The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, March 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
• Rick Norton - Aye
• David Rathke - Aye
• Janice Edwards - Aye
• Carol Stephenson - Aye
• Charles Morefield - Aye
• Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford; Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance Nick Sandage; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer; Police Chief Ritchie Cooper.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of February 2023.
Beginning Balance $502,970.64
Ending Balance $485,522.49
Decrease for the month of February 2023 $ 17,139.85
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of February 2023. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public comments-Items on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
A presentation was given by Geoffrey Dodds, City Administrator and Attorney for the Village of Heyworth. Geoffrey discussed Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) with the Board of Trustees as a potential option for the full time employees. Geoffrey also discussed how the Village of Heyworth has created a Business Development District (BDD), similar to a TIF District.
First special report was given by Police Chief Ritchie Cooper. Chief Cooper reports a report was completed for verbal argument. There were 2 citations issued last month. Police Chief Cooper gave an update regarding the staffing for the Colfax Police Department. Ritchie would like to hire another part time officer to help fill in the gaps in the schedule. The potential school resource officer will be taking his law enforcement power test next month.
Next special report was given by Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford. Josh reports that he and Nick spread 80 ton of gravel in the alley throughout the village. The rebuilt pump for the lift station was returned. Josh reports the lift station flooded on 2/22/2023. Josh and Nick were out of town attending a conference but Brian Hereford was on call and ran the diesel pump throughout the next and the next day until they returned and took over. Josh reports that Nick Sandage has officially obtained his Class 4 Wastewater Operator’s License.
Mayor Larry Dodds reports there is an Animal Control/Zoning 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. Included in the Mayor’s Report is a summary of last month’s revenue for review. Mayor Dodds reminded the Trustees and employees to file their Statement of Economic Interests with McLean County before May 1, 2023 to prevent receiving fines. Larry attended the 34th Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference last month and will give a full report of the conference at next months meeting. Mayor Larry Dodds reports a Motion for Default was filed on March 1, 2023 regarding the property at 305 E. Cooper Street.
Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, reports a committee meeting was held on February 13, 2023 and those minutes are in your folders.
Police and Liquor Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson, reports a committee meeting was held on March 2, 2023.
Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, has nothing to report at this time. Trustee Charles Morefield asked Superintendent Josh Hereford to look into the price of a new pump for the lift station versus a rebuilt pump.
Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, has nothing to report at this time. A committee meeting is scheduled for March 23, 2023.
Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Chairman, Vincent Beck, has mothing to report at this time. A committee meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2023.
First order of old business was the authorization for Mayor Larry Dodds to sign Phase I and Phase II Engineering Safe Routes to School Professional Services Agreement for the implementation of the $243,421 Safe Routes to School Grant.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to authorize Mayor Larry Dodds to sign Phase I and Phase II Engineering Safe Routes to School Professional Services Agreement for the implementation of the $243,421 Safe Routes to School Grant. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the agreement. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the review of research related to low bid contractor for the cleaning and painting of the water tower leading to awarding the bid for the completion of the work. Mayor Dodds reports he has talked to two different Water Superintendents who used this contractor for the work on their water towers and both reported they were very pleased with the quality of the work and the time it took for completion. Mayor Dodds reports he has in his possession a copy of the required insurance that was in question at the previous meeting.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to accept and award the base bid of $172,600 and alternate bid item (additional welding repair) to L & T Painting, Inc for the Elevated Water Storage Tower Rehabilitation. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
First item of new business was the approval of the donation of the red Dodge truck to the Colfax Restoration Project.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to donate the red Dodge trick to the Colfax Restoration Project. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the authorization of an expenditure of $250 for the Ridgeview After Prom.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to authorize and expenditure of $250 for the Ridgeview After Prom. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the approval of the April 2023 Board of Trustees meeting due to the Village Board Room being set up for the election.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the rescheduling of the April 2023 Board of Trustees meeting to Monday, April 10, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. due to the Village Board Room being set up for the election.
Next item on the agenda was the first review of the 2023-2024 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. Mayor Larry Dodds reviewed the changes from last year with the Board of Trustees. There were no questions or recommendations for change from the Board of Trustees.
Next item on the agenda was the discussion regarding compensation for Mayor and Board of Trustees (Ordinance No. 2003-11). After much discussion they would like to amend the ordinance to change the compensation rate for the Village of Colfax Mayor effective 2025. The ordinance will be amended and presented for approval at April’s Board of Trustees meeting.
Public comments-Items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to go into executive session to consider appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of Village employees and pending litigation. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
The Board of Trustees entered executive session at 8:44p.m.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to go back into open session at 8:47 p.m. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to increase Nicholas Sandage’s hourly wage to $21.00 per hour retroactive to October 3, 2022. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to adjourn. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rich Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk