Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Public Works Committee met May 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 and Jodi May Staff present: Sally Bennett, Adam Bunge, Jake Costello and Tricia Diduch

Absent: Don Self

Motion by Mr. Baumgartner, second by Mrs. Honkamp, to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of April 15, 2024. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

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 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 stated that in the last IML Magazine there was a checklist for IT cybersecurity and that the Village can check off many of these items.

Mayor Peterson said that he will schedule a special Village Board meeting to discuss the 2024-2025 budget and that he would like to know what conferences the trustees would like to attend (IML or National League of Cities).

Mayor Peterson stated that the “Faerie Fest” was a hit with approximately 1000 people attending. Mayor Peterson stated that in the future we need to do a better job of mowing before an event.

WATER, SEWER, & GARBAGE – JODI MAY

Ms. May stated that Ordinance 2024-8: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 51 – Sewer Service, of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Rockton, Illinois to Create a New Section Regarding Certification of Compliance with Discharge Standards is up for approval at the Village bord meeting on May 7, 2024. Mr. Barber stated that the IEPA is asking for information regarding this. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Barber advised the Committee that the high school is redoing the softball field and that the Village’s water main currently runs underneath the field. Mr. Barber said that the high school is also going to install turf on the new field and that this would be an expensive repair should the Village need to access the water main. Mr. Barber said that there are a couple ways to remedy this, but he felt the best option is to have a tentative intergovernmental agreement (IGA) and that the Village will pay a portion of relocating the water main. Mr. Bunge stated that this would benefit the Village to get in on the project because there would be quite a bit of cost savings to the Village. Mr. Bunge said that this could potentially cost the Village $300,000 if we were doing this on our own. Mr. Barber advised the Committee that the Village will not pay more than $68,000 for their portion. Mr. Barber stated that the

Village will need to pay for their portion of the plans, permits, and construction oversite for the relocation project for Arc Design. Motion by Ms. May to approve the Village’s portion at a cost of $7,450, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

Ms. May stated that the blanket purchase orders are usually approved after the budget is passed. Mr. Barber said that was fine if the Village Board wanted to wait to approve all of the blanket purchase orders at one time.

Mr. Barber said that the special Village Board meeting for the lead service line replacement is going to be held on May 9th at the American Legion. Mr. Barber stated that letters were issued to 170 homes and that the replacement plan was submitted to the IEPA even though the Village doesn’t have to start replacing the services until 2027. Mr. Barber said that the Village will have 10 years to complete the project. Mayor Peterson commented that this gives the Village time to find some funding as well. Mr. Barber stated that he and Mr. Costello have discussed the plan and that the Public Works Department can do a lot of the work themselves. Mr. Barber said that they will have to put some money into the boring part and that the homeowner will have to pay for the plumber for hooking up and restoration of their property. Mr. Barber said that this would save a lot of money or there is another option to take out a low interest loan for the project. Mayor Peterson stated that the Village didn’t qualify for grants because the average income was too high. Mr. Barber said that the IEPA and IDPH were also going to offer a waiver through the IDPH if residents aren’t interested in replacing their lead service lines, but that this isn’t a good option in his opinion. Mr. Barber stated that the Village is trying to be proactive and trying to keep the cost down for residents.

Mr. Barber presented his preliminary budget numbers to the Committee and that he will be talking to Mrs. Bennett, Village Treasurer, tomorrow further about his portion of the budget. There will be a special Village Board meeting on Tuesday, May 14th at 7:00 pm to discuss the 2024-2025 budget.

STREETS AND WALKS – DAN BAUMGARTNER

None.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – ARIANNE HONKAMP

Mrs. Honkamp stated that the special events applications for “Pelican Fest” to be held on May 18th from 10 am – 4 pm and the “Rockton River Market” to be held on Wednesdays in Settlers Park beginning May 22nd – August 28th is up for approval at the Village board meeting on May 7, 2024. The Committee was okay with this.

PUBLIC WORKS – DAN BARBER

Mr. Barber advised the Committee that there was a correction to the number for Nelson Carlson to repair the clarifier at the waste water treatment plant. Mr. Barber said he had it listed as $52,868 on the Village Board agenda and it should be $84,658. Mr. Barber added that this will come out of this year’s budget.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR – DON SELF

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp, second by Mr. Baumgartner to adjourn at 7:27 pm.

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