The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, February 1, 2021 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 David Rathke 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 have the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2021.
Beginning Balance $261,033.95
Ending Balance $319,813.75
Increase for the month of January 2021 $ 58,779.80

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2021. 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 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.

The first special report was given by Colfax Police Chief Ritchie Cooper. Ritchie stated there is a monthly report in your folder for review. Ritchie reported the trunk system and the extra lights have been installed on the new squad car.

Next special report was given by Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford. Josh reported a new light was installed outside of the police garage. Josh with the help of Brent Blair took down all the Christmas decorations around the village. Josh with the help of Brent and Brian Blair spent several days picked up brush all over town from the ice/wind storm. Josh fixed a leaky tire on the backhoe; the hole was created by a nail.

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

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

The final special report was given by Mayor Larry Dodds. Larry reports the attorney fees for the zoning issues at 512 N. Center was $17,000.00. Mayor Larry Dodds and Village Clerk Portia Vandegraft have been communication with Tony Moore, our rep for Republic Services regarding the upcoming contract renewal. A final contract will be presented to the Board at the March meeting for review. There was a drainage meeting held with area farmers, engineers from McLean County and Farnsworth Group to discuss the flooding issues in the village. Mayor Dodds reported he will be attending a virtual Mitigation Planning Committee Meeting on February 10, 2021.

Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, had nothing to report at this time. Dave stated he would like to take a closer look at the loans the Village of Colfax has at the next committee meeting.

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

Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, reported a committee meeting was held in January and that items discussed at the meeting will be discussed tonight during new business.

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

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

First item on the agenda was the discussion on how to dispose of the old police car. It was determined that we should reach out to some local charities to see if they could take the car as a donation. Mayor Dodds and Village Clerk Portia Vandegraft will look into this.

Next on the agenda was a presentation by Colfax Restoration Project representatives regarding upcoming plans for the year and a proposal for the Old Village Hall. Representatives Rodney and Teri Keller thanked Josh Hereford for all his help with watering the flowers and putting up the Christmas decorations. Mr. Keller discussed the first phase of their improvements would be the Colfax Memorial and Green Space on Main Street next to the American Legion. This project will begin in April of 2021. Getty Landscaping will be doing the landscape work. The Colfax Restoration Project has acquired a couple statues and the bell from the school that will be displayed at the site. Mr. Keller stated the second phase would be the Colfax Pavilion at 112 E. Main Street. Plans include a concrete pad and pavilion to be used for farmer’s markets, pop up shop events, and available for personal use by rental. The concrete is scheduled to be poured in the Spring of 2021. Phase 3 includes the proposal for the Old Village Hall. The Colfax Restoration Project would like to lease the front section of the Old Village Hall for a minimal amount and would make much need improvements to the building at their expense. It is their desire to use the building to display Colfax memorabilia that they have collected and allow individuals to hold pop up shops and other miscellaneous small events. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray said he thinks leasing the Old Village Hall to the Colfax Restoration Project. Trustee Jason Wagoner asked about the insurance liability. Mayor Larry Dodds stated we would work with the Village Attorney to complete a lease agreement. Mr. Keller said the Colfax Restoration Project would split the attorney fees with the Village to draw up the lease agreement.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to lease the Old Village Hall to the Colfax Restoration Project for 15 years at a price of $1.00 per year. 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 discussion of the report from Shawn Maurer, Drainage Engineer from Farnsworth Group. Mayor Larry Dodds stated the report is included in your folders.

Next on the agenda was the discussion regarding having two Board of Trustees members serve as representative for the Village of Colfax to meet with Octavia Fire Protection District to discuss and finalize a rental contract. Mayor Larry Dodds asked Jason Wagoner and David Rathke to be representatives. The both agreed.

Next item on the agenda was the review of the bids and awarding the contract for the inspection and maintenance of Well #3. Mayor Larry Dodds stated included in your folders are 2 bids. One bid from Kickapoo Drilling, LLC and Layne Christensen Co. Mayor Larry Dodds stated the bid from Kickapoo Drilling, LLC is significantly lower than we initially thought and would allow us to complete the inspection and maintenance of Well #4 at the same time.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to award the contract to Kickapoo Drilling, LLC for the inspection and maintenance of Wells #3 and #4. 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 was the discussion about the recommended discount to water rates for customers when the dualator is scheduled for inspection and renovation. Trustee Charles Morefield stated it was discussed at the recent committee meeting and their suggestion was to discount the water rates by $5.00 during the months that the inspection and renovation would take place.

Mayor Larry Dodds shared that the Village of Colfax will need to upgrade the technology required for reading of the water meters. This upgrade must be completed by 12/31/2021. The plan is to upgrade after May 2021.

Mayor Larry Dodds discussed the contract quote with Republic Services for garbage, recycle and disposal of bulk items. Final contract will be presented at the March 1, 2021 meeting.

Next on the agenda was the review of the executive session minutes and motion to keep all executive session minutes sealed.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to all executive session minutes over the last 12 months sealed. 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.

Last item on the agenda was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2021-04, An Ordinance Addressing the Payment of Cable Television Franchise Fees in the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. It was discovered the that Village of Colfax was not receiving franchise fees from Mediacom. This Ordinance will allow the Village to receive these fees.
Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2021-04, An Ordinance Addressing the Payment of Cable Television Franchise Fees in the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. 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.

Public Comments-Items not on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray 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 9:03 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk