JUNE 2026 MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order on Monday, June 8, 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 - Absent
Also present were Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford, Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance Nick Sandage and Police Chief Ritchie Cooper.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the regular monthly meeting and approve 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-Absent. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report for May 2026
· Beginning Balance $90,321.38
· Ending Balance $93,004.58
· Increase for the month of May 2026 $ 2,683.20
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of May 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-Absent. Motion carried.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to pay the bills as presented with the change in the amount to be paid to Plumb Crazy Plumbing from $2,500 to $1,700 as negotiated. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Absent. Motion carried.
Public comments-Items on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Special Reports
Police Department- Police Chief Ritchie Cooper gave the police department report for the month of May 2026. Ritchie states reports were made for the following reasons: civil dispute, harassment/stalking, child abandonment, domestic battery, mental health, theft and contributing to a minor. There were six total traffic stops in May.
Maintenance Department- Josh Hereford have the maintenance report for the month of May 2026. Josh states he and Nick spent several days at the sewer plant. The primary lagoon was drained to access a clogged pipe. The clog had to be dug out by hand. Plump Crazy got their jetter head stuck and Josh and Nick were able to remove. Josh and Nick also dug out all the sludge they could reach with the backhoe and relocated it to the sludge retention pond. Josh and Nick also sprayed weeds along Main Street, around the maintenance shed, around the water plant and village hall. New signs were installed on the gate to the sewer plant and locked the gate at the request of Ritchie Cooper. Josh and Nick located to several water and sewer lines for several JULIE’S. Residents at 601 E. Fifer Street had sewer issues and discovered the house is still on a septic system. Plans are in place for them to hook up to our sewer. All daily/monthly general maintenance was completed.
Animal Control/Zoning report is in your folders for review.
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 May 2026. Mayor Dodds also states the sealing of Main Street will begin this week; notices were distributed to all businesses advising them of the sealing and resurfacing of the streets. Notices were also hung on the doors and posted near the entrances to the apartments as well. A copy of the Village of Colfax Planning Questionnaire that was completed by a small group of community members including Trustees Janice Edwards and Rick Norton.
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, was absent.
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:
First item of Old Business was the review and consideration of Compensation and Waiver of Sitting Authority for Wind Turbines Agreement with Cardinal Wind Hold Co, LLC for Blue Anchor East Wind Farm.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the Compensation and Waiver of Sitting Authority for Wind Turbines Agreement with Cardinal Wind Hold Co, LLC for Blue Anchor East Wind Farm. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Nay, Vincent Beck-Absent. Motion carried.
There was continued discussion regarding possible funding for a new dump truck.
Final item of Old Business was the consideration of the proposal by the Colfax Restoration Project for informational sign along Route 165.
After discussion, Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to table item to determine if it is payable from the Business District Funds. Trustee Dustin McCarty seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Absent. Motion carried.
First item of New Business was the consideration and approval to hire Tanya Zehr-Pearce as part-time Patrol Officer for the Colfax Police Department.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to approve the hiring of Tanya Zehr-Pearce as part-time Patrol Officer for the Colfax Police Department. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Absent. Motion carried.
Next item of New Business was the approval of the closure of Main Street from Center Street to Brook Street on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to midnight for concert and street dance.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the closure of Main Street from Center Street to Brook Street on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to midnight for concert and street dance. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Absent. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the review and approval for Mayor Dodds to sign the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Projects Planning Study at a cost of $28,600.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to authorize Mayor Larry Dodds to sign the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Projects Planning Study at a cost of $28,600. Trustee Rick Norton seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Absent. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the consideration of the proposal from Vertical Bridge to extend the lease five additional five-year renewal periods until July 2066.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to decline extending the lease with Vertical Bridge at this time. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Absent. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the discussion regarding eliminating the shooting range at the Village of Colfax Sewer Plant.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to eliminate the shooting range at the Village of Colfax Sewer Plant. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Absent. Motion carried.
Next item was the outline of the proposal by Ridgeview CUSD #19 for a sidewalk on the east side of Harrison Street between Wood Street and the alley at the Ridgeview Baseball Field. Mayor Dodds states we received 3 bids for the project.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to reject all bids and request new itemized bids from each of the contractors. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Absent. 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, real estate and pending litigation pursuant to Section 2 (c) (11) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Absent. Motion carried.
The Board of Trustees entered into Executive Session at 9:29 p.m.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to return to Open 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-Absent. Motion carried.
The Board of Trustees returned to Open Session at 9:36 p.m.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Rick Norton seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Absent. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft