The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.

Trustees present were:

Charles Morefield - Absent
David Rathke - Aye
Benjamin Thackeray- Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Janice Edwards - 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 Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of September 2021.
Beginning Balance $522,291.03
Ending Balance $506,797.86
Decrease for the month of September 2021 ( $ 15,493.17)

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of September 2021. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Public Comments-Items on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

First special report was given by Police Chief Ritchie Cooper. Ritchie reports in September there were 3 citations issued (disorderly conduct, theft and fraud). Ritchie is working to get the new part time patrol officers ready for the academy.

Next special report was given by Superintendent Josh Hereford. Josh reports the maintenance department continues to pick up brush throughout the village. Josh reports the drainage ditch has been dredged. Josh and Nick spent several days hauling dirt and mud to the landscape dump from the dredging. Josh picked up the leaf vac and trailer that the village purchased from the City of Chenoa. Josh reports WTR Solutions replaced the aerator at the sewer plant that was damaged due to lighting. This expense has been turned into insurance for reimbursement, at this time the claim is still pending.

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.

Mayor Larry Dodds included a listing in the revenues for September in your folders.

Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, has nothing to report at this time. Mayor Larry Dodds reports the Finance and Audit meeting is being rescheduled and will now be held on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

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

Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, was absent.

Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Benjamin Thackeray, has nothing to report at this time.

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

Next on the agenda was the review and suggested additions to the Basic Guidelines for Hiring Employees of the Village of Colfax. Mayor Larry Dodds stated that included in your packets was a list of basic guidelines and sample of a job description.

First item of new business was a presentation regarding creating a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District by Gwen Crawford, Economic Development Group, Ltd.

Mayor Larry Dodds reports that a correspondence was received from the IML Risk Management Association related to insurance renewal and increased coverage for 2022. There is another rate freeze and Mayor Dodds touched base on some of the increased coverage areas.

Next on the agenda was the designation of Halloween Trick or Treat hours for the Village of Colfax.

Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to designate Trick or Treat hours for the Village of Colfax on Sunday, October 12, 2021 6:00-8:00 p.m. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Public Comments-Items not on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft