MAY 2026 MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order on Monday, May 4, 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 Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford, Assistant of Superintendent of Maintenance Nick Sandage, Police Chief Ritchie Cooper and Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the closure of Fiscal Year 2025-2026. 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.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the opening of Fiscal Year 2026-2027. 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.
Trustee Janice Edwards 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 April 2026.
· Beginning Balance $85,286.72
· Ending Balance $90,321.38
· Increase for the month of April $ 5,034.66
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of April 2026. 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.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to pay the bills as presented. 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.
Presentation: TTNC Renewables, LLC to share information about proposed Blue Anchor East, LLC wind farm. Attending the meeting were representatives Tom Swierczewski and Silas Scott. Tom asked the village to consider the Compensation and Waiver of Sitting Authority for Wind Turbines Agreement. Tom states the current restrictions don’t allow for wind turbines to be constructed closer than 1 ½ miles of the village limits. TTNC is proposing an agreement that the Village of Colfax would allow them to be constructed up to ¾ of a mile. Tom states that approximately 5-8 turbines would be within those new restrictions if passed. Tom expects the project to be constructed in 2028 and under operation in 2029.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to close the Motor Fuel Tax expenditures for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Trustee Rick Norton 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 Charles Morefield made a motion to open the Motor Fuel Tax Funds Account for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Trustee Vincent Beck 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 approve the 2026-2027 Position Appointments. 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.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the appointments of the Village Board Standing Committees. 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.
Public comments-Items on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Special Reports
Police Department- Chief Ritchie Cooper states reports were completed for financial identify theft, burglary, missing child, attempted kidnapping, mental health subject and obscene material. In April, the Police Department conducted 7 traffic stops.
Maintenance Department- Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford reports he and Nick spent several days cleaning up 104 E. Fifer Street, they hauled away 4 dump trucks loads of overgrown weeds and trees. They also removed 6 buckets of trash out of the yard to be able to mow the property. Josh reports that the sewer plant clogged twice in the month of April. The first clog was successfully unclogged with our own jetter. The most recent clog was more difficult this time, so Josh called Plump Crazy Plumbing out and they got their jetter head stuck in the sewer pipes. Josh and Nick are working to lower the water level to be able to try to get the jetter head dislodged. Josh and Nick cleaned off all street drains several times. A new battery was put in the diesel pump at the lift station. They also picked several loads of landscape brush were picked up after the storms. Mowing season has begun; all village properties are being mowed and trimmed. Josh and Nick also trimmed trees along sewer plant drive for mowing. All daily daily/monthly maintenance was completed.
Animal Control/Zoning- Mayor Dodds reports that the Animal Control/Zoning Report is in your folders for review.
EMA- Mayor Dodds reports the EMA Report is in your folders for review.
Mayor’s Report- Mayor Dodds reports there is a summary of revenue received by the Village of Colfax for the month of April 2026. Mayor Dodds stated he attended the Volunteer and Donations Management Course on April 23, 2026, in Bloomington. The eight-hour course was sponsored by Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security. Mayor Dodds reports notice will be published in the Ridgeview Review, on Facebook and on the village website announcing the opportunity for interested community members to provide impact on a Community Comprehensive Plan Questionnaire as part of McLean County Comprehensive Framework. Mayor Dodds reports we are now requesting nominations for the 2025 Citizen of the Year. The deadline for nominations is June 30, 2026. The Board of Trustees will review all nominations at its July 6, 2026 meeting.
Committee Reports
Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, has nothing to report at this time.
Police and Liquor Committee Chairman, David Rathke, has nothing to report at this time.
Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report at this time. There will be a Water and Sewer Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Janice Edwards, has nothing to report at this time.
Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, has nothing to report at this time.
Old Business
There was no Old Business.
New Business
First item of New Business was the approval of Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for Fiscal year 2026-2027. 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.
Approval for contract with Russell Leigh and Associates to complete the annual audit for the Village of Colfax Fiscal Year 2025-2026 at a cost not to exceed $6,300.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the contract with Russell Leigh and Associates to complete the annual audit for the Village of Colfax Fiscal Year 2025-2026 at a cost not to exceed $6,300. Trustee Vincent Beck 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 and approval of Ordinance No. 2026-06, An Ordinance Providing for the Vacation of Village Easements and Right-of-Way on Property Owned by Ridgeview CUSD #19 in M.L. Douglas Subdivision in the Village of Colfax.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-06, An Ordinance Providing for the Vacation of Village Easements and Right-of-Way on Property Owned by Ridgeview CUSD #19 in M.L. Douglas Subdivision in the Village of Colfax. Trustee Vincent Beck 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 and approval of Ordinance No. 2026-07, An Ordinance Providing for the Vacation of Village Easements and Right-of-Way on Property Owned by Ridgeview CUSD #19 in Brandford’s Subdivision in the Village of Colfax.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-07, An Ordinance Providing for the Vacation and Right-of-Way on Property Owned by Ridgeview CUSD #19 in Bradford’s Subdivision in 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.
Next item on the agenda was the consideration and approval of Ordinance No. 2026-08, An Ordinance Providing for the Vacation and Village Easements and Right-of-Way on Property Owned by Ridgeview CUSD #19 on Lot 3 in Administrator’s Subdivision in the Village of Colfax.
Trustee Rick Norton made motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-08, An Ordinance Providing for the Vacation and Village Easements and Right-of-Way on Property Owned by Ridgeview CUSD #19 on Lot 3 in Administrator’s Subdivision in the Village of Colfax. 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 consideration and approval of Ordinance No. 2026-09, An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Classification of Certain Real Property Owned by Ridgeview CUSD #19 Located at 104 E. Wood Street in the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-09, An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Classification of Certain Real Property Owned by Ridgeview CUSD #19 Located at 104 E. Wood Street in the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. 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 of New Business is the consideration and approval of Resolution No. 2026-10, A Resolution of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois in Support of Municipal Housing Authority.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2026-10, A Resolution of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois in Support of Municipal Housing Authority. 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.
Final item of New Business was the completion of the Community Comprehensive Plan Questionnaire: 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the Colfax Village Hall. All interested members of the Village of Colfax and our lying areas are encouraged to attend to provide input about our community’s identity and vision, growth and development, housing, economy and business, infrastructure and services, transportation and connectivity, key issues and opportunities, priority projects and any other topics.
Public comments-Items not on the agenda.
Erik Young, Superintendent of Ridgeview CUSD #19 thanked the village employees and Board of Trustees for their support with the upcoming addition. He expects the bidding process to be in July and construction to begin around when school resumes. Erik states the parking lot project will be launching next Monday, we should expect increased truck traffic.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to go into Executive Session to consider appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of village employees, real estate matters pertaining to the village or pending litigation pursuant to Section 2(c) (5) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. 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.
The Board of Trustees entered into Executive Session at 8:02 p.m.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to return to Open Session at 8:31 p.m. 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 returned to Open Session.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the salaries adjustment for village employees as provided for 2026-2027 as a result of Executive Session. Trustee Rick Norton 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 Charles Morefield 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 8:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk