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

Trustees present were:
Jason Pierce - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Jason Wagoner - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye

Trustee Rick Vance resigned before the meeting started.
Trustee David Rathke was absent
.
Also present were Village Treasurer Linda Hanson, Superintendent Brian Hereford, Village Attorney Steven Mann

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Jason Pierce seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance – Resigned; David Rathke – Absent; 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 October, 2018.
Beginning balance as of 10/01/2018 $295,738.84
Ending Balance as of 10/31/2018 $297,493.92
Increase for October, 2018 $ 1,755.08

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

Trustee Jason Pierce, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, reported on the Finance Committee meeting held at 6:00 p.m. prior to the regular monthly meeting.

Jason reported that have been talking about adding a small monthly fee to the water bills to add revenue. Hopefully if we can cut the fee in halt we will.

Jason reported that he had received a call about their water payment check being returned from the Bank and the person didn’t feel comfortable putting cash in a locked water drop box.

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

Carol asked Police Chief Michael Scott if there was any kind of update on 306 S Grove Street. Mike stated that owner had been served on October 24th with the Foreclosure papers. Village Attorney Steven Mann stated will file a default if there is no response within thirty (30) days.

Carol asked about the property at the corner of Harrison and East North Streets. Mike reported that he spoke with the owner earlier in the month and advised him of the new ordinance that the Village Board passed. Village Attorney Steven Mann reported that this type of business for Small Engine Repair would require a permit through the Village in order to operate the business.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, was absent. Superintendent Brian Hereford reported that he just received the report from WTR on the sewer plant after he left today. Brian stated that need $2,500.00 worth of bacteria to put into the lagoon. Brian stated that can lease a five (5) horse motor for $500.00 per month to see if it is going to work. It would cost $10,000 to buy two (2) five (5) horse motors.

Brian reported on the sludge out there:
four (4) feet of sludge on west side
three (3) feet of sludge in the middle
two (2) feet of sludge on the east side

Brian stated that in the second lagoon there is hardly any sludge so the increase of bacteria put in here is working.

Brian reported that Beitz Trucking wants $2,300.00 for the tile work on Walnut Street down to the Mackinaw.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to accept the bid from Beitz Trucking for $2,300.00 to repair the tile on Walnut Street down to the Mackinaw. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance – Resigned; David Rathke – Absent; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, resigned before the meeting. Committee member Jason Wagoner reported on the Street Committee meeting held at 6:30 p.m. prior to the regular monthly meeting. Jason reported that will contact Engineer Terry McCleary before next month’s board meeting and decide what the Village wants to do with Grove Street and also about the sidewalks on Main Street in front of the old welding shop and on South Center in front of the Chiropractor’s office.

Superintendent Brian Hereford reported about how that culvert was going to be fixed by the Petal Pusher. Brian stated that can get the stones from Becker Tree Service – then stone and mortar the rest.

Trustee Vincent Beck asked about the Push Box. Brian stated that the cheapest he can find one is $3,000. Martin Equipment in Goodfield IL has one in stock. Brian reported that wheels for the plow are $2,500.00 each and poly blade is $500.00.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to purchase push box at a cost not to exceed $4,000.00. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance – Resigned; David Rathke – Absent; Jason Pierce – aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

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

The Board went into Closed session at 7:40 p.m.

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

The Board went back into open session at 8:00 p.m.

Next on the agenda under New Business, Village Attorney Steven Mann explained the ordinance change made to Chapter 4 for Municipal Purchases. This is for review only and will be passed at December’s meeting.

Lonnie reported that the Colfax Restoration received a $2,700 grant from Compeer Corporation for memorials and green space. Lonnie does business with this company.

Colfax resident Brandy Hope asked several questions of the Board. Would like to know what the fee added to the water bill would cover.

Jason Pierce explained that this would be used to pay down the loan at the Bank which the Village borrowed for tearing down the Main Street buildings and part of the loan is what was rolled over from the Water Meters loan.

Next Brandy asked why the Village would be getting rid of competitive bidding. Village Attorney Steven Mann stated that the Village isn’t getting rid of competitive bidding. The Village has the right to waive the bidding process in case of an emergency.

She asked about the website and why not updated. Village Clerk Nancy Kiper stated she works on it when she has time. Mayor Lonnie Meiner stated will work on getting this done.

She asked who the new auditors were – that is Phillips and Associates.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance – Resigned; David Rathke – Absent; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Kiper
Village Clerk