Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Administration Committee met May 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Mr. Winters called the regular meeting of the Administration Committee to order at 5:31 pm. Members present: Mayor Peterson, Dave Winters and Justin York

Staff present: Dan Barber, Sally Bennett, Tricia Diduch and Chief Hollinger

Absent: Scott Danielson

Motion by Mr. York, second by Mr. Winters to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of April 15, 2024. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson stated that he had two interviews with Channel 13 and 23 News in regards to the Goldie Floberg building. Mayor Peterson said that he has another interview with the Rockton-Roscoe News in hopes to clear up some of the misconceptions of how the property is being developed.

Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that there is an article in the latest edition of the IML Magazine that talks about social media and commenting on social media that he would like everyone to take a look at.

Mayor Peterson said that he is working on the budget numbers and that he would like the trustees to decide what conference they would like to attend for the travel/training budget and that we need to decide pretty quick.

Mayor Peterson stated that there is executive session tomorrow at the Village Board meeting in regards to collective bargaining.

Mayor Peterson commented that it looks like the grocery tax is going to be discontinued and that the Village will lose approximately $100,000 in its budget.

Mayor Peterson said that “Faerie Fest” went well and that he heard great things about the event.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – SCOTT DANIELSON, CHAIRMAN

Mr. York stated that the special events application for “Pelican Fest” is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on May 7, 2024. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. York added that the special events application for the “Rockton River Market” (RRM) is also up for approval at the Village Board meeting. Ms. Diduch stated that there are 35 vendors this year and that she increased the vendor fees. Ms. Diduch said that the Village should make a little bit of profit and that she still has three sponsorship opportunities left for the RRM as well.

Motion by Mr. York to approve a donation for Macktown Living History in the amount of $500, second by Mr. Winters. The Village Clerk advised the Committee that the Village has donated $1,000 in the past to Macktown Living History, but that the Village didn’t receive donation request letters for a few years during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ms. Diduch said that the Village needs to come up with a form or application in regards to donations so that we have more information about the donation. Mayor Peterson said that this donation is for a good cause and helps with “The Gathering” event that they hold. Mr. Winters stated to put this in next year’s budget since it wasn’t budgeted for and pay them after June 1st.

PUBLIC SAFETY & LEGAL – DAVE WINTERS

Mr. Winters stated that Ordinance 2024-7: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 72 – Parking Regulations, Section 72.12 – Parking, Occupancy and Storage of Recreational Vehicles, of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Rockton, Illinois is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on May 7, 2024. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Winters said that the special use liquor license for After the Vine at the Old Settlers Days VIP Tent (June 13th – 16th) is also up for approval at the Village Board meeting. The Committee was okay with this.

ADMINISTRATION – JUSTIN YORK

Mr. York stated that there have been several scam emails being sent to Village staff recently and to be aware of this because many of the emails are identifying themselves as the mayor.

Mr. York added that in the last IML Magazine there was a checklist for IT cybersecurity and that the Village can check off many of these items. Mr. York stated that the Village needs to discuss our goals and think about this roadmap when we discuss the budget. Mr. Winters said that we need some budget numbers pretty quick. Mr. York asked for the IT budget to be added to the next agenda.

THE CHIEF– MATT HOLLINGER

Chief Hollinger advised the Committee that after much discussion within the police department, they are removing the medicine drop off box (located in the lobby of Village Hall) sometime in June or July. Chief Holliger state that it is taking up a lot of time and money and that it may be unnecessary since there are several other drop off locations.

Chief Hollinger stated that they had the promotion and swearing in of two police officers on April 18th and that the officers are currently at the police academy.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR – TRICIA DIDUCH

Ms. Diduch provided a copy of the new Downtown Rockton map to the Committee for them to review. Ms. Diduch said that she is going to make a couple more tweaks and that Anna Pipitone’s bakery is going to be located in the Masonic building.

Ms. Diduch stated that there was a car club that stopped in the Village on Thursday and that did a bridged historic tour for them.

Ms. Diduch said that she is advancing some solar farm information because someone is interested in pre annexing 160 acres of property west of the quarries off of Highway 2.

Ms. Diduch advised the Committee that she is almost done with her budget numbers. Ms. Diduch added that “Faerie Fest” was very well attended.

Ms. Diduch stated that the Rockton River Market planning is going well and that the Village should make some money from the event this year.

Ms. Diduch said that she is working on the special events application for “Summerpalooza” which will be held on June 8th, August 10th and July 15th in the 100 block of W. Main Street.

Ms. Diduch said that she met with the Beloit Skycarp manager and that they are looking to have a “Rockton Night” in either late July or August.

Ms. Diduch added that the Historic Preservation Commission had their second walking tour this past Saturday.

Ms. Diduch suggested that the Village do a proactive press release in regards to the Goldie Floberg property (Getty Gardens) due to the fact that there have been many misconceptions as to how the property is being developed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. York, second by Mr. Winters to adjourn at 6:15 pm.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/5-6-24_Administration_Minutes.pdf