Meeting Minutes: September 18, 2012
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.
Invocation was given by Gene Steiner
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Gehle, Steiner, Hodge, Pontsler, Searight, Heitkamp.
Also attending: Tom Beahrs, Amy Kronenberger of the Daily Standard, Sergeant Stetler. , Judy Koesters, Nancy Leighner and Marti Lentz
Motion Steiner. Second Gehle. Hodge called for the question. Steiner =y, Gehle = y, Hodge = y, Pontsler = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion: Searight. Second Pontsler to accept the minutes from the
September 4th, 2012 council meeting as presented. Gehle called for the question. Searight = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Hodge = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Nancy Leighner thanked Council for the cameras installed at Shanes Park.
The Splash pad will be closed at the end of the month. There will be cornhole, euchre games and concessions at the Community Building on Sunday, September 23rd. The public is invited to attend.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Trick or Treat night will be October 27th from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. Judging at the Fire House will begin at 8 pm.
Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long – absent. Report by Tom Beahrs
Shinn Bros. have been in town doing some reseeding in needed areas.
We will be working at the park for the next couple of weeks doing some concrete and sidewalk projects.
Ashpalt crew should be in town next week.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee – Steve Gehle
Motion Searight to pay the bills in the amount of $34,053.69. Second Pontsler. Gehle called for the question. Searight = y, Pontsler =y, Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Hodge =y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Pontsler to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $1,281.57. Second Hodge. Steiner called for the question. Pontsler =y, Hodge = y, Steiner = y, Gehle = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
RESOLUTION 07-12
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUND AMOUNT AND RATE AS DETERMINED BY THE MERCER COUNTY BUDGET COMMISSION. Rockford estimate $26,254.00 6.63%,
Motion Steiner. Second Searight. Gehle called for the question. Steiner =y, Searight = y, Gehle = y, Hodge = y, Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
RESOLUTION 08-12
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. Rockford General Fund $24,935, Current Expense $21,077, and Fire Levy $26,833.
Motion Hodge, Second Pontsler. Gehle called for the question. Hodge = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle =y, Steiner = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
The moment we have all been waiting for – we are approaching budget time!
We decided last year to handle during council so that everyone is aware of what is going on. Basically the budget looks to be flat – in other words no major changes from last year. The cuts we did last year should hold us through this next year. One item on the table that needs discussed is employee pay. There has not been a pay raise since 2009. Once that pay increase took effect the government changed the payroll tax tables, so this raise amounted to about $5.00 per pay check. We will be discussing this at the next council meeting along with the following time line. October 2nd will be reviewing the water and sewer. October 16th we will be reviewing the general fund. Paul has turned in the police budget and we will get council some copies.
Service Committee: Gary Hodge
Nothing at this time.
Safety Committee: Ron Searight
Thanks to Nancy Leighner for bringing the house number visibility to our attention. A press release was done to help awareness.
Economic Development Committee: Eugene Steiner
Working on a project. Negotiations are on going. We should have some answers before to long. Have asked solicitor about an ordinance regarding trailers in the village. Tom stated this is handled in the zoning ordinance. We need to get copies of that information to council for review.
We are reviewing the ordinance 06-11 that reduced the height of weeds from 12” to 8”. Some feel that 8” is still to high. Council to review the ordinance.
Public Utilities Committee: Greg Pontsler
Samples of lead and copper were taken several weeks ago. All testing has come back fine. This is costly, as we have to take samples and have them sent to an EPA certified lab. Hopefully with these good results we won’t have to do the testing again for several years.
Rules Committee: Chris Heitkamp
A Rules Committee meeting was held before council to review the peddlers ordinance. We have some revisions to make. Need to change to 90 intervals.
The fee should be $30. Update information needed with photo id and background check. Question was brought up – who pays for the background check. Sergeant Stetler said that the police can do some areas of background checking for free. Chris to check with Paul to see how extensive a check we can do and how much it would cost to do more extensive checking. We want to make sure the community is safe.
Old Business
Our current liability insurance would not cover the radio station. We would need a specialized coverage. We will be getting a quote and report back to Council. The quote has not come in yet.
New Business
Shanes Park Board is in need of a new member. If you are interested in the park and want some input, please contact Sandy Schaffner or Lisa at the Village office.
Meeting adjourned 8:04 pm
