Meeting Minutes: December 5, 2023
Council called to order by Council President Ron Searight on December 5, 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, Patrolman May.
Motion Young. Second M Heitkamp to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Stephenson called for the question. Young = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Stephenson. Second Heitkamp to accept the minutes from the November 21st council meeting as presented. M Heitkamp called for the question. Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y, Young = y. Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Marge Gehle — Would like to see a memorial at Shanes Park in honor of Joyce Emans who recently passed away.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Congratulations to the 2023 Rockford Chamber Business of the Year – Luginbill Construction ! We are thankful to have you as part of the Rockford Community.
Today is National Volunteer Day and the Village would like to extend a THANK YOU to all local volunteers – we appreciate you and your volunteer services.
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
We met with Palmer Energy last week to review the new aggregation rates – the new rate is coming in at 6.3 cents per kilowatt – just 1.6 cents higher than the previous. The new rates would take effect in June 2024 through December 2025. This means we will be staying with current supplier Energy Harbor.
Communications at both water towers are up and working. In the next week or so you might notice the water towers overflowing – this is ok as we are needing exact height differences between the towers – working on the communications. Paperwork will be submitted to EPA. Next projects are at the water plant location – some issues that needs taken care of – minimal costs but time consuming projects.
Have not moved forward with the head works at the lift station. Giving everyone time to think about the project before moving to the next step.
Wastewater treatment plant pond cover — we are being referred to the sister plant. We will need to make a 25% deposit to get us on the production schedule.
OWDA — GSI mapping program. We are set up and they will begin building our base map.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Ron Searight – Council President
Motion M Heitkamp to pay the bills as presented $ $25,958.66. Second Stephenson. Beougher called for the question. M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y, Young = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Young to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Beougher. Heitkamp called for the question. Young = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Passed 5 yes.
Cash Summary by Fund, Appropriations report, Revenue Report,
Budget vs Actual activity report, Bank statement, comparison report for the water, sewer, and income tax.
Motion M Heitkamp to approve supplemental appropriations to date. Second Beougher. Heitkamp called for the question. M Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Young to approve additional purchase order. Second Stephenson. Beougher called for the question. Young = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y, M Heitkamp = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
ORDINANCE 04-23
AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, STATE OF OHIO, DURING FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,2024
1st reading – 11/07/2023
2nd reading – 11/21/2023
3rd reading – 12/05/2023
Motion M Heitkamp. Second Stephenson. Young called for the question. M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
RESOLUTION 11-23
AN RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE “VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD INCOME TAX ORDINANCE NO. 02-16” TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF HOUSE BILL 33 PASSED IN JULY 2023, AND MANDATED THAT MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX CODES BE AMENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS AND LIMITATIONS SPECIFIED IN CHAPTER 718
Motion: M Heitkamp. Second Stephenson. Young called for the question.
M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y.
Passed 5 yes.
Rules Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
Service Committee: Mary Beougher –
Congratulations to Chris Heitkamp — 14 years on council !
RESOLUTION 12-23
A RESOLUTION TO APPOINT A PARK MANAGER, ASSIGN JOB DUTIES, AND SET PAY FOR THE POSITION, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2024.
Motion: M Heitkamp. Second Stephenson. Young called for the question.
M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
NEEDED — reliable cleaning services for Shanes Park rental buildings and restrooms. Apply at the Village Office.
Parkway School will be donating a bike rack to Shanes Park to be placed by the bus stop. Will happen sometime in the Spring.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Economic Development Committee: Shane Young
RADC – Finish framing and painting the train mural – received a donation of $500. No meeting in December. Next meeting will be January 22, 2024.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson
Old Business:
WWTP pond cover – will work on the 25% deposit. Council agreed that Aaron should start process of getting information on headworks project costs / loan.
New Business:
Motion Stephenson. Second M Heitkamp. Heitkamp called for the question to move forward with Palmer Energy and Energy Harbor electric aggregation rates. Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y, Young = y. Passed 5 yes.
Franklin Street project —- ALL tress in the Village right of way will be cut down with this project. We are no longer putting trees in the right of way. Trees will be taken down by April. Home owners – if you want to keep the tree in front of your home you will need to have it moved before April 2024.
Meeting adjourned 8:07 pm
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Mayor Fiscal officer
