The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, October 5, 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 Ritchie Cooper.

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

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

Beginning Balance $234,867.20
Ending Balance $284,378.96
Increase for the month of September 2020 $ 31,191.05

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of September 2020. 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.

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

Public comments- Items on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Police Chief Ritchie Cooper gave the first special report. Ritchie stated the monthly activity report is in your folders for review. Police Chief Ritchie pointed out that 3 citations for speeding were issued the month of September. Police Chief Ritchie explained that the Colfax Police Department is participating in a prescription disposal program on October 24th, 2020. The drop off times will be 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Police Department.

The next report was given by Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford. Josh reported that they spent several days again this month cleaning out the drainage ditch throughout town. Josh also reported that the annual lead and copper samples were completed. Josh installed a sign on the empty lot on Main Street for the Colfax Restoration Project.

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

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

The final special report was given by Mayor Larry Dodds. Mayor Dodds reported that the Village of Colfax received 2 property tax distributions since the last meeting totaling $31,437.30. Mayor Dodds reported that the McLean County Health Department held COVID-19 testing at the Village Hall on September 24, 2020. There is another testing date scheduled for October 15, 2020. Mayor Larry Dodds discussed some CDC Guidelines released for Trick or Treating.

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

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reports that a committee meeting was held tonight prior to the Board of Trustees meeting.

Trustee Charles Morefield, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reports there have been issues with the pumps at the lift station.

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

Trustee Vincent Beck, Chairman of the Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

Next on the agenda was the discussion regarding the closure of Center Street from the alley to Main Street so the American Legion can be extended into the street for a fundraiser on October 24th, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Trustee Charles Morefield made motion to approve the closure of Center Street from the alley to Main Street so the American Legion can be extended into the street for a fundraiser on October 24th, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke- Aye, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Aye, Jason Wagoner-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Next item on the agenda was the approval of the purchase of a new taser to replace the expired taser for the Colfax Police Department.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve the purchase of a new taser at a cost on $3,160.00 over the next 5 years. 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 item on the agenda was the approval of the purchase of a new camera to observe dumpster activity. Chief Ritchie explains that with the current camera it is hard to see license plates clearly. It is helpful to be read license plates when we have illegal dumping.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the purchase of a camera to observe dumpster activity by the Village Office at a cost of $199.99. 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 consideration of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Colfax Police Department and Martin Township for Police Services.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Colfax Police Department and Martin Township for Police Services. 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.

Mayor Larry Dodds stated due to the election being held at our Village Hall on November 3, 2020, setup would be November 2, 2020 therefore we would need to reschedule the regular monthly Board of Trustees Meeting.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve rescheduling the November 2, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting to Monday, November 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. 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 consideration of recommendations of the Colfax Zoning Board.

The first recommendation was the re-zoning of 314 N. Harrison Street Colfax, IL from commercial to residential at the request of the property owners.
Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to re-zone the property at 314 N. Harrison Street to residential from commercial at the request of the property owners. 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.

The second recommendation was the consideration of the approval of Ordinance No. 2020-12, An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois Regarding Travel Trailer Parking and Storage.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-12, An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois Regarding Travel Trailer Parking and Storage. 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.
Next on the agenda was the clarification for the property at 512 N. Center Street. It was determined by the Village Attorney, Kate Carter, that the property does not require rezoning.

Next on the agenda was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2020-13, An Ordinance Establishing Employee Benefit Carryover.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2020-13, An Ordinance Establishing Employee Benefit Carryover. 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.

Next item on the agenda was the approval of Trick or Treat hours for the Village of Colfax.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve Trick or Treating for the Village of Colfax on October 31, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 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.

Public comments- Items not on the agenda.

Colfax Resident Vickie Cole addressed the Board regarding the property at 512 N. Center Street. She expressed concern about the Board allowing a business in a residential area. She stated she nor any other neighbors were taken into consideration when the Village allowed this business to operate in a residential neighborhood.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to go into executive session to consider appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of village employees. 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.

The Village Board of Trustees entered Executive Session at 8:11 p.m.

Results of the Executive Session are as follows.

Trustee Charles Morefield 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 of Trustees went back into open session at 8:37 p.m.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to employ Niko Lullo as a part-time patrol officer at the rate of $16.25 per hour. 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.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to increase the salary of Police Chief Ritchie Cooper to $23.00 per hour effective next pay period. Trustee Carol 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 Charles Morefield made a motion to adjourn. 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.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk