The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, January 3, 2012 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 Superintendent Damon Getty; Village Treasurer Linda Hanson and Police Chief Michael Scott.

Trustee Rick Vance made a motion to dispense with the reading of the regular monthly minutes and approve 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 Carol Stephenson made a motion to dispense with the reading of the closed session 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 December, 2011.  Beginning Balance as of 12/01/11  -  $70,485.38; Ending Balance as of 12/31/11  -  $88.687.46; Increase for December, 2011  -  $18,202.08.

Linda reported that there was $5,000.00 paid on the loan at Peoples State Bank of Colfax, now owe $27,611.50.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner 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.

Trustee and Chairman of the Finance/Audit Committee Lonnie Meiner reported that as Linda reported Nancy paid $5,000.00 on the loan.  Lonnie asked Nancy how far ahead we are as far as payments at the bank.  Nancy stated that we are only required to pay around $850.00 a month and there was $5,000.00 paid this month and $1,500.00 paid last month.  Nancy reported that the light bill at the sewer was $700.00 this month and $500.00 last month.  Nancy stated it was averaging $1,400 to $1,500 per month.

Lonnie asked what the interest rate is on the loan.  Nancy stated the interest rate is 4.25%.  Lonnie thought it was less and need to check with Dave Dodson and see what the interest rate is on that loan.  Lonnie stated what he quoted me that day was 2.75%.

Mayor Ric Onken asked if we had received the money from Ameren yet.  Nancy stated no.  He reported that if we can show that our savings is more than what they predicted we could get more.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Police Activity Report for December, 2o11 is in the folders.

Police Chief Mike Scott reported that the money from the Crime Detection Network Grant came through and is in our account for the new radar system.  Received $2,298.00.  Mike stated that it is actually a radar system - not a gun - the read-out is on the rear view mirror.  This system is accurate to 1/1000 mph.  Mike stated they come down every year to calibrate it.

Mike reported on the program of used office furniture from State Farm Warehouse.  Hopefully they will have everything we need to supply the office.  The guys will be going down on Tuesday, January 10th.

Trustee Rick Wagoner, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reported that there were twelve (12) shutoffs this month.  There is still one down.  Rick reported that he received a phone call from one of the shutoffs.  Nancy reported there would be two (2) off but cannot get in to shut if off.  Damon explained the situation.  There is one waterline into the house but it splits into two apartments.  The village cannot shut if off at the street because the other person in the upstairs apartment faithfully pays her bill every month.  Rick asked if there is something in the ordinance about the landlord being responsible.  Nancy said yes if they move out but this one isn't moved out.  He is just never there.  Nancy stated that she told him he was getting charged for being shut-off and the extra deposit.  Mike suggested giving the guy notification that the Village will be there to do work.  It helps to have the automatic readers in there because can at least read the meters.  They are responsible to allow us in to maintain the meters.  Usually he just drops off whatever he feels like whether it is the amount he owes or not.

Rick asked if there is a way to come up with a way to put two shut-off valves outside so that don't have to get access to the basement to shut the water off.  Ordinance gives the Superintendent/Assistant the right to go in and maintain, etc.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported on the Street committee meeting that was at 6:30 p.m. this evening to discuss the new MFT period.  Carol stated there is a sheet in your folders for the new Motor Fuel Tax year period.  Mayor Ric Onken asked Damon if we plan to do sidewalk repair this year.  Stated you might look at that for next year 2013, we have some sidewalks that are in need of repair before someone falls and hurts themselves.

Trustee Rick Vance stated that if we haven't had anything for two months and if we don't get much more snow the village can use the money from snow removal and put in under sidewalks.

Carol asked Mike Scott about the Sidewalk Grant - he reported that we are still waiting on the Public Survey from the school for the public input.  This is called the School Travel Plan.  Once this is on file it is a matter of waiting for each funding cycle to come through.  Then each funding cycle each year you apply to do this much this year.  This is for repairing, replacing or new sidewalks and will include  anything within a two (2) mile area of the school.  The Grant is for a minimum of $10,000.00 at a time and a maximum of $400,000.00.  This is a reimbursement grant - pay upfront and then IDOT reimburses.

Carol also reported that Rick Vance has put together a Daily Maintenance Operations Schedules for Damon and Dave to fill out every day and keep track of their daily work and the equipment that they use every day.  The Village needs to keep track of this for MFT purposes in order to reimburse the general fund for the hours used.

Trustee Rick Vance asked about the demolition going on uptown.  Rick reported they tore one down yesterday and he is wondering why they don't have the streets/sidewalks roped off.  Rick stated he was standing in his front door and looked and half of the building was literally moving ten feet.  This area should have something around it and since it is the Village's sidewalks need to make sure someone doesn't get hurt.  Mike stated he will check into it.

The first item under Old Business was regarding the Sticklen property.  Mayor Rick Onken reported that the Sticklen's have asked to have a hearing to get the placard removed.  We will need to set a date for that hearing.  Ric reported we didn't do it tonight because he wants Village Attorney Tom Shields here when we have the hearing.  Trustee Jason Pierce asked what their response was for putting the placard up.  Police Chief Mike Scott reported on the situation.  Mike reported that they did contact a contractor.  Lee Carson came in and spoke to Mike.  He wanted to know what the Village's concerns were regarding the property.  Mike explained everything to him.  Lee stated that he was able to assess the property and the situation and give them an estimate of what the work would cost.  He is requiring a significant portion of that as down payment before he will do the work.  Mike did report that one of the biggest concerns was the beam in the living room.  Mike stated that Lee looked at it and it is a pretty simple fix.  Stated the structural integrity of the house can be regained with a simple repair.  Most of that is cosmetic and didn't see to many structural concerns there.  Of course, the areas where it is exposed - wires, etc. - needs to be covered.  He said as far as mold and other issues he wouldn't know until he dug into it as to how many problems are in there.  Mike reported that he offered  to come here tonight and speak to the Board.

Mayor Ric Onken stated that will set a hearing for before the regular board meeting next month on Monday evening, February 6, 2912 at 6:30 p.m.  Prefer to have it before the meeting so that can discuss it at the regular board meeting.

The only item under New Business was the approval of the renewal of the loan at Peoples State Bank of Colfax.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to renew the Municipal Loan #13640 at Peoples State Bank of Colfax.  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.

Mayor Ric Onken reported that this wasn't on the agenda but I always get this right before the meeting.  The Show Bus is asking for a donation again.  We will put this on the agenda for next month.

Trustee Rick Wagoner made a motion to go into closed session.  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.

The Village Board of Colfax came out of Executive Session at 8:25 p.m.

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to close Executive Session.  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 Lonnie Meiner made a motion to open regular session.  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 David Rathke made a motion to adjourn.  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.

Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Kiper, Village Clerk