Meeting was called to order by Mayor Larry Dodds using short quorum pursuant to statute (65 ILCS 5/3.1-10-55).
Present was:
Mayor Larry Dodds - Aye
Trustee Janice Edwards - Aye
Trustee Carol Stephenson - Aye
Trustee Vincent Beck - Aye
Mayor Larry Dodds read the letter of resignation from Trustee Benjamin Thackeray effective November 18, 2022.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to accept the letter of resignation from Trustee Benjamin Thackeray effective November 18, 2022. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Larry Dodds-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Mayor Larry Dodds announced he would like to appoint Rick Norton to fill the unexpired term of Benjamin Thackeray and to the Streets & Lights Committee, Finance & Audit Committee and Maintenance Equipment & Vehicle Committee.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to appoint Rick Norton to fill the unexpired term of Benjamin Thackeray and to the Streets & Lights Committee, Finance & Audit Committee and Maintenance Equipment & Vehicle Committee. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Larry Dodds-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
At this time the Oath of Office was read.
Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Larry Dodds-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Truth in Taxation Hearing
Roll Call.
Trustees Present were:
Rick Norton - Aye
Janice Edwards - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye
Mayor Larry Dodds states a Truth in Taxation Hearing is required due to the increase being above the 5% permitted and this increase is mostly due to the increase in the EAV in the amount of $927,534.
Public comments on the 2022-2023 Tax Levy for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, December 5, 2022 at 7:09 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustee present were:
Rick Norton - Aye
David Rathke - Absent
Janice Edwards - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Aye
Charles Morefield - Absent
Also present were Police Chief Ritchie Cooper, Superintendent of Public Works Josh Hereford and Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer have the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November 2022.
Beginning Balance $663,528.96
Ending Balance $546,785.78
Decrease for the month of November 2022 $116,743.18
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November 2022. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public comments-Items on the agenda. There were no public comments.
Presentations
First presentation was given by Russ Leigh of Russ Leigh & Associates. Russ performed the annual audit for the Village of Colfax. Russ states in was a clean audit and in compliance with the State’s statute. Russ states the Village of Colfax is in good financial standpoint due to the significant increase in revenue.
Zach Knight, Engineer with Farnsworth Group was here to discuss the Safe Routes to School Grant Award. Zach states it has become aware that there are several guidelines that need to be followed which will require significant additional cost to the village that would not be covered by the grant. Engineering fees will cost approximately $113,000 before the grant funds would be awarded and this amount would need to be paid from the general fund. Zach Knight discussed another option of denying the award and using MFT Funds and General funds to install and repair sidewalks without the oversight of the Federal Government. There is no penalty for not accepting the grant. Zach Knight states a decision regarding this matter will need to made in the first quarter of 2023.
First special report was given by Police Chief Ritchie Cooper. Ritchie state there is a report in your folders for review. In November there were 5 citations issued.
Next special report was given by Superintendent Josh Hereford. Josh and Nick continued picking up leaves throughout the month of November. The generators were repaired and serviced. G.A. Rich installed the Storm Trap system at the Lift Station. Josh and Nick hung the Christmas lights throughout the down and also hung the lights for the Village of Anchor.
Mayor Larry Dodds reports there is an Animal Control Report in your folders for review.
Mayor Larry Dodds reports there is an EMA Report in your folders for review.
Mayor Larry Dodds gave the final special report. The Dualator Project is complete and the total cost of the project was $154,630.35. Mayor Larry Dodds reports the Lighting of Tree Ceremony sponsored by the Colfax Restoration Project was held on Saturday, December 3, 2022.
Finance & Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, was absent.
Police & Liquor Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson, has nothing to report at this time.
Water & Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, was absent.
Streets & Lights Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, has nothing to report at this time.
Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report at this time.
First item of Old Business was the discussion and approval of the 2022-2023 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the 2022-2023 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the approval of employment of Benjamin Thorndyke as full-time police officer/school resource officer at the hourly rate of $24.00 per hour, the cost to be shared per agreement with Ridgeview CUSD #19.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the employment of Benjamin Thorndyke as a full-time police officer/school resource officer at the hourly rate of $24.00 per hour, the cost to be shared per agreement with Ridgeview CUSD #19. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
First item of New Business was the authorization of the final payment to G.A. Rich & Sons, Inc for the Dualator and Media Replacement from the APRA Funds from McLean County.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to authorize the final payment to G.A. Rich & Sons, Inc for the Dualator and Media Replacement from the APRA Funds from McLean County. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was to reschedule the regular monthly meeting in January 2023 from January 2, 2023 to Monday, January 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to reschedule the January 2, 2023 meeting of the Board of Trustees to Monday, January 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Mayor Larry Dodds announced a Finance & Audit Committee meeting will be held on February 16, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Village of Colfax Conference Room.
Next on the agenda was the presentation and discussion supporting the Colfax Restoration Project Paver for the Colfax Pavilion in the downtown area. Trustee Rick Norton states the pavilion is set to be erected in Spring of 2023. The CRP is selling pavers to help fund the pavilion. The cost of the pavers range from $250-$1,000. Mayor Larry Dodds wants to know if the Board of Trustees would be interested in supporting this fundraiser by purchasing an 8x14 paver in the amount of $1,000.
Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to purchase an 8x14 paver at the cost of $1,000. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public comments-Items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk