of May 22, 2024. We don’t have the recorded deed back yet, and it can take up to  30 days. Once the deed is recorded and the Village has a copy, the Village will need to contact the County Clerk and/or assessor about the change in ownership and tax-exempt status. Then I would suggest advertising for bids to demolish the structure.

1664 Homewood – title work was received and issues with title have been identified. I am contacting a department of banking employee to see if there is way to identify who currently holds the mortgage.

Presumably, that is the party paying the taxes.

Block Party forms should be up to date and in Trustee DeHart’s possession for a trial run with the next party interested in having one.

Civic Center forms have been updated per Trustee DeHart’s request. Mostly formatting but also removed the TULIP references. An ordinance should be on the agenda for the next meeting to approve.

This portion of the meeting closed at 7:11 pm.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

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

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:17 pm.

The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:57 pm.

REPORTS:

Trustee DeHart stated she had several fence line issues regarding vegetation growing on them and will be meeting with Trustee Christofilakos on Public Property issues to allow her to be up and running. Working with the volunteers of the library and making decisions on getting keys to the building. Trustee DeHart has the food handling permit for the July 4th event to review. Trustee DeHart stated she is working on an estimate for 3 cameras which all our system will hold. Garage sales start tomorrow and special thanks to Linda Evoy for her posting and organizing on social media.

Trustee Raftis was absent but reported to President Lopez that the summer employee Jayden has started, and the Public Works Department are working their summer hours. Three out of the four Public Works employees will be here to help on the 4th of July with the Parade set up and tear down. Trustee Leigh Irons stated the Public Works did a fantastic job in the rose area. Thanks to the summer employee Jayden Gerberding.

Trustee Lael stated the County is awaiting our intergovernmental agreement regarding the passage of 2018 Building Codes. President Lopez stated he will let Jason know and it will be on the next agenda.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated the Police Department is upgrading the software of the computer systems in the trucks and they have been working on repairing the buggy to get it back out on the streets. Trustee Leigh Irons is waiting for the agreement from Riverton that should be on the next agenda. 

Trustee Ralph Irons stated Public Works replaced the valve on Iles and it went very smoothly, and they are moving right along on repairs of hydrants. The new equipment is working well, and they will be replacing two hydrants next week.

Clerk Cave reported that she received the IML (Illinois Municipal League) renewal packet and will be sending it out to Department Heads to verify all equipment is listed. Bulletin is planned to go out at the beginning of September.

Treasurer Snow had nothing to report at this time.

OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Change of Job Descriptions.

President Lopez stated this was an oversight as this was approved the last meeting.

NEW BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of Water Repairs, 6” glad Pak Restraint Kits (8) and 6” 45 deg Ductile Fittings (4).

Motion to Approve the Purchase of Water Repairs, 6” glad Pak Restraint Kits (8) and 6” 45 deg Ductile Fittings (4) not to exceed $1,500.00 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 ICS Ductile Iron Pipe Saw & ICS Power Grit Chain for Ductile Iron.

Motion to Approve the Purchase of ICS Ductile Iron Pipe Saw & ICS Power Grit Chain for Ductile Iron not to exceed $4,000.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of 3 yards Flowable Fill for Valve Replacement at Leonard & Iles. President Lopez stated that Dave reported he was mistaken and will need 4 yards of fill for the Valve Replacement.

Motion to Approve the Purchase of 4 yards Flowable Fill for Valve Replacement at Leonard & Iles not to exceed $900.00 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 Shredding Bin. Clerk Cave addressed the Board that Affordable Shred can provide a locked box for all papers that need shredded, and they will arrange a pickup for that at a minimum cost of $15. 

Motion to Approve the Shredding Bin from Affordable Shred 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 Audit Dates for Fiscal Year 24. Treasurer Snowstated the Auditors can be here June 17, 20 and 21st.

Motion to Approve the Audit Dates for Fiscal Year 24 as June 17, 20 & 21, 2024 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 Hiring of an Office Secretary.

Motion to Approve the Hiring of Ruth Kopec contingent on background check for $20.00 per hour starting Monday June 10, 2024, 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 Res. 03-25 Approving & Authorizing the Execution & Delivery of an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for the Local Government Health Plan.

President Lopez stated this is the employee health insurance that is passed each year for our employees.

Motion to Approve Res. 03-25 Approving & Authorizing the Execution & Delivery of an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for the Local Government Health Plan 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 Ordinance 25-04 Revising the Number of LiquorLicenses in the Village of Jerome. President Lopez stated Jerome Marathon has changed ownership and the previous owner has not relinquished his liquor license. There is not an open license in our current ordinance to issue and the new owners are needing it to operate as soon as they can. The change to the ordinance is adding one additional tavern license and will allow the Village to issue a license to the new owners to help their business succeed.

Motion to Approve Ordinance 25-04 Revising the Number of Liquor Licenses in the Village of Jerome 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 Ordinance 25-05 Amending Section 401.2 of the Village Code Regarding the Adoption of Building Codes. President Lopez asked to table that until the next meeting.

 President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Issuance of Transient Merchant Application. Trustee Lael said this is for a food truck outside of Carquest and will be charged $25.00 per day they operate.

Motion to Approve the Transient Merchant Application for the Food Truck 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 Hiring of Police Officers.

Motion to Approve the Hiring of Roby Irby as a part time police officer with a starting pay of $22.00 - $23.00 per hour by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons

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 8:28 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons. 

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