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VILLAGE OF COLFAX, ILLINOIS

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Back To Board Minutes Listing DECEMBER 2019 BOARD MEETING MINUTES | Friday, January 24, 2020
The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, December 2, 2019 at 7:00 pm by Mayor Larry Dodds.

Trustees present were:
Charles Morefield - Aye
David Rathke - Absent
Benjamin Thackeray - Aye
Carol Stephenson - Absent
Jason Wagoner - Aye
Vincent Beck - Aye

Also present were Superintendent Brian Hereford; Assistant Superintendent Josh Hereford; Police Chief Michael Scott; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Absent, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Absent, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer presented the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November 2019.
Beginning Balance $202,092.82
Ending Balance $149,828.95
Decrease for the month of November 2019 ($ 52,263.87)

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Absent, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Absent, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Public comments- Items on the agenda.
There were no public comments.

First special report was given by Police Chief Michael Scott. Mike reported he received a response from IDOT regarding the request for a sidewalk along 165. IDOT requirement is that the sidewalk must be 5 feet wide and 5 inches deep. The Village would need a permit from IDOT before proceeding.

Assistant Superintendent Josh Hereford gave the next special report. Josh reported on the maintenance of village equipment. He also reported that Brian and himself, with the help of Brent Blair, had put up all the Village Christmas decorations and took down the school banners.

Mayor Larry Dodds reported the Animal Control/Zoning report is in your folders for review.
Mayor Larry Dodds also reported the EMA report is in your folders for review.

Mayor Larry Dodds gave the final special report. Mayor Dodds reported there was a discrepancy discovered by Village Clerk, Portia Vandegraft, regarding the number of houses Republic Services bills the Village for Garbage/Recycle services and the actual number of homes that are billed by the Village. Portia met with a representative of Republic and we are expected to see more accurate billing in the future. Mayor Larry Dodds also mentioned Superintendent Brian Hereford will be retiring December 31, 2019. Brian has been with the Village of Colfax since 2013 and plans to stay with the Village part-time after retirement. Mayor Larry Dodds discussed the budget for street resurfacing for the work to be done in the Summer of 2020. Mayor Larry Dodds also reported on the proposed water and sewer rate increases. It has been proposed that the increases take effect on January 1, 2020. He reported the last time the water rates were increased was 2009 and the last time the sewer rates were increased in 1991. Mayor Larry Dodds reported the Colfax Restoration Project was awarded the Governor’s Hometown Award “Project Winner” recognition at a ceremony in Springfield.

Trustee David Rathke, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee, was absent so there is no report at this time.

Trustee Carol Stephenson, Chairman of the Police and Liquor Committee, was absent so there is no report at this time.

Trustee Vincent Beck, Chairman for the Water and Sewer Committee, reported that a committee meeting was held prior to tonight’s board meeting regarding the proposed water and sewer increases.

Trustee Jason Wagoner, Chairman of the Streets and Lights Committee, stated we will discuss the proposed streets projects later in the meeting.

Next on the agenda was the discussion regarding the plans for the property at 114 East Main Street. Katrina Kirkpatrick addressed the board regarding the plans A.J.’s Collision has for the property if they were to obtain the property. Katrina states they are currently at capacity at their current location. Katrina and her husband A.J. are wanting to sell used cars and have a UHAUL service at that location. Katrina discussed that they would put up a building at the rear of the lot with a wrought iron fence on the property. The business would be manned six days a week. Katrina reported they have already obtained their dealer’s license and would be looking at being ready for business in the Spring of 2020.

Next up Village Clerk, Portia Vandegraft, addressed the board regarding the information on an alternative way to pay for the water/sewer bills. Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the use of paygov.us as an alternative way for customers to pay their water/sewer bills. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Absent, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Absent, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Mayor Larry Dodds stated that the Colfax Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Village Office.

Mayor Larry Dodds discussed the 2020-2021 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. He reported this is the first year the Village is levying for Social Security and a higher amount for insurance, closer to the actual cost.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve the 2020-2021 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois as presented. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Absent, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Absent, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Next on the agenda was the discussion for the proposed street resurfacing for 2020. Mayor Larry Dodds reviewed the list of proposed streets with an estimated total cost of $50,910.00.

Mayor Larry Dodds mentioned that there are six (6) residents who choose not to recycle and only pay for garbage. The Village is billed for garbage and recycle on all accounts.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to approve the flat rate of $16.72 for garbage/recycle for all Village residents. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Absent, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Absent, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to appoint Joshua Hereford as Superintendent of Public Works effective January 1, 2020. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Absent, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Absent, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Public Comments- Items not on the agenda.

Resident Randy Reynolds asked if the lot at 114 East Main Street will be sold or put out for bid. Mayor Larry Dodds said he will consult with the attorney regarding the process. Resident Becky Iler commented that the Village spent a lot of money to tear down those buildings and I would hate to see the Village just give it away.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to go into executive session to consider appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, dismissal of village employees or sale of property. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Absent, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Absent, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

The Board of Trustees went into executive session at 8:10 p.m.

Trustee Jason Wagoner made a motion to go back into open session. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion.

The Board of Trustees went back into open session at 8:29 p.m.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to increase the salary of Joshua Hereford to $20.00 per hour effective January 1, 2020. Trustee Jason Wagoner seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Absent, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Absent, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke- Absent, Benjamin Thackeray- Aye, Carol Stephenson- Absent, Jason Wagoner- Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully committed,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk
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