Meeting Minutes: September 20, 2022
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph, Tuesday, September 20, 2022
at 7:30 pm.
Invocation – Ron Searight
Pledge of Allegiance
Those present: Jessica Yoder, Ron Searight, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Rick Shindeldecker. Chris Heitkamp absent.
Also attending: Srgt Stetler, Robbie Peel, Sandy Schaffner, Marge Gehle, Chief May, Tom Beahrs and Erin G of the Daily Standard.
Motion Searight. Second Stephenson to accept the agenda as orders of the day with exception to add Executive session under old business for Personnel.
Beougher called for the question. Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y, Yoder = y, Shindeldecker = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Searight. Second Stephenson to accept the minutes from the September 6, 2022 council meeting as presented. Beougher called for the question. Searight = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y, Yoder = y, Shindeldecker = y. Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Marge Gehle – expressed concerns regarding the village employees being able to use village equipment for personal use. Called several other villages our same size and all replied the same answer that no – village employees are not allowed to use equipment for personal use. Questions: who pays for equipment if it’s damaged, is fuel replaced after use, does the insurance company know that equipment is being used by employees for personal use and are families of employees able to use that same equipment too? Yoder asked what equipment specifically – reply lawn mower, dump truck etc.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Mayor noted receipt and review of Mayors Court pay in
and bank statement.
Community Announcements and events:
September 25th – Homecoming parade – 6:30 pm – Football field (Franklin) to Market to Jay St. and return to Football field.
October 29 – Chamber Fall Fest / Trick or Treat / costume judging
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple –
Water tower funding to be reviewed in early October.
Will be working on some funding applications for the Franklin St project.
Did some landscaping at the Community Building for easier maintenance.
Taylor Painting will be in to reseal some walking paths, community building parking lot and re-stripe the parking lot.
Next 2 weeks – will be slow moving. 1 on vacation the other on medical leave.
Will attempt to get some of the brush caught up but again — will be difficult with only 1 person working. Residents can take brush north of the grass clippings bin and we will get rid of it from there.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee: Ron Searight – President
Motion Beougher. Second Stephenson to pay the bills as presented – $ 43,269.17
Shindeldecker called for the question. Beougher = y, Stephenson = y, Shindeldecker = y, Yoder = y, Searight = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Stepheson to accept the Mayors Court pay in -$ 463.00. Second Searight. Beougher called for the question. Stephenson = y, Searight = y, Beougher =y, Yoder = y, Shindeldecker = y. Passed 5 yes.
Finance Meeting – held on September 13, 2022 – discussed the following –
- Proposal to Parkway School to fill their need for a Resource Officer.
- Items needed in the contract and items that need to be changed.
- Pay for a new full time 2nd shift officer – potentially depending on the Parkway contract.
- The need to increase water rates – new build, new rehab and maintenance of all water facilities in the future.
RESOLUTION 09-22
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUND – $38,180 OR $6.63%.
Motion: Stephenson. Second Shindeldecker. Searight called for the question. Stephenson = y, Shindeldecker = y, Searight = y, Yoder = y, Beougher = y. Passed 5 yes.
RESOLUTION 10-22
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.
Motion: Shindeldecker. Second Stephenson. Yoder called for the question.
Shindeldecker = y, Stephenson = y, Yoder = y, Searight = y, Beougher = y. Passed 5 yes.
RESOLUTION 11-22
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE ADMINSTRATOR OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPTIAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED AND DECLARING IT AN EMERGENCY.
Motion: Stephenson. Second Yoder. Shindeldecker called for the question. Stephenson = y, Yoder = y, Shindeldecker = y, Searight = y , Beougher = y. Passed 5 yes.
Service Committee: Mary Beougher
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp – absent
Economic Development Committee: Rick Shindeldecker
Nothing new — reminders
Shanes Crossing Subdivision – 5 Lots left for sale – contact Tammy Cheek with Homes at Ohio’s Edge Realty.
New Business – Opportunity in Rockford, Ohio –
Corner of Main Street and Columbia Street call RCS Construction
at 419-586-9367.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson –
Recommendation from Finance committee to raise the base water rate from $33.00 to $53.00 —- in order to pay for new tower, old tower rehab and build up some savings for future maintenance and expenses so that
we are not having to increase rates again in a year or two.
Ordinance 09-22
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO (VILLAGE WATERWORKS SYSTEM), AND ENACTING NEW RATES TO THE CHARGES FOR WATER AND WATER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, REPEALING ANY CONFLICTING LEGISLATION, AND DECLARING AND EFFECTIVE DATE –
(January 1, 2023 – first billing on February 1, 2023 for January services)
1st reading – 09/20/2022
WRKD updates – New logo, 59 Fall Sports Underwriters – THANK YOU, everything going well.
Rules Committee: Jessica Yoder –
Parking Ordinance —- haven’t heard back from Judy. Will contact her.
Old Business:
Street lights, Trees, and toilets on the corner of the alley near the post office mail drop box — can’t they be placed off main street – near dumpster? Doesn’t look good !
Motion Searight. Second Yoder. Stephenson called for the question to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel. Searight = y, Yoder = y, Stephenson = y, Beougher = y, Shindeldecker = y. Passed 5 yes. Time 7:47 pm
Motion Searight. Second Yoder. Beougher called for the question to come out of Executive session. Searight = y, Yoder = y, Beougher = y, Stephenson = y, Shindeldecker = y. Passed 5 yes. Time 8:32
No action taken.
New Business:
Meeting adjourned 8:33 pm
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Mayor Fiscal officer
