Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Public Works Committee met April 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Fridly called the regular meeting of the Public Works Committee to order at 6:30 pm. 

Members present: Mayor Adams (by phone), Dan Barber, Scott Fridly, Cory Magnus, Jodi May and Don Self 

Staff present: Corine Hughes 

Absent: Kevin Bunge

Motion by Mr. Magnus, second by Ms. May, to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of March 16, 2020. All ayes. 

Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

Laura Forbes (Cisco Webex) and Ann Roberson (in attendance), both Village of Rockton residents, spoke to the Committee about their concerns about leaf burning in the Village in reference to the Covid-19 virus. Ms. Roberson added that she feels that it’s the job of the leaders in the Village to keep the community safe and that she doesn’t want to see people getting sick. Ms. Forbes stated that this has directly affected her family and that her husband has a medical condition that could be compromised because of leaf burning. Mayor Adams advised that the topic of temporarily banning leaf burning in the Village was discussed at the Administration Committee meeting and that he plans on doing this at the Village Board meeting on April 7, 2020. Mayor Adams asked the Village Clerk to speak with the Village Attorney to see what process needs to be followed in order to do this and that the Village will compose a news/media release to inform the residents in the corporate limits of the Village of the temporary ban.

VILLAGE ENGINEER – KEVIN BUNGE 

Village Engineer Kevin Bunge was absent, but available by phone. A copy of his report is on file with the Village Clerk’s office.

MAYOR – DALE ADAMS 

Mayor Adams mentioned that the bill from Porter’s has not been paid yet.

Mayor Adams informed the Committee of the changes to FMLA and sick pay due to Covid-19. Mayor Adams advised that there was loop hole where this didn’t have to be offered to first responders. Mayor Adams stated that this was discussed in the Administration Committee meeting and that the Village will extend it to our first responders as part of being a good employer.

Mayor Adams added that Ms. Hughes put together a spreadsheet of expenses that have been paid out to C.E.S. and that he would like the Committee to look it over.

WATER, SEWER, & GARBAGE – SCOTT FRIDLY 

Mr. Fridly stated that Resolution 2020-108: A Resolution of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Approving an Illinois Water and Wastewater Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on April 7, 2020. Mr. Barber advised the Committee that the membership is free and that this would allow other communities to help the Village if necessary and that the Village would, in turn, help other communities as well if needed. The Committee was okay with this.

Motion by Mr. Fridly to issue a refund to the residents at 511 E. Franklin Street in the amount of $932.31, second by Mr. Magnus. Mr. Fridly stated that they accidentally sent their house payment to the Village instead of the bank. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

Mr. Fridly reminded the Committee that the Village is taking a hit on sales tax revenue right now due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr. Fridly asked that all purchases be kept to the bare minimum to keep the Village going until further notice.

STREETS AND WALKS – CORY MAGNUS 

Mr. Magnus stated that Ordinance 2020-6: An Ordinance of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Imposing a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax is up for approval at the Village Board meeting in April 7, 2020. Mr. Magnus stated that this would allow the Village to start collecting the sales tax beginning on July 1, 2020. The Committee was okay with this.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – JODI MAY 

None.

PUBLIC WORKS – DAN BARBER 

Mr. Barber provided a copy of the Public Works monthly report to the Committee.

Mr. Barber advised the Committee that Mr. Youssi was in favor of the agreement in regards to the Stone Ridge Subdivision. Mr. Barber said that Mr. Youssi won’t do the final lift until the Fall and that the water improvements will be done sooner. Mr. Barber added that Mr. Youssi would like his portion of the water improvements from the Village after they are completed. The Committee advised that the Village will authorize their portion to be paid after Mr. Youssi has everything done that he agreed to complete.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR – DON SELF 

Mr. Self discussed the landscaping proposal for the athletic fields with the Committee. Mr. Self stated that he met with Nason’s Landscaping in reference to adding trees and adding sod to the athletic fields. Mr. Self acknowledged the fact that the Village would like department heads to watch their spending right now, but that there was money built into the budget to complete this project. Mr. Self said that he was worried about the stadium field come Fall and that this is an ideal time to do this since nobody is using the field right now. Mr. Fridly stated that he doesn’t have a problem with a less expensive plan if Nason’s will allow the Village to make payments. Mr. Self said that he will look into this and have it on the next set of agendas.

Mr. Self also advised that the Dog Expo that was scheduled for May has been canceled due to the Covid- 19 pandemic. Mr. Self added that he will look into aquatic operations and is concerned that he may have staffing issues at the pool.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW 

None.

ADJOURN 

Motion by Ms. May, second by Mr. Magnus to adjourn at 7:01pm.

https://www.rocktonvillage.com/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/4-6-20__Public_Works_Committee_Minutes.pdf