Meeting Minutes: February 4,2020
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph
Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.
Invocation – Aaron Temple
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Young, Means, Pontsler, Now, Heitkamp
Gehle – absent
Also attending: Tom Stankard – of the Daily Standard, Robbie Peel,
Srgt Stetler, Officer Grote, Officer Roby, Marge Gehle
Motion Pontsler. Second Young to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Now called the question. Pontsler = y, Young = y, Now = y, Means = y, Heitkamp = y – Passed 5 yes.
Motion Young. Second Heitkamp to accept the minutes from the January 21, 2020 council meeting as presented. Pontsler called for the question. Young = y, Heitkamp = y, Pontsler = y, Means = y, Now = y. Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
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 should have hdro vac grant information by the end of the week.
We have been having street lights issues and we are working on solving the problems. If you want to report an issue – please give us the MLV # on the pole so we have exact area that has problems.
Received quote from Luginbill Construction – to fix wall in between the shop and the offices at the Village Hall. SCHS – will help pay for the repairs.
Motion Pontsler. Second Now. Heitkamp called for the question to get the needed repairs done. Pontsler = y, Now = y, Heitkamp =y, Young = y, Means = y. Passed 5 yes.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Shane Young
Motion Pontsler. Second Heitkamp – to pay bills as presented $23,405.2. Heitkamp called for the question. Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Young = y, Means = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Now to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Heitkmap. Pontsler called for the question.
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.
Now = y, Heitkamp = y, Pontsler = y , Young = y, Means = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Heitkamp to approve supplemental appropriations to date and approve additional purchase orders. Second Now. Pontsler called for the question. Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Pontsler = y, Young = y, Means = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Now- for Council approval – to create a Water Tower Fund #5102 – Funds to build and maintain a new water tower. Old Tower is 100+ years old.
Second Pontsler. Heitkamp called for the question. Now =y, Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y, Young = y, Means = y. Passed 5 yes.
For Council approval – Monies in Fund 5781 have been generated by water deposits. We have been making deposits in the fund but the refunds have been coming out of the water fund. Per Audit – we need to set up the refunds to come out of the proper account. And the need to pay back the water fund the monies that have been used to make refunds.
The amount $22,180 should be moved to the water fund for reimbursement.
Motion Pontsler. Second Now. Heitkamp called for the question. Pontsler = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y, Young = y, Means = y. Passed 5 yes.
Note to council — we have received the continuing education exemption requirements for entities that have investments. We have no investments therefore do not need continuing education.
Motion Now – council approval to remove Jeff Long as signer for the Peoples Bank account and add signer– new administrator – Aaron Temple.
Minutes to be taken to Peoples Bank. Second Heitkamp. Pontsler called for the question. Now = y, Heitkamp = y, Pontsler = y, Young = y, Means = y. Passed 5 yes.
Items working on for audit purposes – updated credit card policy – should have for next meeting.
Finance committee meeting – Thursday – February 6th at 2 pm – Village Office.
Will discuss budget and cruiser quote.
Service Committee: Greg Pontsler
Have some issues on a couple of roads – Clay St.
Plan some action at the park – spring / summer – several of the sidewalks either need replaced or grinded.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
With possible snow / ice in the forecast – reminder about the salt / grit area at Market St intersection.
Motion Young to reinstate Wesley Roby as part time patrol. Second Heitkamp. Now called for the question. Young = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Means = y. Pontsler = y. Passed 5 yes.
Mayor Joseph gave Oath of Office to Officer Roby. Congratulations and welcome back !
Economic Development Committee: Brad Now
Resolution 05-19 was passed on June 4th 2019 , giving the Village Administrator authorization to execute documents relative to the Sale of Lots in the Shanes Crossing Subdivision — So we are good with Aaron Temple signing documents !
Tammy has copy.
Shanes Crossing Subdivision – Lots for sale – 20% discount !
In process — Annexation of additional Fremont Property – Judy working on the paperwork.
We celebrated 2 new businesses with ribbon cuttings – February 25th
Betsey’s Bouquets – very nice store ~ flowers and home decorations
Second Crossing Brew Co – Nice ! They had a really good 1st weekend ! They are partnering with Frankie Jos and Rockford Carry Out for food orders. Great to see businesses making partnerships.
We are glad to welcome these new businesses to Rockford!!
Brad will get with Tammy regarding RADC meeting and start attending to give updates.
Public Utilities Committee: Dr. Means
With being new to the council and committee would like to have a meeting on
Friday – February 14th – 3 pm to get an understanding of committee functions and the processes.
Rules Committee: Steve Gehle
Motion – Per audit – the need to have our Village Asset list reviewed and approved each year. Need more information on paperwork that was presented.
Old Business:
Email was sent concerning a new cruiser – like Stet’s. Questions / Comments -? Questions regarding the need for all new equipment – the push bar on front of vehicle. Do we advertise for sealed bids for old cruiser – sell as is.. other questions for the finance meeting on Thursday. Request that Paul attends meeting to answer questions.
Committee will have some recommendations for the next meeting.
New Business:
Joyce Emans would like to keep the flower job at the park – 10 hours per week. Council approved and set pay at $10 per hour. Motion Means, Second Young, Heitkamp called for the question. Means = y, Young = y, Heitkamp = y, Pontsler =y, Now = Y. Passed 5 yes.
Dr. Means expressed thanks for excellent service in helping find a lost pet.
Franklin and Pearl St – lid missing – Aaron will make a note to replace.
Meeting adjourned at 8:24 pm
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Mayor Fiscal officer.
