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, September 5, 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 Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee of Public Property Kathy DeHart, Trustee 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 Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, PC, arrived 7:20pm Emily Snow, Village Treasurer Steve Roth, Executive Assistant Absent: Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department _____________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the August 15, 2024, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the August 15, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the August 15, 2024, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh 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 25-08 dated September 5, 2024, totaling $25,893.82. Treasurer Snow stated the breakdown of the amount that $7,014.34 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $1,220.42 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $17,659.06 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 25-08 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 25-08 totaling $25,893.82 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 6:33 pm. Gail Kuster, resident of Homewood, addressed the Board that her mother has a 40 ft lot that is listed by a Realtor and another Realtor had told her Realtor that the property cannot be sold. President Lopez asked Gail to ask Attorney Brokaw her question as that the Board cannot help. Shawn Stillman, a resident on Iles would like to see more police presence during school hours. Shawn also stated that at 2 am last night, a person in a Chevy truck stopped and stole a political sign outside of his house. Shawn stated that his wife tried to call the police number, but the voicemail was full. Trustee Leigh Irons asked him to call tonight as Officer Branham is on duty and he can write a report. Robin Malloy, Pehlman & Dold Auditors, addressed the Board regarding the audit. Robin stated a few minor changes were made, but all funds increased except for water and sewer. The audit has a clean opinion. Stephanie Ballinger, Benton & Associates, addressed the Board that PH Broughton has reached out to AT & T regarding a fiber optic line that was installed with no permit. They believe it was placed around 1960. Once they have a clear understanding where the lines are they will be able to begin the road construction on Iles Ave. Benton is in constant contact with PH Broughton and will relay the information to the Village. Ethan Smith, web designer, shared with the Board the changes he has made to the Village’s website. Ethan has placed some interactive posts, adding a suggestion box and should be complete by the end of the year. Ethan stated that the revised website would cost no more than $2,000.00 and would be $100.00 per month. Ethan had also asked the Board if a History Corner would be of interest to the Board. Trustee DeHart asked to ensure that all the Bulletins are on the website. This portion of the meeting closed at 6:40 pm. REPORTS: Trustee DeHart stated the Flu Clinic is scheduled for October 22, 2024, from 1 pm to 2 pm. Trustee DeHart is still going through the fire pit applications. Trustee Raftis stated as Stephanie stated below the fiber optic line that was bored was unpermitted and until that is resolved we are on hold to start Iles. Sangamon County Water Reclamation will be dumping rocks in the creek when they repair the storm sewer. There are flags on Iles Ave, please do not remove the flags. PH Broughton will remove as they go. November 4, 2024, will be the last limb pickup of the year. October 5, 2024, from 8 am to Noon will be the Large Item Drop off. Trustee Christofilakos stated that Dave has not received any bids for tree work or demolition of the home at 3030 ½ Chatham Road. Trustee Christofilakos stated there is a book/bake sale this coming weekend and the library is being updated on the books they offer. Trustee Lael stated that relatives of the Dexheimer family home at 1847 Jerome had found the original blueprints for Moonlight Gardens. Trustee Lael would like to frame them for the Village. Trustee Leigh Irons stated nothing to report. Trustee Ralph Irons was not present. President Lopez stated that Locis update is going well, there will be an additional training for Amanda, Ruth, Dave, Mike and Ralph Irons will be included to allow less of a hassle for bills. Time Management will be put in place this month and it will be easier on the Clerk and with the Auditor for auditing purposes. Treasurer Snow had nothing to report. Clerk Cave reminded that if there was anything the Trustees want included in the Bulletin please email immediately. Clerk Cave will provide the proof to Phil Mike and Dale to review before printing. President Lopez stated that there is a library event on Saturday from 10 to 12pm where they are having a bake sale with the profits going towards the library. Flu Clinic on October 22, 2024, from 1 pm to 2 pm. Trustee Christofilakos has some ideas on the meet and greet for Halloween, using some vintage decorations, maybe a tree lighting lots of great ideas. President Lopez has been working on the business district and there will be a special meeting on September 26, 2024, due to the ad to be in the paper. Barrell Head is getting cleaned up and there are potential buyers. OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez stated that the Board will table the discussion of the purchase of 3 cameras for the Municipal Building and Garage for September 19, 2024. Trustee Leigh Irons asked to table the Hire-On Bonus for the Police Department and the Hiring of Police Officer(s). President Lopez stated to table the bid on tree removal and demolition and site cleanup for 3030 ½ Chatham Road. President Lopez opened discussion and approval for the Website Updates and Fees. Ethan Smith stated that he would have it done by the end of the year not to exceed $2,000.00 and a monthly charge of $100.00. Motion to approve the Website Updates by Ethan Smith by Trustee Christofilakos and 2nd b Trustee Raftis. Upon roll call, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. NEW BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Resolution 06-25 Approving and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for Animal Control Services. This year's costs are based on 20 animals last year for $1,342.55. Motion to Approve Resolution 06-25 Approving and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for Animal Control Services by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Christofilakos Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 25-12 Rescheduling Date for a Public Hearing on the Proposed Jerome Business District. The Village had to push the date back one week and it will be on September 26, 2024, due to publishing for the public hearing.  Motion to Approve Ordinance 25-12 Rescheduling Date for a Public Hearing on the Proposed Jerome Business District by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Bid for Cracksealing Village Streets. Total is $24,926.00 from Complete Asphalt Service Co (CASCO). Motion to Approve CASCO Bid for Cracksealing the Village Streets not to exceed $25,000.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee DeHart Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez tabled the Records Retention and Local Records Act Disposal Actions. 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 Raftis seconded the motion. The Board went into Executive Session at 7:36 pm. The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:50 pm. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Annual Audit for Fiscal Year 2024. Motion to Approve the Annual Audit for Fiscal Year 2024 by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion regarding the Website Update. Motion to Amend the Approval of Ethan Smith contracting to do the website upgrades by the end of the year not to exceed $2,000.00 and a monthly fee of $100.00 per month by Trustee Christofilakos and 2nd by Trustee Leigh 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 7:55 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: September 19, 2024 ____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date