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

          Trustees present were:

                   Rick Vance                           -        Ayev

                   David Rathke                        -        Aye

                   Jason Pierce                         -        Aye

                   Carol Stephenson                 -        Aye

                   Lonnie Meiner                       -        Aye

                   Kelly Gradert                        -        Aye

          Also present were Village Treasurer Linda Hanson; Public Works Brian Hereford; Police Chief Michael Scott

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

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

          Beginning Balance as of October 1, 2016               $358,926.56

          Ending Balance as of October 31, 2016                  $346,757.10

                   Decrease for the month of October, 2016      $  12,169.46)

          Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported that the Annual Insurance premium is on the bills this month.  The Village has a one percent (1%) savings by paying the bill in full.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to pay the bills as presented.  Trustee Kelly Gradert seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; 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 Old Business.

          Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Activity Report for the month of October, 2016 in in your folders.

          Police Chief Michael Scott reported that the Narcan Policy is in the folders for your review.

          Mike also gave an update on the progress of the ALICE training that the school sent him to last year.  Mike reported that the school is using some of these policies.  Mike reported that the school would like to plan another full scale active shooter drill.  Mike reported that they are making a change in order to get medical help to the victims faster.  After the initial sweep of the building, they will call paramedics into the building.  There will be two paramedics/two officers brought into triage victims.  There will a police officer with each paramedic.

          Trustee Lonnie Meiner, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reported on the Water Committee meeting held prior to the board meeting this evening at 6:15 to discuss what to do regarding Octavia Park District in regard to water usage and bill. 

          Lonnie stated that the Committee feels that it is wrong to just give them water – from the cost standpoint and from the amount used.  The Committee feels that Octavia Park District should be treated the same as any other customer.  Lonnie stated that there needs to be some kind of an agreement in writing between Octavia Park District and the Village of Colfax.  Lonnie reported that economically the Village can’t continue to have the park district’s carelessness in using the water so freely.  Lonnie stated the Committee has no problem in giving them the sewer side since most of the water goes into the pool and doesn’t go down the sewer.  Lonnie stated that the Park District has made no effort to find out where the leak is or to fix it.  Lonnie remarked at some of the language used from a Park District representative should be zero tolerance.

          Lonnie reported that Public Works Brian Hereford and Josh Hereford have some new stuff to seal manholes.  So far the manholes that have been sealed have held and there is no leakage.

          Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

          Steve Kline, a representative from Economic Development Group, was here to talk about Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts.  Steve reported that the Village went thru the process in 1994 trying to preserve the downtown and rural areas.

          Steve reported that you start with a vision of the next twenty (20) years.  Steve stated that this is a hidden gem to help the town grow with lots of planning and lots of thought.  This can improve infrastructure and attract investment. 

          Steve reported that he has helped Gibson City, Gridley and Fischer all set up TIF Districts in the communities. 

          Steve reported that depending on what the Village wants to accomplish can use TIF money for improvements.  He stated that it takes   six (6) to eight (8) months to process and to establish a TIF district.  Steve reported that the base fee for setting up a TIF district is $25,000 to $30,000 plus the engineering costs normally run $2,000 to $3,000.

          Mayor Ric Onken asked the Board to think of this for next month’s meeting.  He asked the Board what they would like to accomplish.

          The first item of Old Business was regarding employee raises/bonuses.  Trustee Jason Pierce stated that they did not need to go into closed session because that was done last month.  Jason reported that all full time employees will get an incentive awards to be paid next month in December.  Jason reported for Nancy Kiper, Brian Hereford, and Michael Scott will each receive $500.00 and for Josh Hereford will receive $250.00.  The total is $1,750.00 for this year.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to give an incentive award of $500.00 for Mike Scott, Brian Hereford and Nancy Kiper and $250.00 for Josh Hereford payable in December.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Absent; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Lonnie Meiner – Aye; Kelly Gradert – Aye; Motion carried.

          Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported that a copy of the 2016-17 Tax Levy is in your folders.  The Village did not raise the Levy last year and this represents a 4.99% increase for this year.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to approve the 2016-17 Tax Levy as presented.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Absent; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Lonnie Meiner – Aye; Kelly Gradert – Aye; Motion carried.

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

          Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                          Nancy Kiper

                                                          Village Clerk