Meeting Minutes: June 20, 2023
Council called to order by Mayor – Amy Joseph on June 20, 2023
at 7:30 pm.
Invocation – Ron Searight
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Ron Searight, Luke Stephenson,
Rick Shindeldecker, Mary Beougher, Chris Heitkamp.
Also attending: Ross Finke, Robbie Peel, Marge Gehle, Srgt Stetler,
Chief May, Ashley Stetler, Loren Shindeldecker, Erin Gardner and Abby Miller of the Daily Standard.
Motion Stephenson. Second Shindeldecker to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Beougher called for the question. Stephenson = y, Shindeldecker = y, Beougher = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Searight. Second Stephenson to accept the minutes from the June 6, 2023 council meeting as presented. Heitkamp called for the question. Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y, Shindeldecker = y. Passed 6 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
* Note deadline for council agenda the Friday before council at 4 pm. *
*** time limit 5 minutes ***
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Community Days — was a picture perfect weekend. Thanks to all those who made the event possible – volunteers and donations all greatly appreciated.
Mayor noted receipt and review of Mayors Court pay in
and bank statement.
Community Announcements and events:
July 4th – Village office closed for Holiday and council meeting cancelled.
Next regular meeting will be July 18th at 7:30 pm
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple – absent
Committee Reports
Finance Committee: Ron Searight – President
Motion Shindeldecker. Second Stephenson to pay the bills as presented
$ 75,384.87. Beougher called for the question. Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson =y, Beougher = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Shindeldecker to accept the Mayors Court pay in $71.00. Second Stephenson. M Heitkamp called for the question. Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Public Hearing – 2024 Budget was held June 20th at 7 pm
Motion Stephenson to approve the 2024 Preliminary Budget as presented and forward to the County Auditor. Second Heitkamp. Shindeldecker called for the question. Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, Shindeldecker = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y. Passed 6 yes.
Quarterly transfer to Franklin St. Fund — 3rd quarter – September 5th meeting. We will review finances and make decision.
ORDINANCE NO. #01-23
AN ORDINANCE LEVYING ASSESSMENTS FOR UNPAID PROPERTY MAINTENANCE FEES, AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
1st reading – 06/06/2023
2nd reading – 06/20/2023
ORDINANCE 02-23
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SALARIES FOR MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO, REPEALING ANY ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT THEREWITH, AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
1st reading – 06/06/2023
2nd reading – 06/20/2023
Rules Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
Updates to Employee Handbook –
2.3 Probationary Period for New Employees
All new village employees are on a probationary basis until the 6-month mark. The probationary period should be viewed as the final step in the hiring process designed to allow the new employee to demonstrate his or her aptitude for their position. During the probationary period supervisors will evaluate each probationer’s aptitude for their respective position taking into consideration topics including but not limited to job performance, conduct and character. At the conclusion of the probationary period the supervisor will take a holistic approach to determine the probationer’s competence and continued employment with the Village of Rockford. If the annual salary adjustment is granted during an employee’s probationary period, that employee will not be eligible for salary adjustment.
Mistakes are often a normal part of the on-boarding process but the frequency and ability to learn from those mistakes are what will be taken into account. However, misconduct and lapses in character, such as lying, or similar conduct are not acceptable and may result in the immediate end of the probationary period.
Motion to approve update Searight. Second Shindeldecker. Beougher called for the question. Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y, Beougher = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
2.4.1 SRO Position – Non Benefit Position
Once an officer is assigned to a Security Resource Officer (SRO) position- upon the effective date – the officer will be working a 260-day work schedule that correlates with the school system. Therefore, the officer will no longer receive traditional employee benefits such as accrued sick time, vacation time or personal time. Sick time will be frozen until the time of retirement and be paid out according to the employee handbook. Accrued vacation time will either be used by the effective date beginning the new school schedule or will be paid out as unused vacation time at the end of the year. Any personal time that was received at the beginning of the year would be forfeited.
Motion to approve update Searight. Second Shindeldecker. Heitkamp called for the question. Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y. Beougher = y,
Service Committee: Mary Beougher –
Question regarding funding for Franklin Street – the application was due June 14th and we should hear something this fall.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Parkway Schools and the Village have a signed contract for the School Resource Officer position (SRO).
Letter of Resignation from Chief May –
I Chief Paul P May III do hereby resign as Chief of Police effective this date – June 20th, 2023 to take the full time Resource Officer position with the Parkway Local Schools. It has been my greatest honor to serve this community as the Chief of Police for 24 years. I look forward to my continued service as the newly created School Resource Officer for Parkway Local Schools.
Motion Searight to approve – Paul May – letter of resignation as Chief of Police. Second Shindeldecker. Stephenson called for the question. Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Stephenson to appoint and approve Paul May as the full-time Parkway Security Resource Officer. Second Searight. Shindeldecker called for the question. Stephenson = y, Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y, M Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
After several interviews – the Safety Committee is recommending Srgt Stetler to be promoted to the Chief of Police position for the Village.
Motion Shindeldecker to promote Srgt Stetler as Chief of Police — effective July 1st.
Salary increases $2,970 effective July 1st.
Salary increase with council approval – October 8th – $2,970.
Salary increase with council approval – January 1, 2024 – $2,970.
Second Searight. Stephenson called for the question. Shindeldecker = y, Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y, M Heitkamp = n, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
More interviews were held with remaining applications and the Safety Committee is recommending Caden May as the 2nd Shift Patrolman.
Motion Searight to approve/ hire Caden May as the 2nd Shift Patrolman at a rate of $21.00 per hour. Second Stephenson. Shindeldecker called for the question. Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Shindeldecker = y, M Heitkamp = n, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Economic Development Committee: Rick Shindeldecker
Next RADC Committee meeting – Monday – June 26th at 7 pm – Rockford Library. All are welcome — don’t need to have a business to get involved.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson –
Motion Searight to approve updated WRKD by-laws. Second M Heitkamp. Shindeldecker called for the question. Searight = y, M Heitkamp = y, Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y.
Passed 6 yes.
Old Business:
2023 is an Election Year — Mayor and 2 council seats. If interested pick up petitions at the Board of Election with information on how to file to be on the ballot in November. Deadline – August 9th at 4 pm.
New Business:
Presentation to Paul May — Thank you on behalf of the Citizen of Rockford for time as Chief of Police. Swore in Paul May as Rockford Patrolman.
Swore in Bryan Stetler as new Chief of Police.
Congratulations and good luck to both in your new positions. This was a lot of hard work and many discussions over the last year but we finally have everything ready to go.
Several suggestions regarding the pond — look at putting up several life saving preservers and some cameras at the Community building looking towards the pond. A Facebook post today – mentioned no life guard on duty, that children should be with an adult and if unable to swim need to be wearing a life jacket.
Meeting adjourned 7:51 pm
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Mayor Fiscal officer
