Jan 8, 2025

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

 

Prayer / Pledge of Allegiance – Mayor Searight

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

Motion Marcas to accept the minutes from the December 17, 2024 council meeting as presented. Second Chris. Mark called for the question. Marcas = y, Chris = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Shane = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence

 

Happy New Year to everyone in the Village of Rockford. As we start this new year, we have some good news. The Franklin St. project has started, and when completed we will have another newly rebuilt street that should benefit the community. The scheduled date of completion the end of June. Unit then we can expect traffic to be rerouted or blocked off, have some mud, and other minor inconveniences. So be patient during this time of construction.

 

In other news – Brand It Marketing will be holding a Grand Opening of their new offices in the heart of Rockford on Monday – January 13th at 9 am. Brand It Marketing has recently celebrated their 20th year anniversary and had previous been located just outside of town. We are pleased to have them relocate in the Village. Another new business will soon be opening – Grains of Love – Sourdough Bakery Café. You may have enjoyed purchasing their products at various farmers markets in the area. Both of these businesses are in the newly remodeled building located at Main and Market St.

 

Thank you to those that volunteered to decorate Shanes Park. Was a beautiful display. Also a big thanks to the organizations and businesses that contributed to help make this happen.

 

Thank you Tara Patterson and those that helped with the Angel Tree Project. We also thank the local churches for sponsoring “Together at Christmas” which provided over 500 meals that were served by many volunteers on Christmas day.

 

Thank you to Jeanne Osterfeld for her years of service to the Parkway Community. She recently retired and we wish her the best in her retirement.

 

We have a nice town, with good people, let’s have a great year Rockford ! And

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

 

God Bless you.

 

Mayor Searight

 

2025 Council Committee assignments as follows:

 

Economic Development Marcas Heitkamp – Chair

Shane Young

Luke Stephenson

Finance Shane Young – Chair

Marcas Heitkamp

Mary Beougher

Rules Mark Heitkamp – Chair

Chris Heitkamp

Mary Beougher

Safety Chris Heitkamp – Chair

Luke Stephenson

Mark Heitkamp

Service Mary Beougher – Chair

Chris Heitkamp

Marcas Heitkamp

Utilities Luke Stephenson – Chair

Mark Heitkamp

Shane Young

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nominations for Council President were Marcas and Luke.

 

Nominations closed

 

Motion Shane to appoint Marcas Heitkamp as 2025 Council President. Second Mary. Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Mary = y, Luke = y, Marcas = A, Mark = A, Chris = y. Passed 4 yes.

 

 

Congratulations to Marcas Heitkamp - 2025 Council President.

 

 

Upcoming Community information & events:

 

Dog tags on sale – Village Office until January 31st, 2025

 

Monday – January 20th –Office closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

 

Sunday – January 26th - Willshire Youth Bingo – Community Building

 

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

 

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

Community Building.

 

 

Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple

 

A few reminders in this snow season - please if at all possible – if it’s forcasted that we are getting 2+ inches of snow we need everyone to park off the streets. This helps with clean up --- and goes a lot smoother.

 

Also --- there are residents that have mailboxes that need replaced or fixed. They are leaning over the roadway and the plows are not going to weave in and out of mailboxes. If damage happens it’s on the home owner.

 

We are using a grit / salt mix on the streets and hope that will keep them clear a little longer. Cost is about $300 each time so we will continue as the budget allows.

 

Pavilion at Shanes Park ---- Brody still in fundraising working to get some higher quality materials. This project should be completed in the spring.

 

 

Committee Reports:

 

Finance Committee: Shane Young

 

Motion Shane to pay the bills as presented- $18,657.93

12/24/2024 = $ 11,722.94 & 12/30/2024 = $6934.99

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

 

Motion Shane to approve the monthly financial reports. Second Marcas. Mark called for the question. Shane = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = 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 2024 supplemental appropriations. Second Luke. Marcas called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

Motion Shane to approve 2025 purchase orders and 1st quarter blanket certificates. Second Luke. Mary called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

 

Rules Committee: Mark Heitkamp –

 

Need to approved WRKD Board at the next meeting.

 

Rockford Rec Board will be approved after their February meeting.

 

 

Service Committee: Mary Beougher

 

Make plans for some fun on Sunday – February 23 – Designer Purse Bingo – Community Building --- doors open 12:15 and bingo starts at 1 pm.

 

 

 

 

Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp

 

Several reminders - residents need to remember to clear sidewalks after each snow and business owners need to clear sidewalks in front of their businesses – this is for everyone’s benefit and safety. Thank you.

 

 

Economic Development Committee: Marcas Heitkamp – Council President

 

Good to have Chief Stetler back.

 

 

 

Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson

 

 

 

Old Business:

 

 

Visitors to Address Council:

 

New Business:

 

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned 7:49 pm

 

 

_________________________ _________________________

Mayor