The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, April 4, 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 - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Superintendent Josh Hereford; Assistant Superintendent Nick Sandage; Police Chief Ritchie Cooper; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, 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 March 2022.
Beginning Balance $468,813.04
Ending Balance $486,183.30
Increase for the month of March 2022 $ 17,370.26
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2022. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, 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 Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, 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.
Police Chief Ritchie Cooper gave the first special report. Ritchie was absent last month so there are reports for both February and March in your folders. Ritchie reports that in February there were 2 citations issued. There were 5 citations issued in March. There was 1 arrest for aggravated battery of child. This is an ongoing investigation and Ritchie reports he has had frequent contact with the State’s Attorney’s office and DCFS.
Next special report was given by Superintendent Josh Hereford. Josh reports the oil was changed in all of the maintenance vehicles. Assistant Superintendent Nick Sandage completed his Waste Water Short School and passed the testing and is now an “Operator in Training.” Josh and Nick met with several other local community public works departments to discuss group purchasing. Josh and Nick installed the new chlorine scales. The alleys have been graded and the streets were measured for the upcoming street improvement project.
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.
Final Special Report given by Mayor Larry Dodds. Included in the Mayor’s Report was a list of revenue for the month of March which showed a total of $34,181.00. Larry reported he signed and delivered the dualator contract with GA Rich and Sons to Farnsworth Group. Larry reports he received word that a new wind turbine farm will be going up in Martin Township. Larry has reached out for more information from the firm but has not received a return call. The Village of Colfax received another Rebuild Illinois installment in the amount of $11,654.01.
Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, has nothing to report at this time.
Police and Liquor Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson, has nothing to report at this time.
Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, reports he had a discussion with Superintendent Josh Hereford regarding the overflowing of a pond at the sewer plant. They discussed a need to build up the walls with either concrete or riprap. Josh stated he will look into the cost of this project.
Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Benjamin Thackeray, reports there was a committee meeting held prior to tonight’s Board of Trustees meeting regarding the upcoming street improvement project. Ben also states there was discussion regarding changing all yield signs to stop signs throughout the Village of Colfax with adding some new stop signs.
First item of old business was the discussion and approval of Ordinance No. 2020-04, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. After discussion, this item was tabled until next month due to some concerns regarding the regulations being enforced in this ordinance.
Next on the agenda was the update in regards to the McLean County Board appropriating $5,000,000 to eleven municipalities for infrastructure needs on water and drainage projects. The McLean County approved the appropriation and the Village of Colfax will receive $495,000 to help with the completion of the water improvement project.
Next on the agenda was the approval of the contract with Russell Leigh & Associates, LLC to complete the annual audit for the Village of Colfax Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the contract with Russell Leigh & Associates, LLC to complete the annual audit for the Village of Colfax Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the approval of the Village of Colfax Board of Trustees meeting schedule for May 2022-April 2023.
Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to approve the Village of Colfax Board of Trustees meeting schedule for May 2022-April 2023. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the preliminary review of the Summer of 2022 street and alley improvements. Included in your folders is a preliminary list of streets and alleys to be resurfaced this summer. The total estimated cost for the streets is $62,322.00. The total estimated cost for the alleys $4,909.00. Larry Dodds, Josh Hereford and Nick Sandage have a meeting with the engineers from Farnsworth Group on 4/18/2022 to discuss the project.
Next item on the agenda was a proposal to seek ideas for repainting he Village of Colfax water tower. The Board discussed was to make it a contest for artwork. Further discussion will be done at a later date.
Next on the agenda was the consideration and approval of Resolution No. 2022-02, Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois Resolution Respectfully Requesting that the General Assembly Revisit and Modify Changes Made to the Statement of Economic Interests Form as a Result of Public Act 12-0664.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2022-02, Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois Resolution Respectfully Requesting that the General Assembly Revisit and Modify Changes Made to the Statement of Economic Interests Form as a Result of Public Act 12-0664. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Mayor Larry Dodds reports of a special meeting held with Colfax Fire Department and the recommendation to authorize up to $15,000 in the 2022-2023 Appropriation Ordinance for hydrant convertors and replacement hydrant heads. Currently there are 15 hydrants in the Village that could use a 5” in quick connect adapter for better water pressure from the hydrants for the fire department.
Discussion and approval of Ordinance No. 2022-03, An Ordinance Rescinding and Replacing Ordinance No. 2020-09 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. After discussion regarding changing all yield signs to stop signs this item was tabled to revise ordinance to reflect those changes.
Final item on the agenda was the discussion and approval of the 2022-2023 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve the 2022-2023 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. . Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public items-Not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to go into executive session to consider appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of Village employees and pending litigation. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
The Board of Trustees entered executive session at 8:18 p.m.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to go back into open session. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
The Board of Trustees entered back into open session at 8:50 p.m.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to authorized a raise for Connie Gossmeyer from $800 per month to $825 per month effective May 1, 2022. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to authorize a salary adjustment for Josh Hereford from $22.00 per hour to $24.00 per hour effective May 1, 2022. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to authorize a salary adjustment for Portia Vandegraft from $21.00 per hour to $23.00 per hour effective May 1, 2022. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to authorize a salary adjustment for Nick Sandage from $18.00 per hour to $19.00 per hour effective May 1, 2022. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk