The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, June 4, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Ricardo Onken.

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

Trustee Rick Vance was absent.

Also present were Village Treasurer Linda Hanson; Village Attorney Tom Shields; Police Chief Michael Scott; Superintendent Damon Getty.

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented.  Trustee Lonnie Meiner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Absent; 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, 2012.  Beginning Balance as of 05/01/12  -  $98,636.11; Ending Balance as of 05/31/12  -  $109,685.03;  Increase for the month of May, 2012  -  $11,049.03.

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

Mayor Ricardo Onken read the resignation letter from ESDA Director Randy Clark.  Randy is no longer living in the Village of Colfax so is resigning his position.  In his letter to the Mayor, Randy suggests appointing Shane Beck to the position.  Shane Beck was present at the Board meeting.

Trustee Rick Wagoner made a motion to appoint Shane Beck as ESDA Director for the 2012-13 fiscal year.  Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Absent; 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 reported that Jason Pierce held the special committee meeting where we discussed the overtime and salaries.  Board will discuss later in the meeting.

Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported that the auditor was here last Thursday and Friday.  Nancy reported he was here for 1 1/2 days.  He asked me one question because I forgot to give him one of the books.

Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, Trustee David Rathke reported that the Activity Report for the month of May is in your folders.

Police Chief Mike Scott followed up on the solicitation since touched briefly on it last month.  Mike reported have one example that came into town to sell cleaner.  Mike explained to the Board.  Mike stated he did background checks on the five (5) people who came in to get a permit.  Mike reported that one of the people that was going to be doing door to door in the Village had served two separate prison terms for multiple burglaries; charges of shooting a firearm into an occupied building; drug charges; etc.  Needless to say we denied the permit based on the background check.  That is a good example why we issue permits.  Mike re;ported he wishes Bloomington would because that same guy that had all of the offenses knocked on my door in Bloomington Saturday morning.

Trustee Carol Stephenson asked how Mike knew they were in town.  Mike stated they stopped here.

Mike stated he looked at our ordinance and are looking to do a picture and badge type permit.  Mike thinks we can just go ahead and do this because our ordinance already says they have to have a permit so we will simply add a photo.  Tom asked what about the sticker.  Mike stated would have to make something for that.  Mike stated the sticker would read "NO SOLICITATION BY ORDER OF THE VILLAGE OF COLFAX".  Peoples would put that on their front door if they choose to and if anybody solicits where they have a sticker they would be in violation of the ordinance.  It would give us another opportunity.  Trustee Rick Wagoner asked, "Some people don't want to put a sticker in their window -what do you think about a list."  Mike stated would just give addresses - no names.  Rick stated something like a "NO CALL LIST" these are the addresses that you do not go to.  Give a copy when they come into get a permit.  Could put a note on water bill saying if you want on this list contact Village Clerk's office.

Trustee David Rathke asked Mike about the item on his activity report - "identity theft".  Mike stated it was an online thing - Mike is looking into it now.

Mike reported that the speed bump is installed and working.

Trustee Rick Wagoner, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reported that Damon said that we had a good report on the water tower inspection.

Rick reported that we have two hydrants that are broke and need to be replaced.  They are about $4,000.00 each.

Damon would like to order three more cases of indoor meters.  The pit meters are on back order.

Rick reported there were seven (7) shutoffs - three (3) are still down.  Village Clerk Nancy Kiper stated that one of them was to be in Friday but they didn't show up.

Trustee Carol Stephenson asked about the hydrants.  The hydrant at High Street and Grove Street; a hydrant valve at High and Center.  Carol asked about the one at Mike Simpson's - Damon stated that one just needs dug up and straightened up - Carol stated it has been like that for over a year.  It has a barricade over it.  Mayor Ric Onken stated let's get all of this taken care of this summer.

Mayor Ric Onken reported on the CIRBN to be put on the water tower.  Ric reported that last month we passed an agreement for them to install equipment on the tower pending we wouldn't turn in until they gave the Village information about how they are going to attach it.  Ric has contacted them and they still haven't told us how they are going to attach.  Damon stated when I talked to them today it sounds like they fired their engineer company.

Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, Trustee Carol Stephenson reported that she has a couple of things.  She doesn't know if this falls under her department or not but she has been asked to check into it.

Carol stated that what I can find in our ordinances about chickens.  A couple of our residents have chickens for 4-H projects.  Our ordinance states no poultry.  Mayor Ric Onken asked if there have been any complaints on them.  There have been none - the neighbors didn't want to make waves about it.  Rick Wagoner asked how long they plan on having them?  Carol Doesn't know.  They are outside in pens.  The neighbors hear the roosters across the street.

Ric Onken stated that his feeling is there are time limits - not like they are going to be raising them for any length of time - this is a one time thing.  If we don't get any complaints then don't feel like it is an issue.

Carol was also asked if someone wants to have a birthday party with a band in their yard from 8:00 to midnight do they have to have any kind of special permit.  They don't want to close the street off - just wondering about the noise.  Carol said the only thing is if there is a complaint by the neighbors then the police would have to be called and they would either shut you down or turn you down.

Ric Onken stated it might be good to talk to the neighbors.

Police Chief Mike Scott stated that if they don't have a permit and we get complaints then will go shut them down.  The permit protects them to an extent.

The first item under old business was the Sticklen property and what is the next step.  Police Chief Mike Scott reported on his conversation with Mark Sticklen.  Mike stated he didn't accomplish anything.  Mark stated he has nothing in the works.  Mike stated he got a call from Brian - the guy who was here at the meeting.  Brian stated if you are just looking to get them out of there then I'm not going to waste my time but if your goal is really to get the house fixed up.  Mike stated our goal is to get everything in compliance with out ordinance so that they can live there safely.  Well if that's the truth then I will go work there but apparently that hasn't happened.

Mayor Ric Onken stated that we pretty much know that it isn't going to happen.  Ric asked Mike how long the placard has been up there now.  Mike stated several months.

Village Attorney Tom Shields asked if Veronica was still sick.  She supposedly had a stroke but Carol stated she looked fine when she was at her garage sales that weekend.

Rick Wagoner asked Tom what the next step is in this process.  Tom stated we would try to enforce the lien and maybe shake the bank up and force the foreclosure.  Tom stated Mike has done all he can and the Board has afforded them more then enough opportunity to get things right and from what I have seen and heard nothing really has been done.  Rick Wagoner stated well she sat right here and said she had no intentions of doing anything.  Rick stated that is all I had to hear.

Tom stated you had the requirement of having weekly reports and she said she couldn't do that.  They are just playing us along.  Tom stated need to pursue the nuisance violations and the court would enter an order accepting what we determine to be appropriate and what would be against the property.  Tom asked if there were any mowing liens.  Mike stated I think they have been mowing - the only ones we have pending are all the ones for the dwelling itself.  Tom stated I think if the Board just gives Mike and I the authority to make a determination on what would be the appropriate and least expensive route to take.

Next on the agenda was the approval of Ordinance #2012-2 for Part-time Police Officers.

Tom explained what had to be done to the present ordinance to meet the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board requirements.

Trustee Rick Wagoner made a motion to approve Ordinance #2012-2 as drafted.  Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Absent; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

The Mayor read a letter from a resident commending Police Chief Mike Scott for handling a situation.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to go into closed session to consider the appointment, employment, discipline, performance, or dismissal of an employee.  Trustee Rick Wagoner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Absent; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to go back into open session.  Trustee Rick Wagoner seconded the motion.  Vote:  Rick Vance - Absent; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Rick Wagoner - Aye; Motion carried.

Mayor Ric Onken explained the results of closed session.  Ric stated that our conclusion is to do some more research yet and the Committee will get together again and we will table everything until next month and will bring it up to the Board for a vote.

Superintendent Damon Getty asked what the holdup was and if there is a problem.  There is no problem before we do certain things need to make sure we are doing everything according to regulations.

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Kiper, Village Clerk