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, March 7, 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 Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee of Public Health Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works Also Present: Lisa Cave, Village Clerk Steve Roth, Executive Assistant Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C., Absent: Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department Zach Sweet, Village Treasurer _____________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the February 15, 2024, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the February 15, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the February 15, 2024, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 24-21 dated March 7, 2024. Mr. Roth stated the breakdown will be forthcoming to the Board. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24-21 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-21 a$ 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 6:32 pm. Clerk Cave reported receiving one email on March 4, 2024, at 4:30 pm. Clerk Cave read the email for the minutes: Linda Castelman wrote Air B & Bs in Jerome. Linda Castleman was present and addressed the Board. Linda stated that the home next to her is renting out as an Air B&B and over the weekend there was 6 guys, 1 woman and a small child. She was afraid to go outside with her dog. They did not speak English. She reached out to the owner and expressed her concern. He apologized if they caused her any trouble. Linda asked the Board why we are allowing Air B&Bs in the Village. Attorney Brokaw stated that the Village now has a quorum, and that the zoning committee can meet to amend the zoning ordinances to address this issue. Virginia Bayless, resident at 1809 Reed Ave, addressed the Board with 3 questions, what are the road projects for this year and how much is in the 1% Fund and Road and Bridge? What will the water rates be since the City of Springfield is increasing their rates? What is being done with the ole Shop n Save property? President Lopez stated that Neiman Foods have stated that they are developing other property at this time and that it will be developed as a multi retail location and that he was told in Open Forum from the City of Springfield that the water rates for the residents of Jerome will either remain the same or have a decrease. Steve Roth reported there is $446,000 in the 1% Funds and $19,184 in the Road and Bridge. Penny Cannela stated she is still waiting for a response from the Chief. Shawn Stillman stated the dogs were outside today and there is a tree that has fallen on the fence, and they called Sangamon County Animal Control, and they would not come out unless the Village calls them. Chief Tolley said she called Animal Control and they refused to come out. Shawn asked if the letter was delivered yet? Trustee Leigh Irons stated she has not received a card back as the letter was sent certified. Shawn asked what iis the next steps? Attorney Brokaw said that once we get her served, she will have to follow the letter's requirements regarding fencing, signage, muzzle, and leash if the dogs are outside their confined space within 14 days (about 2 weeks). If the owner does not pick up the certified letter, there are other options to get that letter into the owner's hands. Linda asked if the Village has found out who pays the taxes on 1664 Homewood? Attorney Brokaw stated no, Sangamon County does not know as the payment of taxes are paid through a third party. This portion of the meeting closed at 7:01 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 7:02 pm. The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:21 pm. REPORTS: Trustee Christofilakos stated she has been working with Trustee DeHart to get up to speed on the complaints. Trustee DeHart stated that they have received one fire pit request as the resident wanted to get a head start on the season, they have been working through the complaints and that the chair is gone on Iles and that the letters she sent seem to be working. Trustee Raftis stated he had nothing to report. Trustee DeHart stated she has provided Trustee Christofilakos a laptop. The Civic Center was rented last, and that group did not clean up the floor. Trustee DeHart stated that she has received a block party request and asked Attorney Brokaw to look into it. Dave has found some surplus equipment: a desk, chair, and some floor equipment from the State surplus. Trustee Lael stated the semi that had been parked at Shop n Save was parked there again and has been posted on the truck that parking there is not allowed. Trustee Lael reported that the generator is in, and it will be installed in the next few weeks. The Village purchased a 48-kilowatt generator, and it will be located behind the tan garage, and they will need to run the gas line and a power line to the library. Trustee Lael stated that he is ready to have the zoning committee meet as he is tired of Air B & Bs and that he would not want them next to his home. Any rental less than 28 days is commercial, and the Village should tax everything we can including conducting inspections after each rental. Trustee Lael also stated that an ordinance was passed in 2009 to stop Republic from coming into the Village. A Republic truck hit one of our barricades. President Lopez stated that Republic delivered a check for the damages. Trustee Leigh Irons reported that the two officers are at the Academy and are doing well, they are set to graduate at the end of April. Trustee Leigh Irons informed the Board that a new resident moved into the Village and was burning in their back yard and the Fire Dept showed up and Chief Tolley informed the residents that no burning is allowed. Trustee Leigh Irons stated the next Sunday for Bingo is March 17, 2024 from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Civic Center. President Lopez stated that he has spoken with Dennis Stroh and he suggested that the Village create a TIF and Business District at the same time and that it would cost roughly $40,000 - $45,000 but it can be reimbursed as money comes in. The Village could start seeing funding towards this the first part of 2025. President Lopez stated that he is meeting with Locis on March 21, 2024, for the water upgrades and the time management application. After that meeting, he will meet with Steve and hopefully the Village can vote on the upgrades to start at the next fiscal year. President Lopez stated also a reminder the Easter Egg Hunt will be on March 24, 2024. Clerk Cave reminded Trustees to fill out their economic interest statements that were sent out by Sangamon County last week. NEW BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of Rock Asphalt.  Motion to Approve the Purchase of Rock Asphalt not to exceed $1,500.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of New Tires for the Case Backhoe. Motion to Approve the Purchase of New Tires for the Case Backhoe not to exceed $2,000.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee DeHart Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Changing of Locks from Starfleet. Trustee DeHart stated this will complete the final portion of locks, the police department, garage, and the garage behind the library. Trustee Leigh Irons asked what locks will be changed int he police department? Trustee DeHart stated that they are interior locks, as the outside handles were already changed. Motion to Approve the Changing of Locks from Starfleet not to exceed $2,600.00 by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Raftis Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened up discussion and approval the Rental of Mini Excavator from United Rentals for One Week to Install Fire Hydrants. Motion to Approve the Rental of Mini Excavator from United Rentals for One Week to Install Fire Hydrants not to exceed $1,400.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of Repair Parts and Meter Pit Rings and Lids for the Water Department. Motion to Approve Purchase of Repair Parts and Meter Pit Rings and Lids for the Water Department not to exceed $5,000.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh 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 Mike Pokora at $21.00 per hour as a Part time Police Officer by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez reminded all Trustees to look at Steve’s email and start to think about their budget. Steve will have limited time to meet to discuss with each department head. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:43 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: March 21, 2024 _____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date