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 17, 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 Public Health Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning Also Present: Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, PC Lisa Cave, Village Clerk Emily Snow, Village Treasurer Steve Roth, Executive Assistant Absent: Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee of Public Property Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works _____________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the October 3, 2024, Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the October 3, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the October 3, 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 25-11 dated October 17, 2024, totaling $63,186.10. Treasurer Snow stated the breakdown of the amount that $36,461.25 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $928.35 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $25,796.50 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 25-11 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 25-11 totaling $63,186.10 as presented By: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:35 pm. Cameron Jones with Benton & Associates, provided an update to the Board on Iles. Cameron stated that they are moving forward with Iles and anticipate being onsite the first week of November. PH Broughton will begin with the storm sewers first and due to the lateness of the season, they will begin the road repairs in the Spring of 2025. The grant funds need to be expensed by December of 2025 so the Village will still be able to utilize the grant funding to finish the road. On November 7, 2024, there will be a progress meeting. President Lopez stated that sanitation is still working on the creek and due to the ditch work they are anticipating over $500,000 in costs. Benton & Associates and Dave are discussing and planning repairs on the West side of the bridge. President Lopez will be setting up a meeting with Trustee Lael, Trustee Ralph Irons, Attorney Brokaw and the City of Springfield to discuss the creek. President Lopez also reminded residents of the Fall Festival on October 26, 2024, from 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm with pumpkin carving and a chili cookoff. Thank you to Hyvee for donating 50 pumpkins and apple cider totaling $450.00 for this event. Residents can pick up a pumpkin Tuesday, Thursday or Friday for the pumpkin carving and will be judged on Saturday. October 31, 2024, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Halloween candy will be passed out at the Civic Center and Jerome Methodist Church will be hosting a Trunk or Treat. Public Works will place barricades up for this event. President Lopez stated there was a problem with the webby website and Ethan found a less expensive and faster website host. Ethan is placing history of the Village of Jerome. We will need pictures of the Trustees on the website. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:45 pm. Steve Zhao, owner of Asian Market and Elsa’s would like to move to the location next to Osaka and Wings Etc. When he moves Elsa’s, he will be opening an oriental gift shop, which will increase sales revenue. Attorney Brokaw stated that he can change the address on the liquor license and gaming license and submit for approval from the Board. A resident on Homewood Ct addressed President Lopez stating he has not done anything to help her. People are flying down Filmore. Some vehicles turn onto Homewood Ct at high speeds, and they are causing trouble and waking her up at midnight. One neighbor who complained stated that she found nails in her driveway. She feels unsafe and is worried about retaliation from the rentals on Homewood. Is it possible to place speed bumps? Trustee Leigh Irons stated she will speak with the Police Chief and to Officer Branham regarding this issue. The resident thanked Trustee Leigh Irons for helping. Another resident asked why there were no signs on the police vehicles stating they are the Village of Jerome? Trustee Leigh Irons stated that the Village just purchased the vehicles, and the Chief is obtaining bids to mark the vehicles. Trustee Leigh Irons aslso stated that she is still accepting part time and full- time applications for police officers. President Lopez stated that the Business District will provide additional 1% sales tax that will help with business redevelopment, roads and infrastructure in the Village. Another resident who lives on Filmore asked about the buggy and possible 25 mph speed sign. This resident also asked if the Board is addressing the dogs that bite people and how scared she is to be out walking. She carries a walking stick to chase them away. President Lopez stated that they are reviewing the animal ordinance for changes. REPORTS: Trustee DeHart stated she is working through more fire pit permit inspections. Several issues with landscape in fencing and junk around their homes. Trustee DeHart reminded residents of the Flu Clinic on October 22, 2024, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at the Jerome Civic Center. Trustee Raftis was absent. President Lopez stated that they are replacing hydrants and MFT resurfacing cracks on Lincoln scheduled on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Trustee Christofilakos was absent. Trustee Lael stated he sent out 18 letters in June and was the most sent out. Trustee Lael stated that fines need to start going out and at this time they are $150.00 up to $500.00. Residents are charged a $50.00 fine if the contractors are not registered. Trustee Lael asked if Sangamon County Animal Control charges could be passed onto the resident? Attorney Brokaw will look into it and get back to Trustee Lael. Trustee Leigh Irons stated the Village has received the grant funds for the new tasers. The part time officer will begin training next week. On Saturday, October 5, 2024, large item drop off had 85 cars that filled 2 dumpsters and 1 dumpster of scrap metal. Trustee Ralph Irons stated there was an issue with the bills where it charges 3 separate charges for sewer. The hydrants have all been replaced and have brought the Village up to the 21st century where most were put in 1960’s. Please give Public Works time to let the ground settle and they will be back to seed it. Treasurer Snow had nothing to report. Clerk Cave had nothing to report. Attorney Brokaw stated that the Business District Addresses have been delivered to Illinois Department of Revenue and will begin on January 1, 2025. President Lopez reminded residents of Election Day November 5, 2024, and that Public Works staff will open the doors at 5:00 am and will return at 7:00 pm to lock up the Civic Center. The Village is accepting donations of bagged candy for Halloween. OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez stated the Board heard from Cameron Jones 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 Records Retention and Local Records Act Disposal Actions. Steve Roth stated that the Village is ready for the destruction of the records, FY13-FY17 Water Funds reports and receipts, bank statements, warrants and cover sheets, payroll records, budge and budget worksheets, FY13 – FY22 Applications for employment and FOIA. FY13 – FY17 Annexation records and 2006 FEMA reimbursement records for tornado and ice storm. Steve stated they are also reviewing internal correspondence and miscellaneous records for retention. Steve will provide a copy to the attorney and will contact Affordable Shred for the destruction. Motion to Approve the Records Retention and Local Records Act Disposal by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. NEW BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase for Signage and Barricades for Lane Closure on Wabash Ave for Valve and Hydrant Replacement. Trustee Ralph Irons asked to table it to the next meeting. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Street Repair to IDOT standards on Wabash for Valve Replacement costing $5,700.00 by PH Broughton. Motion to Approve the Street Repair to IDOT standards on Wabash for the Valve Replacement not to exceed $5,700.00 by PH Broughton by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase of Owl 3 with Accessories. Nathan Boyd, with Matrix Systems would have to set up the owl and it can be live streamed on YouTube to allow residents to view the meeting as it happens. Attorney Brokaw stated that he believes we can ask for a demonstration of the Owl prior to purchasing. Trustee DeHart asked to table until the next meeting. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Purchase and Installation of a Security Camera in the Garage by ThirdWave. Trustee DeHart stated she met with Chris Oury from ThirdWave along with Trustee Lael to review the placement of the camera. There were 3 possible sites, and they all agreed with one of the placements. Dave agreed with the placement. Motion to Approve the Purchase and Installation of a Security Camera in the Garage by ThirdWave not to exceed $800.00 by Trustee DeHart 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 7:55 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: November 7, 2024 ____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date