Meeting Minutes: October 18, 2016
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on
Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.
Invocation by Council President John Dooley
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Gehle, Rutledge, Pontsler ,Dooley,
Fox and Heitkamp absent
Also attending: Srgt Stetler, and later Ed Gebert of the Daily Standard
Motion Pontsler. Second Gehle to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Dooley called for the question. Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Dooley = y, Rutledge = y. Passed 4 yes.
Motion Gehle. Second Dooley to accept the minutes from the
October 4, 2016 council meetings as presented. Pontsler called for the question. Gehle = y, Dooley = y, Pontsler = y, Rutledge = y. Passed 4 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
The Village of Rockford would like to express our sincere sympathy to the Bickle family in the recent loss of Lexi. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you to our community for coming together and supporting the family.
Receipt and review of the Mayors Court pay in, bank reconciliation and bank statement.
Community Announcements and events:
WRKD – Rockford’s Best Mix radio station is working on some reorganization. We are looking for some volunteers to set on the Board of Directors. If you are interested in radio and seeing our local station continue to be successful, please contact the Rockford Village Office at 419-363-3032 ext 1. Please leave your name and phone number.
Christmas at the Park decorating – October 22nd & 29th – need community involvement ~! 10 am – noon.
October 29th – Halloween activities: Trick or treat from 6:00-7:30 and Judging @ the Fire House 8:00 pm.
October 29th – Rockford United Methodist Church will be handing out candy during Trick or Treat at the church parking lot behind the Fire Station.
Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long – absent
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Steve Gehle
Motion Dooley to pay bills as submitted in the amount of $16,717.79. Second Rutledge. Gehle called for the question. Dooley = y, Rutledge = y, Gehle = y, Ponstler = y. Passes 4 yes.
Motion Ponstler. Second Rutledge to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $1057.00. Dooley called for the question. Pontsler = y, Rutledge = y, Dooley = y, Gehle = y. Passed 4 yes.
A Finance Committee meeting was held on October 12th regarding the 2017 budget. The following items were discussed: We need to create 3 line items for retirement liability lines for unused sick time if and when someone retires. $2500 for the general fund, $2500 for the water fund and $2500 for the sewer fund at this time. We will add to this amount each year to help keep ourselves covered when a retirement occurs. We will be adding $600 to the police budget in order to cover the MARCS radio system expense each year. We will take what is left over this year in the police budget and do a supplemental to get the past due taken care of. The committee discussed a 3% raise for all full time employees.
Motion Rutledge, Second Dooley to approve a 3% raise for all full time employees. Gehle called for the question. Rutledge = y, Dooley = y, Gehle = y, Pontsler = y. Passed 4 yes.
The Finance committee also discussed: some contract labor for the park and the need to add audit costs in the budget.
The next Finance Committee meeting will be held on Thursday October 27th at 7 pm. We will review the updated items and the water and sewer funds.
We will plan to have the 1st reading at the November 1st meeting.
Service Committee: Greg Pontsler
Flag football tournament is this weekend. The new sidewalk from the batting cage area to Holly Lane has been completed.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp – absent
Economic Development Committee: Rob Rutledge – nothing
Public Utilities Committee: Wilbur Fox – absent
Rules Committee: John Dooley
In December the Blues Group will be sponsoring Blues in the School program with a free concert.
We have been working on a project to get some of the Ordinances on line in an easier format. Hopefully, this will be completed by the end of the year.
Old Business
Judy is working on the deed for the Fire Department. This will be on the next agenda for Council Approval.
Judy is working on the Pearl St. property. She is contacting entities that are due tax payments and working to get them waived. There may or may not be a cost involved depending on how much delinquent taxes can or will be waived. This will benefit the community overall as we work to make the property become a viable income for all involved.
Will need to get with Jeff to see if he contacted the company regarding the tower?
New Business
Gehle 2 items –
J & B Equipment has purchased several lots and have cleaned them up. They will be used for parking. They are requesting that the debit service be canceled on those properties since there will no longer be water services. Council in agreement need to get with Jeff.
TJ’s lot – in the south east corner – where does their lot end and the street begin ? Would like to see a curb or island around the corner of the lot to define the property and also in a way so that people don’t just take off from the lot in to traffic since there is no stop sign. Council had some disagreements on the issue. Jeff to take a look at the situation and get back to Steve.
Meeting adjourned 8:05
____________________________ _____________________________
Mayor Fiscal Officer
