Colfax agrees to spend $500 more on Main Street banners

By LeAnn R. Ralph

COLFAX — The Colfax Village Board has agreed to pay $500 more toward new Main Street banners being designed by the Colfax Woman’s Club.

Pat Eggert, representing the women’s club, spoke to the Colfax Village Board about the additional cost at the March 10 meeting.

The new banners are in honor of the Colfax Sesquicentennial celebration in July.

In September, the Colfax Village Board agreed to pay $2,500 toward the banners, while the Colfax Woman’s Club would pay $500 toward the project.

The Colfax Woman’s Club initially received two quotes from Mainstreet Designs of Champlin, Minn., for the banners.

The first quote was for 22 canvas banners at a cost of $3,003.

The second quote was for 22 vinyl banners at a cost of $2,233.

The existing banners are canvas, are more than ten years old, and have held up very well.

Considering the Colfax Sesquicentennial this summer July 17 – 20, Eggert said the women’s club had asked for a quote on banners that used actual photos of Colfax with different photos on each banner and on both sides of the banner.

The quote from Mainstreet Designs for canvas banners with different pictures on both sides is $3,553.

The Colfax Woman’s Club cannot afford another $500 toward the banners, and if the village board did not want to spend another $500, the club could order fewer banners and leave some of the existing banners along Main Street, Eggert said.

The banners will help create interest in the Sesquicentennial, and the Colfax Woman’s Club is planning to run some contests asking people to identify the photos, she said.

All together, the Colfax Woman’s Club has 77 historical photos that can be used for the banners.

“If we have 22 banners, we can use all of the photos,” Eggert noted.

“They definitely look sharp and will attract some attention,” said Scott Gunnufson, village president.

Village Trustee Richard Johnson wondered where the money would come from.

“There is money in holiday decorations,” he said.

According to a report of the 2014 designated fund balances, Colfax has $3,229.58 in the holiday decorations fund.

“Designated fund balances” are specific amounts for specific items for which the village board has levied taxes but has not yet spent the money.

Other designated fund a-mounts include a little over $27,000 for park equipment; $6,182 for park tables; $19,314 for park playgrounds; and $165,279 for village hall improvements.

The Colfax Village Board unanimously approved a motion for purchasing the canvas banners with different photos on each side at a cost of $3,553.

The village also unanimously approved paying for the village’s share out of the holiday decorations designated fund.

The Colfax Sesquicentennial Celebration will kick off the evening of July 17 with Music in the Park with a proclamation from the governor and other activities.

Colfax Health and Rehabilitation Center is planning a pig roast for the afternoon of July 18.

The dedication of a gravestone for Colfax founder J.D. Simons is planned for Saturday morning, July 19. Saturday’s events also will include a parade at 11 a.m., craft show, ball tournaments, pioneer encampment, firefighters’ water fights, car show, tractor show, local musical performances, and will culminate with a street dance in the evening featuring The Dweebs.