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Local News
Rockford Village Council meeting for this week
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:
Council called to order by Mayor Searight on August 20, 2024 at 7:30 pm.
Prayer / Pledge of Allegiance – Mayor Searight
Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson,
Shane Young, Chris Heitkamp, Mary Beougher.
Also attending: Chief Stetler, Patrolman Miller, Ross Finke, Robbie Peel,
Erin Gardner – Daily Standard.
Motion Shane to accept the agenda as orders of the day. Second Marcas.
Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
MotionMary toaccept the minutes from the August 6, 2024 council meeting as presented. Second Marcas. Shane called for the question. Mary = y, Marcas = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Mayor’s Report and Correspondence
Several things have changed during the past two weeks, some good opportunities and some challenges. On the good side, we’ve met with a group of women about organizing something that could be a great thing for the village and its residence. Made personal contact with a couple of potential businesses that would benefit from locating here and explained why it would be beneficial to them. We are reaching out to people, businesses, and organizations that are interested investing in Rockford. If you hear of one, reach out to us and let us know so we can address it as a village. We have so much to offer, but we need to promote it and tell others about what we have.
One that note, we’re working on updating our Community Profile that describes our village as a whole. This is important information that allows businesses to see all the details of our village and surrounding area and the capacities that we presently have. We’re staying in contact with Mercer County Economic Development office, as they have supported us not only with information, but direction on several issues that we’re working on. We’ve also received information about state resources that could be utilized going forward, mostly in our downtown area.
We are working for the future, as we deal with what we need to be doing today. We need to continue to work for the betterment of the community as a whole. This needs to happen with everyone in the village, as we work to make this community better for everyone to live, work, and play.
In closing, school is back in session. Many activities are going on at the park and the school. Support our youth an encourage them to be good students and be involved in other activities. These students will be our future, so we need them to be ready and willing to step up. Help them in any way you can to make them the leaders for tomorrow.
Have a great Labor Day and God bless you.
Mayor noted the receipt and review of Mayors Court pay in and bank statement.
Upcoming Community information & events:
September 8th and 22nd – Shanes Park Maker’s Market
September 2nd – Village Office closed for Labor Day
September 14th – Fox Family Ride for Autism
September 14th -- Rockford Fire Department – Chicken Dinner and reverse
raffle
October 26th – Chamber Rocktoberfest – 1 – 5 pm
October 26th – Rockford Trick or Treat – 5-6:30 pm
October 26th - Costume Judging at the Fire House – 7 pm
Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple
We have filled the maintenance position as of last week. Thank you to those that filled out applications.
Franklin St project – no updates
North water tower issues have been fixed and is back online.
Pavilion at Shanes Pond – no updates.
Wastewater treatment plant – lagoon covers have arrived. Thank you to Marcas for help us with unloading – several truck loads. We still have much work to do and will be taking up most of our time for the next couple of weeks. We have set up to plan and the installation will begin on September 9th.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee: Shane Young
Motion Shane to pay the bills in the amount of $44,193.66 . Second Luke.
Mark called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Marcas = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Motion Shane to accept the Mayors Court pay in of $ 655.50. Second Mary. Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Mary = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
ORDINANCE 04-24
AN ORDINANCE LEVYING ASSESSMENTS FOR UNPAID PROPERTY MAINTENANCE FEES AND DELINQUENT UTILITY BILLS, AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
1st reading – 07/16/2024
2nd reading – 08/06/2024
3rd reading – 08/20/2024
Motion Shane to approve Ordinance 04-24 – total assessments $10,153.10. Second Marcas. Chris called for the question. Shane = y, Marcas = y, Chris = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y. Passed 6 yes.
Monday – August 26th - County Auditor meeting regarding Alternative Local Fund Distribution Review Hearing – 9 am.
Rules Committee: Mark Heitkamp –
ORDINANCE 03-24
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 02-21 TO UPDATE SECTION 150.315 SWIMMING POOLS / PONDS
Section to read as follows:
A. The swimming pool / pond is intended to be used solely for the enjoyment of the occupants of the property on which it is located and their guests.
B. The swimming pool / pond may be located anywhere on the premises except in the front yard.
C. All swimming pools/ ponds require a zoning permit.
1st reading – 07/16/2024
2nd reading – 08/06/2024
3rd reading – 08/20/2024
Motion Mark to approve Ordinance 03-24. Second Marcas. Luke called for the question. Mark = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Shane = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.
Service Committee: Mary Beougher
Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp
Rockford Chamber submitted request asking permission - Saturday – October 26th – Rocktoberfest - Close Market St. – East, Close Columbia St – East, and not allow parking on Main St. from 8 am – 8 pm – during event and trick or treat hours.
*Updated form ---- We need to make sure that all village agencies know when there are events going on. Please make sure you fill out the form completely with one on one conversation with Village Administrator, Chief Of Police, EMS Chief, and the Fire Department. The forms will then be given to the Mayor and the event can proceed.
Economic Development Committee: Marcas Heitkamp – Council President
Uniting for Action in Northwest Ohio - Discussion / Solutions for Ohio’s Housing Crisis -- Wednesday – August 28th, 2024 8:30 am – 10:30 am –
Veterans Memorial Civic Center. Mayor Searight will be attending – anyone else available to go – need to register. Mary volunteered to go as well.
Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson
Dominion/Enbridge asks for 30% increase and more – The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel proposes a 32% DECREASE your input makes a difference ---
Public hearing – Monday – September 23rd at 6 pm – Lima Senior High School
Comment online – click on a ‘File a Public Comment’ at https://bit.ly/dominion-rate-case-23
Write a letter – referencing Dominion Energy and PUCO
Case 23-0894-GA-AIR to:
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
180 E Broad St., 11th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Old Business:
Mary – Met with several ladies that used to meet at the gym asking about exercise classes to be held at the community building. We are working on this request to see how we can proceed and what the fees might be.
Several issues with the pickle ball courts have been reported.
Several anniversaries –
Paul May – 32 years
Blair Shaffer – 17 years
Chief Stetler – 22 years
Luke Stephenson – 4 years.
Visitors to Address Council:
New Business:
Mayor would like council to work as a team to update the Community Profile – we need all the information updated and we want it to look sharp. This will help us in promoting the Village with updated information. The previous profile was done in 2007. Once we have it updated, we need to keep it updated. Set date of
October 1st for the deadline to finish – will look at getting printed to hand out to potential businesses.
Motion Mark to go into Executive Session regarding finances. Second Marcas. Shane called for the question. Mark = y, Marcas = y, Shane = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes. time: 7:52 pm
Motion Marcas to come out of Executive Session. Second Luke. Mark called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Shane = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes. time: 8:20 pm.
No action taken.
Meeting adjourned 8:20 pm
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Mayor Fiscal officer
