The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, December 3, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Ricardo Onken.

          Board Members present were:

                   Rick Vance                            -       Aye

                   David Rathke                        -        Aye

                   Jason Pierce                         -        Aye

                   Carol Stephenson                 -        Aye

                   Kelly Gradert                        -        Aye

Trustee Lonnie Meiner was absent.

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

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

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

          Beginning Balance as of November 1, 2016           $346,757.10

          Ending Balance as of November 30, 2016              $310,539.93

                   Decrease for the month of November, 2016 ($  36,217.17)

          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 – Absent; Kelly Gradert – Aye; Motion carried.

          Trustee Jason Pierce, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

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

          Police Chief Michael Scott reported that the Crime Detection Network reduced the annual funds for grant amounts from $7,500 to $4,000.  Mike stated that they need to upgrade the computers in both squad cars and are looking at this annual grant to do this.  Mike stated that we should be able to upgrade both for $4,000 to $5,000.  Mike stated that they have been looking at the semi-rugged computer which is cheaper than the highest durable computer.

          Trustee Lonnie Meiner, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, was absent.  Public Works Brian Hereford had nothing to report at this time.

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

          Police Chief Michael Scott addressed the Board regarding our part-time Police Officers.  Mike reported that our starting pay for the Colfax Police Department is $15.00 per hour.  Mike reported that this is the lowest pay in McLean County.  Mike stated that there is an ICOP union in this area that has gotten a lot of the part time police officers to join.  Mike stated he just wanted the Board to be aware of this.

          Michael Scott reported that there have been several issues at the intersection of South Center Street and Wood Street with cars parked on the East side of South Center Street area.  There is no room for people to pull up to the stop sign or for a car to turn from Wood Street onto Center Street when there are oncoming cars. 

          Public Works Brian Hereford stated it is especially hard when they are plowing snow.  Brian stated there needs to be a “No Parking” sign along there so that people can at least get up to the Stop sign.  Brian stated that the sign really needs to be forty (40) feet back from the Stop sign.

          Mike stated he will get ahold of Tom to get the Ordinance done by the next board meeting.

          Mayor Ric Onken stated that he spoke with Jim Beitz and the buildings on Main Street will be down by the end of the year.

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

          Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

                                                                   Respectfully submitted,

                                                                   Nancy Kiper

                                                                   Village Clerk