The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, January 3, 2011 by Mayor Ricardo Onken.

Trustees present were:  Donna Poppe - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye;  Bruce Green was absent.

Also present were:  Police Chief Michael Scott; Village Treasurer Linda Hanson; Superintendent of Public Works Damon Getty.

Trustee Donna Poppe made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented.  Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion.  Vote:  Donna Poppe - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Bruce Green - Absent; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Village Treasurer Linda Hanson gave the Treasurer's Report for the month of December, 2010.  Beginning Balance as of 12/01/10 $39,087.50; Ending balance as of 12/31/10 $39,776.73; Increase for December, 2010 $689.23.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to pay the bills as presented.  Trustee Donna Poppe seconded the motion.  Vote:  Donna Poppe - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Bruce Green - Absent; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, reported tonight Village Clerk Nancy Kiper paid $500.00 on the bank loan.  Lonnie also reported that the loan matured and that the Board has to vote to renew the loan tonight.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported on the meeting he had with Police Chief Mike Scott and Mayor/Police Commissioner Ric Onken.  Dave stated that they talked about the financial situation for the Police Department but didn't really come up with any solution other than different possibilities.

Dave doesn't feel he has a grasp yet financially on everything that is going on in town and don't quite know which way to go on this.  Dave feels that he still doesn't know what the Board wants and that Mike is doing a great job on the Police force and why cut something that works well.

I understand that we are short on money but another thing we talked about is that we recently went through and had raises and bought a car and then turn right around and make cuts which doesn't seem logical at this point in time.  Another thing that we talked about was having some kind of long term plan (3 years from now - 5 years from now) on where to go with everything.

Dave turned the floor over to Mike Scott to explain the report he gave to the Board.

Mike stated that he did a needs assessment years ago when we decided what kind of coverage and police hours we needed.  I will put together a report for each of you so you will know why we chose to put our hours where we did and maybe get some input from you on changes you think might be appropriate.  I will get that report together and leave one in each one of your boxes within the next couple of days.

Just so you understand what is going on.  Mike gave each Board member a copy of  the activity report which Mike gets from Metcom each month.  This report gives you the details of the activity that goes through Metcom.  Some of the terminology might need some explanation/some is obvious.  Mike explained some of these terms to the Board.

Rick Wagoner asked if Mike had any way of breaking down the time and days as to where the activity is highest and lowest to adjust the hours of patrol accordingly.  Mike had a copy of the letter that was sent to the businesses for snow removal.

At the last meeting of the rural chiefs, Mike asked the other chiefs that were present for a breakdown of their hours for their particular towns.  That is the breakdown on the bottom of the report.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner asked what kind of cooperation do we get from neighboring towns.  Mike said to call Chenoa or Lexington.  Mike stated that when the county officer is on duty in Saybrook we get great response but he only works eight hours a day and they only have one officer at the station.

Trustee Rick Wagoner, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reported that Nancy has done some research on the new water meters that our billing has increased approximately $3,000.00.  It is really going to show in the future with the new meters.

Rick turned the floor over to Lonnie and Damon.  Damon reported that a wire burnt up in the well.  Albrecht came down and there were problems with the new well.  They couldn't take it out of service because the other well was down.  They were suppose to be back today but they couldn't get here.  Damon stated they think there is a hole in the casing of the new well and will have to be replaced.  Damon stated that we took the pipe out of the old well for the indoor well and hung it so we didn't have to buy new pipe.  The wiring for the #3 well should be good for many years.

Ric asked if Damon has heard anything about the Tonka system.  Damon hasn't heard anything.

Lonnie asked Ric if he has heard anything from Ed about the grants.  Ric stated no he needs to give Ed a call and swee what is going on.  Ric stated Ed sounded like one was pretty certain.

Ed was going to talk to Tonka service rep so he could stop in when he was in the area to save us a service call.

Damon stated that we have some samples in to the PDC Labs to see what is wrong with our well water.

Rick stated we might as well pick a date for the Water/Sewer Committe. Ric Onken suggested combining the Work Session meeting and the Committe meeting the same night.  Have the Water/Sewer Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. and then the Work Session at 7:00 on Monday evening, January 24th.

Rick reported that Nancy had ten shut offs and all of them but two were paid up.  Nancy also reported the two that were shut off quite awhile ago - one of them paid.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, doesn't really have anything but wanted to ask Damon about the hole on Main Street in front of the  Welding Shop.  Damon stated it's a pot hole and that he has two bags of cold patch in front of the heater now trying to fix it.

Carol asked if anything was done on the ordinance about the dogs.  Mike reported that Brent went and talked to the family and reported back to Mike.  One dog was dying and very old and they have two young dogs.  With that situation so that they understood that when the dog died they could not have a third dog.  They understood this.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner stated that someone mentioned to him today about how dark it is on Main Street.  Darrell is wanting to put up additional lights.  Damon stated that he told Darrell he could do it as long as he puts them on his building and pays for the bill.

Mike stated something about putting reflecting material on the steps.  Damon stated that's expensive.

Under old business, Ric reported regarding what Mike and Dave talked abiut earlier and cutting twenty percent (20%).  The committee heads bring in what is planned for this year and talk about budget.  That will be the 24th.

Ric discussed the letters to go out to the businesses for improving Colfax for the residences and businesses.  Ric read the rough draft that he has written.  Donna would like to see the civic leaders here too - ex. Boy Scouts; Girl Scouts; School; etc.  The meeting will be on Monday, February 7th at 6:00n p.m.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to approve renewing the open loan at People's State Bank of Colfax.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Donna Poppe - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Bruce Green - Absent; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye'; Motion carried.

Ric reported receiving a letter from Show Bus for donations.  It was reported that last year we gave them $500.00.  Ric asked if you want to give the same or less or none.

Trustee Donna Poppe made a motion to donate $250.00 to Show Bus.  Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion.  Vote:  Donna Poppe - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Bruce Green - Absent; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to adjourn.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Donna Poppe - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Bruce Green - Absent; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Nancy Kiper, Village Clerk