Meeting Minutes: April 15, 2014

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.

Invocation was given by Gene Steiner

Pledge of Allegiance

Those present: Gehle, Steiner, Fox, Pontsler, Dooley, Heitkamp

Also attending: Jeff Long, Nancy Leighner, Reya Beerbower and Amy K from the Daily Standard.

Motion Steiner. Second Dooley to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Pontlser called for the question. Steiner = y, Dooley = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y,
Fox = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

Motion: Gehle Second Pontsler to accept the minutes from the
April 1 , 2014 council meetings as presented. Dooley called for the question.
Gehle = y, Pontsler = y, Dooley = y, Steiner = y, Fox = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

Visitors to Address Council:

Nancy voiced concerns about handicap parking on main street. Jeff will talk to business owner to get some input. Possibly the empty space across from the post office would be the best bet.

Nancy also questioned whether Dollar General was hiring locals. We believe there are and they are still looking for some part time help.

Barrys new sign looks nice.

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:

• Mayors proclaims the celebration of Arbor Day to be Thursday, April 17th, 2014.
• Letter of congratulations from Arbor Day Foundation on 2013 Tree City USA to Rockford.
• Thank you for supporting the 3rd Annual Wine Tasting. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped with donations, setting up and working the event.
• Rockford Community Days Meeting – April 16 at 7 pm @ Shanes Park
• Shanes Park Easter Egg Hunt will be April 19th at 1 pm.
• Culpepper & Merriweather Circus coming to Rockford – May 29th
  2 shows 5 pm and 7:30 pm. Pre-sale tickets will be sold at Barry’s Family Market, Rockford Carnegie Library, and the Rockford Village Hall – 1 month prior to the event.
• Rockford Community Days – June 13, 14, 15 – Pre-sale inflatable wristbands will be sold at the same locations as the Circus tickets – 1 month prior to the event.

Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long

RESOLUTION 04-14
A RESOLUTION URGNG MERCER COUNTY AND OHIO VOTERS TO SUPPORT STATE ISSUE I, RENEWAL OF THE STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM, ON THE MAY 6TH 2014 BALLOT.

Motion: Pontsler. Second Steiner. Gehle called for the question. Pontsler = y, Steiner = y, Gehle = y, Fox = y, Dooley = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

RESOLUTION 05-14
A RESOLUTION AUTHROIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR, ACCEPT, AND ENTER INTO A WATER POLLUTION CONTROL LOAN FUND AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD FOR PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCITON OF WASTEWATER FACILITIES, AND DESIGNATING A DEDICATED REPAYMENT SOURCE FOR THE LOAN.

Sewer plant improvement up to a $100,000 loan – 5 year loan. We will be working to make improvements without increases to service. The debt service will be off in 2017 and this loan would replace it. This will take care of Fremont issues. We are planning for Fremont at 50% growth and the Village at 40% growth so we will be set for the future. We are not sure about Fremonts investment at this time.

Motion: Steiner, Second Pontsler Heitkamp called for the question. Steiner = y , Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y, Gehle = y , Fox = y, Dooley = y. Passed 6 yes.

Committee Reports

Finance Committee – Chris Heitkamp

Motion Dooley to pay the bills in the amount of $13,847.97. Second Fox, Pontsler called for the question. Dooley = y, Fox = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Steiner = y. Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

Motion Steiner. Second Fox to approve the Mayors Court pay in of $776.00. Gehle called for the question. Steiner = y, Fox = y, Gehle = y, Pontsler = y, Dooley = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

2015 Annual Budget due to the Auditor’s office by July 18th.

On the May 6th election there will be a Rockford 2.8 Mill Replacement Levy on the ballot. The original levy passed in 1984 and has been renewed 5 times. Current Levy Collects $21,800 per year – now collection 1.25 mills.
Replacement Levy will collect $38,900 per year. The General Fund Revenue has decreased $59,400 per year since 2008. Increase cost to homeowner of $100,000 home is $60 per year. PASSAGE IS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN SERVICES.

Service Committee: Greg Pontsler

Motion Steiner. Second Gehle to approve the Ambulance Service contract for 2014. Pontsler called for the question. Steiner = y, Gehle = y, Pontsler = y, Fox = y, Dooley = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

Last Thursday there was a meeting with the park board to discuss some lighting issues. We have received some quotes. The next meeting will be May 8th at 7 pm.

Safety Committee: Gary Fox

The Committee would like to implement some safety training on a monthly basis. Gary and Jeff to work on a program.

Economic Development Committee: Gene Steiner

The committee met before council. Considering some ideas and setting some goals. We are striving to make Rockford a better place to live. The committee will be meeting again before the next council meeting on May 6th at 7 pm
Public Utilities Committee: Steve Gehle

Working on plans for sewer plant. Still need income surveys returned if you haven’t mailed back yet.

Rules Committee: John Dooley

Nothing at this time.

Old Business

Several junk houses. We are working to find ownership and are making some progresses.

Crack sealer should be here tomorrow.

Reports of how nice the park looks compared to last year.

Jeff to check with Time Warner about camera for the park.

North Street property trailer needs to go. Send a letter with date – 30 days. Needs done by Community Days as we will be using for parking and need to get some sidewalk work done.

New Business

Meeting adjourned 8:08 pm.