Meeting Minutes: October 18, 2022
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph, Tuesday, October 18, 2022
at 7:30 pm.
Invocation – Ron Searight
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Ron Searight, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher,
Rick Shindeldecker, Chris Heitkamp.
Also attending: Robbie Peel, Marge Gehle, Chief May, and Erin G 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, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Stephenson. Second Searight to accept the minutes from the October 4, 2022 council meeting as presented. Shindeldecker called for the question. Stephenson = y, Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y, Beougher = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Appointed – Marcus Heitkamp to replace Jessica Yoder. Mayor issued the Oath of Office. Welcome Marcus.
Christmas at the Park — Volunteers needed.
Community Announcements and events:
October 23rd – Rockford American Legion – Turkey Shoot – 11:00 am
No membership required – All are welcome.
October 23rd – Free Rockford Opry Show – 1 pm -Community Building
October 29 – Chamber Fall Fest 10 am- 3 pm / Trick or Treat 5-6:30 pm costume judging – 7 pm – Events all day -check Rockford Ohio Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for more information.
November 4th – St. Teresa Chili Supper – Community building
4:30 – 7 pm – All are welcome ! Free will donations accepted.
November 5th – Night at the Races – Community building
November 8th – General Election – Community building
November 26th – Small Business Saturday
December 25th – Together at Christmas – sponsored by local churches.
Free meal – All are welcome – Community building.
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple –
South water tower bids will be opened in January. Have reviewed some pre-specs and hours available for crew to be working. Both towers will have the same graphics and colors applied.
Will begin picking up leaves at the park this week. Will start residential next week. Please separate the leaves and the sticks. Please no dog waste in the leaves. Please do not place leaf piles near mailboxes and light poles.
Weather is slowing the planned project to get started on the walk path around the pond. Will not be planting seed until early spring.
Will be repainting some of the parking area markings on streets – Market St., Columbia to Main, Pearl to Fire House, and at the Shane Hall building.
The park restrooms will remain open at this time.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee: Ron Searight – President
Motion Shindeldecker. Second Stephenson to pay the bills as presented – $49,598.11 .Heitkamp called for the question. Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y. Passed 6 yes.
Finance Committee meeting minutes sent to council. All should have reviewed.
Will move forward with recommendations and have Pay Schedule updated and 1st reading on 2023 Appropriations at the next meeting – November 1st.
Service Committee: Mary Beougher
Street lights have all been changed over to LED.
Several job opportunities – Still need cleaners for park buildings and Park Manager for next year. Please contact the village office with a letter of interest by October 25th, 2022.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Fire Hydrant near State St. — has not been in working order for some time. Can it be removed or replaced ? Temple – will look at capping it off – connected to some very dated water lines so need to be careful in the maintenance of that area.
Back to previous meeting regarding 33 / 118 stop sign at the bridge— safety in the area. Can we get the light fixed –what can be done?
Maybe rumble strips ? Will contact the State to see what options we have.
Safety Committee meeting scheduled for November 1st at 7 pm.
Economic Development Committee: Rick Shindeldecker
Shanes Crossing Subdivision – sold another lot – 4 Lots left for sale – contact Tammy Cheek with Homes at Ohio’s Edge Realty.
New Business – Opportunity in Rockford, Ohio –
Corner of Main Street and Columbia Street call RCS Construction
at 419-586-9367.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson –
Base water rate increase from $33 to $53
Ordinance 09-22
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO (VILLAGE WATERWORKS SYSTEM), AND ENACTING NEW RATES TO THE CHARGES FOR WATER AND WATER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, REPEALING ANY CONFLICTING LEGISLATION, AND DECLARING AND EFFECTIVE DATE –
(January 1, 2023 – first billing on February 1, 2023 for January services)
(No more Shut off letters – if not paid by end of month water gets shut off until paid in full – $25 fee to be added to next billing.)
1st reading – 09/20/2022
2nd reading – 10/04/2022
3rd reading – 10/18/2022
Motion Searight. Second Shindeldecker. Heitkamp called for the question. Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y. Passed 6 yes.
WRKD updates –
Rules Committee: Marcus Heitkamp
Will begin working on several items – need to get the final copy of the updated Parking ordinance from Judy for approval at the next meeting.
Old Business:
Searight – Seeing junk / rubbish / trash areas around town again along with vehicles being parked in unapproved locations – mainly yards. Need to get back on track with these problems. Council noted several areas around town.
Temple – brush pick up was caught up last week.
Residents filing complaints — fill out a form, send an email, send photos or make a call. Police to note problem areas while on patrols.
New Business:
Meeting adjourned 8:03 pm
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Mayor Fiscal officer
