Thursday, March 28, 2024
VILLAGE OF COLFAX, ILLINOIS

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Back To Board Minutes Listing May 2021 Meeting Minutes | Tuesday, September 21, 2021
The Village of Colfax short quorum meeting was called to order on Monday evening, May 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
• Charles Morefield - Aye
• Benjamin Thackeray - Aye
• Vincent Beck - Aye
• Mayor Larry Dodds - Aye

Mayor Larry Dodds announced the appointment of the Board of Trustees, all for 2-year terms: Carol Stephenson, David Rathke and Carol Stephenson.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to appoint Carol Stephenson, David Rathke and Janice Edwards to the Village of Colfax Board of Trustees, all for 2- year terms. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye, Mayor Larry Dodds – Aye. Motion carried.

Mayor Larry Dodds was re-elected during the April 6, 2021 Consolidated Election for Mayor of the Village of Colfax. Mayor Larry Dodds ran uncontested and received 56 votes.

Village Clerk, Portia Vandegraft, read the Oath of Office for Mayor Larry Dodds and Trustees David Rathke and Janice Edwards. Trustee Carol Stephenson was absent.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Vote: Charles Morefield-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye, Mayor Larry Dodds – Aye. Motion carried.

Mayor Larry Dodds called the regular monthly meeting to order.

Trustees present were:
• Charles Morefield - Aye
• David Rathke - Aye
• Benjamin Thackeray - Aye
• Carol Stephenson - Absent
• Janice Edwards - Aye
• Vincent Beck - Aye

Also present were Police Chief Ritchie Cooper; Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer; Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford.
Closing of Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to close Fiscal Year 2020-2021. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Opening of Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to open Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

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

Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of April 2021.

Beginning Balance $360,096.25
Ending Balance $354,903.60
Decrease for the month of April 2021 ($5,192.65)

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of April 2021. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.
Closure of the MFT expenditures for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to approve the closure of the Motor Fuel Tax expenditures for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Opening of the MFT account for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to open the Motor Fuel Tax Account for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Position Appointments for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

• Village Treasurer – Connie Gossmeyer
• Village Clerk – Portia Vandegraft
• Superintendent of Public Works – Josh Hereford
• Police Chief- Ritchie Cooper
• Part-time Police Officers – Dustin Carter, Michael Lay, David Turner, Niko Lullo and Josh Saathoff.
• Zoning Officer - Brent Blair
• Animal Control Officer - Brent Blair
• EMA Director – Shane Beck
• Zoning Board of Appeals – Brian Blair – Chair, Jonah Beck, Robbie Knorr, Brandon Baker and Rob Connor
• Village Attorney – Miller, Hall & Triggs – Kathleen M. Carter
• Village Engineer – Farnsworth Group – Zachary Knight

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the listed position appointments for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Appointments of the Village of Colfax Board of Trustees Standing Committees.
• Finance & Audit Committee- David Rathke (Chair), Benjamin Thackeray and Vincent Beck
• Police & Liquor Committee – Carol Stephenson (Chair), David Rathke and Vincent Beck
• Water & Sewer Committee – Charles Morefield (Chair), Janice Edwards and Carol Stephenson
• Streets & Lights Committee – Benjamin Thackeray (Chair), Charles Morefield and Janice Edwards
• Maintenance Equipment & Vehicle Committee – Vincent Beck (Chair), Charles Morefield and Benjamin Thackeray

Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the Village of Colfax Board of Trustee Standing Committee Appointments. Trustee Benjamin Thackeray seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-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 Ritchie Cooper. Ritchie reports April was a busy month, there were several calls for service. The construction of the evidence room is completed. The CPD donated the retired white Impala police car to the Colfax Restoration Project.

Next special report was given by Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford. Josh reported there was a service line leak on Sunset Drive that was fixed. Josh has been filing in the holes along the side of the streets. Josh replaced the gas chlorinator at the water plant. Josh took the mosquito sprayer down to Forsyth for its annual inspection.

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

Mayor Larry Dodds reported the EMA Report is in your folders for review.

Mayor Larry Dodds gave the final special report. Larry stated he is hoping to have Kickapoo Drilling out here next month to complete the inspection and rehabilitation for Wells #3 and #4. Mayor Larry Dodds stated he pleased with the improved financial condition due to levying in areas not previously levied, selling of bulk water, receiving Rebuild Illinois Funds, reduction of the number of employees and retirements, reimbursements of some salaries by Local Cure Grant and increasing the Water and Sewer rates.

Finance & Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, had nothing to report at this time.

Police & Liquor Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson, was absent.

Water & Sewer Committee Chairman, David Rathke, had nothing to report at this time.

Streets & Lights Committee Chairman, Benjamin Thackeray had nothing to report at this time.

Maintenance Equipment & Vehicle Chairman Vincent Beck, had nothing to report at this time.

First item of new business was the approval of the submission of the Resolution for Maintenance (BLR14220) under the Illinois Highway Code.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve the submission of the Resolution for Maintenance (BLR14220) under the Illinois Highway Code. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

Public Comments -Items not on the agenda.

There were no public comments.

Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to hold a closed meeting to discuss pending litigation pursuant to Section 2 (C) (11) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Trustee Vincent Beck seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.

The Village Board of Trustees went into closed session at 7:47 p.m.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to go back into open session. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.
The Village of Colfax Board of Trustees went back into open session at 8:09 p.m.

Trustee Benjamin Thackeray made a motion to adjourn. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Charles Morefield- Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Benjamin Thackeray-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Absent, Janice Edwards-Aye, Vincent Beck- Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned 8:10 p.m.


Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk


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