Meeting Minutes: February 21 ,2017
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.
Invocation by Village Administrator – Jeff Long
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Gehle, Rutledge, Fox, Pontsler , Heitkamp.
Dooley absent.
Also attending: Srgt Stetler, and Tom Stankard of the Daily Standard
Motion Gehle. Second Fox to accept the agenda as orders of the day adding approval of additional purchase orders. Rutledge called for the question. Gehle = y, Fox = y, Rutledge = y, Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Pontsler. Second Rutledge to accept the minutes from the
January 17, 2017 council meetings as presented. Gehle called for the question. Pontsler = y, Rutledge = y, Gehle = y, Fox = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Heather Hedrick from West Ohio Community Action Partnership gave a presentation about the organization and information on some help they give to the community. Several items include – Landlord – Tenant Rights and Responsibilities under the law. They currently have rental assistance to those who might be in need. There are funds available for 1st time home owners and they also have some funding for homeowners that may need some repairs but might not be able to afford them. For information call 419-227-2586.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Community Announcements and events:
The Agape’ Mobile Food Pantry -will be in Rockford the 1st and 3rd Tuesday afternoons in the parking lot beside the Rockford Fire Department – 12:30 –
3 pm.
Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long
We have a lot going on this year!
Shanes Park – we are using an $80,000 grant from the State to replace the old playground equipment with a soft surface pad and an obstacle course play area.
Columbia St. – Contractors are a little ahead of schedule with the good weather we have had. We will be looking at some mail box issues with the consideration of going to a centralized box – 1 per block. This is a must with any new subdivision.
Subdivision – We are looking into some financing of $200,000 to get Phase I of the subdivision done by June/July. The next meeting we will review the restrictions and covenants of the subdivision to make sure there are no changes. We will be getting names for the streets. The next step will be to stake out the lots and get them on the market.
Wastewater Treatment plant – We should be receiving our permit to install in the next week or two.
Trailer Park – We will invite Steve Meyer to the March 21st Council meeting to discuss options.
Building Complaints – We have 3 areas in which we are receiving complaints that need attention – The Jones building on Market St., the abandoned home on Franklin St and the Barna property on Columbia St. Jeff to begin the steps needed to get these properties in compliance.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Steve Gehle
Motion Fox to pay bills as submitted in the amount of $4564.17. Second Pontsler. Rutledge called for the question. Fox = y, Pontsler = y, Rutledge = y, Gehle = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Pontsler to approve the January monthly financial reports –
Cash Summary by Fund, Appropriations report, Revenue Report,
Budget vs Actual activity report and Bank reconciliation. Second Rutledge. Fox called for the question. Pontsler = y, Rutledge = y, Fox = y, Gehle = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Fox to approved the monthly transfers, supplemental appropriations and additional purchase orders. Second Rutledge. Pontsler called for the question.
Fox = y, Rutledge = y, Pontsler = y , Gehle = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Pontsler to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $884.00. Second Fox, Rutledge called for the question. Pontsler = y, Fox = y, Rutledge = y, Gehle = y , Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Important Changes to 2016 Village Income Tax
- All residents – 18 years and older MUST file a local income tax return. All municipalities are “Mandatory Filing”, even if you don’t work !! (Retired taxpayers that have no Earned income and have registered with the tax office as being retired – need not file a return)
- All individual and business returns are due by April 15th. Business returns with a F/Y ending date are due the 15th of the further month following the year end date.
- ALL RETURNS MUST BE SIGNED.
- A $25.00 per month late fee, up to 6 months or $150 will be added to any late filed returns – even if no tax is due.
- Late returns with balances due will be charged 15% penalty plus interest until balance is paid in full. Late fee must be charged per House Bill 5.
- *** Page 1 of your Federal 1040 MUST be attached along with all W-2’s and 1099’s.
Service Committee: Greg Pontsler – nothing
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp – nothing
Economic Development Committee: Rob Rutledge – nothing
Public Utilities Committee: Wilbur Fox
The Public Utilities committee will have a meeting on March 7th at 7 pm.
Rules Committee: John Dooley
Mayor Joseph reported that John sent an email expressing his wishes to resign from Council. Thank you to John for his service. We will need to find another council member. If anyone is interested, please contact the Village Office. The appointment would be until the November election. We have 4 seats that will be on the November ballot. Proper paperwork needs to be at the Mercer County Board of Elections by August 9th at 4 pm.
Old Business
New Business
Rutledge brought up discussion on clean up day from the past and why it’s not in the budget any longer? It was costly and people abused the services are the main reasons why we haven’t had it in several years. We want the town cleaned up – Jeff to check with Maharg – getting a quote for clean up day and maybe look into some other options using the large item tickets. Maybe Village could do a clean up appliance day and haul to scrap yard?
Fox question about alley ways needing work? Yes – there are some bad areas and we usually look into that in the spring once the weather breaks. Might be a little early yet.
Pontsler question about handicapp parking on main Street? Jeff to look into rules and regulations. Maybe 1 per block ?
Gehle states – we live in a great country – If you fly the USA flag – fly it right. We have several flags in the village with no lights at night. Let’s work to fly the USA Flag with honor and respect.
Meeting adjourned at 8:16
____________________________ _____________________________
Mayor Fiscal Officer
