Meeting Minutes: December 19, 2023
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on December 19, 2023
at 7:30 pm.
Invocation – Ron Searight
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Ron Searight, Luke Stephenson,
Mary Beougher, Shane Young, Chris Heitkamp.
Also attending: Ross Finke, Francis Schaffner, Marge Gehle, Robbie Peel,
Chief Stetler, Jeremy Joseph, Erin G of the Daily Standard.
Motion Searight. Second Stephenson to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Young called for the question. Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y, M Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Stephenson. Second Searight to accept the minutes from the December 5th, 2023 council meeting as presented. M Heitkamp called for the question.
Stephenson = y, Searight = y, M Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y, Young = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Mayor noted receipt and review of Mayors Court pay in and bank statement.
We have hired a new cleaner for the park buildings. Also received a quote to paint the inside of the community building. If approved project would begin in January/February. Also need to get the sound system updated and will begin to get quotes.
Mayor Joseph stated — This being the last meeting of the year and my last meeting – “It has been an absolute honor to serve the people of the Village of Rockford.
To my council sitting before me and to the future leadership to come, please always remember that each and every person that resides, visits, works and plays in the village each have their very own stories and each hold an important purpose within our village. Take time to always listen intently, listen wit the intent to understand and not to react. Remember that God gave us two ears and 1 mouth for a definite reason. Always remember you represent the Village as a whole and your purpose is to do what’s best for the whole village. Make educated decisions as a group. Not just for your neighbors, best friend or individual families.
Being in public service is an honorable privilege and should not be taken for granted ever.
A huge thank you to my family and friends who may have sacrificed several private moments when they turned into public ones. And for all the times you’ve carried me through when I thought I wasn’t worthy enough to lead or when I felt I couldn’t handle what was thrown at me. You all were there to pick me up every single time! This next chapter is for you.”
Thank you, Amy, for your service.
Community Announcements and events:
December 22 & 25 – Christmas – Village office closed. Merry Christmas.
December 25 – Together at Christmas – Free Community Christmas meal – Rockford Community Building — Sponsored by the Rockford Community Churches. —- 10:30 am – 1 pm
December 31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration – sponsored by the Parkway Athletic Booster Club. Rockford Community Building.
January 1, 2024 – Village office closed – Happy New Year.
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
The last lot in Phase I of the subdivision has sold. We will begin after the first of the year to discuss some of the ideas we have for moving forward to Phase II.
WWTP pond cover – still in process of reviewing information but planning to move forward.
Headworks project — Funds available through EPA 0 – 1 % interest for 30 years based on medium household income. Need to make decision if we proceed with design contracts.
Rural Water — GSI project – they are installing the base map and in a couple of weeks we can then begin our process of updating information with our local information.
Will be getting the shop insulated in the next couple of weeks. We have a furnace to install that was donated and is greatly appreciated.
Village front doors – rotting and needs replaced. The entrance will be out of service for a couple of days. People will need to drop of payments in the drop box or come in through the police department.
Would like to thank Mayor Joseph for guidance and support over the years and wish her good luck in the next chapter.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Ron Searight – Council President
Motion Stephenson to pay the bills as presented $54,438.07. Second M Heitkamp. Young called for the question. Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Young = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Beougher to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $465.00. Second M Heitkamp. Heitkamp called for the question. Beougher = y, M Heitkamp = y, Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion M Heitkamp to approve additional purchase orders. Second Stephenson. Young called for the question. M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion M Heitkamp to approve supplemental appropriations to date. Second Heitkamp. Searight called for the question. M Heitkamp = y, Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y, Young = y. Passed 6 yes.
Chief Stetler review and salary increase – effective the first pay period in January 2024 additional $2,970 to current salary.
Motion Young to approve increase. Second Stephenson. M Heitkamp called for the question. Young = y, Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y, Young = y. Passed 6 yes.
Rules Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
Service Committee: Mary Beougher –
Would like to put a memorial at Shanes Park to honor Joyce Emans. So far we have a $100 donation and someone to donate a tree. At this time we are gathering ideas and will do something in the spring.
Vantage project – finished. They did an excellent job. We are very thankful. We will be installing a plaque and making a donation to the class that refurbished the gazebo and bridge at Shanes park.
We hired a new cleaner for Shanes Park buildings.
Amy Joseph as accepted the Park Manager position for 2024.
Held interviews for the open council seat beginning January 1st. The Committee recommends Mark Heitkamp for the position. If all approve he would be sworn in at the January 2nd meeting.
Motion to approve Searight. Second Heitkamp. Stephenson called for the question. Searight = y, Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp- abstain, Beougher = y, Young = y. Passed 5 yes.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Caden May has resigned the full-time 2nd shift patrolman position effective January 1st. He is still being considered for part-time position for weekend shifts.. Will be taking applications.
Economic Development Committee: Shane Young
RADC – next meeting will be held on January 22, 2024 at 7 pm – Rockford Library basement.
Motion Beougher to pass Ordinance 05-23 as an emergency measure. Second Searight. M Heitkamp called for the question. Beougher = y, Searight = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
ORDINANCE 05-23
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION OF MERCER COUNTY, AS AN AGENT FOR THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, TO SELL AND CONVEY REAL PROPERTY WHICH IS OWNED BY THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD.
Motion: Searight. Second Stephenson. M Heitkamp called for the question. Searight = y, Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y, Young = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson
Electric Aggregate — the rates came in a little lower than first quotes. The new rate will be .06070 per kWh for residental and small commercial aggregation participants. All residents of the Village are eligible – please contact the Village office if you need additional information. The supplier on the invoices should be – ENERGY HARBOR — The new rates will be from May 2024 to December 2025.
Old Business:
Vantage donation – Motion Stephenson to donate $1,000 to the Construction Equipment Technology Class. Second M Heitkamp. Searight called for the question. Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y, Young = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Painting the Community building. Motion Heitkamp to approve the painting bid from Bevington Life Painting. Second Stephenson. M Heitkamp called for the question. Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp – abstain. Searight = y, Beougher = y, Young = n. Passed 4 yes.
Headworks design —- will be discussed with a utility / finance committee meeting to be scheduled after the first of the year.
New Business:
Council President Ron Searight to Mayor Joseph — presentation of thanks for her service. “ Amy Joseph, we would like to take this time to honor you as the Mayor with the longest serving term in Rockford’s history. With 15 years of continuous service and being the Rockford’s 44th Mayor dating back to 1866 – is quite an accomplishment.
We know that many times it’s a thankless job, but we appreciate your time and dedication to our village. We thank you for all your efforts in leading this town and wish you the very best in your future endeavors.
On behalf of the Rockford Village Council, we thank you for all that was mentioned above and would like to present you with this plaque of appreciation.
In recognition and appreciation to Amy Joseph for the years of dedicated service as Mayor of the Village of Rockford. On behalf of the Citizens of Rockford, we thank you for your leadership and commitment to the Community.
Congratulations.
God bless you and your family.”
Meeting adjourned 8:11 pm
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Mayor Fiscal officer
