Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Public Works Committee met Nov. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

Staff present: Adam Bunge

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp, second by Mr. Baumgartner, to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of October 16, 2023. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Richard Stewart, resident of 912 Park View Court, spoke to the Committee in reference to installing a flagpole in the Woodlands Park. Mr. Stewart said that he is representing 17 residents in the area of Park View Court and Falcon Point Place (Summit Condos). Mr. Stewart advised the Committee that they had an American flag on a power pole for eight years and that Rock Energy removed the flag. Mr. Stewart requested that a 30-foot flagpole (with a solar light) be installed in the Woodlands Park because many other parks in the Village have flagpoles. Mr. Self stated that he would look into this and that he will see if there are funds in the current budget to cover this. Mr. Self said that if not, he will put this in the budget for next year.

VILLAGE ENGINEER – KEVIN BUNGE

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

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that the Village is not going to continue the annual membership with National League of Cities.

Mayor Peterson stated that the railroad crossing has been repaired and the walking path is finally open.

Mayor Peterson said that the Administration Committee spoke to a Jui-Jitsu business that is interested in purchasing the vacant lot on Hawick Street.

Mayor Peterson advised that the Village is going to look into a Brownfield grant for the Sonoco property and that it will cost $5,000 to research this.

Mayor Peterson added that the citizens that maintain the hockey rink will be coming to a meeting at some point to ask for money to help with the cost of maintaining the rink.

WATER, SEWER, & GARBAGE – JODI MAY

None.

STREETS AND WALKS – DAN BAUMGARTNER

Mr. Baumgartner stated that the Franklin Street pay request in the amount of $277,287.75 is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on November 7, 2023. The Committee was okay with this.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – ARIANNE HONKAMP

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp to approve the purchase requisition for Bobcat of Rockford for a Kubota hydraulic case repair in the amount of $2,901.16, second by Ms. May. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

Mrs. Honkamp stated that the special events application for the Rockton Christmas Walk to be held in downtown Rockton December 1st – 3rd will be up for approval at the Village Board meeting on November 7, 2023. The Committee was okay with this.

PUBLIC WORKS – DAN BARBER

Mr. Barber discussed lead and copper services in the Village with the Committee. Mr. Barber stated that Governor Pritzker wants all of the lead out of the ground and that the Village is responsible for replacing the services and paying for it. Mr. Barber said that there are approximately 920 homes that the Village will require their water service to be replaced. Mr. Barber commented that this is going to cost a lot of money and that he is going to file an extension in regards to this.

Mr. Barber spoke to the Committee about continuing the 1% road tax because it will be discontinued on July 1, 2025. The Committee agreed that the road tax should be extended in order to make road improvements in the Village. Mr. Barber said that it could be added to the election ballot in November 2024 or April 2025. The Committee stated that they would like to see this added in November 2024. Mr. Barber stated that he will talk to Atty. Szeto about this further.

Mr. Barber added that he is in the process of finishing up items from the IEPA inspection.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR – DON SELF

Mr. Self stated that he spoke to the gentleman that will be installing the new boat dock and that he asked him to provide an official invoice to the Village. Mr. Self said that the Village has $20,000 budgeted this year for the boat dock and that he will budget the remainder in next year’s budget.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp, second by Mr. Baumgartner to adjourn at 7:06 pm.

https://www.rocktonvillage.com/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/11-6-23_Public_Works_Minutes.pdf