The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, April 1, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
• Rick Norton - Aye
• David Rathke - Aye
• Janice Edwards - Aye
• Carol Stephenson - Aye
• Charles Morefield - Aye
• Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Assistant Superintendent Nick Sandage, Police Chief Ritchie Cooper and Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
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: Rick Norton-Aye, 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 March 2024.
• Beginning Balance $148,280.46
• Ending Balance $124,399.81
• Decrease for the month of March 2024 $ 23,880.65
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2024. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public Comments-Items on the agenda.
MHF Apartment tenants Stephanie Richards and Lauren Turner expressed their opinions regarding parking for the tenants of the apartments on the corner of Main and Center Streets.
Special Reports
Police Department
Police Chief Ritchie Cooper has two reports in your folders for review due to his absence last month. In February 2024, Ritchie states reports were done for Indecent Solicitation of Minor-5 counts, Grooming-4 counts, Solicitation to Meet a Child/5+ older-1 count, traveling to meet a minor-1 count, Possession of Cannabis > 100-500 gram. Ritchie states he has been dealing with parking issues in the downtown area. In March reports were done for Violation of Order of Protection and Harassment Threats Electronic Communications.
Maintenance
Josh and Nick cleaned up trash around the dumpster and the surrounding fields. Josh and Nick spent several days filling in holes along the shoulders of the streets. On March 18, 2024, the sewer clogged and was successfully unclogged with the jetter. Josh and Nick pressure washed all maintenance vehicles. All daily and monthly maintenance operations were performed
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.
Mayor Dodds reports the Mayor’s Report is in your folders for review.
Committee Reports
Finance & Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, had nothing to report at this time.
Police & Liquor Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson, had nothing to report at this time.
Water & Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, had nothing to report at this time.
Streets & Lights Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, had nothing to report at this time.
Maintenance Equipment & Vehicle Committee Chairman, Vincent Beck, had nothing to report at this time.
Old Business:
First item of Old Business was the review and approval of the 2024-2025 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item of Old Business was the continued discussion regarding parking in the downtown area. Mayor Larry Dodds reviewed some ideas for the parking solutions in the downtown area, specifically Center Street near the new businesses and the Fincham Apartments. Several residents were present to discuss their opinions regarding time limit parking and parking for the tenants of MHF Apartments.
New Business:
First item of New Business was the approval of the contract with Russell Leigh & Associates, LLC to complete the annual audit for the Village of Colfax Fiscal Year 2023-2024 at a cost not to exceed $6,000.

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 2023-2024 at a cost not to exceed $6,000. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the approval for Mayor Larry Dodds to sign the McLean County ARPA Funding Agreement between the Village of Colfax and the County of McLean.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve Mayor Larry Dodds to sign the McLean County APRA Funding Agreement between the Village of Colfax and the County of McLean. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the discussion and approval of Sponsorship for the 2024 Good Ole’ Days Celebration.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to approve the Silver Level Sponsorship for the 2024 Good Ole’ Old Days Celebration with a donation amount of $500. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to make an amendment and approve the Gold Level Sponsorship for the 2024 Good Ole’ Days Celebration with a donation amount of $1,000. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton- Aye, David Rathke-No, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Final Item on the agenda was the discussion and approval of the quote from Sealtite Insulation, Inc for the sealing of the crawlspace at the Old Village Hall. Gary Wykes for Sealtite Insulation was present at the meeting to answer any questions. Item tabled until a quote for sealing off the outside access is received.
Public Items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk