Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.

Invocation was given by Gene Steiner

Pledge of Allegiance

Those present: Gehle Steiner, McKee, Pontsler, Searight.

Rutledge - absent

Also attending: Judy Koesters, Chief May

Motion Steiner Second McKee to accept Agenda as Orders of the Day.

Pontsler called for the question. Steiner = y, McKee = y, Pontsler =y,

Gehle= y, Searight = y. Passed 5 yes.

Motion: Searight Second McKee to accept the minutes from the

February 17, 2009 as submitted by the Fiscal Officer. Steiner called for the question. Searight = y, McKee = y, Steiner = y, Gehle = y, Pontsler = y.

Passed 5 yes.

Visitors to Address Council:

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:

Invitation to Tyler J Garwood’s Eagle Scout Award Ceremony.

March 22^nd. This is the highest award in Scouts. Only 1% achieve goal.

Congratulations !

It’s been in the works that Mercer County would be going to a new digital communication radio system. Through an 8 County grant we are able to get radios that will enable us to communicate county wide. This means the EMS, Fire Departments, and Police will all be communicating on the same digital system. Therefore, we will be receiving 3 portable radios and 2 mobiles (for cruisers). The cost will be a maximum of $20 per unit per month.

Motion McKee, Second Steiner, to sign the MARCS Agreement.

(Multi-Agency Radio Communication System) Gehle called for the question. McKee =y, Steiner = y, Gehle = y, Searight = y, Pontsler = y.

Passed 5 yes.

Village Administrator’s Report – Jeff Long - absent

Committee Reports:

Finance Committee: Todd McKee

Motion Searight, Second Gehle to pay bills in the amount of $7,708.67 as submitted by the Fiscal Officer. Pontsler called for the question. Searight = y,

Gehle = y, Pontsler = y, Steiner = y, McKee = y. Passed 5 yes.

Paul submitted bids to repair fender of old cruiser, paint to match new cruiser and get markings to match. (Cost of $800 with discount) Searight voiced concerns about spending the money to paint even though it is a good price. Finance committee will get together after meeting to take a look at the cruiser to see what is needed at this time.

Service Committee: Steve Gehle

Report on Service Committee held on 03/02/09. Those present: Gehle, McKee, Searight, Mayor Joseph, and Jeff Long.

Discussed South Main Street Improvement Project:

1. Sidewalk will be installed on north side of Buckeye Street with a width of five feet. There is not enough right-of way to install a sidewalk on the south side of the street and it would lead to a parking lot. The committee wants to make sure that in future development projects that every aspect is looked at so this does not occur again.
2. Discussion was held concerning the installation of curbs and sidewalks in frontage of lots that are not in the corporation. The village can not assess land that is not in the corporation. Discussion was about fairness of installing these items at no cost to the owners while charging village residents. After much discussion it was decided that since the grant monies will pay for 80% minimum, the installation in these properties outside of the corporation it was in the best interest for the entire Village to do the installation. This will allow for the project to continue without interruption of installation and keep the flow of the project where additional development may occur. As a result this will be used to entice the land owners to annex to the Village. Jeff to contact the landowners.
3. It was decided to reduce the width of sidewalks from 6’ to 5’ to keep uniformity thought the entire Village.

There was also discussion on cleanup day. Steve is getting with Maharg’s to set date and guidelines.

South Main Street Project

RESOLUTION #05-09

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD, OHIO, DEEMING IT NECESSARY TO MAKE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SIDEWALKS AND CURBS IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCKFORD SOUTH MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, TO BE PAID FOR IN PART BY SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 727.12 OF THE OHIO REVISED CODE.

Motion Searight, Second McKee, Pontsler called for the question. Searight = y, McKee = y, Pontsler = y, Steiner = y, Gehle = y. Passed 5 yes.

Clean up Day will be May 9^th. Such items as no tires, right to refuse, water bill being required, number of loads, for Village residents only were discussed.

Guidelines will be forthcoming. Looking into having a Goodwill truck here also to take clothing and usable items.

Safety Committee: Kathy Rutledge - absent

Pontsler brought up about Front Street Stop signs. What’s been done?

Baseball season is coming up shortly.

Kathy reviewed Ordinance and gave updated information to Jeff.

Mayor Joseph will contact Kathy and Jeff to get updated information.

Economic Development Committee: Eugene Steiner

Reviewed Consumer Survey insert. Need few additions – Can be dropped off at the Village drop box. Please return by certain date. Top stating “Help Make Rockford a Better Place”. Costs to distribute via Photo Star insert $284.39 for

2900 copies and insert. Looking at different ways to distribute. Will start with the Business Expo on the 14^th. May post on web site.

Gene has talked with the RADC with regards to quarterly meetings. To provide for the community maybe they should be meeting monthly. Will be discussed at the next RADC meeting in April.

Public Utilities Committee: Greg Pontsler

Regarding the wastewater treatment plant gate: being open during course of the day OK, but needs to be locked at night. In the event that an employee is there after hours, the gate needs to be locked behind them.

Rules Committee: Ron Searight

Old Business

New Business:

Lisa updated Council on tax issues. Will put reminder on next water bill that

deadline is April 15^th without penalties.

Meeting adjourned 7:59 pm.

____________________________ _____________________________

Mayor Fiscal Officer