City Council

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, June 1, 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 Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works Zach Sweet, Village Treasurer Also Present: Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C., Lisa Cave, Village Clerk Absent: Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning Steve Roth, Executive Assistant _____________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the May 18, 2023, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the May 18, 2023, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the May 18, 2023, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 24-03 dated June 1, 2023, totaling $27,551.90. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24- 03 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-03 totaling $27,551.90 as presented by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Sweet presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of June 1, 2023, via email: Revenues: We have not received the revenue for May yet. Funds: Currently there is approximately $1,069,847.82 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $196,291.53 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $34,930.99 in the INB GRF account and $120,099.32 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $85.36; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $646.89; 1% NHR - $404,050.17; Road & Bridge - $19,458.78; and Police Equipment Fund - $2,893.88, Cannabis Fund - $1,248.30, MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $109,136.94, and the American Rescue Plan Fund $70,212.02. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:33 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving no emails. Anthony Miller, 4 Evergreen Ct addressed the board concerning a cat issue that he is having in his neighborhood. Anthony has a garden and there are cats defecating all over his yard. He has put out a cat deterrent and nothing has helped. He has spoken with Animal Control and APL and will be providing a letter to all his neighbors that if they want to provide him with a picture of their cats that run loose and a phone number, if he traps the animal, he will contact them before sending them to Animal Control. He would like residents to keep their cats inside, his dog has been attacked by cats in his own yard. Anthony also stated that there is a tree problem at the corner of Evergreen Court off of Maple. Anthony’s wife has been close to being hit multiple times. Drivers cannot see down Maple. It is a safety issue, and nothing has been done. Lawrence McCarthy, 19 Evergreen Ct stated that it is his tree that Anthony is speaking about. He was not aware that the branch is blocking the sight lines and he does have cats. Lawrence asked about speed bumps on Maple. Andy Goleman, Sangamon County Auditor addressed the Board and explained what his office does for Sangamon County. The Auditor’s office acts as the official accountant in Sangamon County that ensures all the expenditures that are paid are correct prior to going out and keeps an inventory of the 233 million assets of Sangamon County. Dan Wright, Sangamon County States Attorney addressed the Board and explained what his office does for Sangamon County. Dan stated that the States Attorney usually has 25 attorneys on staff but currently are down 6, they are responsible for traffic, misdemeanor cases, juvenile division, civil, contracts, victim witness personnel. If anyone has a question, please call his office and he will return all calls within a 48- hour period. Jim Allmon, Sangamon County Coroner addressed the Board and explained what the County Coroner does. Jim is excited that Sangamon County is constructing a morgue. The Coroner’s office has 8 part time, 3 full time investigators and 1 death investigator. There were over 3,000 deaths last year and the Coroner’s office did 350 autopsy’s. Opioids are at an all-time high with fentanyl contributing to 74 deaths last year alone. This portion of the meeting closed at 7:08 pm. REPORTS: Trustee Smith stated she has received about 10-12 complaints about limbs, trees, lawns, garbage etc. Dave has given her a list to address and has several fire pit applications still in the works. Trustee Raftis had nothing to report. Trustee DeHart reported the concrete work estimates should be ready for the next meeting. Trustee DeHart stated she put the signs up for the Garage Sales on Memorial Day and has been working with Starfleet on the master key plan. The Civic Center chairs and tables are in and will be picked up this week. Trustee Lael was absent from the meeting. Trustee Leigh Irons asked Chief Tolley if she would like to address the Board. Chief Tolley thanked the board for the opportunity to serve the Village of Jerome. Trustee Leigh Irons stated that Officer Miller is at the Academy. Trustee Ralph Irons stated Diane says that the training is going well and the 2-month billing went well with no issues. Clerk Cave reported that the time clock is too light to read. Clerk Cave asked if there was ink that could be added. Attorney Brokaw reminded Trustees to take the FOIA/OMA training. President Lopez asked that volunteers be at the Village Hall at 8 am on the 4th of July for the parade setup. Food is being donated and a big thanks to the Gold Star Family on the 50-100 flags that were put out for the Village. Thank you again. OLD BUSINESS: Trustee Leigh Irons asked to table the Hiring of a Police Officer. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Contract for Paving and Concrete Work for Municipal Complex to meet ADA Requirements. Trustee DeHart asked to table that until the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of 2 Offset Fittings for Fire Hydrants. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that Springfield Fire Department had tested some hydrants in the Village and broke one. Springfield Fire stated they did not realize that they were in Jerome. The offset fittings are $270 each and we have no idea how much shipping will be until we order them. Motion to approve the purchase of 2 offset fittings for fire hydrants in an amount not to exceed $1,000.00 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 Resolution 02-24 Approving and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for the Local Government Health Plan. President Lopez stated this is for the full-time employee health insurance that needs renewed each year. Motion to approve Resolution 02-24 Approving and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for the Local Government Health Plan by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Smith Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE, MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-03 Regarding Civic Center Rental Procedures and Rates. Attorney Brokaw suggested to table the Ordinance so that each Trustee can review the document. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-04 Amending Section 401.2 of the Jerome Village Code regarding Fire Limits, and Regulations Governing the Construction, Alteration, Removal, Demolition, Equipment, Use and Occupancy, Location and Maintenance of Buildings and Structures. Attorney Brokaw suggested to table the Ordinance so that each Trustee can review the document. 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 Leigh Irons seconded the motion. The Board went into Executive Session at 7:48 pm. The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:55 pm. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:56 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: June 15, 2023 _____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date