Meeting Minutes: November 21, 2023
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on November 21, 2023
at 7:30 pm.
Invocation – Ron Searight
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Ron Searight, Luke Stephenson,
Mary Beougher, Shane Young, Chris Heitkamp.
Also attending: Ross Finke, Francis Schaffner, Marge Gehle, Robbie Peel, Patrolman May, Erin Gardner from the Daily Standard.
Motion Young. Second M Heitkamp to accept the agenda with correction – will not pass Resolution 11-23 until the next meeting – as orders of the day. Stephenson called for the question. Young = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Beougher Second Searight to accept the minutes from the November 7th council meeting as presented. M Heitkamp called for the question. Beougher = y, Searight = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Young = y, Heitkamp = 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:
Congratulations to all newly elected officials:
Mayor – Ron Searight
Council – Mary Beougher and Luke Stephenson
Dublin Township Trustee – Dan Roebuck
Parkway School Board – Amanda Peel and Bryan Schoenleben
Both Rockford and Parkway Levies passed.
Thank you to the community for support and participating in the election process.
Mayor noted receipt and review of Mayors Court pay in
and bank statement.
Community Announcements and events:
November 23 & 24 – Thanksgiving / day after – Village office closed.
Happy Thanksgiving.
December 22 & 25 – Christmas – Village office closed. Merry Christmas.
December 25 – Together at Christmas – Free Community Christmas meal – Rockford Community Building — Sponsored by the Rockford Community Churches. —- 10:30 am – 1 pm
December 31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration – sponsored by the Parkway Athletic Booster Club. Rockford Community Building.
January 1, 2024 – Village office closed – Happy New Year.
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
Last meeting mentioned working with Rural Water to get a GSI system – have started the process. Into the new year will be marking lines for each property in the village – will be a year long process.
Water tower communications in the process and should be completed soon.
Received permits for the South Tower electrical install. On a waiting list to get job completed – hopefully by the end of the year as requested by the EPA.
Working on the pond coverage system – paperwork, down payment, contracts etc.
Gave handout to council regarding the lift station headworks system – very costly but needed to protect our investments. Basically collects solid materials from getting caught in pumps. Should we move forward would be looking at a loan for 30 years with 0 – 1% interest.
LAST DAY for leaf pick up – Wednesday – November 29th. After this date – please take leaves to the grass clippings bin behind the village office. Thank you.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Ron Searight – Council President
Motion Stephenson. Second M Heitkamp to pay the bills as presented
$ $530,573.64. Heitkamp called for the question. Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y, Young = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Young to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $1342.00. Second M Heitkamp. Beougher called for the question. Young = y, M Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y, Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Thank you to the 243 Voters that voted YES to the Rockford Levy – we thank you and appreciate your support.
To the 110 NO votes — we would be interested in why you voted no and if there are problems or concerns we would like to address them.
ORDINANCE 04-23
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 31,2024
1st reading – 11/07/2023
2nd reading – 11/21/2023
Resolution 11-23 —– next meeting ——
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE “VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD INCOME TAX ORDINANCE NO. 02-16” TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF HOUSE BILL 33 PASSED IN JULY 2023, AND MANDATED THAT MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX CODES BE AMENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS AND LIMITATIONS SPECIFIED IN CHAPTER 718
Motion –
RESOLUTION 10-23
A RESOLUTION RETAINING THE SERVICES OF ROSS FINKE AS SOLICITOR FOR THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO FOR 2024, SETTING COMPENSATION, AND ESTABLISHING RESPONSIBILITIES.
Motion: Young. Second M Heitkamp. Searight called for the question. Young = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion M Heitkamp to approve Chamber Gift Certificates for Full-time employees ($75) and part-time employees ($45). Second Searight. Stephenson called for the question. M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y, Young = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Finance committee meeting was held on 11/15/2023 – discussed 2024 appropriations, Franklin St project and the lift station head works project and potential costs.
Rules Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
With State Issue 2 Passing – Lisa and Aaron will be attending an online webinar – Moving from Medical to Recreation Marijuana — on Wednesday – November 29th from 11am – noon. (Office will be closed at this time). Law goes into effect on December 7th.
Ross also emailed some information that will be shared with council.
Service Committee: Mary Beougher –
Service Committee meeting was held this evening at 7 pm discussed – Shanes Park Manager, Agreement for Park Manager, Resolution and cleaning check list.
Shanes Park Manager position – council given information to review for the next meeting. Need any additional information for updates by December 1st.
Shanes Park — bike rack – will be donated just needs to be repainted. To be placed on the East Side of the bus stop. Council agreed to accept the donation. Thank you.
Beginning January 1st – we will have an open council seat as Ron Searight transitions to the Mayor position. Anyone interested in serving the community please send / or drop off a letter of interest by December 1, 2023 at 4 pm.
Vantage – will be completing the job at the park. They have done a fantastic job. Will look at making a donation to the school and a pizza party.
New chairs at the Community Building — very nice ! Rack have been ordered for some easy storage and moving in and out of the garage.
Parkway Students – doing a good job cleaning the park buildings after rentals. Will need our regular cleaners more during the holidays as students will be out of school and unable to come to the park. This has been a good partnership with Mr. Hughes/Parkway students and the village.
Christmas lights at the park – will not happen this year. Time has gotten away before we could round up some volunteers. Apologies — hope to get back at it next year.
Discussed trying to get some Santa hours at the park — may not happen this year.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Accident this past week — thankful no one seriously injured. A young person ran across the street from the library. We encourage everyone to cross the street at the stop light for safety.
Economic Development Committee: Shane Young
RADC – Meeting scheduled for November 27th at 7 pm at the Rockford Library. Will be discussing the need to finish the train mural project — paint the back side and the needed permanent framing.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson
Old Business:
New Business:
Need information for the next agenda by December 1st. Thank you.
Meeting adjourned 8:01 pm
_________________________ _________________________
Mayor Fiscal officer
