Meeting Minutes: February 18,2020

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Meeting Minutes: February 18,2020

                        RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

Council called to order by Council President Chris Heitkamp

Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.

Invocation –  Aaron Temple

Pledge of Allegiance

Those present:  Gehle, Young, Means, Pontsler, Now, Heitkamp

Also attending:  Srgt Stetler, Marge Gehle, Terry Henkle of Stolly Insurance.

Motion Gehle.  Second Pontsler to accept the agenda as orders of the day.  Young called the question.  Gehle = y, Pontsler = y, Young = y, Means = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y.  Passed 6 yes.

Motion Now.   Second Gehe to accept the minutes from the February 4, 2020 council meeting as presented.  Young called for the question.  Now = y, Gehle = y, Young = y, Pontsler = y, Mean = y. Heitkamp = y.  Passed 6 yes.

Visitors to Address Council:

Welcome – Terra Henkle – Stolly Insurance.   Terra gave some background information of herself and her 14 years working with Stolly.  Stolly takes care of the liability insurance for the village.   She did a short review of our policy and answered some council questions.   

Thanks for attending the meeting!

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:   by Council President Chris Heitkamp

Mayor noted receipt and review of Mayors Court pay in,

bank reconciliation, and bank statement.

Questions and concerns regarding State Route 118 and State Route 707 –

Should be directed to ODOT at 937-497-6838.   We as a community continue to see this area as a serious concern.   We continue to hear of accidents / and near accidents in this location and would like ODOT to do something to increase awareness of this intersection…  larger Stop Sign, LED lights on a stop sign would be examples.   There is an ODOT meeting in March.  Now is the time to voice concerns.     Thank you !  

It is our understanding that our Daily Standard reporter – Tom Stankard will be leaving to pursue another career path.  We appreciate your friendship and your reports about Rockford council meeting and events.  We wish you well in your new adventure.

Community Announcements and events:

Mr. Harrison Frech’s –  Book about Anthony Shane – Revised 2020 edition

                                    Can be purchased at the Village Office. $10

Mercer County Council on Aging Meals @ Shane Hall at Shanes Park –

1st Tuesday of every month at noon.   – please RSVP

Rockford United Methodist – Community Meals – every Wednesday (when school in session) at 5:02 pm

Tuesday – February 11th  –   Brush pick up

Sunday – February 23rd  – History Comes Alive Series

Mike Schumm – presents Early Settlement  at 1:30 pm and author

Sharon Cowen will present information on her new book –

The Green Ribbon Murder  – 2:30 pm — both of these events will be  held at The Rockford Belle – Market St.   (The book is about the 1872 murder that took place just outside of Rockford)

Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple

We were denied for hydro-vac grant last week.    Not enough employees and would be ‘seasonal’ use.     Several other communities do have equipment and we will be looking at other options.     

We will start with some concrete patch work on streets – several areas around the village. 

There are small flags marking gas and electric lines around town – Wabash Communications is continuing the fiber optic lines project.

The village will be switching from Centurylink to Wabash soon – there will be $155 per month savings, faster speeds and an additional phone line. 

Had meeting with Ferguson and Master Meter – regarding water meter issues.  Meeting went good — will be installing a new meter at the school and making other improvements based on our water audit last week.

Review bids for new cruiser.   Going back to a basic vehicle with no extras.  Road ready will be $38,884 for new 2020 Explorer.    We will get other cruiser paid off as soon as bank gives us information. 

Committee Reports

Finance Committee –  Shane Young  

Motion Gehle. Second Pontsler – to pay bills as presented $8,774.12  Now called for the question.  Gehle = y, Pontsler = y, Now = y, Young = y, Means = y, Heitkamp = y.  Passed 6 yes.

Motion Pontsler.  Second Now to accept Mayors court pay in – $569.00.  Gehle called for the question.  Pontsler = y, Now =y, Gehle = y, Young = y, Means = y, Heitkamp = y.  Passed 6 yes.

Finance committee meeting was held Thursday – February 11 at 2 pm – Village Office – discussed finances and cruiser.

Council  – wants Stet cruiser paid off.   And begin working with bank for new loan for 2020 Explorer

Motion Pontsler.   Second Heitkamp to purchase 2020 Explorer in the amount of $38,884.  Gehle called for the question.   Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y, Gehle = n, Young = y, Mean = y, Now = y.  Passed 6 yes.   Will work with Peoples Bank – interest rate 3.5%  on new loan.

Resolution 01-20

Annual Appropriation Resolution – the Board of Council of the Village of Rockford, Mercer County Ohio to provide for the current expenses and other expenditures of said Board of Council of Rockford, during the fiscal year, ending December 31,2020.

Motion Gehle.  Second Now.  Heitkamp called for the question.  Gehle = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y, Young = y, Means = y, Pontsler = y.  Passed 6 yes.

Water Tower Fund  #5102  – need resolution approval and updated credit card policy – Judy working on the paperwork.

Service Committee:   Greg Pontsler

Safety Committee:     Chris Heitkamp

Economic Development Committee:  Brad Now

Will set up meeting with Tammy about Subdivision –  Shanes Crossing Subdivision – Lots for sale – 20% discount !    We have some more interest in the subdivision — more information coming !

Will stop by to see how business is going at Betseys Boutique – purchase an arrangement – was very nice. 

Second Crossing Brew – working with Rockford Carry Out and Frankie Jos – all businesses doing good with new ventures. 

With new businesses Rockford is becoming a destination instead of just passing through.    Great News !

Mentioning this event —- featuring Rockford Businesses —

Wassenberg Art Center

Pint Night in February features local musician Aubrey Gebert and tasty craft brews brought to us by our friends and neighbors at Second Crossing Brew and Rockford Carry Out with soft pretzels and beer cheese dip, featuring one of Second Crossing Brew Co. beers. Both  businesses of  Rockford, OH.

Thursday Feb 27 from 6 to 9. See you there!

In process — Annexation of additional Fremont Property – Judy working on the paperwork.    Speaking of Fremont — they NEED signage !   To many trucks needing to make a turn around ! 

Public Utilities Committee:  Dr. Means

Meeting was held on Friday – February 14th –   3 pm to get an understanding of committee functions and the processes.    Useful and educational information was shared.    Appreciated everyone’s time.

Rules Committee:    Steve Gehle

Motion  Young.  Second Heitkamp to approve Village Asset list.  Now called for the question.    Young = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Gehle = y, Means = y, Pontsler = y.  Passed 6 yes.

Old Business:

Pontsler —- when plowing intersections could you make sure the handicap access is usable.   To many times the snow gets piled up and can’t get to sidewalk.

New Business:           

Meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm

_________________________                      _________________________

Mayor                                                              Fiscal officer.