Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Administration Committee met April 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Mr. Winters called the regular meeting of the Administration Committee to order at 5:30 pm. Members present: Mayor Peterson, Dave Winters and Justin York

Staff present: Dan Barber, Sally Bennett, Tricia Diduch, Chief Hollinger and Jodi May Absent: Mr. Danielson

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. York to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of March 18, 2024. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Bennett commented that she is working with Don Self on a new point of sale (POS) system for the pool and concession stands. Ms. Bennett explained that the POS system can be paid for outright or rented. Ms. Bennett stated that it was difficult to reconcile the payments with the old POS system because they wouldn’t send statements to the Village. Mr. Winters said to check into it and see if it makes more sense to buy it rather than rent it. Ms. Bennett stated that Mr. Self thought that buying it would make more sense. Mr. York added that it’s possible that the pool may be able to access wifi from Village Hall as well.

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson stated that the IEPA water supply loan project (Blackhawk Ave. area) is now going to be over $2M for the forgivable loan.

Mayor Peterson said that he will be in Springfield, IL for “Lobby Days” and that it was very productive the last time that he attended.

Mayor Peterson commented that Ms. Diduch did a great job with the Easter egg hunt in the Village that was held on March 30th.

Mayor Peterson stated that he sent emails to all of the trustees and that he wants everyone to have three ideas that they would like to focus on while preparing for the upcoming budget. Mayor Peterson added that the audit is almost done and that he had to resign an agreement with Sikich because they have gone through some changes.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – SCOTT DANIELSON, CHAIRMAN

None.

PUBLIC SAFETY & LEGAL – DAVE WINTERS

Mr. Winters stated that Ordinance 2024-2: An Ordinance of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Approving and Authorizing the Village to Enter into a Lease Agreement with Cooper Olafson Land Development, LLC Regarding the Property Commonly Known as 122 E. Main Street, Rockton, Illinois is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on April 2, 2024. Mr. Winters said that the lease will be $250/month. Chief Hollinger stated that the lease is for one year and that it goes month to month after that. Chief Hollinger added that the police department is going to move some things over to the garage from Prairie Street. The Committee was okay with this.

ADMINISTRATION – JUSTIN YORK

Mr. York didn’t have any information technology (IT) updates.

Mr. York stated that Ordinance 2024-3: An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Personal Property Owned by the Village of Rockton is also up for approval at the Village Board meeting on April 2, 2024. Mr. Barber said that there will be an addendum with items added for the police department as well, but the items listed are from the Goldie Floberg property. Mr. York stated that the Village shouldn’t be selling any computers and that anything with a hard drive should be destroyed. Mr. Winters suggested that if there is anything with a hard-drive that was left at the Goldie Floberg property that it should be returned to Goldie Floberg for them to destroy so the Village doesn’t have to pay for this. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. York discussed the employee handbook with this Committee. Mr. Barber said that he sent out an email to everyone this afternoon with an additional update that addresses inclement weather. Mr. Barber explained that all of the necessary changes that were discussed previously have been made and that he would like this on the next agenda for approval. Mr. York questioned if the communication matrix that was discussed a while back in this Committee should be added to the employee handbook as well. Mr. York advised Mr. Barber that he will get a copy to Mr. Barber so that he can discuss this with Atty. Sosnowski and see if it should be included.

THE CHIEF– MATT HOLLINGER

Chief Hollinger advised the Committee that there will be swearing in ceremony for two new officers and a promotion for Ofc. Papworth on Thursday, April 18th at 4 pm. Chief Hollinger added that they will also be recognizing Pastor Dan Herman as a police chaplain.

Chief Hollinger stated that he will be meeting with Mrs. Bennett on Wednesday morning to go over numbers in regards to collective bargaining.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR – TRICIA DIDUCH

Ms. Diduch advised the Committee that she sent everyone her March activity report.

Ms. Diduch stated that Mr. Bunge, Village Engineer, sent information for the Village in reference to a $50,000 T-Mobile grant. Ms. Diduch stated that the grant could be used for the downtown streetscape wayfinding signage. Mr. Winters commented that it could possibly be used for wifi in downtown as well.

Ms. Diduch advised the Committee that she and Mayor Peterson will be meeting with Fehr Graham tomorrow in regards to the Sonoco property. Ms. Diduch said that they will be discussing cleaning up the property to residential standards and that she will have more information about this at the next meeting.

Ms. Diduch stated that the historic walking tour will be this Saturday at 10 am.

Ms. Diduch commented that once the audit is complete, the Village will be able to have the annual TIF meetings.

Ms. Diduch said that she has more inquiries from residents about redoing their driveways and suggested that the Village may want to clean up some of this information and have informational sheets available.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

Mr. York stated that he was recently at the dog park and both of his dogs were covered in ticks. Mr. York inquired if this is a common problem and if the Village can do something to manage it. Ms. May stated that she will talk to Mr. Self, Parks & Recreation Director, about this.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. York, second by Mr. Winters to adjourn at 6:20 pm.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/4-1-24_Administration_Minutes.pdf