RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

Council called to order by Mayor Ron Searight on June 18, 2024 at 7:30 pm.

Prayer / Pledge of Allegiance – Led by 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, Amy Noll, Victoria LeFeld, Steve Edwards and Erin G of the Daily Standard.

Motion Shane. Second Marcas to accept the agenda as orders of the day.
Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Marcas = y, Luke = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

Motion Mary. Second Luke to accept the minutes from the June 4, 2024 council meeting as presented. Marcas called for the question. Mary = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Shane = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:

Would like to thank everyone who attended Community Days and those volunteers that made it happen. We need to be proud of our Community and step forward to help make it a better place.

Several issues with the postal service this month. Water bills along with other mail not being delivered. 2 options to find water billing balance –1. Is use the website rockfordalive.com and go to taxes/utility payments and use the water bill look up tab. Will need to put in water account and last name to view water bill balance. 2nd option – call the Village Office and have your email address attached to your water billing account. Emails will be sent on the date of billing. Water bills are due the 15th of each month.

At this time – Rockford Shopper Stop gas station is the only place selling Mahargs Trash Bags. We are looking at getting a 2nd location set up. Tip – to keep animals out of your trash add a little ammonia inside the bag before tying it up.

Please continue to support all the Rockford Businesses as they are here for you and they help support our community.
Received a Thank you from Mercer County Challenger baseball for the use of Shanes Park.

Received the Mayors court pay in and bank statement.

Upcoming Community information & events:

June 26th --- Free Community Meal @ Shanes Park sponsored by Tranquility of Rockford --- noon to 1 pm. Bratwurst, Hot Dogs, Chips, Cookie and bottled water.

July 4th and 5th – Rockford Village Office will be closed.

July – 13th - Mercer Health – Shanes Crossing 5K – Shanes Park 8:30 am

Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple

Water plant - new parts are working at this time. Still waiting on some quotes and options moving forward. Still looking at potential updates.

No updates on the lagoon cover - we have had success so far this year keeping odors at bay. Still doing some sampling and testing.

No updates on the Franklin St project.

Streets – dura patch project working well. Still have some stone to sweep but the patches are solid and should last a good while. At some point we should seriously consider purchasing equipment so we can keep up with patching.

Will be working on moving dirt at the pond for the new shelter house this week.

RESOLUTION 03-24
A RESOLTUON AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR TO APPLY FOR, ACCEPT, AND ENTER INTO A OHIO WATER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF LAGOON COVER, AND DESIGNATING A DEDICATED REPAYMENT SOURCE FOR THE LOAN.

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

Committee Reports:

Finance Committee: Shane Young

Motion Luke to pay the bills as presented $235,332.43. Second Marcas.
Mark called for the question. Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Shane = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

Motion Chris to accept Mayors Court Pay in $542.50. Second Marcas. Mark called for the question. Chris = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Shane = y. Passed 6 yes.

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

Resolution 02-24
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM ACCOUNTS THAT ARE NO LONGER ACTIVE TO THE PARK FUND AND THE GENERAL FUND, AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

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

Budget hearing – July 2nd at 7 pm

The 2025 Preliminary Budget is due to the county auditor by July 15th.

Rules Committee: Mark Heitkamp

Service Committee: Mary Beougher

Took some out of town guests around town and they had good comments – clean and very nice community.

Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp

ORDINANCE 02-24
SOLAR REGULATIONS FOR THE INCORPORATED AREA OF ROCKFORD, OHIO, ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS AND DECLARING AND EFFECTIVE DATE. GIVING THIS ORDINANCE FULL FORCE AND EFFECT ON THE DATE OF PASSAGE.

1st reading - 05/21/2024
2nd reading – 06/04/2024
3rd reading – 06/18/2024

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

Economic Development Committee: Marcas Heitkamp – Council President

Makers Market @ Shanes Park Guidelines – would be home made crafts and produce, baked goods. 2 Sundays each month. Minimal fees each week. Would go to the park fund.

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

Thank you Amy Noll for coming to the meeting and for this opportunity for Rockford.

Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson

Cede - Rockford Aggregation --- keeping on agenda until final decision in October.

Council should have received information regarding Dominion wanting to increase supplier rates by 30% over the next several years.

If you are interested in receiving your water billing via email – contact the Village office. Water bill payments are due the 15th of each month.

Old Business:

Visitors to Address Council:

Steve Edwards – Premier Management – Maintenance and Victoria Lefeld – Property Manager of Rockford Villa. Discussion regarding drainage issues at Rockford Villa that has been going on for several years. Would like to work with the Village to see what solutions we can come up with. Willing to do their part to solve the issue. Drainage issues 2 – 3 times a year with hard rains. Several ideas regarding tree removal and adding rock --- slope the property towards the field. Aaron and Steve will be in contact and discuss options.

New Business:

There will be an EMS advisory board meeting tomorrow night at 7 pm. Looking at putting a levy on the ballot that will finance the EMS. They also need volunteers and support for other areas. Commissioner Dave Buschur invited us to attend the meeting.

Handed out 2025 Budget information and loan updates. Reminder – Budget hearing before next meeting July 2nd at 7 pm.

Meeting adjourned 8:11 pm

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Mayor Fiscal officer