Feb 5, 2025

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

 

Council called to order by Mayor Searight on February 4, 2025 at 7:30 pm.

 

Prayer – Dear God, we thank you for all your blessings that you have provided us as individuals and as a town.  We ask you to be with us and guide us through this meeting and be with us throughout each of our days.  Lead us as we manage the Village of Rockford’s needs for the future.  We ask all these things in your holy name.  Amen.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Shane Young and Chris Heitkamp

 

Also attending:  Patrolman Miller, Robbie Peel and Erin G from the Daily Standard.

                                                                                                                                   

Motion Marcas to accept the agenda as orders of the day.   Second             Mark.              

Luke called for the question.    Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Shane = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

Motion Marcas toaccept the minutes from the January 21, 2025 council meeting as presented.  Second Luke.  Mary called for the question.    Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Mark = y, Shane = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence

 

As we start a new month, would like to invite the community to invest in the community by volunteering.   Fire / EMS volunteers are much needed as well has youth leaders and civic organizations.  Let’s make Rockford the best it can be!  You can make a difference and you’ll grow from the experience.

 

Welcome Home grant program up to $20,000 – You must be planning to reside in the home and there are some other qualifications. please reach out to your local bank for details.   

 

The Community building will be closed for the next 2 weeks for maintenance – installing new ceiling panels, and updating the sound and projection system.   This building is a great resource and we are proud to have such a facility.  Please take care of it while renting or visiting. 

We have a great park as well and will be needing some volunteers once spring arrives taking care of weeding, flowers, and picking up debris.   We have been asked why we don’t have as many flowers, and it’s simple, we don’t have the volunteers to take care of them.    Please reach out if interested in volunteer opportunities at the park.

 

In business news --- S & B Coin Laundry is celebrating its 50^th year anniversary.  What a great accomplishment.  We thank them for the service that you have provided the community over the years.   We have two new businesses that are opening this week -  Panther Cubs Corner daycare opened on Monday in the former dentist office building.   Grains of Love Sourdough Bakery Café will be opening tomorrow at 6 am.  Both of these businesses have been working hard on getting their respective businesses up and running.   Both add to our town and provide services that we need.  Please welcome them to our community and please support their business whenever possible. 

 

Remember it’s better to ‘Give more than you take, and you’ll receive more than you give’. 

 

God Bless you. 

 

Mayor Searight

 

 

Upcoming Community information & events:

 

Monday -  February 3rd – Two weeks – Community Building closed for needed repairs.  

 

Monday – February 17th – Office closed for Presidents’ Day

 

Sunday – February 23 – Designer Purse Bingo – Community Building –

Contact Amy Noll for tickets !

 

Saturday– March 1st -   St. Teresa Family Fun Night – All are welcome !             Community Building.

 

 

Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple   

 

Franklin Street project going well.    Have had to re-route 2 water lines but that has taken minimal time. 

 

Community Building project – also going well.  We have 300 tiles left to install along with the speaker and can lights.   Will be replacing the lights with LED to get some savings.

EPA Sanitary Survey ---  We have reported all the information they needed with exception of the valve exercises which will take place spring / summer.

 

We’ve had 2 water lines freeze up --- these were not on Front Street.  Please Front Street residents continue to let water drip. 

 

Marcas --- will need to begin planning for additional Community Building updates -  appliances and exterior painting, portico area,  and painting the poles along with retro fitting to LED lights.

Would like to watch auction sites for appliances --- might find some good deals.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Finance Committee:  Shane Young

 

Motion Shane            to pay the bills as presented-              $37,949.76. 

Second Marcas.              Mark  called for the question.     Shane = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Chris = y,  Passed 6 yes.

 

Motion Shane to approve the monthly financial reports.  Second Marcas.  Mary called for the question.   Shane = y, Marcas = y, Mary = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

Cash Summary by Fund, Appropriations report, Revenue Report,

Budget vs Actual activity report, Bank statement, comparison report for the water, sewer, and income tax.

 

Motion Shane to approve supplemental appropriations to date.  Second Marcas.  Mary called for the question.   Shane = y, Marcas = y, Mary = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

Motion Shane to approve additional purchase orders.  Second Mark.  Luke called for the question.  Shane = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mary = y, Chris = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

 

Rules Committee:    Mark Heitkamp 

 

Service Committee:     Mary Beougher

 

Vantage has completed 1 picnic table.   Will be going to check it out to see if we need to make any adjustments to the plans. 

 

Would like to schedule a Service meeting – before the next council meeting.

 

 

Safety Committee:     Chris Heitkamp

 

Received some information from Mary at ODOT regarding crosswalks – had some discussion on type and location.   There are some grants available.  Mayor to talk to Parkway School for some input. 

 

 

Economic Development Committee:  Marcas Heitkamp – Council President

 

Close to forming the Main Street Historical restoration committee -   will be scheduling a meeting soon.

 

 

 

Public Utilities Committee:      Luke Stephenson

 

Old Business:

 

Mary -  Worked at the park with volunteers taking down the Christmas Decorations.   Still have some work to do but it’s getting done.

 

 

 

New Business:

 

Are you interested in serving the Rockford Community?   If so, there will be 4 council seats on the ballot this November.   All candidates need to file petitions by 4 pm on August 6th.   

 

Meeting adjourned 7:57  pm

 

 

_________________________                      _________________________

Mayor                                                              Fiscal officer