Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Public Works Committee Met Aug. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Magnus called the regular meeting of the Public Works Committee to order at 6:30 pm. Members present: Mayor Peterson, Dan Barber, Kevin Bunge, Arianne Honkamp, Cory Magnus, Jodi May and Don Self

Staff present: Adam Bunge

Motion by Ms. May, second by Mrs. Honkamp, to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of July 19, 2021. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

VILLAGE ENGINEER – KEVIN BUNGE

Village Engineer Kevin Bunge gave his report. A copy of his engineering status report is on file with the Village Clerk’s office.

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson stated that the private wells that were tested for heavy metals (due to the Chemtool fire) came back negative. Mayor Peterson said that thee IEPA hasn’t announced this yet and that Ms. Diduch is working with the Winnebago County Health Department on a press release.

Mayor Peterson discussed emptying garbage cans in the Village and wanted to make sure that Mr. Self has enough help to make sure that this gets done.

Mayor Peterson state that he met with Mr. Barber and Mr. Bunge in reference to work completed in the Village and who decides when the job is complete and up to the Village’s standards. Mayor Peterson stated that there was an issue with some restoration work on Colebrook Place and that we can’t keep putting out the fires. Mayor Peterson said that we all want the job to be done right. Mr. Bunge said that the problem with the restoration work was with a subcontractor and that there was a communication issue. Mr. Bunge suggested that the Village keep 20% instead of 10% as a retainer when jobs are being completed and this may alleviate some of the issues. Mr. Magnus stated that the Village needs to figure out the cost for the restoration job on Colebrook and just get it done since the contractor has already been paid.

Mayor Peterson encouraged the Committee to read up on the Rescue Plan Act and stated that the Village is slated to receive $1,011,560.86 from the federal government.

STREETS AND WALKS – CORY MAGNUS

Mr. Magnus discussed removing the fuel tanks that were found in the Blackhawk Boulevard parking lot. Mr. Magnus stated that there are six fuel tanks and that it will cost approximately $37,000 to have them removed. Mr. Barber stated that when the Village was looking into the property that he recommended a

Phase I environmental study be completed prior to purchasing the property. Mr. Bunge said that once the tanks were exposed they are ours to take care of. Mr. Magnus stated that this is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on August 3, 2021. The Committee was okay with this.

WATER, SEWER, & GARBAGE – JODI MAY

Ms. May stated that the purchase requisition for USA Blue Book for a gantry crane in the amount of $3,982 is up for approval at the Village Board meeting. Mr. Barber stated that this is a budgeted item,

that he checked pricing and USA Blue Book was the lowest price. The Committee was okay with this.

Ms. May stated that another purchase requisition for USA Blue Book for a flex-pro blue white metering pump in the amount of $2,400 is also up for approval at the Village Board meeting. Mr. Barber stated that this was also a budgeted item and the lowest price. The Committee was okay with this.

Ms. May added that a purchase requisition for computer upgrades and licensing from Dell Technologies in the amount of $5,531.03 is up for approval at the Village Board meeting as well. The Committee was okay with this.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – ARIANNE HONKAMP

Mrs. Honkamp discussed the Farm & Fleet fence on the Village’s berm with the Committee. The fence was put up by Farm & Fleet and is on Village property so the Village has to maintain it. Mr. Barber stated that it would look better if the fence was removed instead of trying to repair it. The Committee stated that they would like the fence on the berm removed.

PUBLIC WORKS – DAN BARBER

Mr. Barber stated that he has one blower going out at the sewer plant and that he is having someone look at it.

Mr. Barber said that the street lights being repainted downtown should be done by the end of next week and that they will all have the same light bulbs in them.

Mr. Barber stated that the “Rockton Remembers” benches are sinking into the ground and that pavers were given to the Village so that they can place them underneath the benches. Mr. Barber said that this will alleviate the problem and also help with mowing around them.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR – DON SELF

Mr. Self stated that the acid pump at the pool broke and has already been repaired. Mr. Self said that there was a Hawaiian themed night at the pool, but it was 62 degrees that evening so there wasn’t a good turnout. Mr. Self stated that he is looking to try this again on another night and that his staff did a really nice job planning it.

Mr. Self added that in order to get the one women’s bathroom stall back up and running at the pool it would cost $3,370 because there is a lot of work to be done. Mr. Self wanted to know if he should wait or move forward with this. Mayor Peterson said that they could wait for now, but to make sure that it gets fixed before the pool opens next summer.

Mr. Self said that all of the garden hose by the Rockton Food & Spirits is missing. Mayor Peterson said that it may have been moved somewhere else to water.

Mr. Self advised the Committee that there was vandalism to the playground equipment at the Woodlands Park and that two slides and a trapeze ring were damaged. Mr. Self said to replace everything it would cost $9,204 and that the Village was turning it into their insurance. Mr. Self said that he can fix one slide and replace the trapeze rings for $671. The Committee stated that this could be placed on the next agenda for approval.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp, second by Ms. May to adjourn at 7:24 pm.

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