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, January 2, 2025, 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 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 Absent: Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, PC Steve Roth, Executive Assistant Katrina Christofilakos, Trustee of Public Property _____________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the December 19, 2024, Meeting Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the December 19, 2024, minutes would stand approved as presented. Motion to approve the December 19, 2024, Meeting Minutes as presented by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 25-16 dated January 2, 2025, totaling $6,633.39. Treasurer Snow stated the breakdown of the amount that $6,474.45 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $39.15 will be paid from the 1% Fund and $119.79 will be paid from the Water Account. President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 25-16 as presented. Motion to Approve the Warrant List 25-16 totaling $6,633.39 as presented By: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. PUBLIC COMMENTS: President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:34 pm. Shawn Stillman, resident on Iles, stated he was glad for Iles to be opened back up and asked if there was any progress on taxing the Air B n Bs in the Village. President Lopez stated there has not been anything approved through the Board at the time. Dan Wiliams, resident stated that the Village had a nice presentation with the Christmas tree lighting. Dan felt it was a good outcome. President Lopez closed the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:41 pm. REPORTS: Trustee DeHart stated she is working on several complaints through Facebook Neighbors page regarding barking dogs. Trustee DeHart has reached out to Animal Control for a meeting and possible public service information. 1713 Iles has a for-sale sign and Trustee DeHart will be reaching out to the Realtor. Trustee Raftis stated the Public Works are getting ready for the snowfall this weekend. Trustee Christofilakos was absent. Trustee Lael stated he turned into Sangamon County the Hazard Mitigation paperwork after adding projects. Trustee Lael stated being a part of this group the Village could have access to federal funding although he is not sure anyone has actually received any funds besides Sangamon County and the Village of Chatham. Trustee Lael stated that he saw on the website Yoga in the Civic Center on January 26, who is sponsoring it? They are providing or selling cookies? Who is doing this? The Civic Center states no commercial rentals. President Lopez stated he will ask Katrina to contact Trustee Lael. Trustee Leigh Irons stated the Chief is going through the Policy book and Tajay starts on Sunday at the Academy. Last weekend several cars were broken into around Welch and Glenn. Trustee Ralph Irons stated his items are under new business. Treasurer Snow had nothing to report. President Lopez asked the Trustees to be watching for an email from Treasurer Snow regarding the budget for FY 2026. Clerk Cave stated all but 4 liquor licenses have been turned in for 2025 and asked what is the next steps? Do we close them down? President Lopez asked Clerk Cave to reach out to Attorney Brokaw for the next steps. Attorney Brokaw was absent. President Lopez commended Dave on his great work coming in on Christmas Eve when the Village experienced a water main break. Dave was out of town when he received the call and drove back to the Village and stayed until CWLP repaired the break. President Lopez thanked everyone who participated in the Village events over the holidays. OLD BUSINESS: President Lopez stated that Trustee DeHart and Trustee Christofilakos have yet to meet with Attorney Brokaw to discuss the animal ordinance, the discussion was tabled until the next meeting. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Agreement for Sangamon County Building and Zoning County wide Agreement to Inspect Residential Properties. Attorney Brokaw is still reviewing the agreement from Sangamon County. President Lopez opened discussion and approval on Ordinance 25-18 Amending Section 401.3 of the Jerome Village Code Regarding Contractor Registration. Trustee Lael stated he recommends tabling the discussion until the Board hears back from Attorney Brokaw. NEW BUSINESS: President Lopez opened discussion of the Public Works Department picking up Christmas Trees on January 13, 2025. Trustee Raftis stated it would be the same as limb pickup, the trees can be placed out front one week prior for pickup. Motion to Approve Pickup of Christmas Trees by Public Works on January 13, 2025 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion and approval of the Emergency Repair to the Water Main on Jerome Ave using CWLP crew. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that CWLP was called as the other two Public Works employees were out of town and Dave was the only employee able to drive back. CWLP used the Villages parts to repair and thanks to Dave with flushing the system and have the water testing on Monday. Motion to Approve Emergency Repair to the Water Main on Jerome Ave using CWLP crew not to exceed $12,000.00 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE; MOTION PASSES. President Lopez opened discussion of the Purchase of 6” Valve and Restraints, 5’ Valve Boxes (2), 6” Restraint Kits (6), 4” Restraint Kits (4) for Repairs to Water Mains. Trustee Ralph Irons stated that these are needed as some of these have been used in the repair of Jerome Ave. The Village needs these in stock for emergency repairs. Motion to Approve the Purchase of Water Supplies not to exceed $3,000.00 by by Trustee Ralph Irons 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 7:07 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Leigh Irons. PREPARED BY: Lisa Cave, Clerk DATE APPROVED: January 16, 2025 ____________________________________ Village Clerk _____________________________________ Date