Council called to order by Mayor Amy Joseph on

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 7:30 pm at the Rockford Village Hall.

 

Invocation was given by Gene Steiner

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

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

 

Also attending:  Mr. and Mrs. Harlamert, Jeff Long, Chief May.

 

Motion Searight. Second Steiner.  To accept Agenda as

Orders of the Day.  Gehle called for the question.  Searight = y, Steiner = y,

Gehle = y, McKee = y, Pontsler = y, Rutledge = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

Motion: Steiner.  Second Pontsler  to accept the minutes from the

November 4, 2008 as submitted by the Fiscal Officer.  Searight

called for the question.  Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Searight = y, Gehle = y,

McKee = y, Rutledge = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

Correspondence:

 

 

Visitors to Address Council:

 

 

Village Administrator’s Report –  Jeff Long  

 

We will review updates through committee reports.

 

Committee Reports:

 

 

Finance Committee:              Todd McKee

 

Motion Steiner to pay bills as submitted by Fiscal Officer in the amount of

$14,002.11.  Second Pontsler.  Gehle called for the question. Steiner = y, Pontsler = y, Gehle = y, McKee = y, Searight = y, Rutledge = y.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ORDINANCE #06-08

 

2009 PAY ORDINANCE FOR VILLAGE EMPLOYEES

 

1st reading – 11/18/08

 

 

ORDINANCE #07-08

 

2009 BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE

 

1st reading -11/18/08

 

 

 

Service Committee:               Steve Gehle

 

Park Board met on November 13 at 7pm at the Community Building to discuss the location of the pool.  Established the site off of Front Street between block building and grass parking area.  Reasons:  Possible to rent the building and the pool, 80% of children are dropped off thus using Front Street as a drop location is beneficial, easier access for parking, easier access for utilities.

 

Motion McKee to approve the pool location.  Second Pontsler.  Steiner called for the question.  McKee = y, Pontsler = y, Steiner = y, Gehle = y, Searight = y, Rutledge = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

 

 

 

Safety Committee:     Kathy Rutledge

 

Jeff – South Main Street Project will have solar lights with a pedestrian crossing. 

There will be signs and crosswalk.  State won’t allow a ‘school zone’. 

Speed limit will be 25 MPH.

 

 

Economic Development Committee:           Eugene Steiner

 

Decided to distribute Consumer Survey as insert in Photo Star.

 

Next RADC meeting will be November 20th at 7:30 pm to be held at Village Hall.  Will be electing 3 officers at this meeting.

 

Goals first of year – meetings with businesses/retailers.  Direct contact with manufacturers. 

 

Public Utilities Committee:               Greg Pontsler

 

Utilities Committee meeting regarding Waste Water Treatment Plant on

November 11, 2008. 

 

Regarding Debt Service - $5.00 of the debt service could be paid off in 2012.

 

When will project start and how much will it cost?  Would start in 1.5-2 years.

Worst case cost = 2.2 million.

 

What would it cost Fremont to put in their own sewer pond?  $400,000.  But the Village would not receive sewer bills.

 

Results:  EPA could force Village to make improvements.  If housing and manufacturing were to expand in the Village, current facilities would not accommodate.

 

Will Waste Water Plant be large enough after improvement?  Yes – we now have 3 ponds, after improvements we would have 2 ponds with 1 as back up.

 

How will Village come up with funds for project?  Fremont Company and Jeff will look for State and Federal monies.  Increase in water/sewer bill.  Current rates have not been increased in 3 years.

 

Regarding Laurels water line – there are several hydrants that are near farmers entrances.  We will handle each individually.  Will possibly have to extend the entrance in the other direction.

 

  • Resolution No. 16-08

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING VILLAGE OFFICICALS TO PURSUE THE PLANNING AND DESIGN OF A WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE AND SEEK ADEQUATE FINANCING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT.

 

Motion McKee to approve Resolution #16-08.  Steiner Second.  Searight called for the question.  McKee = y, Steiner = y, Searight = y, Gehle = y, Pontsler = y, Rutledge = y.  Passed 6 yes.

 

 

Again – Fremont Company is helping with $350,000 to use for planning and design.  The Fremont Company will be making ½ of the yearly debt service.

 

EPA – Indiana has already been forced to make changes from lagoon systems.  Our permit is valid for 2 years – most likely after that we won’t be able to meet requirements.

 

We are at capacity currently and can not bring in outside businesses with out increase output.

 

Will be having a meeting with Ohio EPA in Bowling Green.

 

 

Rules Committee:                              Ron Searight

 

Rules Committee Meeting scheduled for Monday, November 24th at 6:30 PM.

 

 

Old Business

 

 

New Business:

 

Items of interest in the proposed 2009 Appropriations Budget:

 

** Part time police reduce to zero hours and full time force budgeted at three officers.  This was based on data provided as to the crime rates.  This will allow more patrol.

 

** Mayor’s Court added and will assist in paying part of the increased police coverage.

 

** Clean up day reinstated.

 

** A 4% pay increase for Village Employees.

 

** Money set aside for future road improvements.  Suggestion of Market Street in future years.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm

 

 

 

____________________________                _____________________________

Mayor                                                              Fiscal Officer