The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, November 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.

Trustees present were:

Charles Morefield - Absent
David Rathke - Aye
Benjamin Thackera - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Absent
Janice Edwards - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye

Also present were Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer; Police Chief Ritchie Cooper.

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

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of October 2021.
Beginning Balance $506,797.86
Ending Balance $485,766.12
Decrease for the month of October 2021 $ 21,031.74

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

Public Comments-Items on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Presentations- Regarding Insurance for the Village of Colfax.

Brett Egan with Compass Insurance was the first to give his presentation. Bret spoke about the village buildings being underinsured and the lack of cyber security. Bret presented the Board of Trustees with his quote for insurance for the year 2022.

Next presentation was by Blaine Kurth with Risk Management Association. RMA is the current insurance provider for the Village of Colfax. Blaine explained that the suggestion that the village properties being underinsured is inaccurate because the coverage is for replacement cost.

First special report was given by Police Chief Rithcie Cooper. Ritchie states it has been a busy month for the Colfax Police Department. Several reports were taken. Ritchie states he has reached out to an IT company regarding the police department email and firewall. Ritchie will report back on that next month. Ritchie reports the McLean County Sheriff’s Department has been providing Colfax with extra patrols and will continue to do so while he is at the transition course next month.

Next special report was given by Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford. Josh reports the maintenance crew has cleaned out the street drains and repaired a broken grate along Center Street. Josh installed the chlorine gas detector in the water plant. The filter media sample was sent to PDC Laboratories. Last month the parking lines were painted and several potholes were filled. Josh reports the salt was delivered and they are ready for winter weather.

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

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

Mayor Larry Dodds gave the final special report. Included in the report was the summary of revenue for the month. Larry reports the maintenance department has been continuously picking up leaves all over town. Mayor Larry Dodds reports he attended the Hazard Mitigation Plan for McLean County meeting. Mayor Dodds announced the annual Tree Lighting for the Village of Colfax will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021. The Colfax Restoration Project is also sponsoring a Christmas Tour of Homes the same day.

Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, reports a meeting was held on November 1, 2021 and the minutes are in your folders.

Police and Liquor Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson, was absent.

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

Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Benjamin Thackeray, reports a meeting was held on October 28, 2021 and the minutes are included in your packet. The committee review proposed street plans for 2022 and 2023.

Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Chairman, Vincent Beck, reports a meeting was held on October 21, 2021 and those minutes are also included in your packet. The committee discussed future purchases for the Village of Colfax.

Next on the agenda was the approval for issuance of purchase order to Currie Motors for new F-250 Super Duty Truck with specifications as recommended by the Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Committee for $54,225.00 with delivery in May 2022.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve the issuance of purchase order to Currie Motors for new F-250 Super Duty Truck with specifications as recommended by the Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Committee for $54,225.00 with delivery in May 2022. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Next item on the agenda was awarding the bid for insurance coverage for the Village of Colfax for 2022. It was suggested by Trustee Vincent Beck that this item be tabled due to lack of information. A special meeting was scheduled for Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. The Village of Colfax will request building evaluations from both Compass Insurance and RMA.

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to table until the December 2, 2021 Special Meeting. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the review of plans for Phase 2 of the water improvement project involving the replacement of dualator media, inspection and interior/exterior painting and refurbishment.

Next on the agenda was the review of the proposal for Farnsworth Group to develop bid specifications and documents for Phase 2 of the Water Improvement Process.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the proposal from Farnsworth Group to provide services for Phase 2 of the Water Improvement Process not to exceed $15,000. Trustee Janice seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the review of the proposed Tax Levy for 2021-2022. The proposed total of the Tax Levy is $122,569.00. The EAV for the Village of Colfax is $12,302,345.00.

Next on the agenda was the discussion regarding 18-21 year olds serving alcohol at restaurants and the local convenience store. Mayor Larry Dodds states the current Illinois Administrative Code allows anyone over 18 years of age to serve and pour alcohol. The Village of Colfax currently does not have an ordinance stating the age to serve alcohol. This was brought to the attention of the Village by a local establishment. If the Village would choose to do so, they can pass an Ordinance with an age requirement of 21. The Village Board did not move to make any changes at this time.

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

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk