Meeting Minutes: October 21, 2014
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on
Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.
Invocation was given by Jeff Long
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Gehle, Fox, Pontsler, Dooley.
Heitkamp and Steiner absent.
Also attending: Kathy Thompson from the Daily Standard, Chief May.
Motion Gehle. Second Pontsler to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Dooley called for the question. Gehle = y, Pontsler = y, Dooley = y, Fox = y. Passed 4 yes.
Motion: Pontsler. Second Fox to accept the minutes from the
October 7, 2014 council meetings as presented. Gehle called for the question. Pontsler = y, Fox = y, Gehle = y, Dooley = y. Passed 4 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
* Trick or Treating – October 25th from 6 – 7:30 pm. Judging at the Firehouse at 8 pm
* Rockford Chamber Banquet – November 6th – 6 pm – Community Building
* Volunteers needed to help decorate Shanes Park for Christmas – Nov 8th @ 9 am
* Those involved in the Christmas at the Park event are asked to come to Shanes Park on November 15th at 10 am for a run through of the event.
* Christmas at the Park Event – November 30th at 7 pm. Need council members to sing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” with other community organizations.
* Rockford’s Best Mix – streaming online at www.1013rkd.com
Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long
Project summary for the next 2 to 3 years was put in mail slots. Everyone should have a copy.
Sidewalk on North St. and a sidewalk repair are scheduled to be done yet this year.
We are beginning to pick up leaves. We had a leaf sucker repair in the amount of $300.
We are moving ahead on the sub-division plans. The topo has been done and we are working on a preliminary design. We hope to have detailed information available after the 1st of the year. Along with those plans, Jeff met with Lots For Soldiers. They are raising funds towards building homes in Mercer County for Veterans. They have expressed interest in building a home in Rockford.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Chris Heitkamp – absent. Report by John Dooley
Motion Fox to pay the bills in the amount of $6423.11 . Second Pontsler Gehle called for the question. Fox = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Dooley = y. Passed 4 yes.
Motion Pontsler. Second Fox to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $442.00. Gehle called for the question. Pontsler = y, Fox = y, Gehle = y, Dooley = y. Passed 4 yes.
RESOLUTION 11-14
A RESOLUTION RETAINING THE SERVICES OF JUDY A KOESTERS AS SOLICITOR FOR THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO FOR 2015, SETTING COMPENSATION, AND ESTABLISHING RESPONSIBITIES.
Motion: Fox. Second Gehle to approve Resolution 11-14. Pontsler called for the question. Fox = y, Gehle = y, Pontsler = y, Dooley = y. Passed 4 yes.
Service Committee: Greg Pontsler
Rec Board – soccer and flag football program have ended for the season.
Motion Gehle. Second Dooley to accept the donation of a tower from the Mercer County Commissioners. Fox called for the question. Gehle = y, Dooley = y, Fox = y. Pontsler = y. Passed 4 yes.
Safety Committee: Gary Fox
Gary gave Jeff some information on training for the village employees. 1 a week we should be doing a half hour training. The information is to be recorded date, and what the training was about. This will be kept for insurance purposes.
The 4-way stop at Franklin and Walnut seems to be helping. Gehle suggested to maybe add stop bars in the future.
Economic Development Committee: Gene Steiner – absent
Public Utilities Committee: Steve Gehle
Nothing at this time.
Rules Committee: John Dooley
Code Enforcement: Weed and Junk Code Enforcement
First let me clarify that I am not trying to reinvent the wheel, and I know that similar things have been tried, and failed.
I believe that whatever we do, with diligence we will achieve some level of success.
At this point, many of the issues on the table have survived all previous strategies.
At this point it makes sense to simplify the whole process, instead of passing the ball back and forth between department, and using up our valuable resources that our department heads provide us, Both Paul and Jeff have more important things to do, and it is easy for this not to rate as a priority. The positive thing about this is that the things that are making it to the priority list are of great benefit to the community.
This being stated, I would suggest that we consider shifting the responsibility to one person. My suggestion would be Sgt Stetler. His directive needs to be clear and simple, “All” warnings are in writing, compliance inspections are scheduled, and done on schedule, at this point there are two options, 1. A compliance receipt is given to the property owner, and a copy is filed for future reference. 2. A citation is issued, and the normal process follows. In no case should there fail to be a record, any extensions to the warning period must be submitted in writing, and responded to in writing, and filed.
Building code enforcement issues would still come from Jeff, and be passed to Sgt Stetler when enforcement becomes necessary, Sgt Stetler would then start the process that those codes have provided him.
As for my suggestion of Sgt Stetler, I believe he is respected in the community, and would fair in his relationship with the community, yet get the job done.
The process is simple and clean, the public has a clear understanding of how it works, and will come to understand that it is consistent, uniform, and fair. Resolution in most cases should come to fruition in a matter of weeks. Once people get used to the idea that the system works, they will respond to the warnings, or hope that lenience will come from the Mayors Court.
Council agreed with this suggestion and will implement the program. The plan will be to have a notebook with information available to council at any given time.
Residents also need to realize that when village personnel are off the clock is not a good time to make complaints or suggestions. Please come to the office or contact us by phone or email.
Old Business
Pontsler brought up an email from the Mayor last week about the issue of Jeff and Tom being off at the same time. Last week Jeff was sick and Tom had a vacation day. There are times when exception to the Rules come into effect. John to research.
Mayor Joseph also brought up the issue of informing her when not coming into work and or adjusting hours. With technology today there is no reason that a text or email can’t be sent to inform regarding time off.
New Business
Sub division development – what do we have to offer. We already have our Rockford Revitalization program in place which offers base water and sewer at no cost to owner occupied residents and start up businesses for 6 months. The utility tap in fees for construction of a new home or building will be waived. We are a Community Reinvestment Area and there are some tax breaks. We have a brochure printed and is available at the Rockford Village Office.
Motion Gehle. Second Fox to waive the hearing request for the Rockford Carry out and Dining from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. Dooley called for the question. Gehle = y, Fox = y, Dooley = y, Pontsler = y. Passed 4 yes.
Meeting adjourned at 8:07 pm
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Mayor Fiscal Officer
