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, December 5, 2024, at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Trustee DeHart, acting as President Pro tem, followed by Roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: The following were present: 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: Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, PC Lisa Cave, Village Clerk Emily Snow, Village Treasurer Steve Roth, Executive Assistant Absent: Mike Lopez, Village President Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee of Public Property _____________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Pro tem Kathy DeHart asked whether the Board had reviewed the November 21, 2024, Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Pro tem Kathy DeHart asked the November 21, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the November 21, 2024, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Pro tem Kathy DeHart asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 25-14 dated December 5, 2024, totaling $42,678.80, although there was a credit on the Visa which brought the total due down to $42,601.97. Treasurer Snow stated the breakdown of the amount that $24,231.62 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $406.59 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $18,040.59 will be paid from the Water Account. President Pro tem Kathy DeHart asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 25-12 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 25-14 totaling $42,601.97 as presented By: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Pro tem Kathy DeHart opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:33 pm. Dan Williams wanted to thank Public Works for marking off the pile of rocks in the parking lot of the park. REPORTS: Trustee DeHart stated thank you to Public Works for cordoning off the area at the Park, they have ordered the parts for the sink in the men's bathroom in the Civic Center. Trustee DeHart is working on 2 properties on Iles, one requesting that they utilize the Habitat program to dispose of their items outside and has reached out to PNC Bank for the property at 1713 Iles to contact the local maintenance company although they stated there is not a final contract at the moment. Toys for Tots this Saturday from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm and Sunday from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm during the tree lighting ceremony and residents can drop off their unwrapped gift during office hours. Trustee Raftis had nothing to report. Trustee Christofilakos was absent but did report to Trustee DeHart that Sunday December 8, 2024, from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm will be the Village’s tree lighting with activities, hot chocolate, cookies and caroling. Trustee Lael stated he attended a zoom meeting with the Sangamon County Natural Hazard Workgroup meeting. Trustee Lael stated there were some technical issues but Steve Keenan from Sangamon County did call him directly after the meeting. Trustee Lael has reached out to Dave to add the creek to the list to see if the surrounding municipalities that connect to the creek could be addressed in the future. Deadline is Tuesday. Trustee Leigh Irons stated the decals for the trucks are in and will be on the vehicles next week. The decals will be permanent. Trustee Ralph Irons stated Public Works are finishing up the hydrants that need attention. Dave is looking into replacing the water main on the side of the road on Vernon. Dave is doing manual checks on the fire hydrants and records the inspections and forwards them to the Fire Department. Once the installation on Iles is complete the Village will be able to flush valves to two thirds of the Village at once. Treasurer Snow had nothing to report. Clerk Cave had nothing to report. Attorney Brokaw stated he has some limited success at 1664 Homewood after speaking with the County Treasurer’s Office, the clearinghouse Corelogic is sending in the payments, and he has reached out and formally submitted a request to find out who the mortgage company is and try and find the avenue of communication. Attorney Brokaw is also looking into if the utilities are on and who is paying for them. President Pro tem Kathy DeHart stated that President Lopez wanted to remind residents and the Board of the events this weekend. OLD BUSINESS: President Pro tem Kathy DeHart asked if there was an update on Iles Ave. Trustee Raftis stated he has not received any update from Benton. President Pro tem Kathy DeHart opened discussion and approval on the Purchase of Owl 3 with Accessories. Trustee Christofilakos is absent and President Pro tem Kathy DeHart asked to table the discussion until the next meeting. President Pro tem Kathy DeHart stated that Trustee Christofilakos and herself have yet to meet with Attorney Brokaw to discuss the animal ordinance, the discussion was tabled until the next meeting. President Pro tem Kathy DeHart opened discussion and approval on Ordinance 25-18 Amending Section 401.3 of the Jerome Village Code Regarding Contractor Registration. Attorney Brokaw stated he recommends tabling the discussion until they have the agreement from Sangamon County. NEW BUSINESS: President Pro tem Kathy DeHart opened discussion of Ordinance 25-19 Amending Section 406.1-5 of the Jerome Village Code Regarding Licenses for the Transportation of Garbage, Rubbish or Landscape Waste. Attorney Brokaw stated that this is from a request to change the permit to calendar year instead of fiscal year. Motion to Approve Ordinance 25-19 Amending Section 406.1-5 of the Jerome Village Code Regarding Licenses for the Transportation of Garbage, Rubbish or Landscape Waste by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Pro tem Kathy DeHart opened discussion and approval of Ordinance 25-20 Levying and Assessing Taxes for the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2025. Attorney Brokaw stated that Jerome had not levied corporate PTELL, after verifying with Sangamon County, this ordinance levies $2,933.82 for corporate general funds, $1,000.00 for street lighting and $24,000.00 for Police protection. Motion to Approve Ordinance 25-20 Levying and Assessing Taxes for the Village of Jerome, Illinois for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2025, by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Pro tem Kathy DeHart opened discussion and approval of Resolution 03-24 Listing the Date, Time, and Place of the Village of Jerome Board of Trustees Regular Meetings for 2025. Attorney Brokaw stated that the dates were approved at the last meeting, and this is a formality. Motion to Approve Resolution 03-24 Listing the Date, Time, and Place of the Village of Jerome Board of Trustees Regular Meetings for 2025 by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Pro tem Kathy DeHart asked for a motion to close the meeting at 7:03 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Ralph Irons and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: December 19, 2024 ____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date