The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Thursday evening, February 13, 2020 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.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to dispense with the reading of the monthly 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 presented the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2020.
Beginning Balance $138,467.89
Ending Balance $159,723.56
Increase for the month of January 2020 $ 21,255.67

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January. 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 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.

Police Chief Michael Scott gave the first special report. He stated there is a police report in your folders. He also reported that he has applied for the second grant for the police radios.

Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford has the next special report. Josh reported there is a report in your folders for review. Josh cleaned up several loads of rocks and leaves from Center Street, High Street, and Olive Street. Josh also reported that a leak at the Martin Township shed has been repaired. Josh also reported on the water main break on South Harrison 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 gave the final special report. Mayor Larry Dodds stated the Village has not received any bids on the property at 114 East Main Street. Mayor Dodds reported he filed the PTAX-300 (Property Tax Exemption Form) for 114 East Main Street. Mayor Larry Dodds stated Superintendent Josh Hereford will be attending the 38th Annual Technical Conference with the theme of rural water this month for his continuing education for his water and sewer licenses. Mayor Larry Dodds will also be attending an Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference this month as well. Mayor Larry Dodds reported the bill for the repair of the backhoe totaled $6,033.41. Mayor Larry Dodds reported information was obtained about the Illinois Safe Routes to school program through the Illinois Department of Transportation. The next funding cycle will occur in Fall of 2020.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, reported there was nothing to report at this time.

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

Trustee Vincent Beck, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reported there was nothing to report at this time.

Trustee Jason Wagoner, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported there was nothing to report at this time.

Next on the agenda was the discussion on keeping all executive session minutes sealed.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to keep all executive session minutes sealed. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rahtke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the approval for Leroy Ambulance to sell the higher visibility address signs in the Village of Colfax.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the sale of the high visibility address signs by Leroy Ambulance at a cost of $30.00 each. 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.

Next on the agenda was the review of proposed street and alley improvements for 2020, including the sealing of asphalt on Main and Center Streets and the preparation work for oil and chips. The Board of Trustees will wait to further discuss until after the crack sealing is completed on Main Street. They will decide on final street repairs at the April Board of Trustees meeting.

Next on the agenda was the consideration for an employee time clock. It was brought up by Police Chief Michael Scott that in addition to the written time cards, the Police Officers clock in and clock out with Metcom. He is then given those reports. The Board of Trustees decided against obtaining a time clock at this time and will discuss at a later date if the need arises.

Next on the agenda was discussion about a donation to Show Bus. The Village has made an annual donation in previous years. Mayor Larry Dodds said there are currently two residents in the Village of Colfax who use this service. In 2019, the Village of Colfax made a donation to Show Bus in the amount of $250.00.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to make a donation in the amount of $250.00 to Show Bus. 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 Mayor Larry Dodds stated the Village Hall will be the voting location for the election on March 17, 2020. There will be one parking spot designated for handicapped parking.

Public Comments-Items not on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Trustee Vincent Beck addressed the Board regarding on the need for a Village Equipment Committee. He would like to see a savings account opened and used to fund the replacement and maintenance on all village equipment.

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.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.


Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk