Meeting Minutes: September 3, 2013

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall. 

Invocation was given by Gene Steiner 

Pledge of Allegiance

Those present: Gehle, Steiner, Blossom, Pontsler, Searight

Heitkamp – absent

Also attending:   Sergeant Stetler, Jeff Long, Amy K. – Daily Standard,

Nancy Leighner and Marti Lentz

Motion  Steiner.  Second Pontsler to accept the agenda as orders of the day.

Gehle called for the question.   Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Blossom = y,

Searight = y,  Passed 5 yes.

Motion: Searight.  Second Blossom to accept the minutes from the

August 20, 2013  council meetings as presented. Gehle called for the question.   

Searight = y, Blossom = y, Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Pontsler = y.  Passed 5 yes.

Visitors to Address Council:

Observations by Nancy:

Nancy spoke with folks at Dollar General.  They are now open for business.

There will be a Grand Opening in October.  Nancy appreciates the price of gas being less in Rockford and attributes that to competition, which she says is good.  Nancy was disappointed that the Tastee Twirl closed on September 1st.  It’s still hot and she is an ice cream lover.   

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence: 

Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long

Village employees taking down approx.. 23 trees with another 5 or 6 being contracted out.  We will be renting a stump grinder with the thoughts of purchasing one.  We would then be able to rent it out to residents for a reasonable price.  The Fremont tree was taken down but the stump not removed because of a metal rod through it.  The South Street tree is out of the corporation. 

The Tree Committee will have a working meeting on September 23rd – trimming trees.

We need to purchase state approved street signs. 

Committee Reports 

Finance Committee – Ron Searight

Motion Steiner to pay the bills in the amount of $11,712.00 .,   Second Pontlser, Gehle called for the question.   Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Blossom = y, Searight = y.  Passed 5 yes.   Expenses basically for the lift station replacement pump that was covered by insurance.

Finance Committee meeting schedule for September 10th at 7 pm.  All department heads are asked to attend.

State Shared Income:  Year 2008 = $53,463.75, Year 2009 = 42,275, Year 2010 = $47,205.34, Year 2011 = $51,035.17, Year 2012 = $32,976.41.  As you can see our shared income has been decreasing.  Since 2008 over $20,000 decreased revenue. 

Service Committee:  Greg Pontsler

RESOLUTION 07-13

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO, DEEMING IT NECESSARY TO MAKE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SIDEWALKS IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD WEST STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. 

Motion:  Searight, Second Pontsler.  Gehle called for the question.  Searight = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Blossom. = yes.  Passed 5 yes.

RESOLUTION 08-13

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO, DEEMING IT NECESSARY TO MAKE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SIDEWALKS IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD.  NORTH FRANKLIN STREET SIDEWALK PROJECT, TO BE PAID IN PART BY SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 727.12 OF THE OHIO REVISED CODE.

Motion:  Gehle.  Second Steiner.  Pontsler called for the question.  Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Blossom = y.  Searight = y.  Passed 5 yes.

We now have the business hours posted.  (Which are subject to change )

And have letters to put on the outside drop box, so people know they can

Put water bills and /or tax payments in the box.

Safety Committee:    Chris Heitkamp – absent

Economic Development Committee:   Eugene Steiner

Visited the new Dollar General store which is now open for business.  Very nice store.  At the time, they were still looking for part-time employees. 

Public Utilities Committee:  Steve Gehle

Nothing at this time.

Rules Committee:     Peggy Blossom

Nothing at this time.

Old Business

New Business

Tree issues on personal property.    We will be making a list of property owners that are needing/wanting trees taken down so we can get a quote for a better deal.  If the tree trimmers are coming into town they are more likely to give a better deal if there are several jobs..

We will continue to work on getting State Rt 33 speed reduced.  It will take some time.  Blossom suggested getting a writing campaign and petition to our local representatives.  

Meeting adjourned 8:05