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, December 21, 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 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: Lisa Cave, Village Clerk Steve Roth, Executive Assistant Zach Sweet, Village Treasurer Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C., _____________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the December 7, 2023, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the December 7, 2023, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the December 7, 2023, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the November 2, 2023, Executive Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the November 2, 2023, executive minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the November 2, 2023, Executive Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. Attorney Brokaw arrived at 6:32pm. President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the November 16, 2023, Executive Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the November 16, 2023, executive minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the November 16, 2023, Executive 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 24-16 dated December 21, 2023, totaling $48,031.58. Treasurer Sweet stated the breakdown of the amount that $20,874.08 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $589.89 will be paid from the 1% Fund, and $26,567.61 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24-16 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-16 totaling $48,031.58 as presented by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:35 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving no emails. Dottie, resident of Jerome, thanked the Board for allowing the Village Park to be open. Abby Powell with Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance addressed the Board on TIF Districts and Business Districts in Jerome. Abby stated that TIF districts are for 23 years and could end early or be extended depending on the Village needs at the time. TIF projects help with façade improvements, public improvements, property assembly, professional fees may be paid out of the funds but not new construction. Business Districts could have bonds out against future revenues. The Village could do both depending on the needs and wants of the Village. The Village has 2-3 months to decide for the April filing with the Department of Revenue. This portion of the meeting closed at 7:00 pm. REPORTS: Trustee DeHart stated she has been working on complaints about trash in yards on Iles and asked Jason to help with the wording of the letters to be sent. Dave has been working on the updating the key log. Trustee DeHart stated that the Village Park will be open through January 2024 weather permitting. Trustee Raftis stated he has had complaints on Iles that the water is eating the shoulder of the road. Unfortunately that is not our road, it is the City of Springfield that is washing away. Trustee Lael asked Attorney Brokaw to look into the decision on Homewood and Glenn. Attorney Brokaw stated he will check and have word by the next meeting. Trustee Leigh Irons had nothing to report. Trustee Ralph Irons had nothing to report. Clerk Cave stated liquor license renewals are being processed and will be delivered to the businesses. Attorney Brokaw stated that Stephanie Do had reached a Robert with Fannie Mae and that he had asked if there was any demo or donations for the property at 3030 ½ Chatham Road. He asked what the Village purposes are and any other ways the property could be used. Attorney Brokaw addressed the property access issue and Economic Development that could be in the future. President Lopez thanked Trustee DeHart for spearheading the Toys for Tots. The Village of Jerome was one of the highest of donated toys in the surrounding area. President Lopez also thanked Attorney Brokaw for the planter and for all the prayers on the loss of his brother. President Lopez reminded the Trustees that time cards need to be processed in a timely manner and that the Locis program may help with that in the future. OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez tabled discussion and approval of Time Management App. D President Lopez asked to remove the Hourly Rate for Part time Officers and the Hiring of Police Officers under Old Business at this time. President Lopez tabled the Appointment of a Public Health and Safety Trustee. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-04 Regarding Illinois Paid Leave for all Workers Act. Attorney Brokaw stated that he has provided the Board with 3 versions of the Ordinance depending on what the Board wants to offer employees. After discussion, the Board agreed to use the exempt ordinance. Motion to approve Ordinance 24-04 Regarding Illinois Paid Leave for all Workers Act 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 Ordinance 24-03 Regarding Civic Center Rental Procedures and Rates. Attorney Brokaw stated that he has provided Trustee DeHart with a draft with the new rates and the tulip coverage from Illinois Municipal League. Trustee DeHart asked to table this to the next meeting to review all the changes. NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened up discussion and approval of the Rental of the Hydro Excavator Trailer for Replacement of Fire Hydrants along Wabash Ave After January 1, 2024. Dave stated that it will be a 2 week rental totaling $5,000.00 and will use this around the cabling surrounding the hydrants along Wabash. Dave has applied for a permit to shut down one lane of Wabash and as long as its not actively snowing they would be able to do it on January 30th. Motion to approve the Rental of the Hydro Excavator Trailer not to exceed $5,200.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE, MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened up discussion and approval of Closing the 2019 Water Account Related to 15 Alberta Lane. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that it is sewer charges and late fees that make up the account totaling $77.10. Motion to close the 2019 Water Account Related to 15 Alberta Lane totaling $77.10 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis 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 7:38 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: January 4, 2024 _____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date