THE REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF COLFAX WAS CALLED TO ORDER ON MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 6, 2015 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 MEIENR - AYE; KELLY GRADERT - AYE;

     ALSO PRESENT WERE VILLAGE TREASURER LINDA HANSON; POLICE CHIEF MICHAEL SCOTT; PUBLIC WORKS BRIAN HEREFORD.

     TRUSTEE KELLY GRADERT MADE A MOTION TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES AND  APPROVE AS PRESENTED.  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.

     VILLAGE TREASURER LINDA HANSON GAVE THE TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH, 2015.

    BEGINNING BALANCE AS OF MARCH 1, 2015                       $255,394.67

     ENDING BALANCE AS OF MARCH 31, 2105                           $259.880.08

          INCREASE FOR MONTH OF MARCH, 2015                        $   4.485.41

     TRUSTEE JASON PIERCE MADE A MOTION TO PAY THE BILLS 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.

     CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE, TRUSTEE JASON PIERCE REPORTED THAT FROM WHAT NANCY KIPER IS SEEING THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IS PLANNING A 2 1/2% TO 3% CUT TO INCOME TAX REVENUE FOR ALL MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES.  THEY HAD ORIGINALLY SAID THIS COULD BE UP TO FIFTY PERCENT (50%) CUT.  

     THE MAYOR CONTACTED REP DAN BRADY'S OFFICE REGARDING THIS BUT NO ONE COULD TELL HIM ANYTHING.

     CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE AND LIQUOR COMMITTEE, TRUSTEE DAVID RATHKE REPORTED THAT THE ACTIVITY REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH, 2015 IS IN YOUR FOLDERS.

     POLICE CHIEF MIKE SCOTT REPORTED ON THE LED STOP SIGN THAT THE SCHOOL WOULD LIKE INSTALLED AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH HARRISON STREET AND WOOD STREET.  MIKE REPORTED THAT THE SCHOOL WILL PAY $2,800.00 FOR THE INITIAL STOP SIGNS AND THE COUNTY WOULD ISNTALL THEM.  THE COUNTY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A TWENTY-YEAR (20) AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH THE OPTION OF OPTING OUT WITH A SIXTY (60) DAY NOTICE. THERE WOULD BE NO INITIAL COST TO THE VILLAGE.

     THE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT FEELS THAT THE SIGNAGE THAT IS THERE IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE INTERSECTION THAT IS THERE.  WHAT THE COUNTY WOULD LIKE IS THAT EITHER THE SCHOOL OR THE VILLAGE PURCHASE THE SIGNS AND ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT.  THE SCHOOL IS OFFERING TO PAY THE INITIAL COSTS OF HAVING THE FLASHING STOP SIGNS PUT UP.  THE COST WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $3,000.00.  THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE AND THE COUNTY SAYS THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BASIC MAINTENANCE.  THE VILLAGE'S RESPONSIBILITY WOULD BE IF IT GOT STOLEN, VANDALIZED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT.  THIS WOULD BE A TWENTY (20) YEAR AGREEMENT WITH AN OPT OUT WITH SIXTY (60) DAY NOTICE.  MIKE SAYS HE GETS MORE COMPLAINTS WITH THIS INTERSECTION THAN ANY OTHER IN TOWN.  I THINK IT IS MORE DISTRACTED DRIVING THAN PEOPLE INTENTIONALLY RUNNING THE STOP SIGN.

     TRUSTEE DAVID RATHKE ASKED IF MIKE FELT THAT THIS WOULD HELP.  TRUSTEE KELLY GRADERT SAID THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT THERE ARE NOT STUDENTS THERE BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE.  THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON EVEN AFTER SCHOOL.

     MIKE REPORTED THAT THE SCHOOL HAS APPLIED FOR A GRANT FOR THIS AND IF THEY GET THE GRANT THEY WILL BE PUTTING OTHER LIGHTS UP ALSO ON THE SCHOOL SIGNS TOO.

     TRUSTEE JASON PIERCE STATED THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY FIVE SIGNS THERE BEFORE YOU GET TO THE STOP SIGN SO I WONDER HOW AFFECTIVE THIS IS GOING TO BE.  IT CAN'T HURT BUT HAS THERE BEEN ANY TALK ABOUT WHERE THE CROSSWALK IS.  MAYBE WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO MOVE THE CROSSWALK TO IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL.  MIKE STATED THERE IS A LOT GOING ON AT THAT INTERSECTION.

     THE ONLY COST TO THE VILLAGE IS IF THE SIGNS ARE DESTROYED OR VANDALIZED, THEN THE VILLAGE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE SIGN.  THIS IS WHAT THE SCHOOL WANTS.  DAVE SAID IT IS HARD FOR US TO SAY NO IF IT IS FOR SAFETY.

     MIKE REPORTED SENDING LETTERS AND NOTICES OUT FOR ABANDONED/JUNK CARS.  MIKE STATED THAT IF ON PERSONAL PROPERTY AND WITHIN THE VIEW OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC MUST BE OPERABLE OR THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE MOVED ONCE EVERY SEVEN (7) DAYS.  IF THE VENICHLE IS ALONG THE STREET OR ON PUBLIC PROPERTY THE VEHICLE CAN GET TAGGED AND THEN TOWED IN SEVEN (7) DAYS.

     MIKE REPORTED THAT THE COLFAX BAR AND GRILL WOULD LIKE THE VILLAGE TO CHECK INTO PUTTING A HANDICAP PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF THEIR BUILDING.  MIKE STATED THAT THERE ARE TWO HANDICAP PLACES AT EACH CORNER.  MIKE REPORTED THAT THE COST OF DOING THIS WOULD MEAN CUTTING HTE CURB OUT AND MAKING A RAMP PLUS DESIGNATING TWO (2) PARKING SPACES FOR CAR OR VAN UNLOADING.  BRIAN HEREFORD STATED THAT THERE HAS TO BE 1" PER FOOT FOR MAKING THE RAMP AND HE DOESN'T THINK THERE IS ENOUGH ROOM THERE FOR A RAMP.  WHATEVER IS DONE HAS TO FOLLOW THE AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT RULES.

     MIKE GAVE AN UPDATE ON 112 EAST MAIN STREEET BUILDING.  MIKE STATED HE GOT UP THERE AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE ROOF.  MIKE STATED HE WAS THINKING WE WOULD SEE PLACES WHERE IT IS "CAVING IN" BUT NO SUCH LUCK.  MIKE STATED HE TRIED TO CONTACVT THIS GUY IN CARLOCK AND EVEN WENT TO CARLOCK AND SAT HOPING TO CATCH HIM BUT SDTILL HAD NO LUCK.  MIKE WILL TALK TO TOM AND SEE IF THIS ENOUGH FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANT.

MIKE REPORTED THAT THERE ARE NOW ANIMALS NESTING IN THE TRAILER AT 401 S OAK WHICH IS MARY JANE AND TONY TOMILICH'S TRAILER.  MIKE STATED THAT HE SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF THE TRAILER COURT AND TOLD HIM THIS TRAILER NEEDED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE TRAILER PARK.  THE OWNER OF THE TRAILER PARK ASKED HIM TO GIVE HIM THIRTY (30) DAYS TO SEE  ABOUT GETTING THIS MATTER RESOLVED AND CLEANED UP.  THE THIRTY (30) DAYS STARTED FROM THE 24TH OF MARCH.

     CHARIMAN OF THE WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE, TRUSTEE LONNIE MEINER REPORTED THAT THE CHLORINATION SYSTEM IWAS TO BE PUT IN BUT NOT ALL OF THE PARTS WERE HERE LAST FRIDAY WHEN THEY WERE HERE TO PUT IT IN.  HE IS TO BE BACK WEDNESDAY.  BRIAN STATED THAT HE ISN'T SURE WHO TO GET TO PUT THE BYPASS IN BUT NEXT YEAR NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE INSIDE OF THAT FILTER.

     LONNIE REPORTED THAT EVERYTHING HAS BE VERY CONSISTANT IN THE PUMPING AND FLUSHING NUMBERS.

     LONNIE ASKED BRIAN HEREFORD IF HE HAD GOTTEN ANY BIDS FOR THE CEMENT WORK AT THE SEWER PLANT THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS SUMMER.  BRIAN DOESN'T KNOW IF DAMON TALKED TO ANDREW HARPER ABOUT THIS OR NOT.  HE WILL CHECK WITH HARPER AND SEE.  TABLE UNTIL NEXT MONTH.

     CHAIRMAN OF THE ST REETS AND LIGHTS COMMITTEE, TRUSTEE RICK VANCE REPORTED THAT HE SPO9KE WITH RICK CARDEN ABOUT DOING SOMETHING WITH THE PARKING LOT.  IF DON'T SEAL THAT UP GOING TO LOSE IT AND ASPHALT IS VERY EXPENSIVE.  BRIAN STATED THAT HE TALKED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY NOT THE VILLAGE'S RESPONSIBILITY BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE money right now TO FIX IT.  THEY WOULD LIKE TO CONCRETE IN FRONT OF THE FIRE STATION.

     TRUSTEE CAROL STEPHENSON RE;PORTED THAT THE SPEED BUMP IN THE PARK IS LYING UP ON THE BENCH.  BRIAND STATED HE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT WENT.  HE WILL GET IT AND CHECK IT OUT AND SEE IF HE CAN PUT IT BACK DOWN.

       MAYOR RIC ONKEN STATED SINCE IT DIDN'T GET ON THE AGENDA LETS DISCUSS THIS DRAINAGE ISSUE ON GROVE STREET.  BRIAN STATED HE TALKED TO GARY MILTON AND HE COULD MAKE A PLATE TO PUT OVER THAT FOR $1,600 AND COULD CONCRETE OVER IT FOR APPROXIMATELY $800.00, BOTH ARE A LOT LESS THAN THE $23,000.  RIC SASKED WHICH WOULD BE BETTER TO FIX IT.  BRIAN STATED THAT THE CONCRETE WOULD BE BETTER BUT WOULD BE HARDER TO DIG UP BUT THE STEEL WILL EVENTUALLY RUST OUT.

     BRIAN HEREFORD REPORTED THAT BRENT BLAIR AND HIMSELF HAD WENT INTO THAT GROVE STREET CULVERT AND LOOKED.  THERE IS NOTHING BROKEN THERE AND BRIAN FEELS LIKE THEY COULD PUT A CAP ON THIS AND POUR A CONCRETE PAD WHICH WOULD SOVLE THE PROBLEM.

     CHAD RITCHIE WAS PRESENT AND BRIAN EXPLAINED WHAT THE FIX FOR THIS COULD BE - THERE IS NO HOLE THERE AND NOTHING IS CRUMBLING IT IS JUST SUNKEN.  IF YOU POURED A DRIVEWAY FROMT HE DOOR TO THE ALLKEY WOULD NEVER BE DRIVING OVER THIS ANYMORE.  BRIAN STATED HE COULD GET REAL NUMBERS FOR YOU.

     MAYOR RIC ONKEN ONCE AGAIN EXPLAINED TO GAIL RITCHIE WHY THIS WASN'T DONE LAST FALL.

     THIS WAS BROUGHT UP LAST MONTH ABOUT THE ADDITION TO THE SHED.

     THE VILLAGE NEEDS TO DECIDE IF WANT TO GO INTO THE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY.  TRUSTEE RICK VANCE STATED I KINOW CHILD SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.  WE ARE A SMALL TOWN AND ON A LIMITED INCOME.  THE COUNTY HAS MORE MONEY AND IT IS A COUNTY ROAD.  RICK STATED THAT HE THOUGHT ORIGINALLY THEY WERE JUST PUTTING UP AMBER FLASHING LIGHTS.

     TRUSTEE JASON PIERCE ASKED MIKE IF HE WAS VOTING ON THIS WOULD BE VOTE YES.  MIKE SATATED YES.

     TRUSTEE LOLNNIE MEINER ADDRESSED THE BOARD ABOUT BEING APPROACHED BY RICK NORTON ABOUT THE VILLAGE PURCHASING THE CAHOLIC CHURCH HALL TO BE USED AS A COMMUNITY CENTER.  THE PRICE OF THE BUILDING TO THE VILLAGE WOULD BE SIGNFICANTLY LESS THAN IF OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC.  LONNIE FEELS LIKE THIS WOULD BE A GREAT ASSET TO THE TOWN AND IT WOULD BE A PLACE THAT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY COULD USE AND HOLD EVENTS.

     TRUSTEE JASON PIERCE FEELS THIS WOULD BE A GREAT ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE.  NEED TO PURSUE THIS AND SEE WHAT COST OF MAINTENANCE AND UTILITIES WOULD BE.

     MIKE FINCHAM WAS PRESENT AT THE BOARD MEETING TO INTRODUCE MS. CALLOUS REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF PUTTING A BAR/RESTAURANT IN THE OLD WYANT SERVICE STATION BUILDING.  MIKE IS WONDERING IF THE BOARD WILL ISSUE A LIQUOR LICENSE - WHOEVER THE NEW OWNER(S) IS HAS TO COME IN AND APPLY FOR THE LICENSE.  SHE SPECIALIZED IN OPENING BARS/RESTAURANTS.  MS CALLOUS STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO CASTYER TO BREAKFAST AND THEN AFTER NOON WHEN THE BAR OPENED WOULD SWITCH TO SANDWICHES AND SUCH.

     MAYOR RIC ONKEN STATED HE EXPRESSED TO MIKE ONE OF HIS CONCERNS WAS THE PARKING.  MS. CALLOUS STATED SHE WOULD DELIVER TO THE FARMERS IN THE FIELD.

     ALSO PRESENT TO ADDRESS THE BOARD WAS ABBEY FROM THE NEW "TUKKER MOTORSPORTS" BUSINESS AT 120 EAST MAIN STREET.  ABBEY STATED THAT THEY WILL BE HAVING A GRAND OPENING FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 FROM 4 TO 8.  WE JUST MOVED HERE IN FEBRUARY.  SERVICE 4-WHEELERS, ATV'S, GATORS, MOTORCYCLES, ETC.  WE HAVE MOTORCYCLES THAT WE HAVE RESTORED AND ARE FOR SALE.

     TRUSTEE RICK VANCE MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.  TRUSTEE LONNIE MEINER 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 8:35 P.M.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

NANCY KIPER, VILLAGE CLERK