Meeting Minutes: March 7, 2023
Council called to order by Mayor – Amy Joseph on March 7, 2023
at 7:30 pm.
Invocation – Ron Searight
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Ron Searight, Luke Stephenson, Rick Shindeldecker, Chris Heitkamp. Mary Beougher – absent
Also attending: Ross Finke, Robbie Peel, Bret Peel, Marge Gehle, Srgt Stetler,
Sandy Schaffner, Chief May, Chris Rasbach, Bill Kincaid and Erin Gardner of the Daily Standard.
Motion Searight. Second Stephenson to accept the agenda as orders of the day
Shindeldecker called for the question. Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Shindeldecker = y, M Heitkamp = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Shindeldecker. Second Heitkamp to accept the minutes from the February 21, 2023 council meeting as presented. Searight called for the question. Shindeldecker = y, Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y. Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
* Note deadline for council agenda the Friday before council at 4 pm. *
*** time limit 5 minutes ***
Marge Gehle – Questioned why Tree City was disbanded and will it be revisited? Shared the pros and cons of having trees in the tree lawns. The advantages out weigh the disadvantages. Pearl St looks awesome with the newly trimmed trees.
And regarding Community Days —- do organizations get to keep all their proceeds or does some of that go back to Community Days ? Wasn’t specific in the letter. Does Community Days pay to rent the community building ? Answer – regarding the groups participating – they are required to donate 25% of their proceeds to Community Days.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Our thoughts are with those who lost Main St businesses last week due to fire. We thank the many volunteers who came to help in many ways with the situation.
Community Announcements and events:
St. Teresa Family Fun Night / Talent Show – March 11th – Rockford Community Building. Talent acts may include instrumentals, singing, dancing or any other talent one would like to share with the community!
Please text 419-852-7954 or email stteresachurch@bright.net.
Shanes Crossing Historical Society Speaker Series –“World War ll and the Rockford- Willshire Area” presentation by Harrison Frech – March 20th –
7 pm – Village Office.
Village Office closed – March 28th and 29th – Online Continue education.
Lions Club Quarter Auction – April 1st – Rockford Community Building
Rockford Fire Department – April 8th – Pancake & Sausage – 6 am – 1 pm
Shanes Park – Easter Egg Hunt – April 8th – 1 pm
Rockford Chamber – April 15 – Spring Fling –– Main Street – 10 am – 3 pm
Accepting Groups / organizations to participate in 2023 Community Days –
June 16 & 17. Contact Amy Joseph at 419-953-7874 or
Crystol Rasbach – 702-480-9146
**Proceeds to new shelter house at Shanes Park Pond.**
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple –
Waiting to hear back from Brice regarding the subdivision – end of next week.
No new updates regarding any of the projects. Craig will be in contact with water tower construction crew – should be coming in soon.
With the terrible event last week – questions have been raised regarding our high service pumps. We got through ok but we need to invest in getting each pump serviced and cleaned. Roughly a 3 day turn around for each pump. Will contact large users about maintenance schedule but shouldn’t interfere with production. ‘
Also looking ahead as you do with an event like this so that we are more prepared with access to water. Will be asking permission to install a dry hydrant at pond 3 and also installing one at the park pond.
Wastewater rollover odors — meeting with Craig – Wednesday am.
The Village offices need some updates – roofing and painting. Will get some lists together and some quotes to consider.
Will be meeting with Stolly on Friday to discuss renewal of health insurance.
Getting close to mowing season – would like to get approval to hire Tom Beahrs back as he is experienced, knows the equipment and what needs to be done.
- Will get back to this in old business.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee: Ron Searight – President
Motion Shindeldecker. Second Stephenson to pay the bills as presented – $ 47,420.69. Heitkamp called for the question. Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Shindeldecker to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Stephenson. Heitkamp called for the question. Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y. Passed 5 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 Shindeldecker to approve supplemental appropriations to date. Second Stephenson. M Heitkamp called for the questions. Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Shindeldecker to approve additional purchase orders. Second M Heitkamp. Heitkamp called for the question. Shindeldecker = y, M Heitkamp = y, Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Stephenson = y. Passed 5 yes.
RESOLUTION NO. 03-23
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PLACE ON THE
NOVEMBER 2023 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT
A 2.8 MILL RENEWAL LEVY FOR GENERAL FUND EXPENSES FOR
THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO
Motion Stephenson. Second Shindeldecker. M Heitkamp called for the question. Stephenson = y, Shindeldecker = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Stephenson = y. Passed 5 yes.
RESOLUTION NO. 04-23
A RESOLUTION RETAINING THE SERVICES OF ROSS FINKE, AS SOLICITOR FOR THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO BEGINNING APRIL 1ST, 2023, SETTING COMPENSATION, AND ESTABLISHING RESPONSIBILITIES.
Motion: M Heitkamp. Second Shindeldecker. Stephenson called for the question. M Heitkamp = y, Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Service Committee: Mary Beougher – absent
Chamber – Spring Fling – April 15th – closing down Market to Franklin St. – some discussion. Chris will talk to the Post Master to see what time the drivers will be out of the area in order to close the street until 3 pm.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Safety committee meeting was held on Tuesday – February 28th at 2:30 pm. Will be setting up time to check out tree lawns and take safety tour of Water and Sewer plants. Didn’t work out last week.
Economic Development Committee: Rick Shindeldecker
The RADC Committee will be holding a community economic development meeting on April 25th at 7 pm – at Shane Hall. Included in the meeting will be Mercer County Economic Development, Representation from the Commissioners office, Council and local businesses.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson –
So Peachy Clean sponsoring 5K during Spring Fling — looking at potential routes should have more information at the next meeting.
RESOLUTION 05-23
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE FISCAL OFFICER TO CREATE FUND 5103. A FUND TO TRACK INCOME AND EXPENDITURES FOR A REHAB WATER TOWER PROJECT. THE FUND WILL BE CALLED “REHAB WATER TOWER FUND”
Motion Searight. Second Shindeldecker. M Heitkamp called for the question. Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Rules Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
Taking a break for this meeting- nothing at this time.
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.
Short discussion on the approval for Tom Beahrs to mow beginning in April at a rate of $1200 per month. This is same deal as last year.
Motion Searight. Second Shindeldecker. Stephenson called for the question. Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
New Business:
Motion M Heitkamp to go into Executive Session – Personnel – time: 7:56pm. Second Shindeldecker. Heitkamp called for the question. M Heitkamp = y, Shindeldecker = y, Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Stephenson = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion M Heitkamp to come out of Executive Session – time: 8:34 pm. Second Shindeldecker = y, Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Stephenson = y. Passed 5 yes.
No action taken. Meeting adjourned 8:34 pm
_________________________ _________________________
Mayor Fiscal officer
