Meeting Minutes: June 1, 2021
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph, Tuesday, June 1, 2021
at 7:30 pm also on Facebook live.
Invocation – The Lord’s Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Yoder, Young, Stephenson, Pontsler, Now, Heitkamp
Also attending: Srgt. Stetler, Marge Gehle, Robbie Peel
Motion Young . Second Stephenson to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Yoder called for the question. Young = y, Stephenson = y, Yoder = y, Pontsler = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Stephenson. Second Yoderto accept the minutes from the May 18, 2021 council meeting as presented. Young called for the question. Stephenson = y, Yoder = y, Young = y, Pontsler = y, Now =y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Very nice thank you from Marcia Ripley to the Community for the retirement open house.
Community Announcements and events:
Tuesday – June 8th – Brush Pick up
Thursday / Friday / Saturday – June 17,18 & 19 – Rockford Community Days / Bicentennial Celebration and Art Festival — many workshops happening!
Uncle Sam and Captain America will be visiting – check schedule of events for times.
And don’t forget ~~ Community Garage Sales !
POW/MIA OHIO Wall will be on display during Rockford Community Days · Thursday – June 17 at 4 PM — one day only event.
Proceeds from this year’s event will be put towards the Rockford Pickle Ball Court !
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
Street sweeper is falling apart. Gathering some information. Use 300-400 hours per year so we don’t want to spend a fortune.
Park – pavilion has been power washed – planning to paint picnic tables before Rockford Community Days.
Pickle ball courts – Cracks filled / sealed, the court is coming along and nets have arrived.
Warning – for those residents not mowing — we gave out 2 invoices this week. You need to keep up with your yard care.
Consideration to close off the grass area from the Carry Out to behind the Second Crossing for a Kremer family fund raiser on June 25 – Friday evening.
Motion Young. Second Now. Pontsler called for the question. Young = y, Now = y, Pontsler = y, Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Shane Young –
Motion Stephenson to pay bills as submitted – $ 4953.07 . Second Yoder. Pontsler called for the question. Stephenson = y, Yoder = y, Pontsler = y, Young = y, Now = y , Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Pontsler to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Stephenson. Yoder called for the question. Pontsler = y, Stephenson = y, Yoder = y , Young = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
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.
Motion Yoder to approve additional purchase orders. Second Stephenson. Now called for the question. Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Now = y, Young = y, Pontsler= y, Heitkamp =y. Passed 6 yes.
• Finance meeting held on May 25th – discussed Budget 2022
• Next Finance Meeting – June 22 – 1 pm — Budget 2022
• Budget hearing – July 6 – 7:00 pm
• Budget – – to auditor July 15th.
• petition to court on fund balance transfers
Last Friday – May 28th – 2019/2020 Audit completed !
Service Committee: Greg Pontsler –
Good News! – The Shanes Crossing Historical Society has received approval for the Johnny Appleseed Nursery – Ohio Historical Marker.
We should have the marker by Fall of 2022.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp – (Mr. President) –
UPS trucks hitting low limbs in the area of Pearl St. and Jay St. — look at situation after the meeting.
Now regarding safety — please make sure your Mahargs trash is located in the tree lawn for pick up and not in the roadway !!
Economic Development Committee: Brad Now –
Shanes Crossing Subdivision – Lots for sale – 20% discount/ build through – December 2021. If interested contact Tammy Cheek at Homes at Ohio’s Edge Realty. Have been discussing in the finance meetings changing the purchase requirements for the subdivision. The lumber prices may be keeping some buyers away.
Propose the following:
keeping the 20% discount
there will no longer be a build requirement
owners must take responsibility in keeping the lot mowed
Motion Young, Second Stephenson. Yoder called for the question. Young = y, Stephenson = y, Yoder = y, Pontsler = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
WRKD – The station will be purchasing an ad in the Bicentennial Keepsake edition of the Daily Standard.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson –
The Village of Rockford’s current electric aggregation program ends in August with Dynegy as the supplier. The new contract will start in August and the new supplier and rate will be on your September utility bill. The supplier is Energy Harbor and the rate will be $0.0477 until May 2024. This is a lower rate than the current price of $0.0514.
A change of supplier letter will come from the utility. The letter may say you need to select a new supplier or stay with the utility rate. You do not need to do anything. The opt out letter from Energy Harbor will arrive soon after with the terms and conditions. Do nothing to continue with the electric aggregation, you will be automatically enrolled. If you do not want to continue with the aggregation program, you will need to opt out and follow directions on the opt out letter.
Anyone who is currently participating or are directly with the utility will receive an opt out letter. Those individuals who are in their own contract, will not automatically be enrolled, but if you would like to join, call Valerie.
Any questions, you may call Valerie, with Palmer Energy, the Village’s consultant. Her number is 419-491-1040.
RESOLUTION 01-21
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE FISCAL OFFICER TO CREATE FUND 5102. A FUND TO TRACK INCOME AND EXPENDITURES FOR A NEW WATER TOWER. THE FUND WILL BE CALLED ‘WATER TOWER FUND’.
Motion Yoder. Second Now. Heitkamp called for the question. Yoder = y, Now = y, Heitkamp = y, Young = y, Stephenson = y, Pontsler = y. Passed 6 yes.
Rules Committee: Jessica Yoder –
Zoning Report – Definitions of different meanings:
Abandoned Vehicles – any motor vehicle which is left on private property for more than 48 hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property.
Any Motor Vehicle which is left on public property for 48 hours or longer without permission of the Chief of Police of the Village of Rockford.
Junked Motor Vehicle – meeting any 3 of the following – 3 years or older, disabling damage, fair market less than $750, inoperative, unregistered or improperly licensed.
Inoperative Motor Vehicle – any motor vehicle not moved for 30 consecutive days shall be presumed inoperative.
Old Business:
Young – discussed in the finance committee meeting about the former Rockford Trash Day — we would like to remind residents we have a very good deal from Mahargs in picking up trash. Stop by the Village office to purchase a large item ticket. Most are $5 for furniture, toilets, mattresses or box springs. Larger items such as a water heater or a stove is just $10. This is a good deal and a good way of getting rid of unwanted junk.
New Business:
4 Council seats will be on the November ballot. The deadline for petition at the Board of Elections is August 4th at 4 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm
_________________________ _________________________
Mayor Fiscal officer.
