Meeting Minutes: January 7,2020
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph
Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.
Invocation – The Lord’s Prayer – led by Shane Young
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Young, Pontsler, Now, Heitkamp
Gehle absent
Also attending: Tom Stankard – of the Daily Standard, Robbie Peel, Marge Gehle, Nancy Leighner, Dr. Means, Srgt Stetler, Chief May, Kevin Grote
Oath of Office to Mayor Amy Joseph and Councilman Greg Pontsler.
Motion Young. Second Pontsler to nominate and approve Chris Heitkamp as the next Council President. Now called for the question. Young = y, Pontsler = y , Now = y, Heitkamp y. Passed 4 yes.
Congrats Councilman Heitkamp. !
Motion Young. Second Pontsler to accept the agenda as orders of the day with an addition of Executive Session at the end of the meeting. Now called the question. Young = y, Pontsler = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 4 yes.
Motion Now. Second Heitkamp to accept the minutes from the December 17, 2019 council meeting as presented. Young called for the question. Now = y, Heitkamp = y, Young = y, Pontsler = y. Passed 4 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Nancy Leighner – exciting to see new things in town and that we have good leadership and seeing that everyone is working together. But – J the alleyways need attention. One near home is terrible and have heard of others stating the same. Aaron will address this issue in his report.
Thank you Nancy !
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Mayor Joseph to have council assignments for the next meeting.
Happy 200th Birthday Rockford ! We have monthly activities planned throughout the year ! Help us celebrate each month by supporting our local events. Several places to keep up to date – “Like” Village of Rockford Facebook page or rockfordohio.org – web site go to – Bicentennial Schedule of Events or the new Rockford Community Calendar !
Rockford’s Best Decorated Homes – 3rd place to Deb and Kerry Roehm,
2nd Place to Donna Riley and Troy Drake and 1st place again this year to
Chris, Tracy and Chase Heitkamp. Thanks to all those that participated !
I have been received letters from Parkway students regarding ideas to make the village a better place to live. Thanks students !
Community Announcements and events:
Dog Tags available for purchase at the Village Office until January 31st.
Mr. Harrison Frech’s – Book about Anthony Shane – Revised 2020 edition
Can be purchased at the Village Office. $10
Tuesday – January 14th – Brush pick up
Saturday – January 18th – Mexican Fiesta – Rockford Community Building
4 – 7 pm – Tickets $8 on sale at Village Office
Proceeds to Rockford Community Days – Bicentennial Events
Monday – January 20th – Village office closed – Martin Luther King Jr. day
Saturday – January 25th @ Noon – Chamber Ribbon Cutting for Second Crossing Brew Co. – Main St
Saturday – January 25th – possible Chamber Ribbon Cutting for Betsey’s Bouquets – Main St.
February – Mike Schumm – presents Rockford Early Settlement
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
Gave out 2020 Goals – Goals can be achieved through teamwork and communication.
Work has started on changing more of the street lights to LED lights that saves significant money.
Veterans Memorial coming along – will be working on the block wall with warmer temps this week.
Towards end of this week – we will be working on those alleyways that Nancy mentioned. Easier to work on in wet conditions.
We are in the process of working on a 75% grant with the Ohio BWC for a hydro-excavator. Had a company come this week to give a demonstration. Was very timely as we had a water leak to fix. Worked very well and has many benefits along with the safety benefits of digging in areas that may not be marked for underground utilities. Took video if anyone interesting in seeing. Looking at several options that will best serve our needs. Will be meeting with BWC representative next week to review the program details.
Greg mentioned – light near Carry Out not working.
Heitkamp mentioned – Parking area near post office when we have ice and snow – possible to get some grit down in that area? Temple – We are looking at several options to be able to hit smaller areas as the larger spreader doesn’t work so well in small places.
Joseph – have seen in news other areas using beet juice? Temple – don’t know much about that process – would have to do some research.
Heitkamp – Stop Signs – several signs need attention – some faded some have trees blocking.
Now – need stop sign in alleyway behind the realty office coming towards Columbia St. Especially with Brew Co opening more traffic in both directions.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Steve Gehle – absent
Bills didn’t get finished for this 1st meeting – Will finish later in the week and email information to council. If you have any questions – please ask.
Motion Young to approve the monthly financial reports:
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.
And supplemental appropriations to date:
And approve 2020 purchase orders and 1st Quarter blanket certificates:
Second Heitkamp. Now called the question. Young = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Pontsler. Passed 4 yes.
Service Committee: Greg Pontsler
We have 3 community members interested in serving on council. Sent out a 6 question survey – will review in executive session at the end of the meeting.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
With recent resignation of Jason Seger – we have a part time officer position open.
Motion Young to approve the hiring of Kevin Grote as part-time officer. He can start training yet this week. Second Pontsler. Heitkamp called for the question. Young = y, Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y. Passed 4 yes.
Mayor Joseph Oath of Office to Kevin Grote.
Economic Development Committee: Shane Young
Reminder – Shanes Crossing Subdivision – Lots for sale – 20% discount through 2020 !
2 New businesses in town will be having Ribbon Cuttings – Second Crossing Brew Company and Betsey’s Bouquets. Tentative date – January 25th.
Public Utilities Committee:
Rules Committee: Brad Now
Old Business:
? about aerators at WWTP – plugs being switched in the supply lines. Taking little longer as wrong parts sent.
? water meter problems – they continue to still be a problem. Our rep has left for another job. We are waiting for his replacement so we can meet and discuss.
New Business:
Motion Pontsler. Second Heitkamp. Young called for the question to go into Executive Session regarding personnel. Now called for the question. Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Pontsler = y. Passed 4 yes. Time 8:03 pm
Time 8:28 pm – Motion Heitkamp to come out of Executive session. Second Pontsler. Now called for the question. Heitkamp – y, Pontsler = y, Young = y, Now = y. Passed 4 yes.
Action taken –
Motion Pontsler to appoint Dr. Norman Means for the vacant council seat – 4 year term. Second Young. Now called for the question. Pontsler = y, Young = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 4 yes.
Mayor Joseph made call to Dr. Means. We will give him Oath at the beginning of the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm
_________________________ _________________________
Mayor Fiscal officer.
