The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, April 12, 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 Josh Hereford; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer; Police Chief Ritchie Cooper.

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve 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.

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2021.
Beginning Balance $324,924.66
Ending Balance $360,096.25
Increase for the month of March 2021 $ 35,171.59

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2021. 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 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-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Public comments- Items on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

The first special report was given by Police Chief Ritchie Cooper. Chief Cooper reported that there is a report in your folders. Ritchie said there was an incident regarding theft of “Back the Blue” yard signs. The new evidence room for the Colfax Police Department is near completion.

Next special report was given by Superintendent Josh Hereford. Once again, this month Josh spent several days picking up brush all over town. There were two service line leaks this month. One at 301 W. Main and one on Sunset Drive. Popejoy’s installed a new curb stop for the Village for 301 W. Main Street. There was an EPA inspection done on the water plant. Josh reported the report for the inspection is in your folder to review.

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

Last special report was given by Mayor Larry Dodds. Mayor Larry Dodds announced he will be appointing Carol Stephenson, David Rathke and Janice Edwards to the Board of Trustees at the May 2021 meeting. Each member will serve a two year term. The McLean County Health Department held a COVID 19 Vaccine Clinic at the Colfax Fire Station with 200 doses of the vaccine given to McLean County residents. Larry reported that small municipalities are poised to receive $2.88 million as part of the American Rescue Plan. The Village of Colfax will receive $125,154. Mayor Dodds stated the final Tax Computation Report is in your folders for Tax Year 2020 to be paid in 2021. The total levy was $119,794.30, which is the amount requested.

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

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

Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, had nothing to report at this time.

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

Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report at this time. Vincent Beck asked to schedule a Committee Meeting. A meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

First item of old business was the approval of salary adjustments and increases for employees and members of the Zoning Board of Appeals, effective May 1, 2021.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the salary adjustments and increases for employees and members of the Zoning Board of Appeals, effective May 1, 2021. 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 approval of the 2021-2022 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve the 2021-2022 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. 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.

Next on the agenda was the approval for the Proposed Street Improvements for the Village of Colfax for Summer 2021.
Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve the Proposed Street Improvements for the Village of Colfax for the Summer of 2021. 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.

First item of new business was the reminder to all Board Members to complete the required Statement of Economic Interests by May 1, 2021.
Next on the agenda was the approval of the Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule for May 2021-April 2022. The regular monthly meeting for May 2021 will be held on the second Monday as Larry will be out of town.

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule for May 2021-April 2022. 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.

Next on the agenda was the consideration of the proposed lease agreement with the Octavia Fire Protection District (OFPD) for the Village of Colfax and Colfax Police Department offices, effective July 1, 2021. The new lease includes increasing the rent to $300 monthly and the village would share any costs related to replacement of the furnace and air conditioner. All other items will be the same as the previous lease agreement.
Trustee Benjamin Thackeray stated he believed $300 a month rent was too high.

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the lease agreement with Octavia Fire Protection District (OFPD) for the Village of Colfax office and the Colfax Police Department offices, effective July 1, 2021. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Abstain, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-No, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Jason Wagoner-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the discussion and approval of a liquor license for Juan Rios-Narciso for Azteca Pan Sabor De Mexico.

Juan Rios-Narciso presented his plans for an authentic Mexican restaurant. Juan stated an opening date is unknown at this time but he is hoping to be opening sometime in May 2021. The potential hours for the restaurant would be Thursday 1-9 p.m. and Friday/Saturday 2-10 p.m. Juan reported he would be selling regional Mexican beers and margaritas.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the Class A Liquor License for Azteca Pan Sabor De Mexico. 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.

Next on the agenda was the approval of the Village Garage Sales on Saturday, June 5, 2021 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm.
Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve the Village Garage Sales on Saturday, June 5, 2021 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 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 approval to close Main Street from Brook to Center Street on Saturday, June 5, 2021 for the Pop-up Shops sponsored by the Colfax Restoration Project.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the closure of Main Street from Brook to Center Street on Saturday, June 5, 2021 for the Pop-up Shops sponsored by the Colfax Restoration Project. 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 item on the agenda was the approval of the contract with Russell Leigh and Associates, LLC to complete the annual audit for the Village of Colfax Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the contract with Russell Leigh and Associates, LLC to complete the annual audit for the Village of Colfax Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

Last item on the agenda was the approval of Ordinance 2021-07, An Ordinance Authorizing the Disposal of Personal Property owned by the Village of Colfax. Mayor Larry Dodds stated the Colfax Restoration Project expressed interest in the old police car. They will take it to the Clinton Auction and then use the proceeds for the improvements to the Old Village Hall. Mayor Larry Dodds said the work on the old village hall has begun with the demolition of the bathroom and next week the power washing of the exterior is scheduled.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2021-07, An Ordinance Authorizing the Disposal of Personal Property owned by the Village of Colfax. 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.

There were not public comments.

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to hold a closed meeting to discuss pending litigation pursuant to Section 2 (C) (11) of the Illinois Open Meeting Act. 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 Village Board went into closed meeting at 8:09 p.m.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to go back into open session. 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 Village Board went back into open session at 8:21 p.m.

Trustee Vincent Beck thanked Trustee Jason Wagoner for his service to the Village Board.

Trustee Jason Wagoner 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.

Meeting adjourned 8:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk