The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday evening, March 4, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
• Rick Norton - Absent
• David Rathke - Aye
• Janice Edwards - Aye
• Carol Stephenson - Aye
• Charles Morefield - Aye
• Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford and Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, 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 February 2024.
Beginning Balance $153,730.12
Ending Balance $148,280.46
Decrease for the month of February 2024 $ 5,449.66
Trustee David Rathke made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of February 2024. Trustee Janice Edwards seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, 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 Carol Stephenson seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, 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.
Special Reports
Police Department Report: Police Chief Ritchie Cooper was absent. He will give his report at next month’s meeting.
Maintenance Department Report: Josh Hereford, Superintendent of Maintenance gave the next special report. Josh reports a sinkhole formed in the parking lot between Mizell’s shed and the Petal Pusher that was filled with rock. Josh reports that they attended the IRWA Annual Conference in Effingham February 20-23, 2024. Josh and Nick dug up a broken tile at the elevator along Fifer Street. The streets were salted on February 16th, plowing wasn’t needed. All daily and monthly maintenance was performed.
Animal Control/Zoning Report: Mayor Dodds reports there is an Animal Control/Zoning Report in your folders for review.
EMA Report: Mayor Dodds reports there is an EMA Report in your folders for review.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Dodds reports there is a summary of revenue in your folders for review.
Committee Reports
Finance & Audit Committee Chairman, David Rathke, has nothing report at this time.
Police & Liquor Committee Chairman, Carol Stephenson, has nothing to report at this time.
Water & Sewer Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, has nothing to report at this time. Committee meeting has been rescheduled for April 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Streets & Lights Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, was absent. Committee meeting scheduled for March 27, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Maintenance Equipment & Vehicle Committee Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report at this time.
Old Business:
The first item of Old Business was the review of the report from Hoerr Construction, Inc on the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising. Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford reviewed some of the spots that would need first priority for repairs. There are approximately 5 areas to focus on first.
New Business:
First item of New Business was the discussion and authorization for Mayor Larry Dodds to sign for a loan with People State Bank in the amount of $110,138.85 at a rate o 5.75% to pay invoice 124-102 from Hoerr Construction, Inc for the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising.


Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to authorize Mayor Larry Dodds to sign for a loan with Peoples State Bank in the amount of $110,138.85 at a rate of 5.75% to pay invoice 124-102 from Hoerr Construction, Inc for the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the review and discussion of the 2024-2025 Appropriation Ordinance for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. Final adoption will take place at the April 2024 Board of Trustees Meeting.
The last item of New Business was the discussion regarding public parking in the downtown area of the Village of Colfax. A business owner along Center Street approached Mayor Dodds regarding designating 15-minute parking spots for their customers and adding additional parking for the 2 new businesses in the area.
Public Items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Janice Edwards made a motion to adjourn. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Absent, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Carol Stephenson-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk