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

          Trustees present were:

                   Jason Pierce                 -        Aye

                   Jason Wagoner            -         Aye

                   Vincent Beck                -        Aye

          Rick Vance; David Rathke; and Carol Stephenson were absent.

          Also present were Village Treasurer Linda Hanson and Police Chief Michael Scott.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the regular monthly meeting and the special meeting and approve as presented.  Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Absent; David Rathke – Absent; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Absent; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye.

          Village Treasurer Linda Hanson gave the Treasurer’s report for the month of June, 2017.

          Beginning Balance as of June 1, 2017                       $216,892.95

          Ending Balance as of June 30, 2017                          $236,998.43

                   Increase in Income June, 2017                        $  20,105.48

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to pay the bills as presented.  Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Absent; David Rathke – Absent; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Absent; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion

          Due to the lack of a quorum no other business could be conducted. 

          Trustee Jason Pierce, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, gave a report on the Finance Committee meeting held prior to the regular board meeting.  Jason reported that since there is not a quorum will have to wait until next month’s meeting to go over in detail the compensation for employees.  Jason would like to go into closed session at next board meeting.

          Jason reported that Village Clerk Nancy Kiper received some information from the Illinois Department of Revenue stating that the State of Illinois has been allocating too much money to the Village for Sales Taxes over the course of several years.  Nancy said it was a total of $30,970.08.  Jason stated that the good thing is the Village doesn’t have to pay it back in one lump sum the State is taking $500 payments over the course of sixty (60) months and will take off of what the Village’s normal allocation would be. 

          Nancy stated that she spoke with Karen at the Illinois Department of Revenue but since the Village doesn’t have a reciprocal agreement she could not tell us exactly.  I stated to her I am assuming that someone filed their Sales Tax Reports wrong.  Karen stated that another department found the error.  Nancy went back to 2005 on online reports from the State but can’t see anywhere that there is a huge increase for the Village. 

          Jason stated that since it was the states error that is probably why they set it up to take payments and not make us make a lump sum. 

          Jason would like to go into closed session at next meeting regarding the employee reviews and salaries.

          Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, was absent.

Police Chief Michael Scott reported that the Activity Report for the month of June, 2017 is in the folders.

          Mike also reported that he spoke with the owner of  512 N Center Street who stated that he will be working the whole month of July, 2017 to begin the demolition of the property.  He told Mike that State Farm Insurance is requiring him to carry full coverage insurance on the property until the demolition is complete.  He wants everything done by July 31, 2017.

          Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, was absent.  Superintendent of Public Works Brian Hereford was also absent.

          Village Clerk Nancy Kiper stated that Superintendent Brian Hereford wanted the Board to know that they will be fixing those two (2) sewer lines this year.  Brian also wanted the Board to know that nothing has been received from the State regarding the permit for the By-Pass.

          Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, was absent.  Trustee Jason Wagoner stated that the only issues were those globes on the street light uptown.  They are fixed. 

          Mayor Lonnie Meiner stated that the Budget Appropriation Ordinance for 2017-18 will be approved at the August, 7, 2017 meeting,.

          Lonnie Meiner reported on the two empty lots on Main Street.  Don’t want to be in any hurry.  Lonnie reported that he spoke with Zach Ferano after the June meeting about the requirements the Village would like for the front of the building on Main Street.  Lonnie stated that he told him that the Village would like to see a business front with business windows and business doors and brick facade.  Lonnie reported that Mr. Ferano at the June meeting told the Board that he had been in contact with the Bank but Lonnie was informed that he has never contacted the Bank.  Lonnie asked the members of the Board that were present if the Board should pursue this.  Trustee Jason Wagoner stated thought the Board should just leave for now.

          Lonnie reported that after that last heavy rain there were lots of corn stalks that washed out into the park and the ditch from the field on Route 165.  Brian reported that he talked to the homeowners and stated that it is the homeowner’s responsibility to clean these up out of their yards.  Lonnie reported that need to get the brush cleaned out of the ditch.  Some of the lots are owned by different banks which the Village will need to get in contact with.  Lonnie stated he realized that some people don’t have the ability to clean this out.  This will be discussed more at the next meeting.

          Jeff and Jennifer Jordan were present to discuss the possibility of rezoning the property at the Catholic Church Hall from commercial to residential.  They would like to purchase this and turn into a single family dwelling.  The Board asked the Jordan’s if they had any plans drawn up for what they would like to do as far as turning it into a house.  Mr. Jordan stated he would put a firewall up to make a garage but that is basically all that would be done.    They presently live over by Lake Bloomington.

          Mayor Lonnie Meiner stated that the Village would like to see some plans .  Since there is not a full board cannot do anything until have a full council is here to discuss this.

          Several members of the public were present regarding some of the Ordinances in the Village.  Lonnie stated that some of the Ordinances need to be updated and need to be more specific.

          Resident Greg Neuhaus was present to tell the Board that the next Box Car Derby date has been set for Saturday, April 14, 2018.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to adjourn.  Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Absent; David Rathke – Absent; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Absent; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                Nancy Kiper                 

                                                Village Clerk