The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Tuesday evening, September 4, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Ricardo Onken.

Trustees present were:  Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye.

Also present were:  Village Treasurer Linda Hanson; Village Attorney Tom Shields; Police Chief Michael Scott; Superintendent Damon Getty.

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

Village Treasurer Linda Hanson gave the Treasurer Report for the month of August, 2012.  Beginning Balance as of 08/01/2012  -  $123,770.19;  Ending Balance as of 08/30/2012  -  $147,111.03;  Increase for the month of August, 2012  -  $23,340.84.

Mayor Ric Onken had a question on the bill from AJ's in the amount of $1,047.06 for a muffler system.  Damon reported that was for the dump truck.

Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported she is still holding two checks from last month - one to Wissmiller and one to Jones Plumbing.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner stated that the $314.00 bill from Wissmiller was for a Snow Plow Shoe from last winter.

Damon reported that he spoke with Jones Plumbing in Marion, IL regarding the $6,200.00 bill.  Said he would take $200.00 off of the bill.  Trustee Rick Wagoner stated we will have to pay it this time but next time need quotes/pricing and permission from the Board before they are brought back for any other jobs.  Mayor Ric Onken asked Damon if there are any other hydrants in town that need to be replaced.  Damon said not right now.  Trustee Carol Stephenson stated the one at Mike Simpson's isn't fixed and has been like that for over a year.  Damon reported they can fix it by digging it up and pulling it back up straight.

Trustee Rick Vance made a motion to pay the bills as presented.  Trustee Jason Pierce seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner, Chairman of Finance and Audit Committee, stated need to go into closed session to discuss and finalize salaries.

Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported that we are getting $4,295.00 for additional money for Motor Fuel Tax.  They will send a check for this amount.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Police Department Activity Report for the month of August, 2012 is in your folders.

Police Chief Michael Scott gave an update of various items.  Mike reported that the late night activity that has been going on in the Village has resulted in the arrest of three (3) adults and has cleared five (5) burglaries.

Trustee David Rathke asked some questions regarding the burglaries.  Mike explained the arrests and burglaries to the Board.  Dave asked if the Board needs to do anything - wonders if this is going to be on-going.  Dave asked if need to change anything.  Mike reported that at some point in time will think about doing another public meeting about people securing their property better.  We have done this before - most of these occurred after our guys went off duty - the guys will stay out late some nights and try to get under control.  David Rathke wondered if we need to publish something to show the town that our Police Department is watching out for the Community.

Trustee Carol Stephenson commented to Police Chief Mike Scott that if you go online I noticed that we have quite a few registered sex offenders.  Mike reported there are four (4) in the Village.  They can't live within 500 ft of the school or park.  Carol asked if the school has those names - Mike stated that anyone can have those names it is a matter of public record.  Mike stated that we have one who was grandfathered in because he owned the property prior to the law going into effect.

Mike reported that the Steinlicht property has been cleaned up and everything is gone.  Mike reported that the Sticklen's paid their Ordinance Violation fines of $300.00 but nothing has been fixed on their property.

Regarding the Sticklen property, Mike stated that he talked to them letting them know that even though the fines have been paid the property still has to be brought up to code that is still expected of you.  The Village would really rather you fix the items and bring the property up to code rather than paying Ordinance Violations.  Thge Sticklens have a new person, Bryce Maronno who is going to help them.  Mike spoke with Bryce but he is waiting for them to get him a drill to use.  Mike explained another situation that went on at the Sticklen property.  A couple young men thought that the junk wood was free for the taking.  Mike explained what happened and that they cleaned up the rotted wood.  They had cut up a boat.

Veronica and Mark Sticklen showed up at the Board meeting at this time.  Veronica explained to the Board what she is going to have Bryce do.  Mayor Ric Onken asked what their time frame is as far as getting this stuff done.  Mike suggested that the Board set a final date for everything to be completed.  The Board set Thanksgiving as the final date.

Mike stated that the burnt out trailer in the trailer court is all but gone - Victor Lancaster is cleaning this up.

Mike also explained that the garbage bags piled up on the property of 401 S Oak were aluminum cans and they have been taken to salvage.

Trustee Rick Wagoner, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reported that they did not flush hydrants because were afraid of drought.  The meters are still on back order.  Rick reported there were a couple more issues.  When went from pre to post chlorination trying to figure out a way to make this automatic.  Stinde is giving a bid for wiring the new meter.  Have Community Service people painting fire hydrants.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, stated she didn't have anything to report.  She asked Damon about the work Rick Carden has been doing seal coat work.  Damon reported that going to finish Terra Lane and will be doing four (4) foot strips where we have used the new system.

Damon also asked the Board about closing South Center Street off for harvest.  Damon asked the Board if they can close off from the alley on South Center Street to Fifer Street.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner asked if we could go back to the Sticklin property.  Lonnie asked where we are at as far as the Sticklen's go.  Ric stated that we could give them ordinance violations but nothing is still getting done.

Mayor Ricardo Onken explained about the easement that Ameren needs to run the new line into the sewer plant.

Trustee Rick Wagoner made a motion to approve Ordinance #2012-4, Granting Underground Electric Easement.  Trustee Lonnie Meiner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to close regular session.  Trustee Rick Wagoner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion  to go into open session.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Mayo Ric Onken addressed the Board and the Public and stated that the Board has come up with a percentage increase.  Ric asked for a motion for the approval.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to approve salary increases for part time employees Robert Brandt - 3%; Ritchie Cooper - 3%; Mike Lay - 3%; Josh Satthoff - 3%.  Trustee Rick Wagoner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to approve salary increases for full time employees Damon Getty - 2%;  David Hinrichsen - 2%; Nancy Kiper - 4%; Michael Scott - 5%.  Trustee Rick Wagoner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner addressed Superintendent Damon Getty regarding water and sewer licenses.  The Board would like for one of you, and it doesn't matter whether it's you or Dave, to get your water license and one of you get your sewer license.  You will get the money that it is costing us right now if you get the licenses.  If you will get that you will be re-evaluated at that time.  You will have until April, 2013 to get licenses.  Both of you need to make an effort and find help to study and pass the tests.  The Board would much rather give you the money as to give it to someone outside the Village.

Ric Onken asked Trustee Rick Wagoner regarding the information on the sewer person.  Rick Wagoner explained that we don't have a number yet as to how much this is going to cost us a month to use this guy's license.  Rick asked Tom if there was any way that we could pre-approve contingent with him taking the position.

Rick Wagoner spoke with the person and he is coming down on Monday, September 10, 2012.

Trustee Rick Wagoner made a motion to obtain services for sewer license services including filing of all appropriate reports with EPA with a monthly compensation not to exceed $200.00 a month.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Mayor Ric Onken updated the Board on the CIRBN issue.  Ric reported that there were some concerns about putting this on the water tower.  Trustee Lonnie Meiner stated that Engineer Mike Friend was really on the ball - could have cost the Village an additional $15,000.00 down the road if repainting.  There was no issue with the cable.  Ric stated he called the engineer from ISU and asked him to look into putting this on the elevator which they were originally to look into but nobody did.  Ric spoke with the manager of Alliance Grain and said there wasn't a problem and it won't cost us anything.

Trustee Rick Vance made a motion to adjourn.  Trustee Rick Wagoner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Kiper, Village Clerk