The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Lonnie Meiner.
Trustees present were:
Rick Vance - Aye
David Rathke - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Jason Wagoner - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye

Jason Pierce was absent.

Also present were Police Chief Michael Scott; Superintendent Brian Hereford; Village Attorney Steven Mann.

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

Village Treasurer Linda Hanson had the November, 2017 Treasurer’s Report in the folders.

Beginning Balance as of November 1, 2017 $268,631.50
Ending Balance as of November 30, 2017 $233,318.63
Decrease for November, 2017 ($ 35,312.87)

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

Trustee Jason Pierce, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, was absent. There was nothing to report at this time. Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported that the audit was done November 28th.

Trustee David Rathke, chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, asked Superintendent Brian Hereford if there was anything to report. Brian stated that he spoke with Dave at Lanz Plumbing and Heating regarding the By-Pass. Brian reported that all of the parts have been ordered.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Activity Report for the month of November, 2017 for the Colfax Police Department is in the folders. Carol asked Police Chief Michael Scott if he had anything else to report.

Mike reported that the first Ordinance Violation from the new ordinance has been issued.

Carol reported that she printed a copy of an ordinance another municipality has regarding junk dealers. She thinks some of it could work for the Village if implemented. Trustee Vincent Beck stated that most of same information in this ordinance we already have in our ordinances.

Trustee David Rathke asked if that is what we need to do is keep passing ordinances and taking to court. Village Attorney Steve Mann stated that can do an injunction against the property for the violations and the issues addressed. Steve stated that the Board needs to let me know how far they want to proceed with this.

Steve stated that can get an order from court to force him to clean the property up. The Court would look at several things regarding the property before an injunction could be put against the property.

Steve stated need to go into closed session at the next meeting to review the complaint for court which will be ready at the January, 2018 meeting.

Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported that some work had been done on the railroad crossing on South Grove Street. This is a temporary fix - Alliance Grain will fix this better in the spring including taking the railroad ties out and fixing them.

The next item on the agenda was the 2017-18 Tax Levy. Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported this is a 4.99% increase over last year. This keeps it within the range so that a public hearing is not necessary.

Trustee Rick Vance made a motion to approve the 2017-18 Tax Levy in the amount of $55,273.00 which is a 4.99% increase. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Absent; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was regarding the purchase of the Parish Hall by the Village. Mayor Lonnie Meiner reported that he received a call from Susie Norton. After the Village’s offer of $35,000.00 was turned down the Catholic Church countered with $60,000.00. Lonnie did a counter offer of $50,000.00. Lonnie stated that he hasn’t heard anything yet – it has been two (2) weeks. - TABLE until January, 2018

Representative William Glass was here from First Midstate to explain the process of the Village purchasing bonds for some of the major projects. Mr. Glass handed out folders for the Trustees to look at and review. Mr. Glass explained the different types of bonds and whether or not they need a referendum in order to integrate them.

Village Attorney Steve Mann explained the Sexual Harassment Ordinance the Illinois Municipal League is requiring all municipalities to pass. Steve stated that this can be made simpler and will have the new one at the January, 2018 meeting for passage.

The next item on the agenda was the sheet that Mayor Lonnie Meiner asked each Trustee to fill out regarding five items they would like to see accomplished by the Village Board.

Some of the same similar items were on each list including fixing West Main Street from Center St to Grove St; Fixing North Center Street from Main Street to Route 165 – one of the concerns in fixing this is whether the water main is replaced while the street is being repaired. This is the oldest water main in the Village.

Trustee Rick Vance asked our lawyer if there is any kind of ordinance that can be passed to protect the Village from having the same kind of situation again with old buildings falling down.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Kiper
Village Clerk