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, October 3, 2024, at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Pro tem Leigh Irons, followed by Roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: The following were present: 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 Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, PC Absent: Mike Lopez, Village President Steve Roth, Executive Assistant _____________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Pro Tem Leigh Irons asked whether the Board had reviewed the September 19, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Pro Tem Leigh Irons asked the September 19, 2024, regular minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the September 19, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the September 26, 2024, Public Hearing and Special Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Pro Tem Leigh Irons asked the September 26, 2024, public hearing and special meeting minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the September 26, 2024, Public Hearing and Special Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Lael and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Pro Tem Leigh Irons asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 25-10 dated October 3, 2024, totaling $44,423.91. Treasurer Snow stated the breakdown of the amount that $11,167.39 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $19,358.81 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $13,897.71 will be paid from the Water Account. President Pro Tem Leigh Irons asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 25-10 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 25-10 totaling $44,423.91 as presented By: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Lael Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Pro Tem Leigh Irons opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:33 pm. Gary Barlow, Lucky Monkey, addressed the Board that he had purchased the gaming parlor and wanted to verify if there was anything else he needed to do to be compliant with the licenses. Attorney Brokaw stated that he will review the applications and that since it is a purchase of the corporation and that the owners are changing only, we would need to obtain the new owner's information, and the Village will issue a letter that the business complies and that we have that documentation on file. Shawn Stillman, 1310 Iles, stated he has been passed twice recently on Iles. Trustee Leigh Irons stated she will inform the Police Department and that unfortunately it is happening everywhere. Shawn asked if the Board could request a stop light at the corner of Iles and Chatham Road. A discussion took place requesting a stop light at that location and that the Board had inquired before but that if memory serves it is too close to the other two stop lights on that road. Trustee Raftis will speak to Dave on striping the intersection before winter. The culvert “bridge” is the city’s and to make that wider for a turning lane would cost over $750,000. Deb Burgess, 7 Reed Ct, addressed the Board that there is new owners at #9 Reed Ct and it appears they have 6 adults and 2 children living there and they are parking 3 wide in the cul-de-sac. Trustee Leigh Irons stated she will talk with the Police Department and have them speak with them. Trustee DeHart stated she has pictures of trash and brush everywhere from #9-#11. Virginia Wells, 1510 Homewood addressed the Board about obtaining a letter to allow her to sell her lot as is with the garage. Attorney Brokaw stated that he has spoken with their agent Angie Condon, and she has some information from him, and he is drafting a letter for them. Shawn Stillman also brought up the dog attack at 1637 Homewood. The dog went through the fencing and bit a resident in their backyard. The resident spent the night in the ER and the hospital contacted animal control. No police report has been made at this time, but Attorney Brokaw stressed that the resident needs to make a formal police report as soon as possible. REPORTS: Trustee DeHart thanked Deb Burgess for the request and attending the meeting. Trustee DeHart also stated she met with the Village IT Nate Boyd, and he repaired her laptop and if any Trustee is having issues, please reach out to him and he can set up a time to repair it. Trustee DeHart met with Chris from ThirdWave and Trustee Lael on finding the right location to the camera in the garage. Trustee DeHart stated she feels they found a reasonable place that focuses on the small equipment and doors of the garage and is requesting the purchase of the camera and installation be on the next agenda. Trustee DeHart stated she will meet with Dave to discuss some key issues. Reminder the Flu Clinic is October 22, 2024. Trustee Raftis stated that there are some delays with the Iles project and Stephanie has been updating Dave daily and the project should be starting in the next few weeks. Trustee Christofilakos had nothing to report. Trustee Lael stated he would like to change the way the Village deals with residents that ignore the contractor registration of the Village. Trustee Lael states that it is in every bulletin even though no one reads the bulletin he stated that we should go after the residents that allow nonregistered contractors that work in their home. It is only $50.00 to be registered with the Village as a contractor and it needs to be enforced. Discussion took place on whether new residents, when they sign up for water, are given a packet with information on rules and regulations. The Board was unsure if that was still the practice as it was at one time but with new employees no one is sure how the process is at this time. Trustee Leigh Irons reminded residents of the Large Item Drop off that is on Saturday October 5, 2024, from 8 am to Noon. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that they had some training on the update to the water billing system. Trustee Ralph Irons is excited about it and there is a scan bar on the bills now and they have configured the bills to allow printing on the back of the cards that are mailed out. This helps give residents notice of any events that are scheduled for that month. 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. Attorney Brokaw stated that his firm has dropped off the paperwork to Illinois Department of Revenue for the Business District to allow the taxes to take effect on January 1, 2025. OLD BUSINESS: President Pro Tem Leigh Irons stated the Board heard from Trustee Raftis on the Iles project update. President Pro Tem Leigh Irons stated the Board will table the discussion of the bid for Tree Removal at 3030 ½ Chatham Road as Dave is still obtaining bids. President Pro Tem Leigh Irons opened discussion and approval of the Records Retention and Local Records Act Disposal Actions. President Pro Tem Leigh Irons tabled the topic for the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS: President Pro Tem Leigh Irons opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of Replacement Chains for the Ductile Iron Saw. Trustee Ralph Irons stated they are used in cutting water pipes and if the Village purchases 2, they will receive a 3rd one free. Motion to Approve the Purchase of Replacement Chains for the Ductile Iron Saw not to exceed $1,300.00 by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Raftis Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. Shawn Stillman asked about the Speed Buggy. Trustee Leigh Irons will ask and will get back to him as the Chief is out at the moment. The Board thanked Shawn again for the signs and they are throughout the Village. Trustee DeHart is taking 5 over to the Jerome Methodist Church this week for some of their residents. Trustee DeHart also reminded everyone about donations of candy can be dropped off at the Village Office. The Chief and members of the Board will be out on Halloween night in front of the Civic Center for trick or treaters. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Pro Tem Leigh Irons asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:08 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: October 17, 2024 ____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date