The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, February 5, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Lonnie Meiner.

Trustees present were:
Rick Vance - Aye
David Rathke - Aye
Jason Pierce - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Jason Wagoner - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye

Also present were Village Treasurer Linda Hanson; Village Attorney Steven Mann; Police Chief Michael Scott; Superintendent of Public Works Brian Hereford

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

Village Treasurer Linda Hanson gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January, 2018.
Beginning Balance as of January 1, 2018 $220,250.36
Ending Balance as of January 31, 2018 $217,810.44
Decrease for month of January, 2018 ($ 2,439.92)

Trustee Rick Vance 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 – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Jason Pierce gave a report on the Finance Committee meeting held on Monday evening, February 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. prior to regular meeting.

Jason reported that we are at the point with our water and sewer we have Brian and we now have Josh if anything ever happens there is someone else. If Brian can’t be here we have Josh and vice versa.

We started talking about our other positions if Nancy had to take an extended leave or Mike on police.
If Mike had to be off I think there is someone who could fill in and someone would be there. But if something happened here in the office I think could find ourselves in a pinch pretty quickly. I think it is something we really need to look at. I don’t think it is something that someone can just come in and dive right into and expect to learn it. Jason will get with Nancy and talk to her too.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Activity Report for the Colfax Police Department for the month of January, 2018 is in your folders.

Police Chief Michael Scott reported that the Injunction for the property at 306 S Grove Street has been filed and the papers are being served now. Mike stated that going to ask the court to require them to clean up everything and they can no longer operate as a junk yard. Mike reported that there are several options that the court can choose.

Village Attorney Steve Mann stated that they have thirty (30) days to file an answer and if none is filed the Village will win by default.

Mike reported that the Board needs to look at the ordinance for home occupations and revise it.
Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, asked Brian for a report.
Brian reported that the By Pass valve is done and the paperwork has been sent into the Illinois EPA for the “Operating Permit”. Brian stated that they did a very good job.

Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported on the Streets Committee meeting held on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.

Rick reported that they are looking at a different option for Main Street. Rick stated that with this new option could do the entire Main Street from Harrison Street to Grove Street for around $35,000. The previous option that Ed Duran suggested was only for West Main Street from Center Street to Grove Street and would have cost $72,000.00.

Rick reported that one thing they do at the County when the road gets to the end of its line is to seal coat and rock it. One of these roads is the Cropsey Road.

Village Attorney Steven Mann has the name of an Engineer who works with Motor Fuel Tax. He will send the name.
Mayor Lonnie Meiner asked if there was a report from the Community Center Committee. Trustee Vincent Beck reported that they just talked about prices and what would be doing there but are waiting until it is closed on and final.
The first item under Old Business was regarding the parish hall.

Village Attorney Steve Mann address the Resolution for the Village. This matter coming for resolution on approval of a $50,000 loan from Peoples State Bank of Colfax for any legitimate corporate purpose, the Board hereby approves pursuant to 65ILCS 5/8-1-3.1 borrowing money for such purpose to be repaid within ten (10) years from the date of closing.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the loan of $50,000 for the purchase of the St Joseph Catholic Church Parish Hall from Peoples State Bank of Colfax. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance – Absent; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

Engineer Ed Duran addressed the Board regarding resurfacing streets. He addressed the block of West Main Street from Center Street to Grove Street at a cost of $72,000.00.

Trustee Rick Vance explained how the McLean County Highway Department does theirs. Rick presented a quote from Beniach for Main Street from Harrison Street to Grove Street in which they use a “black fog” which makes the street look like asphalt. The cost of this for the entire Main Street is $33,000.00. Rick reported that the street has to cure for two (2) weeks before the “fog” or final coat is done.

Rick stated that Center Street needs attention too. Rick even asked why they asphalted. Rick explained how the water gets under the road and Rick feels that the humps on Center Street are probably from concrete freezing and thawing. Rick stated they generally get five to six years. The idea is to seal the top of your road to keep the water out. Rick explained that the sun has to keep shining on the asphalt street and keep it melted together otherwise is dries out and destroys the road.

Trustee Jason Pierce stated Rick found this information out and brought it to our board. Jason feels that the engineer should have brought this as one of our options but never did. With this type of street coating the Village could probably do Center Street and Main Street for what Ed said it would cost for just West Main Street’s one (1) block.

Mayor Lonnie Meiner stated that they were also talking about how bad the sides are getting on Grove Street and some options that can be done there. There are lots of streets that need attention.

With what Rick has found out and as far as the cost do we want to talk about Center and Grove. Jason stated he should have talked to us and said have different options here. Can stretch that money out and get three times our money’s worth.

Mayor Lonnie Meiner reported that have heard nothing on how the purchase of the parish hall is progressing on the diocese side. Lonnie will contact Susie and see if she can get this moving along so that can close on the property.

Trustee Jason Pierce reported that the interest on the present loan at Peoples State Bank of Colfax is at 2.75%. Asking the Board how it feels about borrowing the money from the Bank for the Community Center and can use the bond money for other things in the Village.

The Village will have to pass an Ordinance regarding the rules and regulations for the Community Center.

Brian reported that he has a quote from Liquid Engineer for cleaning the water tower and the tank. The water tower needs to be cleaned every three years. Brian reported that quote is for $3,515.00 to clean the tower plus $300.00 to clean the tank.

Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to approve the quote from Liquid Engineering to clean the water tower and the tank for $3,815.00. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance – Absent; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

First Midstate representative William Glass was here to address the Board regarding Bonds. William presented the information regarding the cost of bonds and the engagement letter.

Greg Neuhaus was present to address the board regarding the property on Main Street. Mr. Neuhaus stated that he spoke with Attorney Chad Ritchie and stated that there was an issue with the contract. Greg stated that he is going through 1st Farmer’s Bank. Village Attorney Steve Mann asked Greg who his loan officer was. He did not know. Steve will get in contact with Chad Ritchie and talk to him about this.

Greg Neuhaus also reported on the Pine Box Derby that is coming up on April 14th. He stated that so far there are 237 kids coming.

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 – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted
Nancy Kiper
Village Clerk