February 2026 Board Minutes
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
· Rick Norton - Aye
· David Rathke - Absent
· Janice Edwards - Absent
· Dustin McCarty - Aye
· Charles Morefield - Aye
· Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present was Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford, Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance Nick Sandage, Police Chief Ritchie Cooper, School Resource Officer Ben Thorndyke and Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
Trustee Dustin McCarty made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Absent, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2026.
· Beginning Balance $114,595.42
· Ending Balance $ 79,611.18
· Decrease for the month of January 2026 $ 34,985.24
Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer suggested to change the Utility Tax checking account to a NOW Account to avoid the monthly service charge.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to change the Utility Tax checking account to a NOW Account to avoid services fees. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Absent, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2026. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Absent, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to pay the bills as presented along with the yet to be received recurring bills. Trustee Dustin McCarty seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Absent, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public comments-Items on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Special Reports
Police Department – Police Chief Ritchie Cooper states there were 5 citations issued in the month of January 2026. He also states that reports were completed for Mental Health, Civil Dispute, Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle, Accident, Disorderly Conduct and Traffic Hazard. Ritchie states he has sent several ordinance violation letters to residents regarding the Nuisance Ordinance.
Maintenance Department – Josh and Nick took down all the Christmas decorations throughout the village. Josh and Nick transferred all chemicals into the new chemical basins required by the EPA. Pictures were taken and sent into the EPA and was approved. The Ford F250 sustained damage during plowing, the truck was taken to Bane’s Autobody for repairs. A claim was filed with our insurance. Josh and Nick salted on January 26th, cleared drifts on January 27th and salted again on January 28th. New cutting edge and new winter guards were put on the straight plow. Josh reports all daily/monthly maintenance was completed.
Animal Control/Zoning – Report in your folders for review.
EMA – Report in your folders for review.
Mayor’s Report – A list of the revenue was reviewed for the month of January 2026. The Village of Colfax received its annual franchise payment from Mediacom in the amount of $4,173.27.
Committee Reports
Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, has nothing to report at this time. Meeting scheduled for Monday, March 30, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Police and Liquor Committee Chairman, David Rathke, was absent.
Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report at this time.
Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Janice Edwards, was absent. Meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, has nothing to report at this time. Meeting scheduled for Monday, March 26, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Old Business:
There was no old business on the agenda.
New Business:
First item of New Business was review of Executive Session minutes and approval to keep all Executive Session minutes of the Board of Trustees sealed.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to keep all Executive Session minutes of the Board of Trustees sealed. Trustee Rick Norton seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Absent, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the request from Sabor de Mexico for road closure on North Street between Grove and Center Streets from 12:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026 to celebrate 5th year anniversary.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the closure of North Street between Grove and Center Streets from 12:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Trustee Dustin McCarty seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Absent, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Final item of New Business was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2026-04, An Ordinance to Propose the Approval of a First Amendment to the Business Development District Redevelopment Plan and Establish a Date for a Public Hearing.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-04, An Ordinance to Propose the Approval of a First Amendment to the Business Development District Redevelopment Plan and Establish a Date for a Public Hearing. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Absent, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public comments – Items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to go into Executive Session to consider appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of village employees and pending litigation pursuant to Section 2 (c) (11) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Trustee Dustin McCarty seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Absent, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
The Board of Trustees entered into Executive Session at 7:32 p.m.
Trustee Dustin McCarty made a motion to return to Open Session at 7:59 p.m. Trustee Rick Norton seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Absent, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Absent, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk