Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Administration Committee met Dec. 16.

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 (5:31 pm) and Jodi May

Motion by Mr. Peterson, second by Mrs. Honkamp to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of December 2, 2019. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

THE MAYOR – DALE ADAMS

Mayor Adams stated that he met with Stenstrom and that Stenstrom proposed putting in a parking lot at Hawick and Bridge Streets at a cost between $500,000 - $600,000. Mayor Adams stated that Stenstrom would provide a loan to the Village for the cost of the parking lot. Mayor Adams added that this could be paid for by the TIF district and that the TIF produces approximately $50,000/year. Mr. Peterson inquired what the payments would be. Ms. Diduch said that she would like the Village to look at the downtown streetscape plan before any decisions are made. Mr. Fridly commented that the Village has other priorities at this time and that there aren’t any funds to pay for this.

PUBLIC SAFETY & LEGAL – DAVE WINTERS, CHAIRMAN

None.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & BUDGET – JOHN PETERSON

None.

ADMINISTRATION – ARIANNE HONKAMP

Mrs. Honkamp stated that Ordinance 2019-23: An Ordinance of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Amending Chapter 136 – Offenses Against Public Health and Safety of the Village Code of Ordinances is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on December 17, 2019. Chief Dickson explained that this puts our ordinance in line with the state in reference to cannabis. The Committee was okay with this.

THE CHIEF– STEVE DICKSON

None.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR – TRICIA DIDUCH

Ms. Diduch advised that they had a pretty good turnout for the Rockton Christmas Walk. Ms. Diduch said that approximately 190 people finished the pub crawl and submitted a form for prizes. Ms. Diduch added that around 4,000-5,000 people attended the lighted Christmas parade which included 40 floats. Ms. Diduch said that 400 people participated in the Hot Cocoa Crawl. Mr. Peterson commented that the downtown was decorated nicely and looked great overall. Chief Dickson said that they may have to have more staff for the Hot Cocoa Crawl to help the participants cross the streets.

Ms. Diduch also proposed a 6 month media blitz for the Committee to consider in order to make the Village a weekend destination. Ms. Diduch explained that she wants to run this by the downtown businesses and that WREX TV would run a commercial 1-3 times/hour. Ms. Diduch asked the Committee to think about this, but that she feels that this is the next step to draw in visitors to the Village and downtown businesses.

Ms. Diduch also discussed building vacancies and new businesses that are coming into the Village. Ms. Diduch stated that we are ready to move onto doing things that will get Rockton on the map.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. Peterson, second by Mrs. Honkamp to adjourn at 5:56 pm.

https://www.rocktonvillage.com/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/12-16-19__Administration_Minutes.pdf