Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Administration Committee met Nov. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

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

Staff present: Dan Barber, Sally Bennett, Tricia Diduch, Chief Hollinger and Arianne Honkamp (6:02 pm) Also present: Dave Bennington

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. York to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of October 14, 2024. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

John Phillips, Senior Advisor with the Illinois City/County Management Association (ICMA), spoke to the Committee about implementing a Village Administrator position. Mr. Phillips stated that he works with municipalities and discussed the concept of hiring a Village Administrator. Mr. Phillips said that passing an ordinance is the first step that the Village needs to do and he gave Mayor Peterson a copy of a model ordinance. Mr. Phillips advised the Committee that this process varies from community to community, but that he is willing to help the Village with this process. Mr. Phillips stated that the Village needs a realistic job description for the position and briefly went over the process of recruitment. Mr. Phillips said that after the Village comes up with a position profile then they need to put together information about the community. Mr. Phillips stated that the next step would be to decide a job advertisement and where to advertise this along with the salary range for the position. The final steps would be screening applicants and conducting interviews. Mr. Phillips added that the entire process usually takes 4-6 months and that the salary range for municipalities similar in size range from $100,000 - $125,000/year. Mr. Phillips said that he will pass on other information to Mayor Peterson if he is interested in finding someone that will help with the hiring process as well.

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson stated that the Northern Illinois Mayor’s Association (NIMA) meeting is at the Historic Auto Museum on November 21st and to let the Village Clerk know if anyone would like to attend.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – SCOTT DANIELSON, CHAIRMAN

Motion by Mr. Danielson to approve the donation to Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) for the Christmas Tree Recycling Program in the amount of $500, second by Mr. Winters. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY & LEGAL – DAVE WINTERS

Mr. Winters stated that Resolution 2024-115: A Resolution of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Authorizing the Village Clerk to Sign and File Claim Forms Related to the Chemtool Class Action Settlement on Behalf of the Village is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on November 5, 2024. The Committee was okay with this.

ADMINISTRATION – JUSTIN YORK

None.

THE CHIEF– MATT HOLLINGER

Chief Hollinger advised the Committee that while he was at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference in Boston he was able to speak with representatives from various companies and get some of their police equipment fixed at no charge. Chief Hollinger added that the police department is also going to demo some new equipment at Old Settlers Days (OSD) and the Ironman that will be coming to the Village.

Chief Hollinger stated that they plan on hiring a new police officer by the end of December and that they have a spot reserved at the academy on January 5th. Chief Hollinger said that the two new police officers will be on solo patrol in the next 2-3 weeks.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR – TRICIA DIDUCH

Ms. Diduch advised the Committee that she emailed out her activity report to everyone. Ms. Diduch stated that the next steps of Pocket Park will be getting done this fall.

Ms. Diduch said that she is working with C.E.S. on the updated zoning map for the Village.

Ms. Diduch added that Alberto Pipitone, owner of FIBS Restaurant, is working on sending information to herself and Atty. Szeto in reference to a proposed TIF Agreement for the restaurant. Ms. Diduch said that Mr. Pipitone would like to remodel the restaurant and that it will cost $350,000 - $400,000.

Ms. Diduch stated that she and Mayor Peterson met with property owners in the 100 block of W. Main Street and that they had a productive conversation about making repairs to the alley behind the businesses.

Ms. Diduch said that she is very busy with the upcoming events for the Village and that we are in a good spot. Ms. Diduch added that the cost of the Christmas tree from last year has been recouped this year.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. York to adjourn at 6:25 pm.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/11-4-24_Administration_Minutes.pdf