Meeting Minutes: December 15, 2020
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph, Tuesday, December 15, 2020,
at 7:30 pm on Zoom and Facebook live.
Invocation – The Lord’s Prayer – Shane
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Yoder, Young, Stephenson, Pontsler, Now, Heitkamp
Also attending: Sydney Albert of the Daily Standard
Motion Stephenson. Second Heitkamp to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Now called for the question. Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Yoder = y, Young = y, Pontsler = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Stephenson. Second Now to accept the minutes from the November 17, 2020 council meeting as presented. Heitkamp called for the question. Stephenson = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y, Yoder = y, Young = y. Pontsler = y.
Passed 6 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
2nd & 4th Mondays at 7:30 pm – 101.3 FM
The Mayors Corner Radio Show — Rockford news and updates
Upcoming guests –
We will be reviewing online questions and comments towards the end of the meeting.
Community Announcements and events:
Wednesdays —– Drive-Thru Dinners
Rockford United Methodist Church 4:30 – 6:30 pm
• Note new time — Open to the public
Tuesdays – Second Tuesday of Each Month – Dine at Motor Inn and 10% of your bill will be donated to the Parkway Music Boosters.
• Need flyer to get discount
Lions club meetings will be held via Zoom through January.
If you were selected to receive an income survey – please fill out and return ASAP ! —-
Saturday – December 19th – Parkway Recycle
Thursday and Friday – December 24th and 25th – Merry Christmas !
Village Office closed.
Free Christmas Meal – drive thru and pick up —
December 25th from 11 am – 1 pm – Rockford Carry Out – located at
156 S Main St – Reservations are not required but greatly appreciated
419-363-2855 – Ham, baked potato, green beans, cookie and bottle of water.
Sponsored by Burtch Seed Company, Rockford Carry Out and Catering and Burtch Family members.
Thank you !!
Friday – January 1st – Happy New Year — Welcome 2021!
Village office closed.
Keep informed in the New Year — Rockford Village news sources
The Village of Rockford council meetings are the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays each month at 7:30 pm located at the Village Hall. The meetings are open to the public. Since Covid we have been broadcasting the meetings via Facebook Live and then posted on the Village Facebook page.
The Village of Rockford council minutes are updated on the web site a day or two after meetings. Link for the minutes – https://rockfordalive.com/category/minutes/village-of-rockford-council-meeting-minutes. The Daily Standard has a reporter present at the meetings and puts a summary of the meeting in the newspaper.
The Village of Rockford radio station is WRKD 101.3 fm. The Mayor’s Corner radio show is on the 2nd and 4th Mondays each month at 7:30 pm.
News and information is posted on the Village of Rockford Facebook page.
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
Light issues on South Main Street — yes we know there is a problem but the reason is unknown at this time. We are working on it.
Mike Bruns will begin the restroom projects – we will be working with rental schedules so we don’t interrupt gatherings.
The extra diffusers will be installed at the WWTP – we hope this will take of odor problems.
Plowing snow – we hope we don’t have to BUT we need the help of our residents when we need to! Please please — if at all possible – do not park along the streets, Plowing is much easier when we have a clear path.
Again – income survey — random addresses were selected for the mailing – please fill out and return. Takes only several minutes of your time. This is a BIG DEAL !
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Shane Young
Motion Pontsler. Second Yoder to pay bills as submitted – $ 143,026.93
Stephenson called for the question. Pontsler = y, Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Bills include mail box and lights for subdivision. Loan payments and covid funds for the majority – rest are regular monthly bills.
Motion Yoder to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Stephenson. Now called for the question. Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Now = y, Young = y, Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y . Passed 6 yes.
Cash Summary by Fund, Appropriations report, Revenue Report,
Budget vs Actual activity report, Bank reconciliation and comparison report for the water, sewer, and income tax.
Motion Yoder to approve supplemental appropriations to date. Second Stephenson. Now called for the question. Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Now = y, Young = y, Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Now to approve additional purchase orders. Second Stephenson. Heitkamp called for the question. Now = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, Yoder = y, Young = y. Pontsler = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Yoder. Second Stephenson to accept the Mayors Court pay in $ 404.
Heitkamp called for the question. Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, Young = y, Pontsler = y, Now = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Heitkamp to approve additional spending of Covid Funds. Second Stephenson. Yoder called for the question. Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y. Yoder = y, Young = y, Pontsler = y. Now = y. Passed 6 yes.
1. By installing outdoor access points at the park – people do not have to gather in large groups in order to use electronics / phones – cost with Wabash – $2766.96
2. By installing a new phone system at the Village Hall – Village personnel can answer calls without having to be at the desk — such as from home or out working in the field. – Cost with Wabash – $2885.40
3. By installing a generator at the Village Hall – we will be able to keep public safety and services running in emergencies -this will include our radio station that would be needed to broadcast emergency messages and or
information to the public — Electrical Solutions – $13,000
Motion Now to approve giving Full –time Employees Rockford Chamber gift certificates of $50 and part- time employees $30. Second Yoder. Stephenson called for the question. Now = y, Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y . Pontsler = N, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Finance meetings were held December 1st and December 8th – discussed the following –
ORDINANCE 05-20
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD INCOME TAX ORDINANCE TO RESCIND CREDIT FOR TAX PAID TO ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY OR INDIANA COUNTY, REPEALING ALL INCONSISTENT LEGISLATION, AND DECLARING AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
1st reading – 10/20/2020
2nd – reading – 11/03/2020
3rd -reading – this vote is being tabled to April / May – in the mean time we will be doing some additional research and waiting to see how the income survey / grant situation turns out.
Thanks for those that took time to give feedback.
The income tax revenue supports streets, parks, police protection, village office, and the subdivision land payments.
Service Committee: Greg Pontsler –
Next Park Board meeting — unsure there is not much to discuss during the winter months.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp – (Mr. President)
Questions regarding crosswalks – the state would be responsible to put the crosswalks in as 118 is a state highway.
Police coverage at the school in the mornings and afternoon — Yes – already happening.
Police patrolling side streets – issues with speed and running stop signs. We are aware of some of the issues and have been monitoring them closer.
Sidewalks – are owned by the residents and would be the resident responsibility to have new installed. During street projects – the village pays for the construction but assesses the homeowner on the property tax bill over a 10 year span.
There are complaint forms on the web site if you want to report issues in the village.
Other comments include the lights and downtown looks very nice decorated for Christmas.
Economic Development Committee: Brad Now –
Shanes Crossing Subdivision – Lots for sale – 20% discount/ build through – December 2021. Update we have sold 5 lots. We have 4 more serious inquiries. Things are a little slow during Christmas season but should pick right back up after the first of the year. With only 13 lots in Phase 1 — we will need to start considering Phase 2 and when and how that would begin. Street lights and community mailbox have been ordered.
WRKD updates – Would like to thank Tommy McDonough for broadcasting the fall sports – along with Todd Henkle. They do a really good job ! If you or your business would like to sponsor winter sports – cost is $100 – contact Village Office.
Greatly appreciate the Covid funds to purchase a generator for the Village Hall and radio station. We will be set up in case of emergencies and the need to broadcast information and emergency messages. The station is 101.3 on FM dial.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson –
Questions – plumbing at subdivision ? Tap in fees waived for the subdivision at this time. The subdivision is meant for single family dwellings – no duplex or condos.
Rules Committee: Jessica Yoder
Survey — please fill out – we want to be a successful community – we are working towards a $600,000 GRANT — this would be a huge savings for the community to get funds from the state. We thank those that have already returned the survey. If you received a survey but can’t find or need help in filling it out – please call the office we are here to help with promoting and process to get information returned ASAP.
Old Business:
Comments about Mayor Joseph voting from the last meeting. The Mayor only votes on issues if there is a tie between council. You can see how your council members vote by reading the minutes.
New Business:
In other news — Thank you to those volunteers that organized the Best Rockford Decorated Home Contest — greatly appreciated your time in making this happen. Santa had a surprise visit last Friday and that was fun for the kids !
Best Decorated House Contest awards to –
1. Nusbaums – Walnut Street
2. Heitkamps – East Street
3. Roehms – South Street
Congratulations to all and greatly appreciate seeing all the festive lights.
Best Santa was awarded to Donna Riley !
Thanks to all!
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm
_________________________ _________________________
Mayor Fiscal officer.
