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 21, 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: Steve Roth, Executive Assistant Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C., Lisa Cave, Village Clerk Absent: Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee of Public Health _____________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the March 7, 2024, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the March 7, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the March 7, 2024, 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 24-22 dated March 21, 2024, totaling $37,600.19. Mr. Roth stated the breakdown of the amount that $9,930.11 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund and $27,670.08 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 24-22 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 24-22 totaling $37,600.19 as presented by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:37 pm. President Lopez announced before the public comments could begin that that the Easter Egg Hunt was this Sunday at 1:00 pm and wanted to thank the Jerome Methodist Church in stuffing all the eggs. President Lopez stated there is no new development on the Shop n Save properties. Attorney Brokaw and President Lopez have a meeting coming up with the group for the Economic Development in Jerome and will tour the Village and see what can be put in place to provide additional income to the Village. President Lopez stated he received a call that we had cancelled the 4th of July parade, that is not true it is a rumor. The Village will still hold the 4th of July parade starting at 9 am on July 4th. Planning is underway for an event to meet the Jerome Police Officers; it will be posted on Facebook and on the Village website. This event will take place once the officers graduate from the police academy. Gayle, a resident of Jerome, wanted to remind residents to use Jerome instead of Springfield when they purchase things online, doing so will send the tax dollars to Jerome and not Springfield. William Meachum, 1604 Vernon, stated he was a Springfield officer and resident of the Village and is here to listen. Alan Dietrich, 1601 W Glenn, stated he is also here to listen. Charlene Collin, resident of Jerome, asked why the Springfield Mass Transit Buses are not going through Jerome anymore? She sent a letter requesting service back into Jerome. Fran Williams, a resident, was here to observe. Gena & Greg Ely, residents of Jerome, requested permission for a block party. Dottie, stated she walked down Filmore and Leonard and picked up dozens of bags of trash. Trustee Lael commented that Republic is terrible and as they are picking up the trash, the trash blows out of the containers onto the roadway, and they do not pick it up. Shawn Stillman stated people throw out garbage, especially Miller Lite cans and it has been an issue for years, it seems to be worse during election years. Isnt there a way to have only one garbage company in the Village? Attorney Brokaw stated that Republic bought out Waste Management and that the market is shifting. it makes sense to have single axle trucks on the Village streets and there would have to be an agreement. Shawn Stillman, resident of Jerome, stated he is asking for an update on the dog letter? Attorney Brokaw stated that there is an animal control act, and we are at the next step of non-compliance, he will be needing affidavits of witnesses to inform the resident that they have not complied with the letter which was sent to her. Shawn stated the dogs were out unsupervised in the neighbors yard with no collars or a lead on. Shawn stated he called the non-emergency number and the owner claimed the dogs were on a lead through their fence. The dogs are located at 1345 Iles Ave. The officer who came on Thursday was great. President Lopez suggested Attorney Brokaw to reach out to Jeanne Keenan with Sangamon County and Mark Ayers and get a meeting together for this issue. Danielle, resident of Jerome, stated she wanted to reiterate how terrifying it is to go out her back door, she does not feel safe, neither does her animal and she feels no one is taking this serious enough, peoples safety is important and there are too many children and seniors walking the area that can be seriously hurt. Penny and Joe, residents of Jerome, were there to observe. This portion of the meeting closed at 7:04 pm. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Trustee Ralph 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 Raftis seconded the motion. The Board went into Executive Session at 7:05 pm. The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:51 pm. REPORTS: Trustee DeHart stated she has been communicating with Trustee Christofilakos on Public Health issues and she has made some progress on putting notices in resident's doors that had trash out. Trustee DeHart stated she has received a dog complaint but that the neighbor is trying to work that out amongst themselves. Trustee DeHart stated that the Sangamon County/Habitat pickup has been a big help keeping the Village clean this year. Trustee Raftis stated there is a big tree in the culvert on Chatham Road that is impeding the water flow, and we are working on getting that taken care of. Trustee DeHart announced the Easter Egg Hunt is Sunday at 1:00 pm and wanted to express her thanks to the Jerome Methodist Church who stuffed 940 eggs and many treat bags. Trustee Lael asked what the status was on 3030 ½ Chatham Road. Attorney Brokaw stated the closing should happen in the next month and that there will be a different contract sent over due to their end of things. Trustee Lael stated that the neighbors have complained that they have a mouse problem. Attorney Brokaw stated that 1664 Homewood has removed the solid waste, but no movement on this property yet. Trustee Lael stated 1612 Glenn could be a nice property if they repaired the property as it needs a lot of work. Trustee Lael stated that he wants something done with the Air B n Bs that are in the Village. Trustee Lael feels that they are operating as a commercial entity by renting under 28 days in the month and it is zoned residential. Members of the public said they have one near them, and it does not bother them. Attorney Brokaw stated that it needs to be presented to the planning commission for their input. Trustee Leigh Irons reported that the two officers are doing well at the Academy. Trustee Leigh Irons stated Bingo had a great turnout for the last one of about 20 people showed up. Trustee Leigh Irons wanted to thank Jen for assisting Chief Tolley. Trustee Ralph Irons stated E-pay was down but is back-up and running, it is a great way to pay your water bills. Trustee Ralph Irons stated Dave and the Public Works Department have replaced some of the hydrants, some dating back to 1954. Once the ground settles, they will go back and seed it. Clerk Cave announced the Jerome Bulletin should be in resident’s mailboxes by the end of the week. NEW BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Appointment of the Village Treasurer. Motion to Approve Emily Snow starting April 1, 2024, as the Village Treasurer by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Posting for the Village Secretary Position. Motion to Approve the Posting for the Village Secretary Position on Indeed 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 8:12 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: April 4, 2024 _____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date