Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Administration Committee met Jan. 20.

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 and Chief Hollinger

Also present: Dave Bennington

Absent: Scott Danielson

Motion by Mr. York, second by Mr. Winters to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of January 6, 2025. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that he is meeting with Alan Zais, Executive Director of the Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA), next Thursday to discuss some issues he is concerned about in regards to the D’Agnolo apartments located at 806 Kocher Street. Mayor Peterson said that the WCHA needs to make some changes before the Village sells them the Goldie Floberg property.

Mayor Peterson stated that he is tweaking the Village Administrator job description and that he will be emailing it to everyone to review. Mayor Peterson said that he prefers not to spend $25,000 to hire a headhunter for the position unless the Village doesn’t get a candidate that they are interested in hiring. Mayor Peterson commented that he would like to know what the trustees think and if the Village should go a different path for the hiring process.

Mayor Peterson stated that the special use permit for the Red Barn Golf Course is up for approval tomorrow evening at the Village Board meeting. Ms. Diduch stated that if the special use permit fails then Mr. Barnes will reapply to obtain approval. Ms. Diduch stated that the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) did not recommend approval of the special use permit, but if the Village Board goes against

their recommendation, then they would have to how the special use permit meets the four criteria. Ms. Diduch said that the findings of fact have been provided in her report and that it didn’t meet the criteria for approval.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – SCOTT DANIELSON, CHAIRMAN

Mr. Winters stated that the special events application for Yeti Fest to be held February 5th -8th is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on January 21st. The Committee was okay with this.

PUBLIC SAFETY & LEGAL – DAVE WINTERS

Mayor Peterson stated that a title search was done on the Goldie Floberg property and that it was discovered that the taxes were sold. Mayor Peterson said that before the property can be sold, the tax sale redemption amount needs to be paid. Motion by Mr. Winters to pay $843.74 for the tax sale redemption payment, second by Mr. York. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

Mr. Winters stated that the 2025 legal rates for Sosnowski Szeto, LLP have increased by 5%. The Committee was okay with this. Mr. Winters asked the Village Clerk to have this on the Village Board agenda in two weeks for approval.

ADMINISTRATION – JUSTIN YORK

None.

THE CHIEF– MATT HOLLINGER

Chief Hollinger stated that he spent the last two days at a conference in Galena that addressed officer wellness.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR – TRICIA DIDUCH

Ms. Diduch advised the Committee that the Yeti fest special events application is the same as last year and that nothing has changed. Ms. Diduch stated that this is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on January 21, 2025. The Committee was okay with this.

Ms. Diduch discussed the comprehensive plan with the Committee. Ms. Diduch stated that she would like everyone to review what was included in their packets and let her know if anything needs to be called out in the request for proposal (RFP). Ms. Diduch said that she would like this information in the next week and that that she will have a draft at the next meeting to review.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. York, second by Mr. Winters, to adjourn at 6:07 pm.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/1-20-25_Administration_Minutes.pdf