The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, July 6, 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 - Absent
Vincent Beck - Aye

Also present were Superintendent Josh Hereford; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer; Police Chief Michael Scott; Sergeant Ritchie Cooper.

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

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of June 2020.

Beginning Balance $ 185.399.77
Ending Balance $ 241,739.17
Increase for the month of June 2020 $ 56,399.40

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of June 2020. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner-Absent, 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 his report was in your folders. He also stated he hasn’t received any update on the new squad car. He announced that tonight would be his last Village Board of Trustees Meeting as he is set to retire at the end of the month.

Next on the agenda was the Maintenance Report given by Superintendent Josh Hereford. Josh and Brian spent several days cleaning up the cornstalks from the flooding. AMZ Trucking was hired to do the spray patching on the roads. Josh reported that the transmission on the backhoe malfunctioned and he spent several days researching new and used backhoes. Josh and Brian widened Winget Drive. Josh reported he has also been spraying for mosquitos this month.

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

Mayor Larry Dodds reported the EMA Report is in your folders for review.

Next on the agenda was the Mayor’s Report. Mayor Larry Dodds reported that Chestnut Mobile Testing Unit will be located in Colfax on July 23, 2020 for COVID-19 testing. This testing would be free for up to 50 people. Larry also reported that McLean County Asphalt will do their preparation work the week of July 13th and will start the resurfacing the week of July 20th.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, reported that a committee meeting was held in June. He reported he was very pleased with the reports that they have been receiving from Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, has nothing to report at this time, but she thanked Police Chief Michael Scott for his service and said it was a pleasure working along side him.

Trustee, Charles Morefield, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, has nothing to report at this time.

Trustee Jason Wagoner, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, was absent.

Trustee Vincent Beck, Chairman of the Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Committee, reported that they held two committee meetings in June regarding the backhoe replacement. He reported the committee reviewed several new and used backhoes.

Next on the agenda was the continued discussion regarding stop signs versus yield signs. There were some complaints about the intersection of 1975, Ceilo View and Winget. After discussion is was determined it would be best to talk to Martin Township about installing a stop sign on 1975. Trustee Charles Morefield suggested we start replacing all of the yield signs in Colfax with stop signs on a regular schedule until they are all replaced.

Mayor Larry Dodds reported Chestnut Mobile Testing Unit for COVID-19 will be in Colfax on July 23, 2020. The testing will be free and they can test up to 50 people. It will be drive thru testing and will be held at the Village Hall.

Next on the agenda was the discussion and approval of the purchase of the used backhoe. Trustee Vincent Beck reported that over the two committee meetings held, the committee decided this was the best purchase for the timing and would allow them to also look into replacing the GMC truck. Trustee Charles Morefield reported he went down to Birkey’s and looked at the backhoe and everything was in good condition except the tires. His recommendation was that we ask that Birkey’s to switch our current tires for the ones on the used backhoe for sale.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to purchase the 2010 310 SJ for $41,000.00 with the discussion regarding switching the tires for up to $1,000.00 less trade-in value. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the discussion and authorization of opening savings account for the following funds: Maintenance Equipment & Vehicle, EMA, and Sidewalk Improvement.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to authorize the opening of savings accounts for the following funds: Maintenance Equipment & Vehicle, EMA, and Sidewalk Improvements with authorized signers as listed: Portia Vandegraft, Connie Gossmeyer and Larry Dodds. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the discussion regarding designating a new engineer for the Village of Colfax. Mayor Larry Dodds shared that Josh Hereford and he met with Zach Knight from Farnsworth Group. Mayor Dodds mentioned that he was very impressed with how knowledgeable Mr. Knight is. Mayor Dodds said that Zach Knight is scheduled to attend the next Board Meeting to talk with the Board Trustees.

Next on the agenda was the discussion about sidewalks and sidewalk repairs for the Village of Colfax. Mayor Dodds reported that there are many sidewalk repairs that need to take place. Mayor Larry Dodds said opening a savings account for sidewalk improvements is a step in the right direction.

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-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk