The regular monthly meeting via Zoom was called to order on Monday evening, May 11, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.

Trustees present were:
Charles Morefield - Aye
David Rathke - Aye
Benjamin ThackeraY- Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Jason Wagoner - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye

Also present were Superintendent of Public Works Josh Hereford; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer; Police Chief Michael Scott.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer have the Treasurer’s Report for the month of April 2020.

Beginning Balance $178,480.26
Ending Balance $183,088.87
Increase for the month of April 2020 $ 4,608.61

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of April 2020. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to close Fiscal Year 2019-2020. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to open Fiscal Year 2020-2021. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve all of the following position appointments. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Village Treasurer- Connie Gossmeyer
Village Clerk- Portia Vandegraft
Superintendent of Public Works- Josh Hereford
Police Chief- Michael Scott
Part-time Police Officers- Ritchie Cooper, Dustin Carter, Michael Lay, James Scott and David Turner.
Zoning Officer- Brent Blair
Animal Control Officer- Brent Blair
EMA Director- Shane Beck
Zoning Board of Appeals- Brian Blair (Chair), Jonah Beck, Robbie Knorr, Brandon Baker and Rob Connor.
Village Attorney- Miller, Hall & Triggs- Kathleen Carter
Village Engineer- Terry McCleary

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve the Board of Trustee Committees as presented. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Public Comments- Items on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Police Chief Michael Scott stated there is a Police Report in your folders for review. Police Chief Michael Scott reported he had new tires placed on Unit #10. He also mentioned the new squad car is on order and expected to arrive in approximately 22 weeks. Police Chief Michael Scott stated he has been searching for an interim replacement for when he retires, until Ritchie Cooper would available for a full-time position.

Superintendent of Public Works Josh Hereford indicated there is a report in your folders for review. Josh stated he has delivered over 40 buckets of rock to residents since the last meeting. Josh reported that he is still picking up quite a bit of trash and brush daily. Josh reported that Ace in the Hole sealed the cracks on Main Street and Abbott Brother’s painted the lines on Main Street.

Mayor Larry Dodds reported the Animal Control/Zoning Report is in your folders for review.

Mayor Larry Dodds reported the EMA report is in your folders for review.

Mayor Larry Dodds gave the final special report. Larry mentioned that effective May 1, 2020 the garbage and recycle rates automatically increase by 50 cents from $16.72 to $17.22, per the contract with Republic Services. Mayor Larry Dodds stressed the importance of completing the 2020 Census. As of April 24th, 2020, only 57.6% of residents in Colfax have completed the 2020 Census.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of Finance and Audit Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chair of Police and Liquor Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

Trustee Vincent Beck, Chair of Water and Sewer Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

Trustee Jason Wagoner, Chair of Streets and Lights Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

Next on the agenda was the adoption of Ordinance 2020-05 “An Ordinance Regarding the Emergency Powers of the Mayor.”

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve Ordinance 2020-05 “An Ordinance Regarding the Emergency Powers of the Mayor.” Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- No, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the opening of the bids for the 2020 streets and alley resurfacing project. Mayor Larry Dodds reported that the Village received one bid. The bid came from McLean County Asphalt for $58,998.23.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to award the contract to McLean County Asphalt for the 2020 street and alley resurfacing project. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the opening of the bids for the repair and preparation of the streets and alleys for the resurfacing project. Mayor Larry Dodds stated that the Village received the following bids, AMZ Road Repair $7,250.00, Ace in the Hole $4,225.00 and Midstate Asphalt $11,599.00.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to award the contract to AMZ Road Repair for the repair and preparation of the streets for the 2020 resurfacing project. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was a presentation via Zoom by Ben Hill of Diamonds Maps. The cost for the mapping software is $19.00/month for one user and $30.00/month for multiple users. Ben Hill stated that full customer support included in the subscription.

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the purchase of Diamond Maps. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the review and consideration of amending Ordinance 2005-1, An Ordinance Repealing Chapter 13 in its Entirety and Amending the Colfax Municipal Code by adding a New Chapter 13 Entitled “Dogs and Other Animals”, and more specifically Section 13.7 Housing.

Colfax Resident Jonah Beck addressed the Board regarding a petition to allow residents to have chickens. Jonah Beck received 54 signatures. Jonah Beck stated he wants to be allowed to raise chickens in his backyard for his children, 4-H and agriculture reasons and for a hobby. There was discussion regarding permits and coop specifications if the Ordinance is amended.

Mayor Larry Dodds asked board about their opinion of sharing our thoughts with Governor Pritzker about permitting some gradual reopening of business with adjustments, particularly in certain parts on the State of Illinois. Mayor Larry Dodds reported he has attended two Zoom meeting with other local mayors’ regarding the Stay at Home Order. Larry reported he is in favor of opening with restrictions. Mayor Larry Dodds reported he has another meeting scheduled this week.
Mayor Larry Dodds asked the board for their input on summer activities for the Village of Colfax. It was mentioned that most everything is currently on hold due to COVID-19.

Next on the agenda was the discussion regarding making a donation to the Colfax Restoration Project. Trustee Charles Morefield suggested we check with our attorney about the donation and monetary limits.

Next on the agenda was the discussion regarding Ordinance 2006-04 An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2006-3 An Ordinance Banning the Burning of Landscape Waste within the Village of Colfax. Trustee Charles Morefield would like to amend the Ordinance so that residents may burn every Saturday, unless the Saturday falls on a holiday. Mayor Larry Dodds will discuss with the Village Attorney.

Public Comments-Items not on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Trustee Vincent Beck addressed the board regarding opening savings account for Maintenance Equipment. Vincent also suggested a committee be formed for the Maintenance Equipment.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to adjourn. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk