Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to appoint Vincent Beck as Pro Tem Mayor of the Village of Colfax for the February 2024 Board of Trustees Meeting in the absence of Mayor Larry Dodds. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Abstain. Motion carried.
The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, February 5, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. by Pro Tem Mayor Vincent Beck.
Trustees Present were:
• Rick Norton - Aye
• David Rathke - Absent
• Janice Edwards - Aye
• Carol Stephenson - Aye
• Charles Morefield - Aye
• Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford, Assistant Superintendent Nick Sandage, Police Chief Ritchie Cooper, Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, 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 January 2024.
Beginning Balance $158,200.99
Ending Balance $153,730.12
Decrease for the month of January 2024 $ 4,470.87
Trustee Carol Stephenson made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2024. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Rick Norton seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, 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.
The first special report was given by Police Chief Ritchie Cooper. There are reports for December 2023 and January 2024 in your folders for review. Chief Cooper reports that in December reports were made for Motor Vehicle Theft, Stolen Credit Cards, Fraud and Mental Subject. Reports were done in January for Murder, Electronic Harassment, Theft, Trespassing and Death Investigation.
Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford reports the Maintenance Department plowed snow on January 9 and January 19. Roads were salted several days. New cutting edges were installed on the plows. On January 24, 2024, the sewer flooded, and the diesel pump had to be ran for 24 hours.
Animal Control/Zoning Report in your folders for review.
EMA Report in your folders for review.
There is no Mayor’s Report this month.
There were no Committee reports given at the February 5, 2024, Board of Trustees Meeting.
There was no Old Business on the agenda.
First item of New Business was the motion to keep all Executive Session Minutes of the Board of Trustees sealed.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to keep all Executive Session Minutes sealed. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item of New Business was the preliminary discussion for improving the drainage from the newest subdivision and surrounding areas to the Mackinaw. Blake Beitz with Beitz Trucking and Excavating is here to address the Board with a proposal for the Village with shared expense to the property owners John and Emily Maurer. This proposal will help with the drainage coming off the newest subdivision on the South part of the Village that pools in the field owned by the Maurer’s. No final action will be taken until the April 2024 meeting.
The last item on the agenda was the discussion regarding the Proposal from Cornbelters for a Community Night for the Village of Colfax. Village Clerk, Portia Vandegraft, mentioned there are a few options listed in the emails provided to host a Community Night at the Corn Crib for the Village of Colfax.
Public comments-Items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk