Meeting Minutes: May 21,2019
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Joseph on
Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.
Invocation – Jeff Long
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Gehle, Young, Fox, Pontsler, Now
Heitkamp – absent
Also attending: Leslie Gartrell – Daily Standard, Srgt. Stetler, Robby Peel,
Bret Peel, and Josh Gehle
Motion Gehle. Second Fox to accept the agenda as orders. Young called for the question. Gehle = y, Fox = y, Young = y, Pontsler = y, Now = y . Passed 5 yes.
Motion Fox. Second Now to accept the minutes from the
May 7, 2019 council meeting as presented. Gehle called for the question. Fox = y, Now = y, Gehle = y, Young = y, Pontsler = y . Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Mayor noted receipt and review of Mayors Court pay in,
bank reconciliation, and bank statement.
Community Announcements and events:
Monday – May 27 – Memorial Day Remembrance * Village Office closed
The Rockford Community is looking forward to honoring our Veterans on
Monday – May 27th with the following services:
The public is invited to honor our fallen veterans at Riverside Cemetery at 10 am. Flags will be placed on the grave markers, a 21-gun salute will be given, and TAPS will be played.
The Memorial Day parade will begin at approximately 11 am (When the band arrives) and travel north on Main street to the service at Hedges Park. This is the site where the new Veterans Memorial will be built. Our guest speaker will be Pastor Chip Steffy of the Rockford United Methodist Church.
Tuesday – June 11th – Brush pick up
Friday and Saturday – June 14/15 – Rockford Community Days
* See Rockford Community Days Facebook page for complete
schedule of events!
Saturday am – June 15 – New Horizons Student Ministries – bottle cap collection to benefit the Veterans Memorial
Saturday – June 22nd – Fox Family Ride for Autism
Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long
Wastewater Treatment plant update – Things are going well. We are happy although we are still experiencing odors. This will just take time as we continue to treat. We are meeting all EPA guidelines. We are confident that we will have one of the best WWTP operations in the USA.
We are currently in the process of hiring Joe Roth for the general labor position. He will begin on June 3rd.
Motion Pontsler. Second Young to approve hiring Joe Roth. Now called for the question. Pontsler = y, Young = y, Now = y, Gehle = y, Fox = y. Passed 5 yes.
In the process of hiring a new employee it’s become evident that we need to make sure we are offering competitive wages and benefits. Jeff stated he will be retiring soon – at some point and would like to recommend pay raises to Aaron and Blair. We want to make sure we keep the WTP and WWTP operators with the licenses we need to comply with EPA regulations.
A Finance meeting was scheduled for June 11th at 7 pm to discuss wages, benefits, and budget.
Mayor Joseph brought up the need for the same ideas for the police department. Some discussion regarding what we have done recently raising the pay from $10 to $15. We feel we are offering good experience to those wanting part time patrol jobs. We are investing 40+ hours in training to get patrols ready for road.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Steve Gehle
Motion Fox to pay bills as submitted – $ 13,436.58. Second Pontsler. Young called for the question. Fox = y, Pontsler = y, Young = y, Gehle = y, Now = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Fox to accept the Mayors Court pay in – $329. Second Pontsler. Now called for the question. Fox = y, Pontsler = y, Now = y, Gehle = y, Young = y. Passed 5 yes.
Audit 2017/18 – is in beginning stages. Have sent requested reports to the State auditor’s office.
Annual preliminary Budget 2020 – to County Auditor July 15th.
Service Committee: Greg Pontsler
Summer activities are underway at Shanes Park. Need to make sure trash is emptied Mondays and Fridays!
Several broken areas at the play house area – needs attention.
We have a beautiful park – great atmosphere for families.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp – absent
Economic Development Committee: Shane Young
Tammy Cheek – will be closing on 2 lots at the subdivision next week. We have interest in another lot possibly 2. Good news ! Will be great to see building progress!
Public Utilities Committee: Wilbur Fox
Track over – nice to see Parkway doing good and several going to District.
Drains – catch basin projects, grate allys and more complaints for grass clippings in the streets.
Rules Committee: Brad Now
Old Business:
Will be ready for Memorial day – parade, flags, etc.
At the November General Election there will be a Mayor Seat and (2) Council seats on the ballot. Residents interested in public service would need to contact the Board of Elections and get paperwork filed by the August 7th at 4 pm deadline.
New Business:
Need updates on junk/ grass /vehicles Zoning issues regarding mobile homes without skirting. Jeff to contact.
Someone willing to take concrete from trailer park. Maharg will be taking the tires. Just need to send reminders.
Utility billing update – working on web site so residents can look up their account. Could be July before up and running. This site will be connected to the Village Web site to make online payments.
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Mayor Fiscal officer.
Meeting adjourned at 8:01 pm
