Meeting Minutes: January 16, 2024
Council called to order by Mayor Ron Searight on January 16, 2024 at 7:30 pm.
Invocation – Ron Searight
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson,
Mary Beougher, Shane Young, Chris Heitkamp.
Also attending: Ross Finke, Francis Schaffner, Marge Gehle, Robbie Peel,
Chief Stetler, Erin G of the Daily Standard, Brian Miller, Dr. Jerry and Connie Sell.
Motion Marcas. Second Luke to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Shane called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Chris. Second Marcas to accept the minutes from the January 2, 2024 council meeting as presented. Mary called for the question. Chris = y, Marcas = y, Mary = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Shane = y. Passed 6 yes.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Proclamation — Dr. Jerry Sell –a special recognition and honor him for his distinguished forty-four years of providing family medical care to the Rockford community. Thank you and Congratulations on your retirement.
- Full proclamation posted on Facebook
Mayor noted receipt and review of Mayors Court pay in and bank statement.
Attended 2 staff meetings, attended Mayor Court training in Columbus, attended two committee meetings. Mayor Searight will have office hours on Mondays from 3 pm – 5 pm or by appointment. Will give this schedule a couple of weeks. If we don’t have people coming in, we will go to appointments only.
Upcoming Community information & events:
Dog tags available at the Village Office until January 31.2024
Cost $22 – cash or check.
Rockford United Methodist Church – Drive-thru Community Meals – every Wednesday (when school in session) 4:30 – 6 pm
January 28 – Willshire Youth Activities – Quarter Auction
Rockford Community Building
March 2 – St. Teresa Family Fun Night –Community Building
March 19 – Primary Election – Rockford Community Building
April 6 – Lions Club Quarter Auction – Community Building
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
Setting up the GSI unit – someone will be here from Rural Water on Thursday if weather permits for some field training.
Tammy Cheek has asked the council — the lots for sale at the new water tower location if they could be zoned commercial instead of residential. Can discuss in a committee meeting.
We had been discussed the floating hexagons for lagoon 1 — we are backing away from that idea. Some red flags have surfaced. We are looking at a Columbus Company that does hard covers – more expensive. Will be checking out references.
We need to purchase a backhoe. This will be referred to the finance committee. We found one for sale.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Shane Young
Motion Mark to pay the bills as presented $ $37,483.49
And – final bills from 2023 – $ 10,430.10. Second Luke. Mark called for the question. Mark = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Shane = y. Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Marcas to accept the Mayors Court pay $ 494.00. Second Chris. Luke called for the question. Marcas = y, Chris = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Shane = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Marcas to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Mark. Luke called for the question. Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Shane = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 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 Mary to approve 2024 purchase orders and 1st quarter blanket certificates. Second Marcas, Luke called for the question. Mary = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Shane = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Finance committee meeting – Wednesday – 17th at 4:30 pm – need to discuss the backhoe purchase.
Rules Committee: Mark Heitkamp
Will pick up the review/updates of the Employee Handbook.
Service Committee: Mary Beougher –
Communications with Amy regarding the park – painting at the Community building is taking place this week and next. New cleaner is working out very well. Will schedule service meeting for Thursday – 18th at 6:30 pm
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Meeting held before council discussed several issues. Would like to meet again on February 6th at 6:45 pm
Rockford Chamber would like to close the street parking for their Spring Fling event on May 4th — 8 am to 8 pm. This worked well for Rocktoberfest and we received positive feedback. — discuss under new business.
Economic Development Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
RADC – next meeting will be held on January 22, 2024 at 7 pm – Rockford Library basement.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson
Meeting held before council discussed – the headworks project —reviewed estimated cost and will send on to finance committee. May decide to direct resources towards Phase 2 of the sub-division. Discussed the pond cover. Need goals for 1, 3 and 5 years.
Old Business:
Temple -regarding Community Building – the amount of funds that have been spent over the last 3 years – approx. – $72,000. (various funds have helped – not all the expenses were paid from park fund as there hasn’t been enough in the fund to cover everything that needed to be done) This is the reason the rates were raised. We have additional expenses coming with the need for ceiling tiles and the next 2 – 3 years exterior painting and appliances. This should put complaints to rest.
Visitors to Address Council:
Brian Miller — Candidate for Mercer County Commissioner. Running for the seat of retiring Jerry Laffin. Has been in public service with Ohio Department of Natural Resources and with Franklin Township. Recently started his own small engine repair shop. Has enjoyed public service and looking forward to potentially serving the community as a Mercer County Commissioner. He stated that we live in a great county and wants to work together with public to continue keeping that tradition.
Thank you for introduction and coming to our meeting.
New Business:
Regarding the Chamber wanting to close down main street parking on May 4th – 8 am to 8 pm for Spring Fling.
Motion Marcas. Second Chris to approve this request. Luke called for the question. Marcas = y, Chris = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Shane = y. Passed 6 yes.
Meeting adjourned 8:02 pm
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Mayor Fiscal officer
