The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2011 by Mayor Ricardo Onken.

Trustees present were: Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye;

Also present were Village Treasurer Linda Hanson; Superintendent Damon Getty; Village Attorney Tom Shields; Police Chief Mike Scott; and Village Engineer Ed Duran.

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes for the regular monthly meeting and approve as presented. Trustee Rick Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Village Treasurer Linda Hanson gave the Treasurer's Report for the month of May, 2011. Beginning Balance as of 05/01/11 - $63,719.86; Ending Balance as of 05/31/11 - $66,067.44; Increase in May, 2011 - $2,347.58. $1,000 was paid on the loan at Peoples State Bank of Colfax.

The bill received from Lewis, Yockey, & Brown for the work that Ed Duran did for the Village will be held until receive an itemized bill from Ed to explain the $2,001.00 costs.

Trustee Rick Wagoner made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, reported that the only thing he had was that we have two more backhoe payments to make.

Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported that Fred was here from FEMA to do the paper work for the FEMA money the Village will receive. Fred has filled out the paperwork and it has been turned in. He applied for $10,243 and the Village will receive 75% of that which should be around $7,600. This was from the snowstorm and the fact that they declared McLean County a disaster area so we could apply for this money.

Nancy also reported that the paperwork has been signed for the release of the rest of the money for the DCEO Grant. Ric stated just as a reminder we have to keep track of all activity on this and report it. There will have to be receipts for everything that is paid out of the grant. Trustee Rick Wagoner stated that most of this will be to pay for the equipment so probably only be one or two checks written out of this.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Monthly Activities Rerpot is in trustee folders for the month of May, 2011.

Dave asked Police Chief Mike Scott what the status was on the property at 102 S Grove Street. Mike reported that a letter was sent to the Sticklens with a June 16, 2011 deadline. Dopies of the letter were distributed to the Trustees. Mike stated we put them on notice to either pay the violations or fix the issues. There are six (6) pending Ordinance Violations. If they fail to do this then it is the Committee's recommendation that the Board proceed to the next step.

Dave asked how the Board feels about that. Mayor Ric Onken stated that Tom gave him an issue similar to this and it was lengthy and expensive. Dave said then would it be worth our trouble to go ahead with this.

Tom stated that would be up to the Board. If this individual has substantial violations going - which it is obvious he does - you may curtail ten other properties that fall into the same category by showing that the Village is willing to go ahead and take action. If you are talking about a demolition action then that would be a very expensive proposition. The cost of demolition could be $10,000 or more depending if there is asbestos in the property.

Mike stated he is hoping that we can take baby steps and take the ordinance violations to court. Just to prove that we are willing to do that and take care of some of these issues.

Trustee Carol Stephenson stated that she thought they were foreclosing on this property and they had an extension. Mike stated that what he was told by the resident is that he was able to come up with "x" amount of dollars which put the foreclosure off. He signed a six (6) month agreement to pay "x" amount of dollars each of those six (6) months in order to get caught up. If he misses any one of those payments then the foreclosure continues.

Dave asked Tom what other small towns do in cases like this. Tom stated basically what we are discussing here is to go after the Ordinance Violations first and then if it becomes a situation where the property is endangering the residents themselves or the community. Mike stated it is enough to concern me. Tom stated the courts are real technical in these situations. Tom stated will have to hire a strutural engineer.

Mike stated he had conversations with Dave Jenkins and since he isn't a structural engineer he can't do anymore than what Mike is doing. Then he would have to refer us to a structural engineer.

Dave states that he just feels like other than kicking people out of their house what other solutions are there. Mike stated that we have tried several different solutions over the last five (5) years but nothing seems to work. Ric stated in a sense our hands are tied because of the costs. There is no easy solution. Dave stated how much would it cost to buy the property. Ric asked if they go back into foreclosure could the Village buy the property.

Mike explained about the property at 101 North Brook Street. Mike stated that we discussed finding an agency that can maybe work with him and see if they can make the determination that it is not safe for him to stay there. Mike contacted PATH and Community Care Systems who is the local agency under the Department of Aging. She was able to schedule an appointment and came out and met with Mr. Steinlicht. Basically he told her that he was very comfortable living like he was and he didn't feel he needed help. He was aware of the condition of the house and he was fine living in it. There is not a problem with his house from his perspective but he is aware that the public believes there is a problem with his house and turned down all of the help that she offered. She promised to keep trying and if the Village takes any steps and upgrades his urgency she may try to talk to him again. She said he was very attentive and alert and confident that he did not need her services. The gentleman from PATH was also going to try to schedule a meeting but Mike hasn't heard back from them so don't know if he had any more luck or not.

Trustee Rick Wagoner stated that maybe at least with that kind of contact maybe he won't feel threatened. We are trying to help him and concerned for his well being not trying to run him out.

Mike stated this is what it is all about. These two prioperties are occupied and they are dangerous that is why they were singled out.

Trustee Carol Stephenson asked if there is a concern to Casey's General Store because of the fire hazard. Mike stated that might be another angle. None of us here wants to remove him but has to make it livable. Could we use a fire inspector for both places. Mike will give them a call and see what they say.

Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, Trustee Rick Wagoner reported that there are 165 new meters in the ground. There were twenty-nine (29) estimated readings; fourteen (14) shut-offs with one still not paid; and seventy-five (75) unpaid bills for May. The new ordinance takes affect this month - Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported it has been posted and published in the Ridgeview Review. Nancy also reported that she forwarned some of the people that she knew would be on the list.

Damon reported he has meters ordered. Also reported a problem with one of the residents whose water needs to be shut off and they can't find the shut off but she will not let Damon or Dave in the house. Damon would like a registered letter sent to make an appointment to get in the house. The Ordinance allows superintendent to go into house but won't let them in. Tom stated she is not steeling the water because it is our inability to find the shut off.

Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, Trustee Carol Stephenson reported on the Street Committee meeting on June 2nd. Carol stated that the purpose of that meeting was to work something out for the new MFT year. Carol stated that we are not all in agreement on th way the Engineer has this laid out. There have been some changes made from when it was first printed.

Carol turned the floor over to Trustee Rick Vance. Rick explained some of the things that were wrong with the MFT Resolution that Ed Duran sent. Rick stated that we are not getting everything back that we can. Rick explained that Ed only has 60 hours of snow plowing down which is all we can charge for each peice of equipment. Rick knows there were a lot more hours than that plowed. Ed has four (4%) percent - he really didn't need to be charging that for this. The backhoe work and the truck and can even get paid for the pickup truck. Rick stated if you don't need it you can put that money elsewhere. There were just a lot of things that were wrong. Rick stated that he asked Ed how he set this up for the salt. Ed stated he talks with Damon and goes from last year's. He had down $16,400 for salt but what he doesn't know is that the salt shed is full and there is still salt in storage down at McLean County Highway. Rick doesn't think Ed talked to Damon much on the salt matter.

Tom stated that he spoke with Illinois Department of Transportation in Ottawa to see if they have the ability to send someone to help with the Motor Fuel Tax paperwork.

Ed Duran addressed the Board regarding the new MFT Resolution. There were figures on the new paper that was faxed to us that were wrong. Ed reviewed the new resolution. Mayor Ric Onken turned the floor back to Trustee Rick Vance to ask Village Engineer Ed Duran the questions he had about the new Resolution. Ed explained the price differences from the previous resolution that was submitted. Ed explained the line by line items for the new MFT Resolution.

It was Ed Duran's recommendation that we pass this resolution. The resolution was for $43,000 in case there is any overage on any project.

Ed Duran explained that last year's 2010-11 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution has to be closed. Only expended around $30,000 last year but $46,000 was allocated. Can reimburse the general fund $5,720.13. Ed handed out copies of the expenditures for last year.

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to approve the 2010-11 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution. Trustee Rick Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Next was to approve the 2011-12 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution. Trustee Rick Vance would like to see some changes to the new resolution. Ed explained some changes that were talked about at the Committee meeting for paying back the General Fund from MFT. Rick Wagoner stated the bottom line is only around $30,000 a year to spend in MFT.

Rick Vance asked Ed Duran if it is a law that you have to take the forty-eight (48) hours that was used for the FEMA money and these hours were take away from reimbursement from MFT. Ed stated there is no law but he subtracted these forty-eight (48) hours so that they wouldn't think that the Village is getting reinmbursed twice for the same thing.

They will not allow us to pass the resolution for more than the funds that we have. Ric Onken asked if the Board wanted to approve the resolution. The Street Committee asked to table the new MFT until next month.

Mayor Ric Onken reported there has been a change to the "whites" pickup. Tom Ales turned in a bid for $200.00 per month when originally he said he would do this for nothing. Carol suggested tabling this until next month.

The Board asked Ed Duran what the bill that was submitted included. Need an itemized invoice.

Ric read a note from a "concerned citizen".

Ric explained that we have been talking to Lee Klintworth about the building next door and acquiring some of that area and the fire department would like to acquire some of this space.

Trustee Rick Wagoner made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Lonnie Meiner seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Nancy Kiper, Village Clerk