April 2026 Board Minutes

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.

Trustees present were:

·        Rick Norton                    -             Aye

·        David Rathke                 -             Aye

·        Janice Edwards           -             Aye

·        Dustin McCarty           -             Aye

·        Charles Morefield      -             Aye

·        Vincent Beck                 -             Aye

Also present were Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Nick Sandage, Police Chief Ritchie Cooper and Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Dustin McCarty seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2026.

·        Beginning Balance                                                    $88,431.97

·        Ending Balance                                                           $85,286.72

·        Decrease for the month of March 2026       $ 3,145.25

Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2026. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Public comments-Items on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Presentation: Tony Moore, Republic Services, gave a presentation regarding the proposed 5-year agreement for solid waste and recycling collection for the Village of Colfax. The pricing includes residential containers maintained by Republic Services, free service at municipal buildings, 24 roll off hauls per year, free waste service for the Good Ole’ Days and front door service for residents who are unable to get their carts to the curb. Tony Moore states that approximately 60% of the village currently uses the recycling program.

Special Reports

Police Department- Police Chief Ritchie Cooper reports the Police Department had a busy month. Reports were completed for missing person, criminal mischief, grooming, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, harassment through electronic communications, burglary, aggravated assault, civil dispute, aggravated robbery and criminal damage to property.

Maintenance Department- Nick reports the solenoid valve on the chlorine line was replaced and ran a new line to the pressure gauge line in the water plant. Josh and Nick changed the oil and sharpened the blades on the mower. The oil was also changed in the F250 and diesel pump at the lift station. A new light socket was installed on the streetlight on Main Street that had not been working. Snow drifts were cleared from several streets on March 16, 2026. Josh and Nick picked up trash out of the ditches and fields surrounding Dollar General and along South Grove Street.

Animal Control/Zoning report is in your folders for review.

EMA Report is in your folders for review.

Mayor’s Report- A listing of the revenue for March 2026 is included in the Mayor’s Report. The Village of Colfax now owns the property at 106 E. Fifer Street, this property and the adjoining property to the east are now owned by the village. Mayor Dodds reports he has filed the Funding Nomination Form for Water Pollution Control Loan Program with the assistance of Farnsworth Group. This form essentially puts us in line for a possible loan from the IEPA.

Committee Reports

Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, reports the committee meeting was held on March 30, 2026. Rick reports a review of the appropriation balances and the 2026-2027 Appropriation Ordinance. The current debt structure was reviewed.

Police and Liquor Committee Chairman, David Ratke, has nothing to report at this time.

Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report at this time.

Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Janice Edwards, has nothing to report at this time.

Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Chairman, Charles Morefield, reported a meeting was held to discuss the equipment needs for the Maintenance Department.

Old Business:

First item of Old Business was the review and approval of the 2026-2027 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.

Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the 2026-2027 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

New Business:

First item of new business was the consideration to appoint Ric Onken to the Zoning Board of Appeals effective immediately.

Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to appoint Ric Onken to the Zoning Board of Appeals effective immediately. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Next item on the agenda was the consideration of sponsorship for the 2026 Good Ole’ Days Celebration.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the Gold Level Sponsorship for the 2026 Good Ole’ Days Celebration. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Next item of new business was the review and approval of the contract with Republic Services for solid waste and recycling collection for the Village of Colfax.

Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the contract with Republic Services for solid waste and recycling collection for the Village of Colfax. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Final item of new business was the review and approval of contract with Axon.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the 10-year contract with Axon for police equipment. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, 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, pending litigation and village owned real estate pursuant to Section 2 (C) (11) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

The Board of Trustees entered into Executive Session at 7:58 p.m.

Trustee Dustin McCarty made a motion to return to Open Session at 8:28 p.m. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Portia Vandegraft

Village Clerk