Village of Rockton Administration Committee met September 30

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Jan 7, 2020

Village of Rockton Administration Committee met Sept. 30.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Winters called the regular meeting of the Administration Committee to order at 5:30 pm. Members present: Mayor Adams, Arianne Honkamp, John Peterson and Dave Winters

Also present: Chief Dickson, Tricia Diduch, Scott Fridly (5:35 pm) and Cory Magnus

Motion by Mr. Peterson, second by Mrs. Honkamp, to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of September 16, 2019. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

THE MAYOR – DALE ADAMS

Mayor Adams stated that he sat in a session at the Illinois Municipal League (IML) Conference in reference to the role of Village Administrators and that this is something that the Village may want to look into and explore when the mayor retires.

PUBLIC SAFETY & LEGAL – DAVE WINTERS, CHAIRMAN

None.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & BUDGET – JOHN PETERSON

Mr. Peterson discussed the possibility of a 1% road referendum with the Committee. Mr. Magnus passed out information regarding this to the Committee and stated that the streets are deteriorating in the Village. Mr. Magnus stated that if the Village passed the referendum that this could generate $1.3M/year. Mr. Magnus said that he wanted to see how the Village Board members felt about this and that he would like to pass this so it could be placed on the ballot. Mr. Magnus added that the Village would have to get rid of the downtown business district 1% tax because they are currently at 8.25%. Mr. Magnus explained that the Village would need to set aside $100,000/year for the business district so that it doesn’t lose their funds and that this would be written into the ordinance when it’s passed. Mr. Peterson questioned the additional gas tax that the governor has passed and how this would affect it. Mr. Magnus stated that the Village Board can decide how long the 1% road referendum would be in effect and that Atty. Szeto is working on the language for this. Mr. Winters highly recommended that a five year sunset be written into the ordinance as well. Ms. Diduch advised the Committee that a citizen committee would also need to be formed in order to do this. Mr. Peterson stated that he didn’t like the idea of a 1% road referendum, but that it may come around.

Mr. Peterson stated that he has received phone calls from residents in the Stone Ridge Subdivision that has concerns about the private roads and maintenance. Mr. Peterson said that he spoke with Atty. Szeto about this and that Atty. Szeto contacted Chris Youssi, the developer for Stone Ridge, today. The Committee discussed the map amendment and the amendment to the annexation agreement that were passed on March 1, 2016. Mr. Peterson stated that Mr. Youssi never came in to sign the amendment to the annexation agreement after he was contacted several times and suggested that the Village not issue any building permits to him until he signs the agreement. Ms. Diduch stated that she won’t issue any building permits for Stone Ridge Subdivision if that’s what she is directed to do. Mr. Peterson added that there are six lots left in the subdivision to build on and that Mr. Youssi doesn’t want to complete the final lift until they are done building in the subdivision and the streets are turned over to the Village. Mr. Winters suggested that the Village Board talk to Atty. Szeto about this tomorrow evening and see what advice he has regarding the situation.

ADMINISTRATION – ARIANNE HONKAMP

None.

THE CHIEF – STEVE DICKSON

None.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR – TRICIA DIDUCH

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. Peterson, second by Mrs. Honkamp to adjourn at 6:00 pm.