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 19, 2024, at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:32 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 Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works Also Present: Lisa Cave, Village Clerk Emily Snow, Village Treasurer Steve Roth, Executive Assistant Absent: Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, PC _____________________________________________________________________________________ President Lopez asked for a moment of silence for Herman G. Bodewes. Herman was the Village Attorney from 2001 – 2014. Herman was 87 years young. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the September 3, 2024, Special Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the September 3, 2024, special minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the September 3, 2024, Special 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 September 5, 2024, Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the September 5, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the September 5, 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 June 20, 2024, Executive Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the June 20, 2024, executive minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the June 20, 2024, Executive Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; except Trustee Lael voted present MOTION PASSES. APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 25-09 dated September 19, 2024, totaling $95,017.68. Treasurer Snow stated the breakdown of the amount that $55,869.21 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $2,961.11 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $36,187.36 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 25-09 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 25-09 totaling $95,017.68 as presented By: Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez reminded the Board and public that on September 26, 2024, at 6:30 pm the Village of Jerome will be holding a Public Hearing regarding the Business District and the TIF program. President Lopez stated with the opening of Legacy Point Springfield and Jerome could see an estimate of 15,000 to 25,000 more people each weekend from Friday morning through Sunday. During the Public Hearing, there will be a presentation with Board action to move forward. President Lopez has reached out to Niemann Foods on hearing of the shutdown of County Market on 6th Street and they responded thank you but no thanks. President Lopez reminded everyone on the events that are coming up, October 5, 2024, will be the Drop off Large Item from 8 am to Noon, October 26, 2024, Fall Festival and Halloween on October 31, 2024. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:43 pm. Stephanie Ballinger with Benton & Associates, presented to the Board that the subcontractor will bore on Monday. They have reached out to Dave, and he is aware, and they are asking for about $4,000.00 for the equipment rentals to bore the area. After Monday’s boaring Benton should be able to nail down the date of when PH Broughton will start on Iles. Stephanie stated she will provide weekly updates and reminded the Board that they will be onsite for any work done for the Village. Chris Ourey with Third Wave presented to the Board the location for two of the cameras and an Owl platform that would be able to utilize with broadcasting the board meetings via the internet. Chris recommended the Owl 3 instead of the 4 plus. The Owl 4 plus is 4K and he does not feel that is necessary for the costs. Chris stated that he has located the location of the camera in the shop that will avoid the office area but will capture the doors and the big doors of the shop. Chris stated he is very comfortable all angles are covered. President Lopez asked how long it would take to be installed? Chris stated that they have them in stock so it would only take a couple days. REPORTS: Trustee DeHart stated she is working through more fire pit permit inspections. Several issues with houses and property were looked into including a report of an explosion/fire at 1636 Jerome. The report on Springfield Families on Facebook was incorrect as it was a gas leak and is currently not habitable. The owner is cleaning up the trash on the exterior and will decide what to do with the house next. The intersection at Reed/Filmore has corrected a line-of-sight issue by removing a large shrub which opened up the view when at the stop signs. There are additional intersections which will be contacted soon to trim back or remove landscape material at corners, near hydrants and stop signs. The property at 8 Homewood has cleaned up outside with additional work to finish up in the driveway. Trustee DeHart was asked to investigate whether the home with the vicious dogs on Iles was in compliance with Village signing requirements and consulted with Attorney Brokaw who confirmed that it complies with Village Ordinances. Trustee Raftis had nothing to report. Trustee Christofilakos had nothing to report. Trustee Lael stated he would like to change the ordinance of 401.2 AB; it has an exclusion of roof windows and sidings as they were removed, and he would like them to be brought back in the ordinance. There are residents that are using a spray on roof, and he is not sure how long that will last. Trustee Lael would also like an ordinance on solar panels that once they are damaged, they need to be removed in so many days, he does not want abandoned solar panels. Trustee Lael stated there are about a dozen homes with solar panels in the Village. President Lopez asked Trustee Lael to send an email to Attorney Brokaw to work on those for the meeting October 3, 2024. Trustee Leigh Irons stated nothing to report. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that on September 25, 2024, Dave will begin the valve replacement at Reed and Leonard, unfortunately 105 residents will be without out water until that is repaired. Dave will send it to be announced on the website. Dave will also be repairing the hydrant on the same corner. Treasurer Snow had nothing to report. Clerk Cave stated the bulletin is at the printers and will be going out to the residents next week in the mail. OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez stated the Board heard from Stephanie on the Iles project update. President Lopez stated the Board will table the discussion of the bid for Tree Removal at 3030 ½ Chatham Road. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Hiring of Police Officer(s). Trustee Leigh Irons stated that Chief Tolley would like to hire Dustin Tucker as a part time police officer subject to Background at a rate of $24.00 per hour. Motion to Approve the Hiring of Dustin Tucker, pending background investigation at a rate of $24.00 per hour by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Records Retention and Local Records Act Disposal Actions. Steve Roth suggested to table the topic for the next meeting. President Lopez opened discussion and approval for the Purchase of 3 cameras for the Municipal Building and Garage. Trustee DeHart stated that she is interested in purchasing 2 cameras, one for the interior office hallway and one for the Public Works Garage. Trustee DeHart stated it is for the protection of Village facilities, property, staff safety, vandalism and theft as it is in other village areas. The Village has purchased a lot of new equipment over the past few years and the Board needs to ensure that we do all we can to protect the Village and its’ investments. Trustee DeHart stated that the cameras do not record audio and are not intended to observe employees at work or on breaks and is not accusing any staff of stealing. It is a tool to use when needed and in case of incidents, accidents or other issues in the garage that need to be investigated. Trustee DeHart also reminded the Board that Public Works Director Dave Wilken, Chief Tolley and President Lopez are the only people/positions in the Village with the authority to access the cameras and none of them has time to view the village recordings unless there is a reported incident needing to be investigated. Trustee Raftis stated he is opposed to cameras in the garage and does not want the guys being recorded. Trustee Leigh Irons stated we have cameras watching the office employees and she agrees that the Village needs to protect Village property. Trustee Lael said he is okay with the camera if it does not show the employees' desk area. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that there is a lot of money in equipment in the garage. Motion to approve the Purchase of 2 cameras for the Municipal Building and Garage pending a location so that the employees are not ton camera at their desk not to exceed $1,500 with installation by Third Wave by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Trustee Lael stated that he would only vote yes if it did not show the employees' desk area. Steve Roth stated to Trustee Lael that he cannot put a condition on his vote, it is either a yes or a no. Trustee DeHart asked to amend her motion. Motion to amend the motion to approve the Purchase of one camera for the Secretary office not to exceed $750.00 with installation by Third Wave by Trustee DeHart and 2nd by Trustee Christofilakos Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; except for Trustee Leigh Irons and Trustee Christofilakos MOTION PASSES. Trustee DeHart will place the garage security camera on the agenda again after an additional review to allow for further input by board members. NEW BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of a Memorial Plaque for Herman G. Bodewes. Motion to Approve the Purchase of a Memorial Plaque for Herman G. Bodewes for the Jerome Park not to exceed $350.00 by Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Christofilakos Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 25-13 Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax. Motion to Approve Ordinance 25-13 Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez stated that we need better communication with the Trustees. President Lopez stated he has 2 phones and is accessible via call, email and texts. President Lopez asked for the Trustees to sign the warrants on a timely basis. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:31 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: October 3, 2024 ____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date