Meeting Minutes: April 20, 2021
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph, Tuesday, April 20, 2021
at 7:30 pm also on Facebook live.
Invocation – The Lord’s Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Yoder, Young, Stephenson, Now, Heitkamp
Pontsler – absent
Also attending: Srgt Stetler and Marge Gehle
Motion Young. Second Yoder to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Stephenson called for the question. Young = y, Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Now = y Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Stephenson. Second Heitkamp to accept the minutes from the April 6, 2021 council meeting as presented. Now called for the question.
Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Yoder = y, Young = y. Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Kevin Lutz – was on the agenda but didn’t show up for the meeting.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Mayor notes receipt and review of Mayors Court pay in,
bank reconciliation, and bank statement.
2021 Arbor Day Proclamation in the Village of Rockford, I urge all citizens to Celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, and urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations — Arbor Day in the Village – Thursday April 22, 2021
Community Announcements and events:
Thursday – April 22 – Arbor Day in the Village – Plant a tree !
Saturday – May 1st – Rockford Spring Fest – 9 am – 4 pm –
• Something for everyone – The Main Street Rockford committee through the Rockford Ohio Chamber of Commerce has been planning SpringFest, a community wide event promoting local businesses, which is slated to take place Saturday
May 1, 2021 from 9:00 am- 4:00 pm.
SpringFest activities to date include a book sale and a Mother’s Day jewelry craft at the Rockford Carnegie Library, wood-grain art show located inside of Ohio’s Edge Realty, the Rockford Museum will be open to the public and bicentennial souvenirs will be available to purchase, free petting zoo, open house at the Fire Department, a business decorating contest, and an open-air vendor market will return. Music and entertainment will be available at Second Crossing Brew Co. A special retirement party will be held for Marcia Ripley of Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home the same day from 1:00 3:00 PM at the Rockford United Methodist Church. AND MORE !
See the Rockford Ohio Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for all the details !
Wednesday and Thursday –May 12 / 13 Village Offices – limited hours – on site training. Please call ahead.
Monday – May 31st –Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony /
Memorial Day Remembrance
POW/MIA Wall will be on display @ Rockford Community Days
Event · June 17 at 4 PM EDT
Friday – Saturday – June 18 & 19th – Rockford Community Days / Bicentennial Celebration — more details coming !
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
Contacted Jeff with ODOT and VTF along with Brian May to discuss the road conditions east on State Route 33. Looks like its our responsibility for upkeep even though it’s along the state route. We did some patch work there and a couple other areas around town.
Thinking ahead to summer – still no applications for summer help. May go in a different direction – received a couple of quotes for mowing services. Will discuss with the Finance committee.
Mowing and Weeds – the time has come for homeowners to begin yard clean up. We will be working on 1st round warnings by the beginning of next week – snow delay this week.
We have had several inquiries wanting store fronts and office space. We have some ideas North of Holly Lane that might work for a couple. We are working with a contractor and exploring ideas.
Access Engineering will be at the Finance meeting on April 27th with some prints and rough draft of the business park – will scan and email the information to council for review.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Shane Young –
Motion Stephenson – to pay bills as submitted – $ 8,412.27 . Second Heitkamp.
Now called for the question. Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Yoder = y, Young = y, Passed 5 yes.
Motion Yoder to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $343.00. Second Heitkamp. Stephenson called for the question. Yoder = y, Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y, Now = y. Passed 5 yes.
• Work in progress — petition to court on fund balance transfers.
• Audit should be completed in about 2 weeks. We will have an exit meeting with the auditors.
Finance Committee meeting – April 27th at 1 pm.
Service Committee: Greg Pontsler –
Motion Stephenson – Street closure for Car show location during Rockford Community Days / Bicentennial Celebration . Market St – Friday – June 18th.
Second Yoder. Young called for the question. Stephenson = y, Yoder = y, Young = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp – (Mr. President) –
Economic Development Committee: Brad Now –
Shanes Crossing Subdivision – Lots for sale – 20% discount/ build through – December 2021. If interested contact Tammy Cheek at Homes at Ohio’s Edge Realty.
WRKD – Account balance $6153 to date. FCC license still pending because they are behind in work because of last year events. Station working on a Scholarship Fund for high school student. On Air signs purchased and will be installed. Received quotes for air conditioning — not in the budget at this time. Will continue to save funds for that project. Will be giving the studio a fresh coat of paint. Underwriting continues – contact us if you are interested in supporting your local radio station.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson –
Water meter software and meter reading training – May 12 and 13th. The new meters are a different brand so we need new software to be able to read both brands of meters.
Resolution to approve a Water Tower Fund – was started last year and was put on hold. Will work with Judy.
Rules Committee: Jessica Yoder –
An Application for a Zoning Change has been filed with the Village of Rockford for property at the West end of South Street. Currently there is a storage building on the property. Property information –
Map Number: 02-17-430-004
Tax Number: 08-037100.0000
Owner: WEHE HOLLY C
Address: 505 W SOUTH ST
The owner of the property has filed a request to the Village of Rockford to change the zoning for the property noted above from ‘COMMERCIAL” to ‘RESIDENTAL’ in order for the storage building to be redesigned into a housing duplex. There is off street parking located on the property.
Public meeting was held on April 6th at 7 pm — council reviewed considerations.
Motion Stephenson to approve Zoning Change 505 W South St. Second Heitkamp. Now called for the question. Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Yoder = y, Young = yes. Passed 5 yes.
New Zoning Ordinance passed the following are updated
Fees – as of April 6, 2021
These would be the top 5 – most requested applications
Contractor Registration – $50
Residential New Construction – $25
Residential Additions /remodeling – $25
Fences – residential – $5
Fences – Commercial / Industrial – $10
We will give more zoning updates over the next several meetings.
Old Business:
New Business:
Community Days Facebook page has been sharing some Rockford History – please share ! The encampment people are not able to come this year. We are looking at old time festival events — example people who walk around on stilts etc. Friday – 9 am – 9 pm antique tractor show. POW/MIA Wall will be on display @ Rockford Community Days Thursday June 17 at 4 PM. The Columbus Muffins and the Lady Diamonds will play a vintage baseball circa 1860 — against Rockford Teams — Grand parade on Saturday at 5 pm – more events being added ! Will start sharing more after the Chamber SpringFest on May 1st.
M Gehle has some concerns regarding the Bus stop location at Shanes park. Would like council to reconsider the location. Also regarding the park – there are no bike racks – children are leaving bikes on the sidewalk and in the grass and sometimes on the new playground. Luke stated he has a bike rack that kids do not use and he is willing to move it to the park. Other park concerns the fencing at the log cabin is falling apart – perhaps getting new before our Bicentennial celebration. And what about the pickle ball court update? Yes – we have received a quote — $8-$10,000 is going to be a rough cost. We are seeing what the park can afford, Community Days, those that are interested making donations and maybe the Rec Board – it’s going to take all the organizations chipping in to make it happen and to get it done right.
4 Council seats will be on the November ballot. The deadline for petition at the Board of Elections is August 4th at 4 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 8:14 pm
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Mayor Fiscal officer.
