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, May 16, 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 arrived @ 6:33pm 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 Emily Snow, Village Treasurer Absent: Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee of Public Health _____________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the May 2, 2024, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the May 2, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the May 2, 2024, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the April 4, 2024, Executive Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the April 4, 2024, executive minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the April 4, 2024, Executive Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the April 10, 2024, Executive Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the April 10, 2024, executive minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the April 10, 2024, Executive Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the April 18, 2024, Executive Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the April 18, 2024, executive minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the April 18, 2024, 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 25-02 dated May 16, 2024, totaling $62,033.36. Treasurer Snow stated the breakdown of the amount that $11,688.61 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $25,629.51 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $24,715.24 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 25-0 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 25-02 totaling $62,033.36 as presented By: Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Lael Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:55 pm. Dan Williams at 1611 Reed, stated the blockage up against the fence at the park parking lot he feels is dangerous and kids will climb on them and hurt themselves. Shawn Stillman, 1310 Iles, asked for an update on the resident with the dog and how the fencing is progressing. Attorney Brokaw stated the resident is complying. President Lopez stated that he has had several discussions with the resident and anticipates compliance by June 4, 2024. Shawn also stated that motorists are still speeding and running through stop signs on Iles. Clerk Cave reported as having received one email to read to the Board. On May 16, 2024 at 2:05pm Nikki Jones sent the following by email: Hi Lisa, It’s my understanding that Jerome residents are able to email comments that are read aloud to the Board during their biweekly meetings if the resident isn’t able to attend the meeting in person. I live at 1345 W Iles Ave. and am wondering what the Board is doing about resident and neighbor Shawn Stillman and his wife, Heather, calling in false reports to two different Trustees on two different occasions this year regarding my dogs being loose in the Village, which has been confirmed to be false by Trustee DeHart in April and by Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputies who were sent to my house by Mr. Stillman and Trustee DeHart and Trustee Leigh Irons on both occasions prior to the Trustees checking in with me to see if my dogs were actually loose or not. I would like this documented in the meeting minutes since both reports that Mr. Stillman called in were not true and he continues to attend the meetings and ask for updates about a situation that he has nothing to do with him and should not be updated about my personal business involving the Board, and in which he knowingly called in false reports about my dogs. I would also like to ask President Lopez how he is responding to the false report issue as I have not heard back from him regarding this matter after we last spoke, and I am in compliance with all of the Board’s requests and am making progress on their fence request. In addition, I would like it documented that Mr. Stillman’s own dogs have gotten out of his fenced in yard multiple times before per his own neighbors, including in September 2023 where one of his dogs got hit by a car and had to have a leg amputated. Thank you. This portion of the meeting closed at 7:07 pm. REPORTS: Trustee DeHart stated she had 3 fire pit applications and has 10-15 complaints she is working through. Spring Garage Sales are June 7 – 8, 2024, signs went out today. Trustee Raftis said there were 28 brush loads that Public Works hauled away and 3 piles that Trustee DeHart is sending letters to. Trustee Lael asked if 3030 ½ Chatham Road has been closed? Attorney Brokaw stated that it should be ready by this next week. Attorney Brokaw also stated that 1664 Homewood, title work has been ordered. Trustee Leigh Irons wanted to thank all the residents who came to Meet the Cops and also thanks to Hyvee for their donations. The Police Department is working on allowing ordinance tickets to be printed from the ecitations in the truck. Trustee Ralph Irons stated on June 3, 2024, Public Works will begin replacing the valve on Iles/Leonard, June 5, 2024, they will begin on replacing the fire hydrant at 1804 Iles, June 8, the fire hydrant at 1728 Iles and on June 12, the fire hydrant at 1620 Iles. All these dates are weather permitting. Once the hydrants are replaced, the dirt will need to settle and once that is done public works will come through and seed the area. Trustee Lael asked about the hydrant that was damaged on Wabash by a vehicle. Trustee Ralph Irons stated the Village is doing an insurance claim for the damage. Treasurer Snow stated that the Audit will be starting in mid June. OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Change of Job Descriptions.  Motion to Approve the Change of Job Descriptions for Public Works by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee DeHart Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. NEW BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Repairs to the Playground Bridge. President Lopez stated that Dave received another bid today that was lower than the rest totaling $5,250.94 to repair with Public Works installing. Motion to Approve the Repairs to the Playground Bridge not to exceed $6,500.00 by Trustee DeHart 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 8 hydrants. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that the cost is $30,000.00 and the Village can use ARPA funds for the costs. Motion to Approve the Purchase of 8 fire hydrants not to exceed $30,000.00 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 Ordinance 25-01 Authorizing Village Expenditures Pending Adoption of Annual Appropriation Ordinance. Motion to Approve Ordinance 25-01 Authorizing Village Expenditures Pending Adoption of Annual Appropriation Ordinance by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 25-02 Making Appropriations for Expenses of the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2025. Motion to Approve Ordinance 25-02 Making Appropriations for Expenses of the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2025, by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Resolution 02-25 Authorizing the Allocation of Certain Tax Revenues to Expenditures Related to the Streets of the Village of Jerome, Illinois. Attorney Brokaw stated this resolution allows certain tax revenues to fund the 1% so that the funds can go towards roads.  Motion to Approve Resolution 02-25 Authorizing the Allocation of Certain Tax Revenues to Expenditures Related to the Streets of the Village of Jerome, Illinois, by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez stated that the Park District backed out on helping train one of the new officers and President Lopez reached out to the Village of Riverton and they agreed to help our Police Department out and train one of our officers. The Village of Southern View is training the other officer at the same time. President Lopez stated there is no movement on Niemann Foods in the immediate future. The Village has two new businesses opening New York Bagel is opening next to Napa on May 26th and will offer a drive through with carry out and a catering business where Country Financial will prepare food for events. Trustee Lael stated the property is amazing. 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 DeHart seconded the motion. The Board went into Executive Session at 7:27 pm. The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:57 pm. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 25-03 Amending Section 600.1-9 Related to Water Rate Increases. The Ordinance will increase the rate effective June 1, 2024. The City of Springfield will not send the Village the new rate for the year until August of 2024. Motion to Approve Ordinance 25-03 Amending Section 600.1-9 Related to Water Rate Increases, by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart 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 8:44 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: May 16, 2024 ____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date