The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Tuesday evening, September 6, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

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

Also present were:  Superintendent of Public Works Damon Getty; Village Treasurer Linda Hanson; Village Attorney Tom Shields.

Trustee Rick Vance made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented.  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.

Village Treasurer Linda Hanson gave the Treasurer's Report for the month of August, 2011.      Beginning Balance as of August 1, 2011 - $69,568.47;  Ending Balance as of August 30, 2011 - $81,410.82; Increase for August, 2011 - $11842.35

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

Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, Trustee Lonnie Meiner stated that the Committee recommended purchasing the salt spreader.  Lonnie stated that Damon talked to him a couple of months ago about purchasing.

Lonnie stated that Trustee Rick Vance brought up about the bills from Lewis, Yockey, & Brown.  Lonnie stated need to wait until next month to pay them.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, stated that the report for activities of the Police Department for the month of August is in the folders.

Dave stated that there is an update on the three properties in town that we have talked about in the past.

Mike stated that 102 South Grove, Mr. Sticklen was here last month and he committed to having something done within sixty (60) days and the Board gave him tyhe sixty (60) days.  We are about half way there but nothing has been done yet.  Mike stated that unless there is a big move before the next meeting, the Board will have to be prepared to do something and address this issue.

Trustee Rick Wagoner stated that we are under the agreement for Mr. Sticklen to issue monthly updates to the Board.  That obviously didn't happen.

Mike stated that by now you have all heard about the tragic accident involving Mr. Steinlicht at 101 S. Brook.  The family is going through the house and cleaning things out.  It is quite a job.  After the family gets everything out Tommy Ales will salvage whatever is salvageable.  Donnie Meiners is buying the property and will bulldoze the house in.

The property at 202 W Fifer is owned by james Legrand.  Tom Ales contracted for services to get the weekds cut and to keep the yeard cleaned up.

Mike reported on the Pool Drive issue.  Mike stated we identified it as an alley which stated statutes says cannot lower alley speed limits which is 15 mph.  The present speed limit is 10 mph which raises an issue because would be raising the speed limit instead of lowering it.  Mike stated that still need to look at speed bumps - they work 24/7.

Mayor Ric Onken stated that he doesn't think it would be as much of a problem right now since the pool is closed but need to get before next year.  Table this until next month and make a motion to vote on.

Mike stated that have been talking about ways to honor our servicemen.  Mike stated that he got some information from a company out of Wisconsin.  The family can purchase and  decide what they want to put on the paver.  After they have purchased the pavers the Village can contact a landscaper and see about installing the pavers.

There are several different materials - clay, brick, granite.  Maybe if the family is unable to buy a brick could put a list in some of the businesses and maybe people would help others purchase theirs.  Mike stated that run from $21.00 to $25.00 eac and you can just purchase one at a time.

Chairman of the Water/Sewer Committee, Trustee Rick Wagoner stated that Tonka will be here on Wednesday, September 14th for the service.  Update on the sewer project is later on the agenda.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported that the benefit for Jeff Fincham is Saturday, September 10th.  Carol stated that she approached Mike last week about possibly blocking off part of Main Street so people can mingle out there.  Carol stated if they wouldn't allow the street then they are asking for the alley.  There isn't going to be any alcohol outside - that is Legion rules.  Mike suggested that if going to have a situation that could quickly get out of hand maybe put a man on and that would be his assignment.  Mike asked if it is going to be 21 and over or families.  Carol stated there are bracelets for the people 21 and over.

Mike stated that he would reschedule another officer to work just that area so they understand to keep the alcohol inside.

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to block off a portion of 100 east Main Street from 2:00 p.m. to ? on Saturday, September 10, 2011.  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.

Superintendent Damon Getty stated that Alliance Grain would like Center Street closed off for harvest.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to close off South Center Street from the alley to Fifer Street beginning Monday, September 12, 2011 through harvest.  Truste4e 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.

The first iotem under Old Business was regarding the office next door.  Mike stated no one has heard from Lee Klintworth.

The next item was regarding waiving the right to bid for the sewer project.

Trustee Rick Wagoner made a motion to waive the bid requirements on the Sewer Improvement Project.  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.

Trustee Rick Wagoner made a motion to accept the bid from WTR Solutions for $56,400.00 for the Sewer Improvement Project based upon the uniqueness of the equipment and material.  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 Rick Wagoner made a motion to accept the bid from Stinde Electric in the amount of $4,520.00 for the electrical proposal for the Sewer Improvement Plant Upgrade.  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.

Trustee Rick Vance reported that he spoke with Andrews Engineering of Pontiac, Illinois.  Basically, Rick stated that this firm does all of the towns in Livingston County.  Rick stated he just went down the line as to what we need.  He knows these small towns do not have the money to have a full time engineer and that it would be on an as needed basis.  Rick feels that the Board should talk to the engineering firm.  This will be put on the agenda for next month.

Trustee Rick Wagoner asked if he knew he would be covering sewer, water, and all projects.  Rick Vance stated he knows about Colfax.

Ric Onken asked if he is willing to come to a board meeting.  He didn't want to do anythibng until finished with Ed Duran.  Trustee Rick Wagoner asked if there was anything ongoing as far as the grants or projects.

Trustee Rick Vance made a motion to terminate the engineering services of Lewis, Yockey, and Brown, Inc.  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.

Trustee Rick Vance will talk to Andrews Engineering and invite them to next month's meeting.  mayor Ric Onken will contact Lewis, Yockey, and Brown and have all of our files returned to the Village of Colfax.

First item under new business was to purchase the Salt Spreader.

Trustee Rick Vance made a motion to purchase the new Salt Spreader in the amount of $5,700.00 from Wissmiller & Evans Road Equipment in Cooksville.  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.

Next on the agenda was Brenda Blair.  Brenda was present to propose to amend the present ordinance regarding golf carts/neighborhood vehicles.  Brenda reported having a lot of positive feedback regarding this.  We have two pages of petitions.  On the positive side, there would be more control over these.  The vehicles would be registered with the Village.  they would have insurance and stickers to pay for yearly and would have to abide by the rules.  A lot of small towns are going to this.

Police Chief Mike Scott explained the present ordinance and explained that we have no one using that at this time because they have to be handicapped/disabled to use this.  Mike explained that this is a new law - in addition to golf carts there are three other categories that it allows municipalities to consider - one of which is off highway vehicles - ex. Gators.  The third and fourth categories are golf carts.  The ATV's and the off road motorcycles would have a problem with mainly because there is no limitation with speed.

Mike explained the new law to the Board and the limitations of the law.

Brenda stated but we allow lawn mowers in the streets.  Mayor Ric Onken stated that he is interested in how it is going to save in gas.  Mike stated need to do an annual inspection of each vehicle and either color code the inspections or something.  Highly visible so that it is easy to see.

Brenda stated that Fairbury takes a picture of what vehicle I am registering and put the sticker on right there so that you know I am not putting it on another vehicle.

Ric asked if there are any questions.  Mike stated the only negatives I heard were that they will be misused.  This is not for recreational vehicles - there will be no 16 year old racing up the streets in them.  Doesn't want people to think well it's not a car so I can drink and drive.  We are going to enforce it just as if you were in a car as far as DUI's and everything.  As long as that is understood then I can support you.

Trustee Rick Wagoner stated maybe have the Police Committee and Brenda Blair meet before the next board meeting.  Table this until the next meeting.

Village resident Randy Reynolds was present to address the Board and had called Trustee Lonnie Meiner to address the Board regarding moving the utilities on his property for the new tower going up without notifying him.  Lonnie stated that he made the agreement with Randy that somehow he would know that he would not be responsible if he were to sell the property.

Mayor Ric Onken asked what the gas is going across there for.  Superintendent Damon Getty stated we had to move it off of the leased property.  They want no utilities inside that.  Lonnie asked Tom if there is something that can be written up.  Ric asked Randy if he wasn't aware of this.  Randy wants something in writing stating that the Village will be responsible for rerouting those if anyone ever decides to build on that property.  Village Attorney Tom Shields stated that we had an agreement with U S Cellular for moving utilities.  Need to contact U S Cellular will have the obligation to relocate that along the Village property.

The water line is there too.  Damon stated he thought they were close on the water but the map shows different.

Table this until next month.

Next on the agenda was whether to go into closed session regarding employees.

Trustee Rick Wagoner asked about whether we want to do a 50/50 - half down when ordered and other half due thirty days after completion of installation of the Sewer Project.  The Village will probably go through Peoples State Bank of Colfax for the remainder.

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Nancy Kiper, Village Clerk