The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Wednesday, October 4, 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 - Absent
• Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Superintendent Joshua Hereford; Assistant Superintendent Nick Sandage; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer; Police Chief Ritchie Cooper.
Trustee David Rathke 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-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of September 2023.
Beginning Balance $637,177.63
Ending Balance $363,324.75
Decrease for the month of September 2023 $263,852.88
Connie reports the significant decrease in the balance is due to the payment of the Elevated Water Storage Tank project and the 2023 Street Resurfacing project.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of September 2023. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Rick Norton seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, 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.
First presentation of the evening was given by Rob Brown of GHB Enterprises, LLC. Mr. Brown plans to install fiber optic in the Village of Colfax to provide high speed internet. He estimates this will likely begin in Spring of 2024. GHB passed out a letter giving formal intent for this project to take place and included a letter from his attorney regarding the right to use the village right of way to install the fiber. Rob estimates this project will take approximately 3 months to complete.
Next presentation of the evening was given by Dustin Carter of Genesis Network Solutions regarding the Needs Analysis and to review the IT Solutions quote prepared for the Village of Colfax. Dustin reviewed the network infrastructure and its much-needed improvements such as the IT hardware and networking being outdated and the concerns of security.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to accept and approve the IT Services Quote from Genesis Network Solutions with the contract to follow. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
First special report was given by Police Chief Ritchie Cooper. Chief Cooper reports that 2 citations were issued in the month of September 2023. Police reports were completed for domestic battery and fraud.
Next special report was given by Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford. Josh reports they have been spending a lot of time locating and digging up sewer manholes for the upcoming Sewer Cleaning and Televising Project that will take place this month. Josh reports the boxes for the Christmas light have been installed and now they are waiting for Ameren to hook them up.
Mayor Dodds reports there is an Animal Control and Zoning Report in your folders for review.
Mayor Dodds reports there is an EMA Report in your folders for review.
Mayor Dodds gives the final special report. Mayor Dodds states the Kickoff/Coordination Meeting was held for the Safe Routes to School Grant on October 3, 2023. The goal is having this project started in May of 2024. Mayor Larry Dodds states he attended the IML Conference in Chicago last month.
Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, has nothing to report currently.
Police and Liquor Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson has nothing to report currently.
Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, was absent.
Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, has nothing to report currently.
Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report currently.
First item of Old Business was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2023-04, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 42 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois Regarding Offense Against Public Peace, Safety and Morals.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-04, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 42 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois Regarding Offense Against Public Peace, Safety and Morals. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
First item of New Business was the designation of Halloween Trick or Treat hours for the Village of Colfax.
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to designate Trick or Treat for the Village of Colfax on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 5-8 p.m. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item was the discussion and approval of the purchase of a 6x6 Titan Basic 3, Knife Style, Steel Trench Box at a cost of $4,341.00.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve the purchase of a 6x6 Titan Basic 3, Knife Style, Steel Trench Box at a cost of $4,341.00. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the discussion and approval of an Orian Star A 326 ph/RDO/DO Meter for use at the sewer plant as required by the IEPA at a cost of $2,824.00.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to approve the purchase of an Orian Star A 326 ph/RDO/DO Meter for use at the sewer plant as required by the IEPA at a cost of $2,824.00. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the discussion and approval of the purchase of 15 Aluminum 5” Storz Female NH Thread Fire Hydrant quick connect at a cost of $3,950.25 to improve connection for the Colfax Fire Department.
Trustee Vincent Beck questions the need for covers for the quick connect presented at the meeting. This item was tabled until further discussion can be done with Fire Chief Randy Zielsdorf.
Last item on the agenda was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2023-05, An Ordinance Imposing Provider Fee Pursuant to the Illinois Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007. Mayor Larry Dodds states we have an Ordinance already that imposes the provider fees and this is just an update.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-05, An Ordinance Imposing Provider Fee Pursuant to the Illinois Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, 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 David Rathke made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Absent, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk