The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Colfax was called to order on Monday evening, November 2, 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 Meiner                       -        Aye

                   Kelly Gradert                        -        Aye

          Also present were Public Works Brian Hereford and Police Chief Michael Scott.

          Trustee Lonnie Meiner 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 had the Treasurer’s Report for the month of October, 2015 in the folders.

                   Beginning Balance as of October 1, 2015      $335,425.31

                   Ending Balance as of October 31, 2015         $331,761.93

                   Decrease for the month of October, 2015    ($    3,663.38)

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to pay the bills as presented.  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.

          Trustee Jason Pierce, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, reported that what he had to talk about is on the agenda later on.

          Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, reported that the Activity Report for the month of October, 2015 for the Colfax Police Department is in the folders.

          Dave reported on the Police Committee meeting held at 6:30 p.m. tonight.  Dave stated the Committee looked at hiring a part time police officer.  We had three applicants  – one stood out!!  It looks like we are going to hire one of the three applicants.

          Police Chief Michael Scott reported that the new squad car is ordered and should be here in 10-12 weeks and will be dark navy blue – blue denim.  Mike reported contacting Fast Signs in Bloomington to do the lettering and Ragan Communications to install all of the equipment.  Ragan’s quoted a price of $4,157.00 to install everything and we were able to deduct $1,100.00 from the price of the car because they didn’t need the factory police package wiring.  Mike stated that when delivery gets closer they will give us a quote on the trade in amount for the old squad car.

          Mike reported that the property at 306 S Grove will be putting a six foot (6’) privacy fence up to hide all of the junk.

          Mike reported that an Ordinance Violation has been issued to Harley Daniel, owner of the old hardware store property, for a dangerous building.  The Ordinance has been filed and the court date will be November 19, 2015 if it is not paid before.

          Mike reported that he now can file these Ordinance Violations directly with the County and does not have to go through Village Attorney Tom Shields to do this. 

          Trustee Lonnie Meiner, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee, reported there is nothing special going to try and get taken care of this fall. 

          Lonnie stated going to try to get the sewer plant taken care of this fall.  Mayor Ric Onken stated he contacted Ed Duran and asked him about the storm water line at the school.  The Village actually owns that now and is a twenty-four inch (24”) line.  At that time they asked the Village if they wanted to enlarge it in case the Village ever wanted to tie into it but the Board at that time never wanted to do it.

          Haven’t heard anything from Village Engineer Mike Friend about the drainage report he was working on.  The priority would be at the Petal Pusher.

          Ric stated he tried to call Del regarding the empty lot on Main Street.

          Trustee Rick Vance, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, reported  that the sidewalk is done on Main Street.

          Trustee Jason Pierce reported that he tried to set up a meeting two weeks ago regarding the Catholic Church building but it didn’t work out with everyone’s schedules.  Jason asked if the Village Board wants to make an offer?  How much does the Board want to offer? 

          Ric reported if the Village wants to make an offer the Mayor will write a letter with the offer and send it to the diocese.  Jason thinks the offer should be $50,000.  Jason stated that the Village could get a loan at the bank at a very low interest rate.  Jason stated that Ric has talked to some people about having some residents from the community to help manage it.  Jason asked if anyone is against. 

Trustee Rick Vance stated I am looking at buildings falling down on Main Street.  Lonnie asked if the Village has talked to Tom to see if there is a law against the owners of these buildings doing this.  Mayor Ric Onken stated that I could explain the issue of the buildings uptown and let the diocese know that until we figure out what they are doing the Village cannot commit to buying this building at this time.  Ric stated could buy some time.  Ric stated that he knows that the diocese wants the Village to buy the building because they are afraid of whoever else might buy it. 

          Trustee David Rathke stated that the Police Committee is looking at hiring another part-time police office.  Dave stated of the three applicants one should out far more that the other two. Trustee David Rathke reported that the Police Committee would like to hire Dustin Carter as part-time Police Officer for the Village.  Dave reported that two of the applicants would need training which takes a year to complete.  Dustin Carter works in Lexington part-time as a fill in.  Dustin completes his academy in December.

Trustee Jason Pierce stated that Dustin was very professional when he came in for the interview.

          The Board will relook at the other applicants at the beginning of the year and see if any more part time officers will be needed.

          Trustee Rick Vance made a motion to approve hiring Dustin Carter for the Colfax Police Department at the rate of $15.00 per hour beginning  upon his successful completion of training.  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.

          Trustee Jason Pierce made a motion to approve the Tax Levy for the 2015-16 Fiscal Year in the amount of $50,144.00.  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.

          Trustee Lonnie Meiner 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 7:45 p.m.

                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                          Nancy Kiper

                                                          Village Clerk