The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, October 7, 2019 at 7:00 by Mayor Larry Dodds.

Trustees present were:
David Rathke - Aye
Benjamin Thackery - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Jason Wagoner - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye
Charles Morefield - Absent during roll call

Trustee Charles Morefield absent during roll call. He arrived at 7:10 p.m.

Also present was Superintendent Brian Hereford; Assistant Superintendent Josh Hereford; Police Chief Michael Scott; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.

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

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s report for the month of September 2019.

Beginning Balance 9/1/2019 $ 285,306.53
Ending Balance 9/30/2019 $ 195,165.10
Decrease for the month of September 2019 $ (90,141.43)

The large decrease was due to paying for the street improvements.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Absent, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

The next item on the agenda was Public Comments for items on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

At this time Greg Neuhaus addressed the Board regarding the property on Main Street. Greg said the Village can have the lot back. He asked if the Village wanted to list for sale and he could quit deed the lot to the buyer. Trustee Jason Wagoner asked if we can quit deed it back to the Village. Mayor Larry Dodds said he will consult with the lawyer regarding the process. Greg said he had four people approach him who were interested in purchasing the lot. Mayor Larry Dodds will reach out to those individuals.

Police Chief Michael Scott had the first special report. Mike reported the Police Department held the annual Law Enforcement drill at the school and everything went well. Prior to the drill, Police Chief Mike Scott gave a presentation to the student body. Sergeant Ritchie Cooper was involved in the planning process for the drill this year. Police Chief Mike Scott has plans to speak with the Drivers Ed students this Thursday.

Next Superintendent Brian Hereford reported that there is a Maintenance report in your folders for review. Brian stated Assistant Superintendent Josh Hereford received his CDL. Brian reported the tires were replaced on the truck and the truck passed inspection. Brian stated that the water main had been tapped for Dollar General and that he replaced the culvert for Mr. Barclay. Brian and Josh also removed 10 loads of trees and brush from 302 South Grove Street.

Mayor Larry Dodds reported there is an Animal Control/Zoning Report in your folders for review.

Mayor Larry Dodds also reported there is an EMA Report in your folders for review.

Mayor Larry Dodds reported that the Mayors report is in your folders for review. Mayor Larry Dodds reported he meet with Rick Phillips regarding the 2017-2018 Audit. He indicated that the accounting system for the Village of Colfax is based on an accrual system. Rick Phillips did recommend that the Village have a goal to build a reserve equal to one year’s expenses. Russ Leigh of Russ Leigh and Associates conducted the initial part of the 2018-2019 Audit. Russ will present a verbal report to the Board at its November meeting. Mayor Larry Dodds also met with Robert Cahman, Supervisor of Assessments for McLean County regarding the 2020-2021 Tax Levy. Mayor Larry Dodds also had a meeting with Rep. Dan Brady to discuss ways the State of Illinois could assist the Village of Colfax in generating additional revenue to complete some projects for the benefit of the community.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, reported he would like to work on a receivables/disbursement report to better his knowledge of the Village finances.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported they held a committee meeting on September 9, 2019. Carol reported that at the meeting they discuss the condition of the police squad cars and the options for replacement. Carol also reported that Police Chief Michael Scott will be holding a forum to interact with senior citizens on scams and what to look out for. Chief Michael Scott will try to plan for this in October.

Trustee Vincent Beck, Chairman for the Water and Sewer Committee, reported that he is looking into lock options for the water shut offs.

Trustee Jason Wagoner, Chairman for the Streets and Lights Committee, reported a committee meeting was held and Superintendent Brian Hereford put together an 8-year projection plan for the resurfacing of the streets. Superintendent Brian Hereford suggested to the Board that they make a decision on the streets needing completed next year by the next Village Board meeting to get the bids out.

Next on the agenda was the discussion and possible approval of Ordinance #2019-06 “An Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Section 2.06 of the Colfax Municipal Code Modifying the Order of Business of the Board of Trustees to allow for two distinct categories of public comment.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve Ordinance # 2019-06 “An Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Section 2.06 of the Colfax Municipal Code Modifying the Order of Business of the Board of Trustees to allow for two distinct categories of public comment. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the discussion and possible approval regarding Ordinance #2019-05 “An Ordinance Imposing Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax on Recreational Cannabis Retail Dispensaries.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve Ordinance 2019-05 “An Ordinance Imposing Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax on Recreational Cannabis Retail Dispensaries Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the continued discussion concerning permitting or prohibiting cannabis businesses in the Village of Colfax. Mayor Larry Dodds reminded the Board that marijuana would be legal for recreation use on January 1, 2020. Trustee David Rathke asked how much money it could generate. Trustee Jason Wagoner said we need to benefit from the sale. Trustee Carol Stephenson asked Police Chief Mike Scott his opinion. Mike stated his initial response was to prohibit cannabis businesses but it will be legal and could be a revenue source for the Village.

Item was tabled until next meeting.

Next on the agenda was the discussion regarding the new Tax Levy for 2020-2021. Mayor Larry Dodds asked the Board if there were any questions regarding levying for social security. The Village would receive the amount levied. Mayor Larry Dodds said the Village would have to hold a truth in taxation meeting if the levy was above the 5% increase. Mayor Larry Dodds also mentioned he was looking into levying for Civil Defense and Road & Bridge.

Next on the agenda was the discussion concerning Policies or Ordinances related to unpaid Water & Sewer bills. Mayor Larry Dodds said a Village resident had reached out to him regarding the Village policy regarding returned checks. After discussion it was decided that if a resident has a returned check, they must pay in cash on time for six (6) months to write checks to the Village again. If a resident has a check returned a second-time they would have to pay their Water/Sewer bills in cash indefinitely. Mayor Larry Dodds said he will write a letter to those residents who have had returned checks to let them know the new policy. Trustee Vincent Beck mentioned to the Board that he would like to look into a program for payments with Credit/Debit cards. Mayor Larry Dodds said the Village would research a program.

Trustee Vincent Beck asked the Board about the Village providing the food and drinks for the annual Halloween Party at the Colfax Fire Department. Trustee Vincent Beck said in past years the Village had provided those items. The Board also discussed setting the hours for Trick or Treating.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion due to urgency to set the Trick or Treating hours to 5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31st. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Public comments: Items not on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to go into executive session to consider appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of Village employees. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

The Village Board went into executive session at 8:28 p.m.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to go back into open session. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

The Village Board went into open session at 8:56 p.m.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to increase the salary of Assistant Superintendent Josh Hereford to $18.00 per hour effective October 1, 2019. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.


Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk