Meeting Minutes: September 17, 2013
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.
Invocation was given by Gene Steiner
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Gehle, Steiner, Pontsler, Searight, Heitkamp
Blossom – absent
Also attending: Chief May, Jeff Long, Amy K. – Daily Standard,
Ted Clevenger
Motion Steiner. Second Gehle to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Searight called for the question. Steiner = y, Gehle = y, Searight = y,
Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion: Searight. Second Heitkamp to accept the minutes from the
September 3, 2013 council meetings as presented. Gehle called for the question.
Searight = y, Heitkamp = y, Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Pontsler = y. Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Mayor Joseph disappointed. She sent an email last week regarding a complaint form and some procedures. Only 1 council person took time to reply. Pontsler, Gehle and Steiner stated they are better informed with a phone call. The issue of getting a complaint form has been resolved. But we need the form reviewed by the Rules committee to see if additional information should be added. The complaint form is the initial step in filing a formal complaint. The rest of the procedures are in place and included in the Employee Handbook.
Peggy to hold meeting and review the complaint form and return to next
Council meeting.
Rules Committee meeting scheduled for October 1st @ 6:30 pm.
Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long
The village has the opportunity to purchase a used truck from the Township for $2,000.
Motion: Gehle, Second Steiner, Pontsler called for the question. Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Thank you to Dublin Township. Truck will be ready in about 3 weeks.
We will be looking for a big snow blade for a good price.
Tomorrow the newly repainted (Thank you to Steve Thompson) Rockford Corporation signs will be installed. They will look very nice. Thank you to the Historical Society for purchasing the posts.
We had to replace 2 aerators at the sewer plant. Pond is close to turning over for the year. When getting everything started back up from the summer. 2 of the motors were blown. Everything is now fixed. Temps need to drop 39 degress or little lower to get everything turned over.
Steiner thanked the village employees for trimming some trees around the stop signs. Gehle comments that there will be more tree trimming on Monday – September 23rd as the tree committee will be having a working meeting.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Ron Searight
Motion Steiner to pay the bills in the amount of $15,482. Second Gehle. Expenses include pumps, tree removal and normal operating. Heitkamp called for the question. Steiner = y, Gehle = y, Heitkamp = y, Pontsler = y, Searight = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Pontsler to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $816.00. Second Heitkamp. Gehle called for the question. Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y, Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Searight = y. Passed 5 yes.
RESOLUTION 09-13
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFIYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR.
(General Fund = $25,060 & Current Expense = $21, 834)
Motion: Gehle, Second Steiner. Pontsler called for the question. Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
RESOLUTION 10-13
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUND AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE MERCER COUNTY BUDGET COMMISSION AND DECLARING IT AN EMERGENCY.
(Local government = $26,266 or 6.63 %)
Motion: Pontsler. Second Heitkamp. Searight called for the question.
Pontsler =y, Heitkamp = y, Searight = y. Gehle = y, Steiner = y. Passed 5 yes.
Current Expense (1984 rates) levy expiring in 2013. We will be looking to put a levy on the ballot in May. This is why we have been giving out financial information. We have been holding our own, but it’s hard to live in 2013 at 1984 rates.
Municipal Income Tax brought in Year 2008 = $282,081.36 and Year 2012 brought in $252,791.19. Decrease difference $29,290.17 to the General Fund.
The Finance committee will have a meeting on October 9th to discuss budget and levy information.
Service Committee: Greg Pontsler
Paul was in court on Monday regarding a West St property. They plead no contest and will be meeting with the village to discuss exactly what needs to happen. They have a deadline of being in compliance by November 9th.
Trailers on Columbia St. are needing some attention. Paul to get with owner. They have already been issued a warning. We will need to proceed to the next step.
House on Pearl St. The Village has mowed and are taking care of the weed problem. The owners will probably not be coming back.
Overall we have made some improvements over the summer and will continue working on problem areas.
Tom Rogers of The Rockford Belle would like to close Market St. on
October 19th for the Fall Harvest Concert with Blind Date Band. They will be having campfires roasting hot dogs and marshmallows weather permitting.
Motion: Searight. Second Pontsler. Heitkamp called for the question. Searight = y, Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y, Gehle = y, Steiner = y. Passed 5 yes.
Mayor Joseph asked about the cameras at the park ? We are getting some quotes on several different ideas. Possible internet capabilities ?
The playsets at the park need some attention. Chris Heitkamp will get with builders.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
There is a hole near the Rhoades driveway that needs patched.
Several stop signs that need to be changed. Several are very faded.
Pontsler asked about the Fire Department sign wondering if it could be moved back off the sidewalk a little? We are looking at other options with regards to the sign. Maybe something more permanent once the lot is cleaned up and level.
Economic Development Committee: Eugene Steiner
Economic Development meeting on October 15th to set some goals.
Thanks to those involved in getting the Dollar General Ribbon cutting organized. It went very well. Very impressed with Barrys ad welcoming Dollar General and the customer appreciation luncheon.
Public Utilities Committee: Steve Gehle
Rules Committee: Peggy Blossom
Rules Committee meeting – October 1st @ 6:30 pm.
Old Business
Still working on getting the speed limit reduced coming in on 33.
New Business
Adams Saunders has resigned as part-time police. Ted Clevenger will be moved from Auxillary to paid part-time police.
