The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, November 4, 2019 at 7:00 pm by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
Charles Morefield - Aye
David Rathke - Aye
Benjamin Thackeray - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Jason Wagoner - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye

Also present were Superintendent Brian Hereford; Assistant Superintendent Josh Hereford; Police Chief Mike Scott.

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. 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.

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer was absent. Mayor Larry Dodds mentioned the Treasurer’s report for the month of October is in your folder’s for review.

Beginning Balance $195,165.10
Ending Balance $202,092.92
Increase for the month of October 2019 $ 6,927.82

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to pay the bills as presented. 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 on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

At this time Mayor Larry Dodds introduced Russ Leigh from Russ Leigh and Associates to the Board. Russ Leigh performed the 2018-2019 Audit for the Village of Colfax. Russ Leigh passed out bounded copies of the Audit to each Trustee. Russ Leigh reported the 2018-2019 Audit was a clean audit. Russ Leigh suggested the Village look into maximizing taxes to generate additional revenue for the Village. Trustee David Rathke asked Russ Leigh if he saw any was for the Village to save money. Russ Leigh reported that the Village expenses and salaries are in line. Russ Leigh suggested the Village build in a cost of living increase into the Water/Sewer billing. The total cost of the 2018-2019 Audit was $5200.00.

Police Chief Mike Scott gave the first special report. Mike stated the grant check came today for the reimbursement for the purchase of the new radios. Police Chief Mike Scott reported he sent a letter to a resident concerning the overgrown vegetation on several of his properties. Mike reported he is making an attempt to clean up the properties and he would follow up. Police Chief Mike Scott stated the new security cameras have all be installed and are functioning great. Trustee Carol Stephenson asked about the clean up of a property on Main Street. Police Chief Mike Scott will look into it. Trustee Carol Stephenson also asked Police Chief Mike Scott about getting handicap parking signs for the Colfax Christian Church.

Next Assistant Superintendent Josh Hereford reported there is a Maintenance report in your folders. Assistant Superintendent Josh Hereford reported that Windle Concrete has completed the sidewalk on Main Street. The streets that were resurfaced have been swept. The plows are on the trucks and are ready for winter.

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 gave the final special report. Mayor Larry Dodds reported he sent State Representative Dan Brady a letter pertaining to a possible municipal project that could be considered from the Capital Bill Funds. Mayor Larry Dodds also reported the Village of Colfax has received the renewal for the membership in the Illinois Municipal League Management Association (RMA). RMA provides the insurance coverage the Village requires. Mayor Larry Dodds explained the settlement sheet included in the folders to the Board. Mayor Larry Dodds also explained a summary of various revenue sources that were referenced at last month’s meeting. Mayor Larry Dodds explained that Levy is due later this month and the payable amount for 2019 is $38,528.16. Mayor Larry Dodds reported he visited the McLean County Recorder of Deeds office to discuss the best way to handle the property at 114 East Main Street. He was told the property should be Quit Claimed back to the Village and then recorded. At this time Mayor Larry Dodds asked Village Clerk, Portia Vandegraft, to review the information she received regarding another option for payment of the Water/Sewer bills. Village Clerk, Portia Vandegraft, will do additional research and present to the Board at next month’s meeting.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, had nothing to report at this time but said he was very happy to see the spreadsheet provided explaining the revenue sources for the Village.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee had nothing to report at this time.

Trustee Vincent Beck, Chairman for the Water and Sewer Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

Trustee Jason Wagoner, Chairman for the Streets and Lights Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

Next on the agenda was an update on the property at 114 East Main Street. Trustee Jason Wagoner asked if the Village could sell the property, or do we have to put it out for bid? Mayor Larry Dodds said he will consult with the lawyer regarding the process. Mayor Larry Dodds reported a local business had reached out regarding their interest in the property. Trustee Vincent Beck asked Mayor Larry Dodds to invite them to the December meeting to discuss their plans.

Next Mayor Larry Dodds explained the letter that was mailed to all cash water bill constituents.

Next on the agenda was the discussion and possible approval for the Box Car Derby.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve the Box Car Derby on Saturday April 18, 2020 with the closure of Main Street. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion.

At this time Mayor Larry Dodds asked Village Clerk, Portia Vandegraft, to review the information she received regarding another option for payment of the Water/Sewer bills. Village Clerk, Portia Vandegraft, will do additional research and present to the Board at next month’s meeting.

Next on the agenda was a report from Trustee Dave Rathke regarding the review of network and computers for the Village. Trustee David Rathke said the review is ongoing and that he needed to spend more time reviewing the computers.

Mayor Larry Dodds addressed the board regarding the proposed street and alley projects for 2020. Mayor Larry Dodds recommended they delay action until next months meeting when we would have better knowledge of the MFT finances.
Next Mayor Larry Dodds explained the draft for the 2020-2021 levy. Mayor Larry Dodds has an upcoming meeting with McLean County Clerk, Tisha McKinney regarding the levy.

Next on the agenda was the discussion regarding walking access to Dollar General. Trustee Vincent Beck states he has been seeing adults and children walking down 165 to Dollar General. He also said Winget Drive is a concern as well. Police Chief Mike Scott reported he has reached out to IDOT regarding adjusting the speed limit on 165. IDOT reports they have to complete a study to determine if there is a need to adjust the speed.

Mayor Larry Dodds reported there will be a Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Colfax on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. regarding their recommendation on placement of cannabis dispensaries within the Village of Colfax if approved by the board.

Public Comments- Items not on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to adjourn. 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.

Meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk