Meeting Minutes: December 20, 2011
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.
Invocation was given by Gene Steiner
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Gehle, Steiner, Hodge, Pontsler, Heitkamp. Searight absent.
Also attending: Monte Deigel, Doug Walters, Jeff Long, Chief May, Amy Kronenberger of the Daily Standard
Motion Gehle. Second Hodge to accept Agenda as orders of the day. Pontsler called for the question. Gehle = y, Hodge = y, Pontsler = y, Steiner = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes
Motion: Steiner. Second Pontsler to accept the minutes from the December 6, 2011 meeting as presented. Gehle called for the question. Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Hodge = y, Heitkamp = y.
Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Celina Fire Chief Doug Walters gave a presentation regarding the Central Dispatch Consol. He discussed reasons why the grant was submitted one being the current Consol manufacturer is out of business and there is no way to get parts for it. The new system would make all departments compatible.
Council had several questions about the proposal of cost portions. 1. The point that if funding for the grant didn’t come through that the Rockford portion would be increase at an amount that is undetermined. Chief Walters said that portion of the agreement could be taken out and that there was never an intention of coming back for more funding. Council thought the portions should be divided by
per capita, but Walters stated in the short time the grant was available the grant was based on calls for service instead. That point will be taken out of the Rockford agreement.
There was discussion on the 911 surcharge on local and cell phone bills. Those funds basically go to the state and what does come in does not go towards improvements. This funding will be drying up next year.
Monte reviewed the 2010 call stats. Calls for service are not traffic stops but rather complaints that are called in from residents. There were an additional 800+ calls regarding traffic stops.
Council thanked Monte and Chief Walters for being here and clearing up some of the questions that have been brought up.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence: Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long
Jeff gave a presentation on the Village of Rockford ~ Continue the Vision
- Council and citizens want a prosperous community with a good quality of
life.
- What has been holding us back – infrastructure issues that are now ready
for economic development
- What has been done – waterline project, park improvements, Front Street,
Market Street, Buckeye Street that led to a new school, South Main Street. We have done 10 million in capital improvements with 5 million in grant monies and the rest at low or zero interest rates.
We are still 2.5 million in debt with 1.7 million of that being 0% interest with all debt having a dedicated payment source. - Communities that invest in themselves see results.
- What next – we are income tax dependent village and we need jobs to
increase our general fund. We need to watch what we spend and increase
jobs.
- How can we do this – purchase land – once in our possession we can
promote ourselves. Mercer County Economic Development group will be working with us to promote the area. Businesses that are looking to build or expand want to begin in 12 weeks of finding a location. Unless we have land ready and available we are already a step behind.
- Suggesting that in the next year we focus on land purchase and development for more jobs in the village which will bring in more tax dollars.
Thank you.
Waterline project approximately 10% complete.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee – Steve Gehle
Motion Hodge. Second Steiner to pay the bills as submitted by the
Fiscal Officer in the amount of $363,548.86. Bills include loan payments and CDBG grant monies that have come in for the Waterline project. The monies come to us and we in turn pay the contractor. Same with engineering fees. Pontsler called for the question. Hodge = y, Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Steiner, Second Hodge to approve the Rockford portion of $1626.68 of the Central Dispatch Consol upgrade. Gehle called for the question. Steiner = y, Hodge =y, Gehle = y, Pontsler = N, Heitkamp = y, Passed 4 yes, 1 no
THE BUDGET –
There were questions regarding the on call pay. It is cheaper for us to pay the $100 per week than it would be to pay overtime. By law, someone has to check the water plant and sewer plant on weekends. This also gives us a dedicated person to be in the village at all times.
Village comparison in the water and sewer departments compared to other villages we are understaffed instead of overstaffed.
Clean up day – We have some options regarding clean up day that will be discussed in committee. We need to contact the school and have them promote their recycle day more so residents are aware of it. Maybe the FFA can give residents more opportunities to recycle than just once a month. We will be working on a contract with Mahargs.
- ORDINANCE 04-11
AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, STATE OF OHIO, DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2012.
- 1st reading – 11/01/11
- 2nd reading – 11/15/11
- 3rd reading – 12/06/11
- 4th reading – 12/20/11
Motion Gehle. Second Pontsler. Hodge called for the question. Gehle = y, Pontsler = y, Hodge = y, Steiner = y, Heitkamp = N. Passed 4 yes 1 no.
Mayor Joseph stated that according to ORC 705.75 she does not have to sign the budget. She will not be signing the budget.
More discussion about budget issues. Why are some disapproving the budget, but not asking any questions throughout the process?
Chief May – we are losing 1,000 hours of patrol that includes coverage for vacations, sick time, holidays and weekends. There have been 300+ tickets issued this year. That will continue to drop if we don’t have someone on patrol.
The budget includes 8 hours each for Saturday and Sunday.
Question is how to get more money in the general fund when we are losing money each year – tax dollars and state funding? The general fund has been going down for 6 years.
Steve suggests that during next year budget discussions (that start in July) we not only discuss in committee but bring everything to the table. This way all are informed and all have the opportunity to ask questions.
Mayor – we need to work together better not against each other for the betterment of the Village. We all want more jobs, businesses and residents.
Gehle – if tax revenues start increasing dramatically, the part time hours will be easy to put back in place.
Jeff to attend the 2nd RADC meeting next year to coordinate the industrial park sign and lights.
Service Committee: Gary Hodge
Nothing at this time.
Safety Committee: Ron Searight – absent
Economic Development Committee: Eugene Steiner
1st meeting of the 2012 year on January 23rd at 7 pm at the library basement.
Public Utilities Committee: Greg Pontsler
ORDINANCE 05-11
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 50.06 , PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY, OF CHAPTER 50 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO (VILLAGE WATERWORKS SYSTEM), AND ENACTING A UTILITY DEPOSIT TO BE PAID BY RENTERS AND LEASEHOLDERS OF PROPERTIES REQUESTING UTILITY SERVICE.
- 1ST reading – 11-15-11
- 2nd reading – 12-6-11
- 3rd reading 12/20/11
Motion Gehle, Second Hodge, Pontsler called for the question. Gehle = y, Hodge = y, Pontsler = y, Steiner = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Rules Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Merry Christmas !
Old Business
Mayor requests that the Police signs be installed yet this week.
New Business
Tom Rogers requests permission to block off street on New Year’s Eve from 11:30 pm – 12:15 am. They will be signing songs and will ring the bell at The Belle at midnight.
Motion Pontsler. Second Hodge. Steiner called for the question. Pontsler =y, Hodge = y, Steiner = y. Gehle = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Meeting adjourned 9:04 pm.
