The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, October 7, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Ricardo Onken.

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

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

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

Village Treasurer Linda Hanson gave the Treasurer's Report for the month of September, 2013.
Beginning Balance as of 09/01/13 - $279,466.36;
Ending Balance as of 09/30/2013 - $301,861.90;
Increase for September, 2013 - $22,395.54.

Village Clerk Nancy Kiper reported to the Board that Becker Tree Service left a bill in the water drop box after she left at 5:00 today. The bill is for $1,200.00 and is not on the list of bills.

Trustee Rick Vance made a motion to pay the bills as presented including the Becker Tree Service bill. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Kelly Gradert - Aye; Motion carried.

Trustee Jason pierce, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, had nothing to report at this time.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Activity Report for the Colfax Police Department for the month of September, 2013 is in the folders.

Police Chief Michael Scott reported that he had community service people on Saturday, October 5, 2013 and they cleaned up the property at 102 S Grove Street. Mike reported that the property is to be sold at Sheriff's Auction on October 30, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

104 Olive Street will be sold at Sheriff's Auction on October 16, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

401 S Oak - The fire department stated there are no wheels under the trailer to remove the trailer from the property so they have no way of taking it. Mike stated that he spoke with Eric at KJP Properties and he stated he will try to re-motivate Victor into getting this done.

403 S Maple - Mike stated that he contacted Mary Jane Calder about the Community Service people coming to help clean the property up. She stated that she could only find one piece of clothing that she could part with. She requested for Mike to ask the Board if she cleans everything up on the outside of the trailer could she use the trailer for storage. Mike told the Village Board it was up to them - all Trustees said "No to keeping and using as storage".

206 W Wood - There has been no change there. Mike stated he did have a complaint about not being able to see at the corner of Oak and Orchard around the pine trees from this property.

112-114 E Main - Mike stated that as you know have sent two (2) registered letters in the mail but both were returned from the postal service undelivered. Mike reported that he hand delivered and served Mr. Clark in person with all of the papers and Ordinance Violations. Mike explained his contact with Mr. Clark to the Board. Mike did say that he said one thing during the conversation, ask the Village if they want to buy the building.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner asked if any other towns have this problem. Mayor Ric Onken said at the Mayor's Association meeting some towns have taken legal action against them before they go anything done. Ric asked Mike to follow up with Tom and see what our next option is.

The new representative from IDOT was here and had a meeting with the Mayor and Mike Scott. Mike explained about the truck routes and asked if there could be signs put up on Route 165 on the north side of town to let truckers know what the truck route is.

Mike stated that he asked about the "Safe Routes to School" Grant. Julie thinks that there will be funding again this year. Mike stated it is a federal grant that is funded thru the state.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reported on the water main break. Damon reported that there was a four inch (4") water main break on East Fifer Street by the elevator. Lonnie reported that the main is in very poor condition.

Lonnie reported on the Water and Sewer Committee meeting. The Committee discussed Well #2 and whether to go ahead and cap it or keep it. The Committee is wondering why the Village would abandon a well that can still be used instead of having to pay for a new well down the road. Lonnie explained that Damon can put a small pump in this well and do the sampling. Lonnie also explained that the EPA will work with the Village for a timeline for getting this done. Before the November 1, 2013 deadline the Committees need to get together and work this out. There needs to be a motion tonight and a sample needs to be done on the well so that the Village can see if water is still good.

Damon thinks we need to check with Tom to see if there is something legally the Village can do to go back on Lewis, Yockey, and Brown regarding this problem with the Well #4 because that system is not that old and there was plastic used and when they hired Beitz - he isn't a licensed plumber. Lonnie explained that Well #4 broke a back flow preventor and flooded the water plant. Albrechts' was here and the wrong fittings were used when originally installed.

Lonnie reported that Damon has three or four people lined up to help install meters whenever they get here.

Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported that Damon has 60 to 80 tons of salt to haul at a price $20 to $30 less a ton than last year.

Rick reported there are parts ordered for the small snow plow. Rick also reported that Damon needs to pickup tree limbs from the storm.

Ric Onken reported that there are some trees that need either taken down or trimmed up before winter because they are going to cause a big issue if we get a lot of ice this winter.

The item under old business was Well #2.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner explained what the Water and Sewer Committee meeting determined about the well. Lonnie stated it is going to cost about $6,000 to $8,000 to cap it. It was the opinion of the Committee that we go ahead and fix this well and that Damon gets a pump put in to test the water. Lonnie stated it still comes back to why would the Village want to cap a well that can still be used. Lonnie stated if it comes to that the Village can have a third well for less than half of what it costs for a new well. Lonnie reported that Damon said the EPA will work with us so would have to set up a time frame. Ric asked if Lonnie had a cost for fixing this well - Lonnie stated probably $40,000 to $50,000 - that is with the new casing/bladder. Trustee David Rathke asked if Damon is sure the water is good.

Trustee Kelly Gradert stated this way we have a timeline that we have to follow from the EPA.

Mayor Ric Onken stated he thinks that we need to get a written statement from the EPA as to what they expect from the Village.

Trustee Jason Pierce asked if it is possible that we could make a decision on this and tell the EPA that the Village is going to keep the well and the results don't turn out like they should can we then change out minds and go ahead and cap it.

Trustee Rick Vance asked out of the three wells is it conceivable that the wells could be in the same vein of water. Has anyone checked this out.

Mayor Ric Onken stated I think the depths of the wells is what the differences are. Lonnie stated that Wells 3 and 4 are roughly the same depths that's why we have had the same problems. Ric asked that since that well is shallower than the other two. Ric asked how soon he could be have the pump in and get it tested so that we know if the water is any good or not. That would tell us right then if it is worth keeping or not once the EPA looks at it.

Trustee Kelly Gradert stated that Damon made it sound like this decision should have been made years ago. Lonnie stated it's just a matter of putting a pump in there and testing it.

Trustee Carol Stephenson stated actually I thought Damon said that water was better.

Trustee David Rathke stated need the status of each of the wells and how much is pumped through it.

Lonnie stated the Committee would like to vote on keeping the well unless we put all of this information together and find there are contingencies against it.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to retain Well #2 pending further input as to depth, quality, cost, and EPA time line and the Committee meet to finalize before the next Council meeting and if there is a problem will have to have a Special Meeting before the next regular council meeting. Trustee Rick Vance seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Kelly Gradert - Aye; Motion carried.

Mayor Ric Onken read the thank you card from the Olsen Family for the flowers sent for Nancy Olsen's funeral.

Carol reported that in the alley that runs behind Hooligans there was some concern that there needs to be a guard rail along the creek. Ric Onken stated to get a cost as to what it would take to put a guardrail up. Rick Vance stated the County has used Guardrails that could be used. Rick Vance will get a price on this.

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Kiper, Village Clerk