Meeting Minutes: September 19, 2023
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on September 19, 2023
at 7:30 pm.
Invocation – Ron Searight
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Ron Searight, Luke Stephenson,
Mary Beougher, Rick Shindeldecker, Chris Heitkamp.
Also attending: Ross Finke, Francis Schaffner, Chief Stetler, Marge Gehle and Erin Gardner of the Daily Standard.
Motion Beougher. Second Searight to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Shindeldecker called for the question. Beougher = y, Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Shindeldecker. Second Searight to accept the minutes from the September 5, 2023 council meeting as presented. Heitkamp called for the question. Shindeldecker = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y. Passed 6 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
* Note deadline for council agenda the Friday before council at 4 pm. *
*** time limit 5 minutes ***
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Mayor noted receipt of the Mayors Court Pay in and bank statement.
Community Announcements and events:
Sunday – October 1st – Parkway Homecoming parade – 4 pm starts at Football field
Saturday – – October 28th —Celebrate Fall in Rockford – ‘Rocktoberfest”
Shop our Main street businesses for seasonal sales! Enjoy many events all day long such as “Kid Zone” games, tractor rides, vendor market, food trucks and Trick or Treat. Schedule of events will be posted – “Rockford Ohio Chamber of Commerce” Facebook Page.
Saturday, October 28th – Rockford Trick or Treat 5-6:30 pm with Costume Judging at the Fire Department at 7 pm.
Tuesday – November 7th – General Election – Voting at Community Building — Exercise your right to vote — many issues on the ballot.
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
Received CDBG funding for Franklin Street – Grant of $750,000 – the project moves forward. Estimated project 1.8 million. Received 2 grants and would need to get a loan for approx.. $367,000 – 30 years /0% interest and Village funds of $185,000.
North water tower – working on electrical hook up.
South water tower – has electrical issues so we are having to put in a new service which will also take additional time before the project is completed. The tower is in service and will continue to be in service while we work on the electrical updates.
Still researching options to control the odors at the wastewater treatment plant.
Leaf season approaching —- please do not pile leaves around poles, fences, mailboxes. And please NO PET WASTE in the piles or the piles will not be picked up. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Thank you to the owners on Columbia Street — removed home in poor condition – majority of the project is done.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Ron Searight – Council President —
Motion Shindeldecker. Second Heitkamp to pay the bills as presented $18,294.44. Stephenson called for the question. Shindeldecker = y,
Heitkamp =y, Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Beougher to accept Mayors court pay in – $186.00. Second Stephenson.
Heitkamp called for the question. Beougher = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Beougher to approve additional purchase orders. Stephenson = y, Heitkamp called for the question. Beougher = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Shindeldecker = y. Passed 6 yes.
Reminder – November General Election — Rockford Levy – renewal only — VOTE YES for general operating expenses that generates estimated $40,000 per year.
RESOLUTION 08-23
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.
Motion: Heitkamp. Second Shindeldecker. Stephenson called for the question. Heitkamp = y, Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, M Heitkamp = y, Beougher = y. Passed 6 yes.
RESOLUTION 09-23
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUND –
$36,349.69 OR 6.63%
Motion: Shindeldecker. Second Stephenson. Heitkamp called for the question. Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, Heitkamp = y, M Heitkamp = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y. Passed 6 yes.
Rules Committee: Marcas Heitkamp
Service Committee: Mary Beougher –
Students from Vantage will begin work on the bridge / pavilion at the park. We purchased the materials and they are doing the labor. We are excited to have this partnership with Vantage in our community.
Narrowing down the suggestions for the new subdivision / street name.
Thanks for the suggestions – we have quite a few to think about.
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Economic Development Committee: Rick Shindeldecker
Rick announced that at the end of this meeting he would be resigning from council. Several factors — will be moving out of town and has more job and family responsibilities. Thank you for your service Rick !
With that announcement —- There is now an open council seat. If anyone is interested in serving the community – please send a letter of interest to the Village Office by October 2nd.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson
WRKD — Amber doing a great job in sales – Thank you !
Need a couple of volunteers for the radio station Board of Directors.
Contact the Village office if interested.
Old Business:
Weeds / Junk getting out of control again. Need to send notices but since we are short staffed we don’t have time to do the follow through. Might need to hire a mowing service to take care of these properties.
Rick mentioned — don’t forget about the park entrance issues.
Ron mentioned the need for more EMS volunteers in the Community… recently had an issue and had to wait for Celina people to come. Could cost a life having to wait for emergency services.
Question — Does Maharg pick up limbs / brush ? Not sure would have to ask.
Question — Wanting to make sure the Fire Chief has water tower information in case of emergency. We are looking into this with the new systems.
Fire Department will be flushing hydrants — most likely in October. Try to give us as much notice as possible so we can inform the public.
Will be working with a new cleaner and Mr. Hughes class for cleaning the park buildings and restrooms. Need more communications and some check lists.
New Business:
Meeting adjourned 7:58 pm
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Mayor Fiscal officer
