Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Board of Trustees met Sept. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Present: Mayor Peterson, Mr. Baumgartner, Mr. Danielson, Mrs. Honkamp, Ms. May, Mr. Winters, Mr. York and Atty. Szeto

Staff present: Dan Barber, Tricia Diduch and Chief Hollinger

Also present: Chief Wilson (Rockton Fire Protection District)

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. Baumgartner, to waive the reading of the September 5, 2023 Village Board meeting minutes. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mrs. Honkamp, to approve the September 5, 2023 Village Board meeting minutes. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA

Mr. York stated that he would like to remove Item #1under himself. Motion by Ms. May to approve the amendments to the agenda, second by Mr. Winters. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

MAYOR PETERSON

Motion by Mr. York to approve the discharge of black powder firearms for Macktown Living History’s “Frenchman’s Frolic” to be held October 20th-22nd at Macktown Forest Preserve, second by Mr. Winters. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

VILLAGE ATTORNEY

None.

ZONING

Motion by Ms. May to approve Resolution 2023-111: Approval of Design Review and Façade Grant for 106A W. Main Street, Inkwell Books & Threads, second by Mrs. Honkamp. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Ms. May to approve Ordinance 2023-21: Approval of a Map Amendment from the CH Commercial Highway District to R1 Residential Single-Family for 699 S. Blackhawk Blvd., second by Mrs. Honkamp. Mr. Winters stated that he had a few concerns changing this to R1 Residential Single-Family. Mr. Winters said that if the Village creates a residential area, there would have to be screening with the commercial property next to it. Mr. Winters added that even though our comprehensive plan is old, this doesn’t align with it. Ms. Diduch agreed that CH Commercial Highway is probably not the best, but there is an issue with the township assessor and the tax code for the property. Atty. Szeto added that this also fails two out of the three criteria for a map amendment and creates some inconsistencies with residential zoning and commercial highway zoning around or next to it. Atty. Szeto agreed that there would also be screening issues. Ms. Diduch said that she would be more than happy to compose a letter to the township assessor and see if the issue with how the property is taxed can be resolved this way. Motion by Mr. York to table approving Ordinance 2023-21 at this time, second by Mr. Winters. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND LEGAL & BUDGET – MR. WINTERS

Mr. Winters shared the Rockton Police Department activity summary from September 1st-15th with the Village Board.

Chief Wilson updated the Village Board in reference to the Rockton Fire Protection District activity report. Chief Wilson advised that they have had 930 incidents through August 31st and $443,800 in fire loss. Chief Wilson added that they will be having an open house on Sunday, October 15th from 11 am – 1 pm for Fire Prevention Week and encouraged everyone to stop by.

ADMINISTRATION – MR. YORK

None.

WATER, SEWER, AND GARBAGE – MS. MAY

Motion by Ms. May to approve the purchase requisition for N.I.T.E. Equipment for a 28 foot trailer in the amount of $800 (after trade-in of 22 foot trailer), second by Mr. Danielson. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – MR. DANIELSON

None.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – MRS. HONKAMP

Mrs. Honkamp shared the activity summary for the Parks/Rec Department for the last two weeks with the Village Board.

STREETS AND WALKS – MR. BAUMGARTNER

Motion by Mr. Baumgartner to approve Ordinance 2023-22: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 74 of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Regarding Traffic Schedules (Two-Way Stop at W. Franklin Street and Cottage Street), second by Ms. May. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Mr. York to adjourn from regular session at 7:23 pm and go into executive session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(21) to review executive session minutes and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8) to discuss security procedures, school building safety and security, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property, second by Mr. Winters. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Mayor Peterson called the Village Board meeting back to regular session at 7:46 pm. Roll Call. All Village Board members were present.

ACTION ON ITEMS ARISING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Mr. York to approve Resolution 2023-112: A Resolution of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Regarding the Release of Executive Session Minutes, second by Mr. Winters. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mrs. Honkamp, to pay bills in the amount of $318,637.94. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

ADJOURN

Hearing no further business, motion by Mr. Baumgartner, second by Mr. Winters, to adjourn at 7:48 pm. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

https://www.rocktonvillage.com/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/9-19-23_Village_Board_Meeting_Minutes.pdf