The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, November 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
• Rick Norton - Absent
• David Rathke - Aye
• Janice Edwards - Aye
• Carol Stephenson - Aye
• Charles Morefield - Aye
• Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Superintendent of Maintenance Joshua Hereford; Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance Nick Sandage; Police Chief Ritchie Cooper; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of October 2023.
Beginning Balance $363,324.75
Ending Balance $304,055.04
Decrease in the month of October 2023 $ 50,269.71
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of October 2023. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to pay the bills as presented with the correction of removing a bill listed for a discontinued service. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-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 reports that during the month of October 2023 there were reports done for aggravated battery to a child, sexual abuse, domestic battery and theft. Police Chief Cooper stated he is working with McLean County Sherriff’s Department regarding the burglary that occurred over the weekend at Colfax Bar & Grill.
The next special report was given by Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford. Josh reports the maintenance department has continued to dig up manholes for the upcoming sewer cleaning and televising project. The maintenance department has begun leaf pick-up. Josh reports there was a clog at the sewer plant and they had Plump Crazy come out to unclog.
Mayor Dodds reports there is an Animal Control/Zoning Report in your folders for review.
Mayor Dodds reports there is an EMA Report in your folders for review.
The final special report was given by Mayor Larry Dodds. Mayor Dodds reports that there will be a staff member present on Tuesday, November 14 at 1:00 p.m. for mobile office hours. Russ Leigh’s annual audit report will be given at the December 2023 board meeting but the initial observation was that everything looks fine.
Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, reports that a committee meeting was held on October 30, 2023 to review the Annual Report from the Treasurer. The 2023-2024 Tax Levy Ordinance was also review and will be approved at the December 2023 Board of Trustees meeting.
Police and Liquor Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson, reports there was a committee meeting held tonight. Updates were given regarding the Police Department by Chief Ritchie Cooper and School Resource Officer Benjamin Thorndyke.
Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, has nothing to report at this time.
Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, was absent.
Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Committee Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report at this time.
First item of Old Business was the discussion and approval of the License Agreement with GHB Enterprises, LLC and the Village of Colfax for the installation of fiber optic cable and services to the entire Village of Colfax.
Trustee David Rathke made motion to approve the License Agreement with GHB Enterprises, LLC and the Village of Colfax for the installation of fiber optic cable and services to the entire Village of Colfax. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the continued discussion of proposed TIF District for the Village of Colfax designed to encourage and enhance economic development.
First item of New Business was the authorization of the entire premium of $25,259.85 for the 2024 insurance coverage by IML Risk Management Association and the $150 for the annual membership due with the Illinois Municipal League (IML); combines total of $25,409.85.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to authorize the entire premium of $25,259.85 for the 2024 insurance coverage by IML Risk Management Association and the $150 for the annual membership due with the Illinois Municipal League (IML); combined total of $25,409.85. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the authorization of the bon payment in the amount of $35,496.88 to the Atlanta National Bank.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to authorize the bond payment in the amount of $35,496.88 to the Atlanta National Bank. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. . Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the review of Ordinance No. 2023-07, An Ordinance of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois Regarding Paid Time Off for Village Employees. This Ordinance will be on the agenda in December 2023 for approval.

Next on the agenda was the approval of Ordinance No. 2023-06, An Resolution for Participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-06, A Resolution for Participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. . Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Last item on the agenda was the review of the Proposed Tax Levy for 2023-2024. Final adoption will be in December 2023.

Public comments-Items not on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. . Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk