The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, November 4, 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 Police Chief Michael Scott and Superintendent Damon Getty.

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

In the absence of Treasurer Linda Hanson, Mayor Ric Onken gave the Treasurer'e Report for the month of October, 2013.
Beginning Balance as of 10/01/2013 - $301,861.90
Ending Balance as of 10/31/2013 - $313,238.38
Increase for October, 2013 - $ 11,376.38

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to pay the bills as presented. 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.

Trustee Jason Pierce, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, reported on the Finance Committee meeting held on Monday evening, October 28, 2013.

Jason reported that the Finance Committee agreed with the Water and Sewer Committee that since the cost to rehab Well #2 would cost about one-half the price that originally thought, it would be in the best interest of the Village to go ahead and do this. Don't anticipate us having to take out another loan to pay for this. This would save the Village significant costs in the future of having to drill for a new well.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Activity Report for the month of October, 2013 for the Police Department is in your folders. There is also a copy of the letter that Mike sent out.

Police Chief Mike Scott reported on the property at 403 S Maple. Mike reported that he sent a letter to the owners that tells the limits of what the uses are and outlines the Village Ordinances for what the uses of a mobile home can be. A storage facility is not one of them. I sent the letter to them to bring up to building code or demolish or remove it. The owner was present for the meeting and stated she is working on it. Mike reported offering her community service people to help.

Mike reported on the intersection of Orchard and Oak Streets. Mike stated trimming the trees would not be possible. Mike stated he spoke with Village Attorney Tom Shields and suggested putting stop signs up. Mike stated that Tom updated the ordinance and it is on the agenda for voting on tonight.

Mike reported on the Sheriff's Auction for 102 S Grove. Mike reported that Mr. Donnie Meiners attended the sale of the property and apparently a lawyer representing Fannie Mae jumped up and bid $28,000.00 for 102 S Grove. After that Mr. Meiners had a conversation with the attorney and gave him some description of what he just bought and the attorney told him to give him about a week to process and give me all of the paper work you have from the Village and make me any kind of reasonable offer and we will see what we can do. Mike stated he will get all of the paper work together and give it to him.

Mayor Ric Onken asked if there was a timeline for 403 S Oak to get this done. Do not want to stretch this out for a year. Ric stated that meanwhile the Village can start issuing Ordinance Violations. Ric stated the Village could help you - we have community service people that come in. Mike stated that he has offered but she stated she has to find a place to store this stuff. Mike asked her if she had any ideas on that. She stated, "Not anymore."

Ric stated I just see this as extending out forever and the Village has already been through this with somebody else.

She stated, "You guys are going to do what you are going to do."

She stated, "I have storage units and they are all full."

Trustee Lonnie Meiner, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reported on the rehab of Well #2. From Albrecht's, Andrews Engineering, Stinde Electric for the separate costs of doing the well. Lonnie stated there is a letter from EPA outlining what the Village needs to do and the timeline they have given us. Lonnie stated that it is on the agenda for a vote for doing this.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to approve the Rehab of Well #2 at a cost for Albrecht Well Drilling of $19,739.00; Stinde Electric of $932.00; Andrews Engineering of $2,500.00 with the timeline of the Illinois EPA. Trustee Jason Pierce seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Vance - Aye; David Rathke - Aye; Jason Pierce - Aye; Carol Stephenson - Aye; Lonnie Meiner - Aye; Kelly Gradert - Aye; Motion carried.

Lonnie reported that Damon got four (4) meters in. Three of those have to be fitted. Have the one meter for the school but ran into a problem there with asbestos being wrapped around the pipes. That had to be taken care of. Still waiting on a lot of meters.

Lonnie reported that Damon would like to get a submersible pump for Well #2 to test the water. He has two prices for the cost of a pump. One is 2" is $573.00 and 1 1/4" is $485.00. At the Finance Committee meeting told him to go ahead and get one of those. This was already approved before so don't need a motion.

Mayor Ric Onken reported on a new rule that the EPA is considering adopting. Changing their regulations a person may take the exam without any "in plant" experience. They would be considered an "Operator in Training".

Trustee Lonnie Meiner reported that the Water and Sewer Committee talked about giving an opportunity to a senior high school student that will be graduating and maybe didn't know what they were going to do and give them an opportunity to work for the Village. This would give someone who would be interested in doing a Vocational Program with Ridgeview High School. The student would go to school in the mornings and work for the Village in the afternoon. It would be under 32 hours per week so wouldn't have to pay benefits.

Ric Onken asked if we know Richard Alwood's plans as far as retiring.

Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported that Damon hauled eighty (80) tons of salt. Also they have looked at the alley behind Miller Insurance Company about the guard railing. Rick stated that these come in 12-foot sections and range from $460.00 to $560.00. This would be for 4 sections of railing.

Trustee Carol Stephenson stated that alley is in pretty bad shape. Don't know if semi's can get still get thru with railing up. Ric asked if we had a final cost that could make a motion on it. Damon will get a final cost for the next board meeting.

Rick reported that Damon cleaned some drains out along Center Street. Next month going to get the plows out and wait for snow.

Next on the agenda under old business was to approve Ordinance 2013-3 for the stop sign at Orchard and Oak Streets.

Trustee Lonnie Meiner made a motion to approve Ordinance 2013-3 as drafted. 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.

Damon asked the Board what we are going to pay part timers for installing meters. Damon asked if we are giving Dave his old wage or not. Mayor Ric Onken stated he doesn't work for the Village anymore. He would get paid what the other public works people get paid.

Trustee Rick Vance made a motion to adjourn. 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.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Kiper
Village Clerk