The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Tuesday evening, July 5, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Ricardo Onken.

          Trustees present were:

                   Rick Vance                  -        Aye

                   Jason Pierce                -        Aye

                   Carol Stephenson        -        Aye

                   Lonnie Meiner              -        Aye

                   Kelly Gradert               -        Aye

          Trustee David Rathke was absent.

          Also present was Village Treasurer Linda Hanson; Police Chief Michael Scott; Acting Superintendent Brian Hereford; Acting Assistant Superintendent Joshua Hereford.

          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 – Absent; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Lonnie Meiner – Aye; Kelly Gradert  - Aye; Motion carried.

          Village Treasurer Linda Hanson gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of June, 2016.

                   Beginning Balance as of June 1, 2016           $256,215.89

                   Ending Balance as of June 30, 2016              $290,110.64

                          Increase for month of June, 2016          $  33,894.75

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

          Trustee Jason Pierce, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, will report later in the meeting.

          Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, Trustee David Rathke was absent. 

          Police Chief Michael Scott reported that the Activity Report for the month of June, 2016 for the Colfax Police Department is in your folders.

          Mike reported and asked for the Board’s opinion of whether the Colfax Police Department should carry NARCAN, the antidote for drug overdoses, in the squad cars or not.  Mike explained the process and doesn’t feel that since the ambulance can be on scene almost as fast as the police that it is necessary.

          Mike stated that we are very lucky that for a town of 1,000 peoples we have the ambulance housed right here. Plus we have a backup ambulance.  In most instances the ambulance is going to be on scene almost as fast as the police.   

          The expense for purchasing NARCAN would only be around $200 per year.  Mike assured the Board that after speaking with EMCAA’s Jim Kern that using NARCAN would do no harm if it was not an overdose.  Mike stated the training is simple.  The drug has to be in a temperature controlled environment.  The County is having each shift sign it in and out.  Mike read the law to the Board and stated there is no liability to the officer who administers the drug.

          Mayor Ric Onken and the entire board agreed that they do not think it is necessary since the ambulance is so close.

          Ric Onken asked about a report he heard that Metcom isn’t receiving funds from the state and wonders what happens if they shut down.  Sean Morrison reported that if a problem exists with Metcom – Bloomington automatically dispatches for them. 

          Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, Trustee Lonnie Meiner reported that the repair work on the lagoon at the sewer plant has been done.

          Lonnie reported that at the Water Committee meeting it was suggested that residents who have delinquent water bills and have to have a delinquent notice hung on their door will be charged a $25.00 fee.   Lonnie will get with Village Attorney Tom Shields and get the ordinance  changed so that the Board can vote on this at the next meeting.

          Lonnie reported that Octavia Park District has a leak at the pool.  They are running the garden hose 24/7 and are using from 7,000 to 10,000 gallons of water per day.  Brian Hereford stated that he has spoken with them and told them it would pay for them to get this fixed.  They are running at least $2,000.00 per month on their water bill.  Lonnie stated everyone is paying taxes to the Park District and this is really a waste of Village of Colfax water and of taxpayer’s money.

          Lonnie stated that he will contact the Park District and see what’s going on.  Don’t believe they are really taking care of the pool as far as trying to seal it.  As of June, 2016 billing the water bill is $4,393.00. 

          Mayor Ric Onken asked Brian if he knows if they have done any repair work at all.  Brian stated not that he knows of.  Mike Ayers told Brian there is a crack in the bottom of the pool.  Mike figures if it leaks enough and fills the ground up that it will seal itself.  Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported that they have used 209,000 gallons for the month of June.  It was only 238,000 gallons to totally fill the pool at the beginning of the year.

          Lonnie reported that Brian Hereford agreed and that it is the Village of Colfax residents that suffer with the water usage.  Lonnie would like to attend the next Octavia Park District Board meeting.

          Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported he spoke with the electric company and gas company regarding the building at 112 & 114 E Main Street.  Both utilities are gone from here.  He stated that still needs to be done at 116 E Main Street.  Rick stated still need to cap off the sewer line from the buildings.  Brian stated that as long as the owner of the building calls and shuts off the utilities it doesn’t cost anything but if the Village calls it is $500.00 to get them shut off. 

          Mayor Ric Onken addressed the issue for Motor Fuel Tax.  The Mayor reported that there was a miscommunication between the contractor and the person setting this up.  The Mayor reported receiving a letter from IDOT regarding the Motor Fuel Tax funds that the state is holding.  The Village is going to get the crack filling done this year but is going to hold off on the spray patching. 

          Trustee Jason Pierce reported that he spoke with David Dodson at Peoples State Bank of Colfax regarding the loan for the demolishing the buildings on Main Street.  Jason reported that current balance on the loan water meter loan is $22,500.00.  Jason reported that the Bank will roll this loan over into a new ten (10) year loan at the current interest rate of 2.75%.  The payment would be $1,168.69 per month.  The Village is currently paying $893.78 per month on the present loan.  In the letter from Tom updating the situation, the funds would be held in an escrow account at Peoples State Bank of Colfax until the buildings are done.    

          Jason stated that as of today the Village is pretty sound financially but with would just take one major repair to change that and with the interest rate that we are getting it will make this manageable.  Jason stated that the Village is very fortunate that we have a bank in town and they are willing to work with us.  Dave knows it is a no win situation.

          Jason is also concerned about the Village bailing out these two businesses and would like to talk to Village Attorney Tom Shields about getting some sort of ruling or judgment against them for the amount of demolishing their respective buildings.  Jason stated having a judgement would protect the Village in the future.    

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to approve borrowing from Peoples State Bank of Colfax up to $100,000.00 at 2.75% interest rate to be paid for in ten (10) years for demolishing buildings at 112, 114, & 116 East Main Street and to rollover the present loan.  Trustee Lonnie Meiner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Absent; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Lonnie Meiner – Aye; Kelly Gradert – Aye; Motion carried.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to award the low quote for demolishing the buildings at 112, 114, and 116 East Main Street to Beitz Excavating of Colfax Illinois for $87,500.00 pending an amended detailed proposal.  Trustee Lonnie Meiner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Absent; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Lonnie Meiner – Aye; Kelly Gradert – Aye; Motion carried.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to proceed in drafting of two (2) voluntary demolishing agreements.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Absent; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Lonnie Meiner – Aye; Kelly Gradert – Aye; Motion carried.

          The Village Board congratulated Joshua Hereford on successfully passing his sewer license test and receiving his Sewer Operator License.  Mayor Ricardo Onken stated that effective  August 1, 2016 he would like to appoint Joshua Hereford as Sewer License Operator and give him the $300.00 per month that the Village is presently paying David Hinrichsen for using his license.

          Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to appoint Joshua Hereford as the new Sewer License Operator with a monthly payment of $300.00 effective August 1, 2016.  Trustee Kelly Gradert seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Absent; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Lonnie Meiner – Aye; Kelly Gradert – Aye; Motion carried.

          Resident Sean Morrison asked if there was anything new on the sewer.  Public Works Brian Hereford stated that he has found papers that primarily stated that this was built this way.  The first time this backup happened was in 1985 which was only seven (7) years after the sewer was built.  Brian stated that he has some grouting coming to seal some of the manholes.  Brian reported that this only does it when the Mackinaw floods. 

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

          Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                          Nancy Kiper

                                                          Village Clerk