The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, April 1, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Lonnie Meiner.

Trustees present were:
Charles Morefield - Aye
David Rathke - Aye
Jason Pierce - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Jason Wagoner - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye

Also present were Superintendent Brian Hereford and Police Chief Michael Scott.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer was absent but the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March, 2019 was in the folders.

Beginning Balance as of March 1, 2019 $244,174.12
Ending Balance as of March 31, 2019 $238,403.17
Decrease for March, 2019 ($ 5,770.95)

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

Trustee Jason Pierce, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Activity Report for the month of March, 2019 for the Colfax Police Department is in your folders.

Police Chief Michael Scott reported that attached to the Activity Report is a report about the supposed threat at Ridgeview School and what was done from the Colfax Police Department and the McLean County Sheriff Deputies. Mike stated that basically is was Facebook over reaction about false rumors.

Mike also reported that a full report was sent to the State Attorney’s office.

Mike reported that all of the evaluations have been done for the part-time officers. Mike reported that another attachment with the Activity Report is what the starting salaries/wages are for surrounding police departments.

Mike stated that last month he talked about doing the two (2) year loan for the radios but has learned that the grant will cover only the radio cost it will not cover any financing fees. The interest rate for financing if 8.8% which would be over $1,000.00. Mike stated that the Village can pay for these radios upfront with money from the Police Squad Car Account and then just reimburse that account when the grant money comes in around June or July. Then next year Mike will apply again for the grant and reimburse for the second radio.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve paying for the radios upfront then reimbursing the Police Squad Car Account after receiving the grant money. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

Mike reported that Jeff Winterland stopped in and Lawndale Township would like for the Colfax Police Department to start covering the Lawndale Township area since the windmill project will be getting started. Mike stated that Jeff will be going back to their board and see what the Board is willing to pay for this service.

Mike reported that they did a mock bank robbery at the bank last week. Everything went well and then had a debriefing afterwards.

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

Trustee Jason Wagoner, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported on the Street Committee meeting held at 6:30 p.m. prior to the regular board meeting.

Jason stated that the Committee talked about the new Motor Fuel Tax year. Brian would like to get this going so that Steffens can put a bid in this year. Jason asked Brian when the bids had to be in but he wasn’t sure and will check with Larry tomorrow and see if he can find out.

The first item under Old Business was the rezoning of the property which Dollar General is purchasing. This property needs to be rezoned from Agricultural to Commercial.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the zoning change for the West 258 feet of the North 333 feet of the Northeast Quarter of Section 3, Township 24 North, Range 5 East of the Third Principle Meridian, Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois from Agricultural to Commercial. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to close the 2018-19 Motor Fuel Tax year. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to pass the 2019-20 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution in the amount of $46,328.00. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve the option of paying for the new police radios upfront out of the Police Squad Car account and then reimbursing when the Crime Detection Grant money come in to save $1,000.00 in finance fees. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

There was discussion regarding the final decision of the EMCAA Nicor Bill and the Village. It was brought to the attention of the Board that since EMCAA has gotten a free building and free water every month for how many years, that it seems that it should pretty much be a wash. Rick Wagoner, President of EMCAA Board, was present to hear what the Board had to say. Rick Wagoner stated that this error wasn’t caught by either side but the debt is owed. Trustee Vincent Beck asked where the money would go to.

Trustee Jason Pierce stated that since the Village is without an attorney right now, he stated that it is amazing that it just slipped through the cracks and since NICOR has not idea what meter goes with what address on their accounts.

Mayor Lonnie Meiner stated that our Village Attorney Steve Mann at the time didn’t want to pursue this.

Trustee Jason Wagoner stated maybe can meet somewhere in between – not overlooking a partial payment or no payment or payment arrangements.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve the final decision for settlement of the EMCAA Nicor Bill and the Village and to pay EMCAA $2,000.00 as a final decision. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield – Nay; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Nay; Motion carried. Four (4) Ayes; Two (2) Nays

Village Clerk Nancy Kiper presented a copy of the ad to put in the paper for the Village Clerk position. It was agreed by the Board to run the ad in the Ridgeview Review for the rest of April and thru May. There will be interviews in June and new clerk hired at the July meeting.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the purchase of a fire hydrant tester for a price not to exceed $1,500.00. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield – Aye; David Rathke – Aye; Jason Pierce – Aye; Carol Stephenson – Aye; Jason Wagoner – Aye; Vincent Beck – Aye; Motion carried.

Octavia Fire Protection District Board President Chad Johnson was present to check on the status of the building presently housing EMCAA and whether it would be possible to keep the same arrangements after EMCAA disbands. Chad was assured that the building could be used for the new ambulance service. The trustees had a copy of the agreement with EMCAA and an agreement would be drawn up between Octavia Fire Protection District and the Village of Colfax for use of the building.

Mayor Lonnie Meiner explained about the letter he received from Village Attorney Steven Mann saying that his work load had greatly increased with the retirement of two other attorneys in his firm and would no longer be able to be our attorney. Lonnie stated that Steve did a great job for the Village and he will finish the litigation that has been started and then be through.

Lonnie stated that he contacted another attorney Steve Mart, who was the Town of Normal’s attorney – now he is doing small town municipalities. Lonnie stated he has the same personality as Steve Mann and thinks he would be a good fit for the Village.

Jason Pierce stated Steve did a great job for the Village.

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Kiper
Village Clerk