Meeting Minutes: September 6, 2011
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 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. Hodge- absent
Also attending: Judy Koesters, Sergeant Stetler, Jeff Long, the Splash Pad Committee.
Motion Steiner. Second Pontsler to accept Agenda as orders of the day. Gehle called for the question. Steiner – y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion: Searight Second Heitkamp to accept the minutes from the August 2, 2011 meeting as presented. Pontsler called for the question. Searight = y, Heitkamp = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Steiner = y Passed 5 yes.
Visitors to Address Council:
Splash Pad Committee brought up several questions and issues:
Nancy – wondering when the buildings downtown would be torn down? Not until the grant monies have been received. Sometime after the first of the year.
Barb mentioned that the Splash Pad Committee will be having a Purse Bingo on November 13th at the Community Building. Mark your calendars !
Barb mentioned that she was at the park over the weekend picking up trash. Evidently someone is mowing over the trash instead of picking it up first. This is not good for children running around barefoot to be stepping on pieces of aluminum cans.
The company that installed the Splash Pad will be coming back to help shut down the Splash pad for the winter for the first time. Will be in the next month.
Nancy requested a ‘Children at Play sign’ on South St. Mayor to committee – Thank you for your input !
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:
Two members of Robert Latta’s staff will be available to meet with constituents who may have questions or concerns involving the federal government. They will be at the Rockford Village Hall this Thursday – September 8th from noon – 1:30 pm.
Plan to attend the 9/11 Memorial Concert at Parkway High School this Sunday – September 11th from 3:45 – 5:45. Free will donations accepted.
Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long
Thursday Jeff will attend the Tree City Banquet planning meeting. The Tree City Banquet will be held in Rockford in May 2012.
Waterline project will begin the 4th week of September. Completion date of
July 2012 is expected. We will need to have some committee meetings to discuss what streets will be re-paved after the project is done.
Asphalt patching was done today.
Working with engineers on paperwork in case some infrastructure funding becomes available for the wastewater treatment plant.
Tree committee working on getting the tree down that was struck by lightning on Pearl St.
Brush pick up is 2nd Tuesday of the month.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee – Steve Gehle
Motion Steiner. Second Gehle to pay the bills as submitted by the
Fiscal Officer in the amount of $10,353.36. Searight called for the question. Steiner = y, Gehle = y, Searight = y, Pontsler = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Searight. Second Pontsler to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $651.00. Gehle called for the question. Searight = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Steiner = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Motion Searight. Second Gehle for approval of Deposit of Funds to Peoples Bank 2011 – 2013. Heitkamp called for the question. Searight = y, Gehle = y, Heitkamp = y, Steiner = y, Pontsler = y. Passed 5 yes.
A Finance committee meeting will be held on September 27 at 7 pm. We need to cut $15,000 out of the general fund for 2012 and another $15,000 for 2013.
Service Committee: Gary Hodge – absent
Several issues brought up regarding properties that are not being cared for. Several have had warnings but nothing is being done. Jeff to contact bank regarding the Pearl St residence. Sgt. Stetler will look into Franklin St. and West St. issues – one mowing issue and the other unlicensed vehicle.
Safety Committee: Ron Searight
Received a complaint that cars are blocking the road into the trailer park. Several council have looked into the parking issue and haven’t seen anything wrong. May need to contact manager.
Other issue – the gate at the wastewater treatment plant is not being closed and locked up again. This needs taken care of. Do we need a new gate system? There is no good reason for it to be open. The gate needs locked each and every time the plant is left.
Ron requested the status of the emergency plan from Jeff and Paul.
Economic Development Committee: Eugene Steiner
There will be a short Economic committee meeting after Council tonight.
The RADC will be meeting again on a regular basis starting September 26th at 7:30 pm.
Public Utilities Committee: Greg Pontsler
2 utility accounts have been shut off for non payment.
Motion Steiner. Second Pontsler to approve the 2012 Salt Bid to Cargill at $99.74 per ton. Gehle called for the question. Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, Searight = y, Heitkamp = y. Passed 5 yes.
Rules Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Would like to schedule a Rules meeting before the next Council meeting on September 20th at 6 pm
Old Business
Jeff to get with Rockfit regarding spouting. This is a major problem during heavy rains.
Mayor – Please note – some people are abusing the ‘grass clipping only’ area behind the Village Hall. There should not be plastic of any kind in that area. Please use the area properly or we will install cameras and give out citations.
Drive area behind D & L Classic is private property. He is allowed to block the area if he so desires. The Village has nothing in it.
Mayor – The alley beside Pontius and Poppe is rough can we do some work there and make it better?
New Business
Paul has given the finance committee some information regarding funds needed to upgrade the 911 equipment. Will review at the finance meeting.
Lisa gave an update on the tax forms and some preliminary audit results. The final report should be available in the next month or so.
Meeting adjourned 8:23 pm.
