The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, September 9, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
� Rick Norton - Aye
� David Rathke - Aye
� Janice Edwards - Aye, arrived late at 7:12 p.m.
� Carol Stephenson - Aye
� Charles Morefield - Aye
� Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford, Assistant Superintendent Nick Sandage, Police Chief Ritchie Cooper and Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Absent, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer�s Report for the month of August 2024.
� Beginning Balance $182,571.77
� Ending Balance $151,048.29
� Decrease for the month of August 2024 $ 31,253.48
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the Treasurer�s Report for the month of August 2024. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Absent, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Absent, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public Comments-Items on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Special Reports
Police Department- Police Chief Ritchie Cooper reports there were 13 citations issued in the month of August 2024. The following reports were made domestic dispute, sexual abuse, dog bite, civil dispute, criminal damage to property, aggravated fleeing/attempting to elude police officer, driving in suspended license and possession of stolen vehicle. Police Chief Ritchie Cooper states he has been working with residents regarding ordinance violations (non-registered vehicles, weeds, etc).
Maintenance Report- Superintendent Joshua Hereford states he and Nick trimmed several trees along alleys and intersections throughout the village. They continued to mark water lines for the directional boring company. BPW completed spray patching in several areas of town. Getty�s replaced and repaired 6 street drains in the village. The x-mark lawn mower started running rough, so it was taken to Martin in Lexington to be fixed. A new motor has been ordered and will be ordered and covered by the warranty. Poles were installed on Center Street near Alliance Grain for the elevator to put up chains and signs to close the road during harvest. The road will be open nightly. Josh reports all daily and monthly maintenance was completed.
Animal Control/Zoning Report- Mayor Dodds reports there is an Animal Control/Zoning Report in your folders for review.
EMA Report- Mayor Dodds reports there is an EMA Report in your folders for review.
Mayor�s Report- Mayor Dodds reports there will be a Public Hearing held on Monday, September 23, 2024, regarding the creation of a Business Development District for the Village of Colfax. That meeting will be followed by a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees to consider whether or not to approve the establishment of a Business Development District. We are working on receiving an ordinance related to garbage and refuse to better define certain portions more clearly outlining what is eligible and not eligible for pick-up by village workers, storage of garbage and recycle barrels, requiring self-purchasing dumpsters for cleaning out apartments and houses, creating piles of branches, landscape refuse and weeds on property and other similar issues.
Committee Reports
Finance & Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, had nothing to report at this time.
Police & Liquor Committee. There was no report.
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 Chairman, Vincent Beck, had nothing to report at this time.
Mayor Dodds discussed the proposed changes to the Village of Colfax Standing Committees. Action to be taken in October 2024.
Old Business: There was no Old Business.
New Business:
First item of new business was the approval to open a new account with Peoples State Bank of Colfax for Tax Increment District (TIF).
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the opening of a new account with Peoples State Bank of Colfax for the Tax Increment District (TIF). Trustee Rick Norton seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Mayor Dodds announced the petitions for the 2025 Consolidated Election are available for circulation. Candidates must file the completed petitions at the Village Hall between November 12-18, 2024. Those with expiring terms are Mayor Larry Dodds, Trustee Carol Stephenson, Trustee Rick Norton and Trustee Charles Morefield.
Mayor Dodds stated there will be a Public Hearing held on September 23, 2024, at the Colfax Village Hall for the Proposed Business Development District No. 1.
There will be a Special Meeting of the Village of Colfax Board of Trustees following the Public Hearing on September 23, 2024.
Discussion about the alley between East North Street and East Cooper Streets. The discussion on whether or not to re-install a bridge that was removed several years back due to the deterioration. The board does not wish to move forward with getting the engineers involved with the replacement of the bridge.
Discussion of fencing in the Village of Colfax dumpster for better control and monitoring. Ideas and suggestions regarding fencing in the dumpster were discussed. Mayor Dodds said there has been discussion with the Colfax Fire Department regarding installing a fence. The Octavia Fire Protection District meets next week, and we will continue the discussion next month.
Initial discussion about allowing the purchase of an alley that borders property and ends there. A resident has approached Mayor Dodds regarding purchasing the portion of the dead-end street that ends at his property which is currently only used by them as a driveway. Further discussion at a later date.
Public Items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Charles Morefield 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 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk