The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, April 10, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
• Rick Norton - Aye
• David Rathke - Aye
• Janice Edwards - Aye
• Carol Stephenson - Absent
• Charles Morefield - Aye
• Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance Nick Sandage and Police Chief Ritchie Cooper.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer was absent. Mayor Larry Dodds reviewed the monthly Treasurer’s Report for March 2023.
Beginning Balance $485,522.49
Ending Balance $451,027.32
Decrease for the month of March 2023 $ 34,495.17
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2023. Trustee Rick Norton seconded the motion. Vote: Rick 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 David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick 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.
Shane Niedzwecki from Farnworth Group gave a presentation on the Limited Wastewater Infrastructure Assessment. Shane said the first recommended step would be the cleaning and Televising of the Sanitary Sewers and test the Lift Station pump capacities.
Police Chief Ritchie Cooper states he does not have a written report tonight. Chief Cooper says it was a pretty average month for the Police Department. Benjamin Thackeray will start the police academy training on May 1, 2023. He will have his training done in August 2023. Part-time Patrol Officer Tanya Pearce will finish her training in July 2023. Chief Cooper reports the Axon cameras were installed this past month.
Assistant Superintendent Nick Sandage gave the Maintenance Report in the absence of Superintendent Josh Hereford. Nick reports they completed the painting of the water plant. All pipes were cleaned and painted. The floor was given an epoxy coating. Nick also reports they have spent several days picking up brush and trash as people have been cleaning up their yards.
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.
Final Special Report was given by Mayor Larry Dodds. Mayor Dodds reviews the list of revenues for March 2023. Mayor Dodds states he continues to reach out to the Bloomer Line regarding the rough railroad crossings. He made contact and was told they would be repaired this summer.
Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, has nothing to report at this time.
Police and Liquor Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson, was absent.
Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, has nothing to report at this time.
Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, has nothing to report at this time.
Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Committee Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report at this time.
First item on Old Business was the discussion and approval of the 2023-2024 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the 2023-2024 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the review of the construction schedule for L&T Painting, Inc for the Elevated Water Storage Tank.
First item of New Business was the approval of the contract with Russell Leigh & Associates to complete the annual audit for the Village of Colfax Fiscal Year 2022-2023 at a cost not to exceed $6,000.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the contract with Russell Leigh & Associates to complete the annual audit for the Village of Colfax Fiscal Year 2022-2023 at a cost not to exceed $6,000. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the approval of the May 2023 -April 2024 Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the May 2023-April 2024 Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule. Trustee Rick Norton seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the Preliminary review of the Summer 2023 street and alley resurfacing projects. Approval of the Illinois Department of Transportation Forms will be at next months meeting.
Next on the agenda was the discussion and approval regarding approving a $250 donation to Show Bus Public Transportation.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the donation in the amount of $250 to Show Bus Public Transportation. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick 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 approve the Village Wide Yard Sales sponsored by Colfax United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Last item on the agenda was the discussion and approval of Ordinance No. 2023-01, A Resolution Opposing the Proposition to Expand the Funding Base of the Central Illinois Regional Airport to Include McLean County and the Village of Colfax.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-01, A Resolution Opposing the Proposition to Expand the Funding Base of the Central Illinois Regional Airport to Include McLean County and the Village of Colfax. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public Comments-Items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee David Rathke made motion to go into executive session to consider appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of village employees and pending litigation. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
The Board of Trustees went into executive session at 8:22 p.m.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to go back into open session. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
The Board of Trustees went back into open session at 8:29 p.m.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the 2023-2024 Salary increased for all village employees as specified. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.


Meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk