The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, April 3, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Ricardo Onken.

          Trustees present were:

                   David Rathke                         -        Aye

                   Jason Pierce                          -        Aye

                   Carol Stephenson                 -         Aye

                   Lonnie Meiner                        -       Aye

                   Kelly Gradert                          -      Aye

          Trustee Rick Vance was absent.

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

          Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented.  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.

          Village Treasurer Linda Hanson gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March, 2017.

                   Beginning Balance as of 03/01/17                    $220,439.55

                   Ending Balance as of 03/31/27                         $236,036.74

                             Increase in Income for March, 2017        $  15,597.19

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to pay the bills as presented.  Trustee Lonnie Meiner 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, 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 month of March, 2017 for the Colfax Police Department is in your folders.

          Police Chief Michael Scott reported on a letter he received from an attorney regarding the property at 105 W Fifer.  The property is owned by Ron Vance and the previous renter had filed a complaint against Mr. Vance regarding the property.  Mike spoke with Ron and made him a copy of the letter which he turned over to his attorney.

          Trustee Carol Stephenson reported that she had once again been getting complaints about 306 S Grove St and items are being sat on the outside of the fence again.  Carol stated that at some point the Board needs to look at changing some of the ordinances. 

          Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported that all liquor license renewal letters have been mailed.

          Trustee Lonnie Meiner, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, stated he would report on items later under Old Business.

          Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, was absent.  No one else had anything to report at this time. 

          Brian reported that he would like to clean Main Street up before the Box Car Derby at some point if it quits raining.

          Mayor Ricardo Onken once again asked the Board if any of them had thought about what they might want to do with the empty lots on Main Street.  Brian reported that the Village can use MFT money and get dirt black dirt for top fill.  Brian stated that he can get a sprayer and would be no problem painting the sides of the two buildings. 

          Trustee Lonnie Meiner reported on the By-Pass that is needed in the Water Plant.  Lonnie reported that the Village will need a whole new permit issued by Illinois EPA in order to put the by-pass in.

          Lonnie stated that the media in the Tonka system needs to be fixed and Brian stated that the ladder is almost rusted in to.  Lonnie stated that he knows Rick Wagoner checked on the replacing the media a few years ago and it was around $10,000.00 then.  Lonnie asked Brian about the by-pass.  Lonnie stated you said we are going to need a whole new permit.  Lonnie stated you know what you want to do – Brian stated if you ever want to change that media you have to get the by-pass in first because you can’t pump water if you don’t. Lonnie stated I guess we need the permit.  The Village cannot even get a price on the by-pass until we have the engineer’s prints and drawings.  Brian stated I am guessing it is going to run at least $5,000.  Brian stated I can’t even get a bid because don’t have any prints.  Brian said probably looking at $10,000.

          Brian Hereford reported that the inside of the water tower was inspected two (2) years ago. 

Lonnie reported that the outside of the water tower was painted ten (10) years ago and the Village was passed over for getting any help because it had been thirty (30) years since it had been painted.  There was no maintenance record on the tower. 

The Village Board asked Village Clerk to call Hanfland’s to see if they can come and inspect the water tower to see if it needs painted.  Hanflands painted the tower ten (10) years ago.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to close the 2016-17 Motor Fuel Tax year.  Trustee Lonnie Meiner 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 David Rathke made a motion to approve the 2017-18 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for Maintenance in the amount of $23,237.00.  Trustee Jason Pierce seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Absent; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Lonnie Meiner – Aye; Kelly Gradert – Aye; Motion carried.

          Mayor Ricardo Onken reported that the Village of Heyworth called and originally the Village of Carlock was to get the bucket truck they were giving away but the Village of Carlock called them and said they didn’t want it so Colfax is next in line to get it.  Brian will go look at it and see if it is any good.

          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 7:40 p.m.

                                                                   Respectfully submitted,

                                                                   Nancy Kiper                                                                                                                               Village Clerk