The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, January 6th at 7:00 p.m. 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 of Maintenance Josh Hereford; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer; Police Chief Michael Scott was absent.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Vincent Beck 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 presented the Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2019.
Beginning Balance $149,828.95
Ending Balance $138,467.89
Decrease for the month of December 2019 ($ 11,361.06)

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2019. 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.

Trustee Carol Stephenson 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.

Colfax Resident Julie Gyorkos addressed the Board with the concerns of the proposed Water and Sewer rate increases. Julie asked the board what the Village would be doing with the money from the increases and what the residents would be getting in return. Mayor Larry Dodds explained that the additional funds would be used for increase in cost of supplies, a need for the Village to build up their reserves as suggested by the last two auditors, and to save for any future repairs. Mayor Larry Dodds also mentioned that he has heard rumors that our employees are not certified to run the Water and Sewer plants. Mayor Larry Dodds showed certificates showing Superintendent of Maintenance, Josh Hereford, is certified in both areas. He also made mention of a folder holding reports from the EPA. The Village is compliant with EPA.

Mayor Larry Dodds reported that the special report for the Police Department is in your folders for review. Mayor Larry Dodds mentioned that the Police Department has been monitoring the jake breaking on 165. No citations have been issued.

Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford gave the next special report. Josh mentioned that with the help of Becker Tree Service and Alliance Grain, Josh and Brian cut down the tree at the old nursing home, brought it uptown and set it up for the Colfax Christmas Tree Lighting event. On 12-16-2019, Brian and Josh plowed the roads from 3:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and spent the remainder of the day opening intersections and salting the roadways. Josh spoke on the maintenance and repairs of all Village vehicles/equipment. Josh also mentioned them water shut-off findings on 306 South Oak Street. It was discovered that there was very little water pressure since turning on the water. He mentioned a new line needs to be run from the shut off on West Wood Street down the alley running behind the property.

Mayor Larry Dodds reported the Animal Control/Zoning report is in your folders for review.
Mayor Larry Dodds also reported the EMA report is in your folders for review.

Mayor Larry Dodds gave the final special report. Dodds reported that the Tax Levy was filed with the county on December 6, 2019. He also reported that the online payment service paygov.us in now available. Mayor Dodds reported the signs outlining the winter parking regulations have been rehung in downtown Colfax. Mayor Larry Dodds also mentioned the Zoning Board of Appeals held their meeting on December 11, 2019 regarding the zoning of cannabis businesses in Colfax if passed by the Board of Trustees. Mayor Dodds said the property at 114 East Main Street is officially owned by the Village.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, reported there was no report at this time.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported there was no report at this time.

Trustee Vincent Beck, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reported there was no report at this time.

Trustee Jason Wagoner, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported there was no report at this time.

Next on the agenda was the consideration of the Ordinance to permit cannabis businesses or an Ordinance to prohibit cannabis businesses in the Village of Colfax. The Zoning Board of Appeals met on December 11, 2019 and approved by a 4-1 vote to recommend to the Board of Trustees to permit a cannabis dispensing business to operate in Colfax.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-04 “An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois regarding Adult-Use Recreational Cannabis Businesses. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Nay, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the approval of Ordinance No. 2020-07, “An Ordinance Rescinding and Replacing Sections 6.09 (A) 2 and 3, and 6.09 (B) 2, of Chapter 6 (Water Systems) of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois pertaining to billing for water service.” Trustee Benjamin Thackeray asked about putting the money into a water/sewer savings account rather than the general fund. Mayor Larry Dodds said the intention is to put that increased revenue into a separate account.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve Ordinance No 2020-07, “An Ordinance Rescinding and Replacing Sections 6.09 (A) 2 and 3, and 6.09 (B) 2, of Chapter 6 (Water Systems) of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois pertaining to billing for water service.” 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 was the approval of Ordinance No. 2020-02, “An Ordinance Rescinding and Replacing Sections 7.09 (A) of Chapter 7 (Sewer Systems) of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois pertaining to billing for sewer service.”

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve Ordinance 2020-02, “An Ordinance Rescinding and Replacing Sections 7.09 (A) of Chapter 7 (Sewer Systems) of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois pertaining to billing for sewer service.” Trustee Carol Stephenson 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 of the property at 114 East Main Street. Mayor Larry Dodds reviewed Ordinance No. 2020-03, “An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Village Owned Real Estate by Public Bid.” Mayor Larry Dodds noted the minimum bid would be $1,000.00. The bids would then be opened at the Board meeting March 2, 2020.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-03, “An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Village Owned Real Estate by Public Bid.” 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 Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve the submission of the amended Resolution for Maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code (2019-2020 #4) changing the cost of road salt from $6,000.00 to $7,010.90 due to the increase in unit cost at $104.36 per ton. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Laura Willis from Leroy Ambulance addressed the Board about Higher Visibility Address Signs. Laura discussed that they had great responses regarding the sale of the Higher Visibility Signs in the Leroy/Downs area a few years ago when they held a campaign. She would like to hold a campaign in our Village for residents to have the opportunity to purchase these signs for their homes or mailboxes. Laura stated that the Leroy Ambulance Service would also volunteer to hang signs if the residents weren’t capable.

Next on the agenda was the discussion on sidewalk needs in Colfax. Mayor Larry Dodds discussed areas of concern. Mayor Dodds said he would research grants for sidewalks due to School Safety.

Public Comments- Items not on the agenda.

There were no comments.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to go into executive session to consider appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal or village employees or sale of property. Trustee Vincent Beck 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 Board of Trustees went into executive session at 8:39 p.m.

Trustee David Rathke 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 Board of Trustees went back into open session at 8:52 p.m.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to increase the hourly rate to $18.00 an hour for part-time snow removal help effective immediately. Trustee Carol Stephenson 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 8:54 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk