The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, February 7, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
Charles Morefield - Aye
David Rathke - Aye
Benjamin Thackeray - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Janice Edwards - Absent
Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Superintendent of Public Works Josh Hereford; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer; Police Chief Ritchie Cooper.
Trustee Charles Morefield 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, Janice Edwards-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2022.
Beginning Balance $448,958.61
Ending Balance $455,964.04
Increase for the month of January 2022 $ 7,005.43
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2022. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee David Rathke 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, Janice Edwards-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public Comments-Items on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
First special report given was by Police Chief Ritchie Cooper. Ritchie reports he completed two reports for retail theft, a report for unlawful visitation interference and disorderly conduct. There were 7 citations issued in January.
Next special report was given by Superintendent of Public Works Josh Hereford. Josh reports that there were 3 days of plowing done in January. Josh and Nick removed the Christmas decorations. Josh and Nick assisted 3 residents with broken/frozen water pipes. Josh reports Nick Sandage has passed his CDL driving portion of the test. Nick is scheduled for a Wastewater Short Course schooling in March.
Mayor Larry Dodds reports the Animal Control/Zoning Report is in your folders for review.
Mayor Larry Dodds reports an EMA Report is in your folders for review.
The final special report was given by Mayor Larry Dodds. Mayor Dodds reviewed the revenue for the month of January. Mayor Larry Dodds reports a meeting was held with two engineers from Farnsworth Group on January 14, 2022 to discuss the water improvement project. During discussion they determined it would be best to postponed the start of the project until August 2022. Larry reports he will be attending a meeting on March 7, 2022 with the McLean County Board and the McLean County Mayor’s Association.
Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, has nothing to report at this time.
Police and Liquor Committee Chairwoman, Carol Stephenson, has nothing to report at this time.
Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, has nothing to report at this time.
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.
First item on the agenda was the review of the Citizen of the Year requirements and procedures. Mayor Larry Dodds reviewed the previously discussed requirements and named a possible screening committee.
Next on the agenda was additional information on use of electric devices for trustee meetings. Larry shared an email received from Eric Little with IML regarding 4 other cities in Illinois who use electronic devices. All are significantly larger than the Village of Colfax. Village Clerk, Portia Vandegraft, has researched for a grant and there aren’t any available at this present time.
Mayor Larry Dodds gave an update regarding the postponement of the next phase of the Water Assessment Project. The project has been postponed until August 2022 due to supply issues.
Erik Young, Superintendent of Ridgeview District #19, discussed the preliminary exploration for entering into intergovernmental agreement for a school resource officer. Erik has begun discussion with the Board of Education and Police Chief Ritchie Cooper and have been researching grant opportunities. Erik mentions he believes Ridegview Schools and its students would benefit by having a school resource officer in several ways: this person could serve as a liaison between the school and outside emergency agencies, could be in informal counselor and reinforce positive behavior and help with emergency management for the school. Erik Young states he would like to create a sub committee for further discussion of the intergovernmental agreement.
Next on the agenda was the approval for a $250.00 donation to Show Bus Public Transportation.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the donation of $250.00 to Show Bus Public Transportation. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the review of Executive Session Minutes with a motion to keep all executive session minutes of the Board of Trustees sealed.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to keep all executive session minutes of the Village of Colfax Board of Trustees sealed. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the approval of the Village Wide Garage Sales on June 4, 2022 sponsored by the Mission Committee of the United Methodist Church.
Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to approve the Village Wide Garage Sales on June 4, 2022 sponsored by the Mission Committee of the United Methodist Church. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the proposal for updating and expanding the Christmas decorations for the Village of Colfax. Mayor Larry Dodds included two different decorations. One is a LED snowflake and the other are banners.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the purchase of new Christmas decorations for the Village of Colfax not to exceed $7,500.00. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Nay, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Initial review of the revision of Chapter 12 Nuisances. The Village Board of Trustees would like to get more clarification from Kate Carter, Village Attorney. Mayor Dodds will reach out to Kate.
Next on the agenda was the approval to change the start time of the March 7, 2022 Board of Trustees meeting to 7:30 p.m.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the change in start time of the March 7, 2022 Board of Trustees meeting to 7:30 p.m. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public Comments- Items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Vincent Beck wanted to know if we had received any information regarding the railroad crossing on Harrison Street. Vinny states he has noticed the condition deteriorating.
Trustee Charles Morefield asked Superintendent of Public Works Josh Hereford if he had a chance to research the price for 5-inch hydrant heads. Josh states he will research and see if he can find a price.
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, Janice Edwards-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft