Meeting Minutes: March 18, 2014

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 7:38 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.

Invocation was given by Gene Steiner

Pledge of Allegiance

Those present: Gehle, Steiner, Fox, Pontsler, Dooley, Heitkamp
Also attending: Jeff Long, Marti Lentz, Chief May, Greg Homan, and Amy K from the Daily Standard.

Motion Steiner. Second Pontsler to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Gehle called for the question. Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Fox = y, Dooley = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

Motion: Gehle. Second Dooley to accept the minutes from the March 4 , 2014 council meetings as presented. Fox called for the question.
Gehle = y, Dooley = y, Fox = y, Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

Visitors to Address Council:

Greg Homan introduced himself. He is running for Mercer County Commissioner on the May ballot. He is making his way around the county to council meetings and getting know people. He currently works at Wright State University as an Associate Professor of Organization Leadership and Agriculture.

Mayor to Greg – Thank you for attending our meeting.

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:

• Rockford Community Days Meeting – March 19 at 7 pm.
• The Community Days Committee will be sponsoring a Wine Tasting on April 12th from 7 to 10 pm. Please RSVP to rcdwinetasting or call 419-363-3032 ext 1.
• The Rockford Chamber is holding a Spring Flower Bulb sale. Information available at the Village office or check the Rockford Ohio Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.
• The Rockford Chamber will be holding a Social Media Class “Facebook Marketing – it’s fun AND profitable on March 20th @ the Village Hall. Cost is $10 per Chamber Member and $15 per non Chamber member. RSVP required. Laptops welcome.
• The Splash Pad Committee will be holding a Quarter Auction on March 30th to benefit the Splash Pad. Event will be held at the Rockford Community Building. Doors open at 12:30 pm.
• The Rockford Lions Club Variety Show will take place at the Parkway High School Auditorium on April 4th and 5th.
• Shanes Park Easter Egg Hunt will be April 19th at 1 pm.

Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long

RESOLUTION 03-14

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR TO APPLY FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDGB FUNDS) FOR THE VILLAGE, INCLUDING THE WATER LINE REPLACEMENT AND STREET REPAIR FOR FRONT STREET, AND COMMITTING OF VILLAGE MONEY FOR LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS.

This will replace service lines and create a frost proof system to help alleviate the problems we had on Front Street with extreme cold temps. The Village would do the waterline work and hire the patching to seal the street to prolong the pavement life.

Motion Gehle. Second Steiner. Dooley called for the question. Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Dooley = y, Fox = y, Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

Discussed the need to repair cracks in the streets. The winter was hard on all the streets and there are many cracks that need sealed to protect our pavement. Sealant cost of $1, 507.50 and equipment cost of $1,781.56 for a total of $3289.06. It’s possible we may need more material. Council agreed with this proposal as it works best in the budget at this time.

Income survey to be mailed. We are working on obtaining funding for the Wastewater Treatment plant improvements. To do this we need an income survey to determine our eligibility. Random citizens will receive the survey. It is important that these surveys for our search for funding. The mailing contains a letter detailing the confidentiality of the survey, directions, and a self-addressed envelope which goes to the Mercer County Community Development Office.

Two existing Community Reinvestments Area agreements have been reviewed and it is recommended that they be continued.

Motion Pontsler. Second Gehle. Fox called for the question. Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Fox = y, Steiner = y, Dooley = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

We received word earlier today that the request for funding the Rockford Park Project is in the budget. Rep. Buchy and his colleagues agree on the merit of the project. $268,625 was requested. They have agreed to allocate $100,000 for the project. This funding is expected to be finalized in the legislative process in the coming weeks. THANK YOU to Rep. Buchy and Senator Keith Faber for supporting our request. This was a collaborative effort of the Village of Rockford, The Rockford Recreation Association, and Jerod Ebbing of the Mercer County Community Development Office.

Committee Reports

Finance Committee: Chris Heitkamp

Motion Steiner to pay the bills in the amount of $8269.93.. Second Pontsler. Dooley called for the question. Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Dooley = y, Gehle = y, Fox = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

Motion Gehle. Second Dooley to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $494.00. Pontsler called for the question. Gehle = y, Dooley = y, Pontsler = y, Steiner = y, Fox = Y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.

Service Committee: Greg Pontsler

Motion to approve the 2014 Rockford Recreation Board of Directors:

President – Ryan Thompson
Vice President – Chad Hamrick
Treasurer – Ryan Sipe
Secretary – Brent Agler

Motion Gehle. Second Fox. Heitkamp called for the question. Gehle = y, Fox = y, Heitkamp = y, Steiner = y Pontsler = y, Dooley = y. passed 6 yes.

Discussion about lights/camera for the park. Need to look at some other options. Service committee to meet with park board on April 10th at 7 pm.

Safety Committee: Gary Fox

Nothing at this time.

Economic Development Committee: Gene Steiner

Economic Development Committee to begin meeting before Council meetings at 7 pm starting with the next meeting on April 1st.

Public Utilities Committee: Steve Gehle

Congratulations! The Village of Rockford has earned a Tree City Award USA for its commitment to tree beautification and urban forestry management. 25 Years! Awards event on Wednesday, April 9th hosted by the City of Kenton and Village of Mt. Victory.

Rules Committee: John Dooley

Nothing at this time.

Old Business

New Business

Citizen complaint of ruts in yard. Wondering when they will get fixed.

There are some stop signs that still need work once the weather breaks.

Discussed trash cans in the downtown area. Are they needed in the winter ?

Maybe just have them out in the summer only?

Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.