Meeting Minutes: October 20, 2026
Council called to order by Mayor Ron Searight on October 20, 2026 at 7:30 pm.
Let us pray – Dear God, thank you for this meeting and the opportunity to discuss the village’s directional needs. Give us the information that is needed and guide and bless those decisions as well. We ask all these things in your Holy Name. Amen.
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Chris Heitkamp.
Also attending: Chief Westgerdes, Robbie Peel, Francis Schaffner, Benjamin from West Ohio Community Action and Erin from the Daily Standard.
Motion Marcas. Second Mary to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Luke called for the question. Marcas = y, Mary = y, Luke = y, Mark – y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Mary. Second Marcas toaccept the minutes from the October 6, 2026 council meeting as presented. Luke called for the question. Mary = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Noted Mayor’s court pay in and bank statement.
Just last week I discovered that I haven’t been receiving all of the voice mail notifications for some time now. I’m sorry if you were one of those that didn’t get a call back from me in the past. Since I became Mayor, I wanted to be available to the residents as much as possible and this was one of those ways. I wasn’t ignoring you if you were one of those people, as I just didn’t know the messages were there. I’ve taken steps to make sure this doesn’t happen again. So, if you still need to discuss something with me, please do so in person, on the phone or by voicemail.
Rocktoberfest is less than two weeks away and it promises to be a great day for the whole family. Main Street will be full of vendors, food trucks, car show, along with many other activities to see and do. I hope you come up town and enjoy this event, and support our local businesses that will open for you to shop in.
Trick or Treat will also take place later that day with costume judging at 7 PM in the Fire House to finish the evening and the day. Take care as you travel about in Rockford this day as people may not be paying attention to their surroundings and can easily come into your path of travel. Also, welcome the many visitors that come to these events and show the pride we have in the Village of Rockford.
Fall has arrived and leaves will be falling soon and so will the raking of them out to the curb of the street. Please make sure that there are only leaves and nothing else in that pile. Also, don’t place them next to signs, posts, or any other obstacles that may hinder pickup. As this slows up the whole process and you may have to deal with them yourself. You also have the option to bring them up and dump them in the grass clipping area as well if you like.
Everyone now should have received the new water bill form from October’s billing. I’ve heard comments from both sides about whether or not they liked the new paper billing. But it was the only option we had left, as far as mailing option goes. The village really didn’t want to go this way either, as it added extra time and cost to the billing process. An option that can reduce additional cost, is going with email only format and let us know, so we can take you off the paper billing. But at the end of the day the bills need to be received in a timely manner. We will continue to evaluate this as we go forward. But for now, it appears that it is working. Any questions on this, please feel free to come to the Village Office for the answers. Thanks.
Remember, “Give more than you take and you will receive more than you gave.”
God Bless you,
Mayor Ron Searight
Upcoming Community information & events:
Saturday – October 31st @ 10:00 – Rocktoberfest 5K
Saturday – October 31st – Rocktoberfest – Noon to 4 pm
Vendor Market, Car Show, Games, “Rockford Catsup” Sales !
Trick or Treating 5 – 6:30 pm
Costume Judging at the Fire Station – 7 pm
Saturday – November 7th – Lions Club – Bag Bingo — Community Building
Friday – November 13 – St. Teresa Chili Supper – Community Building
Sunday – November 22 – Holly Day Market / Park Lighting / Trolley Rides
Friday – December 25 – Together at Christmas – Community Building
Village Administrator’s Report: Aaron Temple
The last meeting, we discussed the need for security cameras at the park and they will be installed by the end of next week.
This week we have been pouring concrete for the new storage area for the historical society. The project has taken some extra time, but is coming along.
Attended a meeting to discuss Phase 3 of the subdivision. We will be going out to bid next week and the bids will be opened on November 12th. Project completion date will be June 2027. Details – 7 lots and the street to connect to Holly Lane.
With that being said there are 3 lots lefts in Phase 2.
Thank you to the Parkway Volleyball Coaches and players for helping do weeding and end of year clean up at the park. Greatly appreciated and good luck during tournament!
Mark – question regarding solar. We have a tree to remove and some dirt work to complete before install begins.
Took measurements of the park sign and will get some quotes.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
Motion Marcas. Second Luke to pay bills as presented: $ 27,374.09 Mary called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mary – y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Marcas to accept the Mayor’s Court pay in: $111. Second Mary. Mark called for the question. Marcas = y, Mary = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Marcas to approve the Parkway / Village of Rockford Ball Park Field Agreement. Second Mark. Luke called for the question. Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Finance committee will be working on 2027 final Budget – 1st reading November 3rd.
Rules / Zoning Committee: Mary Beougher
Rockford Business Park —- waiting for signatures and paperwork.
Motion Mary. Second Marcas to suspend the rules and pass Ordinance 04-2026 as an emergency. Luke called for the question. Mary = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Chris= yes. Passed 5 yes.
ORDINANCE 04-2026
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATIVE TO THE SALE OF LOTS IN THE MILLER SUBDIVISION. (Replaces Resolution 07-23 as the Subdivision had not been named at the time of passage)
Motion: Marcas. Second Luke. Mary called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 5 yes.
Working on updating the snow emergency ordinance — several changes include an automatic policy that if there is snow or forecast of snow of 2” or more (which is the regular amount to begin plowing), we will be considered ‘snow emergency’ so that vehicle need to be moved off the streets. Need to finalize the consequences of not complying and fines. Would like a 1st reading at the next meeting. Marcas to send out the information – please review and send any needed changes before the next meeting.
Also suggested to add this information to the water bills once the ordinance is finalized.
Mayor Searight — would like Mary, Mark and Chis to review the Community Building rental agreement. Need to update – with quiet time and when the party needs to be over. More than several complaints on loud music into the nights/early mornings.
Ross has the Property Maintenance ordinance updated and will be sending that out for review.
Rules Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 28th at 5 pm.
Service Committee:
Safety / Housing / Buildings Committee: Mark Heitkamp
Economic Development Committee: Luke Stephenson
Public Utilities Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Old Business:
Mary – to reach out to Vantage for an additional 10 to 12 picnic tables. Thank you.
New Business:
Visitor to address council: Benjamin – West Ohio Community Action to present the Fatherhood Initiative Program. Helps fathers and father figures strengthen their relationships with their children, build parenting skills, set goals, and overcome barriers that may affect their families. The program is for fathers, expectant fathers, and father figures with children under age 18. Participation incentives. Please contact Benjamin Rife, Mentor Coach Coordinator 419-234-1135 for more information or about setting up classes in Rockford.
Thank you, Benjamin — good information and definitely needed.
Meeting adjourned 8:00 pm.
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Mayor Fiscal officer
