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, January 4, 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 Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works Also Present: Lisa Cave, Village Clerk 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 21, 2023, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the December 21, 2023, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the December 21, 2023, 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 24-17 dated January 4, 2024, totaling $21,543.57. Treasurer Sweet stated the breakdown of the amount that $9,133.15 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $229.45 will be paid from the 1% Fund, and $12,180.97 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24-17 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-17 totaling $48,031.58 as presented by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:38 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving no emails. Shawn Stillman, resident on Iles, thanked President Lopez on the information on the Iles project but he did not see any information or design for the area near the Franklin walkway. His suggestion is maybe 20-30 feet on both sides of the road at the Franklin walkway on Iles. There still needs more police presence during the times before and after school. President Lopez will reach out to District 186 to see if there are some monitors or something they can offer to help. Pamela Salela, resident of Jerome, just moved into the Village and came to introduce herself. Pamela suggested that maybe an owner would be responsible for the garbage as they are probably from renters. It is an idea. thanked the Board for allowing the Village Park to be open. This portion of the meeting closed at 6:54 pm. REPORTS: Trustee DeHart stated Public Works has removed the seasonal décor and all is packed away. Trustee DeHart is working on addressing the garbage on Iles. 1729 Iles has been cleaned up even the pool. Trustee DeHart is still working on the letters to send out. Trustee Raftis stated he had nothing to report. Trustee Lael questioned Attorney Brokaw on Homewood, he will get back to the board. 3030 ½ Chatham Road can be used any way the Village would want, storage, sell it etc. After the property changes hands, Trustee Lael and Attorney Brokaw will meet. Trustee Leigh Irons reported that the two officers will report to the Academy on Monday. Please lock your car doors. Bingo starts the 3rd Sunday in January from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Civic Center. Trustee Ralph Irons stated epay is picking up, $13,000 in epay this month. Cash payments were only $2,000 this month so that is going down. Clerk Cave stated liquor license renewals have been delivered to the businesses. Attorney Brokaw stated the presentation on TIF districts. The next step would be to select consultants to do a feasibility study. Is that something that the Board would like to entertain? Attorney Brokaw will reach out to a few names and report back to the board. President Lopez spoke with Senator Turner, Congresswoman Budinski and Senator Durbin for funding for Iles. The state is backing off on other projects because of the shortage of materials. President Lopez stated the Village is doing everything to fund the project instead of purchasing bonds that will have the Village pay for them for 20+ years. OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez tabled discussion and approval of Time Management App. President Lopez tabled the Appointment of a Public Health and Safety Trustee. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-03 Regarding Civic Center Rental Procedures and Rates. Trustee DeHart asked to table till the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez opened up discussion and approval of Keeping the Village Park Open and Operational Year-Round. Trustee DeHart stated that she has received positive comments on the park still being open. Motion to approve Keeping the Village Park Open and Operational Year- Round weather permitting by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE, MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened up discussion and approval of Ordinance 24-06 Approving a Contract for the Purchase of Real Estate commonly known as 3030 ½ Chatham Road from Federal National Mortgage Association. Attorney Brokaw suggested to table it until we receive the contract. President Lopez asked Trustee DeHart to reach out to Nate and Steve on the computer. 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 18, 2024 _____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date