The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, August 7, 2017 by Mayor Lonnie Meiner.

          Trustees present were:

                   Rick Vance                   -         Aye

                   David Rathke                -        Aye

                   Jason Pierce                -         Aye

                   Carol Stephenson        -         Aye

                   Vincent Beck                -        Aye

          Jason Wagoner was absent.

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

          Trustee Vincent Beck 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; Jason Wagoner – Absent; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

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

          Beginning balance as of July 1, 2017                         $236,998.43

          Ending balance as of July 31, 2017                            $239,579.67

                   Increase for month of July, 2017                      $    2,581.24

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

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

          Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Activity Report for the month of July, 2017 is in the folder.

          Carol reported that there was a complaint about a dog running loose in the park.  Police Chief Michael Scott reported speaking with the dog’s owners.  Mike stated that the dog was somewhat aggressive when he was there.

          Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Commiittee, had nothing to report at this time.

          Superintendent of Public Works Brian Hereford reported that the sewer lines that were fixed are working and that have only been pumping 100,000 gallons as compared to the 150,000 gallons that had previously been pumping.

          Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported that sometime in the future the Village is going to have to fix Main Street. 

          Rick reported on the railroad tracks on Grove Street.  The problem with the tracks is that they are sinking.

          Mayor Lonnie Meiner asked Michael Rigsby for an up on the Colfax Restoration Project.  Michael reported that they had their first board meeting on Monday evening, July 24, 2017.  Michael reported that the Colfax Restoration Project is officially a Not For Profit Organization – 501C.  Michael reported working on several different project at the time.

          Ray Popejoy was here to address the Board regarding putting some new storage sheds on Main Street on the empty lots.  Ray asked the Board what they wanted as far as a store front and façade.  Ray stated that he doesn’t want to pay anything for the lots but will put buildings up with a business front along the sidewalk and storage sheds behind. 

          Trustee Vincent Beck asked if there would just be storage – was wondering if there would be any retail in the front.  Ray stated that unless someone came to him with complete plans for business, he wasn’t planning any retail business in the front.

          Trustee David Rathke asked about the two sides of the buildings.

          Asked Ray what the time frame would be in building – Ray stated as soon as possible – would like to start by fall.

          Trustee David Rathke made a motion to go into closed session to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of village employees.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Absent; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

          The Village Board of Colfax went into closed session at 7:45 p.m.

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

          The Village Board of Colfax went back into open session at 8:20 p.m.

          Trustee Jason Pierce reported that the Board made decision on salary increases for the Village employees.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to increase the salary for Dustin Carter, Mike Lay and Kelly Gordon to $16.25 for the 2017-18 fiscal year retro to May 1, 2017.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Pierce – Absent; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried. 

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to increase the salary for Ritchie Cooper and Robert Brandt five (5%) percent for the 2017-18 fiscal year retro to May 1, 2017.  Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Pierce – Absent; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to increase the salary for Joshua Hereford eight (8%) percent for the 2017-18 fiscal year retro to May 1, 2017.  Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Absent; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made motion to approve the Budget Appropriation Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2017-18.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Absent; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

          Mayor Lonnie Meiner asked the Board about whether to keep the Catholic Church Parish Hall as commercial property.  The Board was unanimous to keep it as commercial.  Lonnie reported that he spoke with John Albee, realtor for the property.  The Village would like to have this as a Community Center.  Lonnie reported that could borrow at a 4 ½% interest if taxable property.  It not taxable property then could borrow money at a lower percent. 

          Lonnie is wondering about charging $2.00 per month on the water bills to help take care of paying the loan payments.  Just considering this as one possibility.  The Board was unanimous in wanting the building.

          Jason Pierce will have a Finance Committee meeting to discuss this further. 

          Mayor Lonnie Meiner reported talking to Steve Mann about the possibility of being the new Village Attorney.  Steve is with the Law Firm of Caughy, Legner, Freehill, Ehrgott, and Mann.  They have offices in Pontiac and Chenoa.  Lonnie will pursue and maybe have him at the next board meeting.

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

          Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

                                                          Respectfully submitted,        

                                                          Nancy Kiper

                                                          Village Clerk