The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, January 6, 2025 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 Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford, Assistant Superintendent Nick Sandage, Police Chief Ritchie Cooper and Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
Trustee Charles Morefield 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 December 2025.
• Beginning Balance $100,301.61
• Ending Balance $ 90,927.57
• Decrease for the month of December 2025 $ 9,374.04
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2024. 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.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to pay the bills as presented. 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.
Public Comments-Items on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Special Reports
Police Department-Chief Ritchie Cooper gave the Police Report for the month of December 2025. Ritchie reports that one traffic citation was issued. Reports were made for the following: Aggravated Assault, Attempted Suicide, Domestic Battery and Unlawful Use of a Weapon without a FOID Card.
Maintenance- Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford have the Maintenance Report for the month of December 2025. Josh reports that they cleaned the leaf vac and put it in storage until next season. Josh and Nick got all the plows out of storage and ready to go for the winter. The Village of Colfax roads were plowed on December 12th and salt was spread the following day. The battery on the generator at the water plant went bad, a new battery was ordered and replaced. All the Christmas decorations were taken down for the Village of Colfax and the Village of Anchor. A solenoid valve on the chlorine line at the sewer plant was stuck open. The valve was removed and cleaned and started working properly. Josh reports that Nick and himself cleaned and organized the maintenance shed and all daily/monthly maintenance was completed.
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’s Report- Mayor Dodds gave the final special report of the night. Mayor Dodds reviewed the summary of revenue for the month of December 2024. Mayor Dodds reports the Village of Colfax now owns the property at 305 E. Cooper Street (Parcel No. 17-02-057-005). Mayor Dodds asks the Board of Trustees for their input on what to do with the property. General consensus of the Board of Trustees was to sell the property. Mayor Dodds reports that the Safe Routes to School requirements for IDOT are nearly complete, awaiting signed paperwork from one individual.
Committee Reports
Finance & Audit Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, has nothing to report at this time.
Police & Liquor Committee Chairman, Dave Rathke, has nothing to report at this time.
Water & Sewer Committee Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report at this time.
Streets & Lights Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson, has nothing to report at this time.
Maintenance Equipment & Vehicle Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, has nothing to report at this time.
Old Business:
There was no Old Business on the agenda.
New Business:
The first item on the agenda was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2025-01, An Ordinance Implementing A Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax for the Village of Colfax.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-01, An Ordinance Implementing A Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax for the Village of Colfax. 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.
Next item on the agenda was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2025-02, An Ordinance Accepting Dedication of Right-of-Way for Sidewalk Improvements.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-02, An Ordinance Accepting Dedication of Right-of-Way for Sidewalk Improvements. 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.
Next item on the agenda was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2025-03, An Ordinance Authorizing the Establishment of Tax Increment Financing “Interested Parties Registries and Adoption of Registration Rules for Such Registries for the Proposed Colfax Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-03, An Ordinance Authorizing the Establishment of Tax Increment Financing “Interested Parties Registries and Adoption of Registration Rules for Such Registries for the Proposed Colfax Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. 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.
Mayor Dodds states there will be a Public Hearing held on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Colfax Village Hall regarding the Proposed Colfax TIF District.
Public Items not on the agenda.
Rob Brown from GHB Fiber was in attendance and he expects that the fiber internet should be live and functional by the end of January 2025. Colfax residents can sign up at www.ghbfiber.com.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to adjourn. 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.
Meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk