Meeting Minutes: November 2, 2021
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph, Tuesday, November 2, 2021
at 7:30 pm.
• Moment of silence to remember Councilman Greg Pontsler –
We appreciate his 19 years of loyal service to the Rockford Community.
Invocation – The Lord’s Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Yoder, Searight, Stephenson, Now, Heitkamp
Also attending: Srgt Stetler, Marge Gehle, Robbie Peel, and Sydney from the Daily Standard.
Motion Searight. Second Stephenson to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Yoder called for the question. Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Yoder = y, Now =y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Stephenson. Second Heitkamp to accept the minutes from the October 19, 2021 council meeting as presented. Yoder called for the question. Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, Yoder = y, Searight = y, Now = y, Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Community Announcements and events:
Tuesday – November 9th – Brush pick up
Thursday – November 11th – Veterans Day – Veterans appreciation events at Parkway and the Rockford American Legion
Friday – November 12 — St. Teresa Chili Soup and Sandwich supper
4:30-7:00pm Dine in or Carry Out – Free will donation
Rockford Community Building
Saturday – November 13th – Night at the Races – doors open at 6 pm
Rockford Community building
Thursday and Friday – November 25 & 26th — Thanksgiving – Village office closed.
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
The flooding problems at Holly Lane continue to be a problem with heavy rains. We believe we have located the problem of storm tile near the pine trees having large root balls that is causing water to back up. We have cut out the biggest issues but will need to spend some money to replace all the tile along that area.
Buckeye Street —- water backing up problems with heavy rains is being caused by Colonial Nursing’s retention pond. The area needs a big clean up. We have made contact and giving them some time to get cleaned up. If no progress by next week we will send them a property maintenance letter. If we need to clean up will be at $250 per hour and it will take many hours to clean up as it’s out of control.
Park – restrooms and splash pad will be winterized this week and closed up for the season.
Monday – November 8th — will begin leaf pick up — leaves should be piled near the curb — please keep away from light poles and mail boxes. Thank you.
Buckeye Street — needs repaved. We will be coordinating with the school – they have a company coming in next summer to do repaving. We will both save money on the company move in expenses coordinating the work for both projects. The village cost for Buckeye street milling down and resurface will cost $48,300.
Water Tower grant — Mercer County received no funds in the first round. We should hear about the next round this week.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee: Ron Searight
Motion Yoder. Second Stephenson to pay bills as submitted – $ 10,534.32
Now called for the question. Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Now = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Yoder to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Stephenson. Heitkamp called for the question. Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Now = y. Passed 5 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 Stephenson to approve supplemental appropriations to date. Second Heitkamp. Now called for the question. Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, Now = y, Yoder = y, Searight = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Yoder to approve additional purchase orders. Second Heitkamp. Stephenson called for the question. Yoder = y, Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Searight = y, Now = y. Passed 5 yes.
ORDINANCE 04-21
AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, STATE OF OHIO. DURING FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022.
1st reading – 11/02/2021
Motion Yoder to approve – 2022 Pay Schedule. Second Stephenson. Now called for the question. Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Now = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Service Committee:
We regretfully and with all due respect – need to fill the seat formerly held for 19 years by Greg ‘Wild’ Pontsler.
If anyone is interested – please contact the Village office with a letter of intent.
The Shanes Park santa house is being fixed up with new paint and replacement of rotted wood. Should be done in about 2 weeks.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp – (Mr. President) –
Economic Development Committee: Brad Now –
Shanes Crossing Subdivision – 7 Lots left for sale – contact Tammy Cheek with Homes at Ohio’s Edge Realty.
DORA updates – Will be meeting with the Rockford Chamber on November 11th at 8:30 am to give some basic information and get some feedback. Will schedule a Rules committee meeting to discuss area, timing, certification, signs, etc.. review application and guidelines.
Medical Marijuana dispensary updates – with all the regulations regarding school, park, child care, libraries, there really isn’t any locations that would work within the village – even if we get the business park going. No need for further discussions.
Business Park updates – nothing at this time.
WRKD updates – Rockford’s Best Mix – 101.3 – you can listen on air, online and on the app. Tune in ! Balance at the end of October $7865.28 — we have payments coming in for fall sports and yearly underwriting. We have a committee meeting scheduled and will give more updates after that. Winter sports underwriting will begin soon.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson –
Sprint / T-Mobile have offered time for residents to speak to representatives with concerns and information on upgrading older phone systems that might not be compatible with the new technology. Maybe you have another carrier and interested in switching services.?
Sprint / T-Mobile will be on site at the Rockford Village Office on
Friday, November 5th from noon – 7 pm. Stop by ! There will be several representatives to answer questions and get you set up for better service.
- Please bring account number and a previous bill.
Rules Committee: Jessica Yoder –
224 Rogers Ave —- Fencing — Committee meeting will be set up next week when members are available.
Old Business:
Sidewalk to subdivision is over half way completed. We will work on it as long as the weather permits. Should be completed early Spring either way.
Pickle ball courts — still in use therefore have not taken down the nets.
Deep thoughts by Village Administrator to end the meeting –
“Common sense is a flower that does not grow in everyone’s garden”
New Business:
Meeting adjourned 8:11 pm
_________________________ _________________________
Mayor Fiscal officer.
