Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Administration Committee met Feb. 3.

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: Sarah Doerflinger & Jamin Unger

Absent: Scott Danielson

Also present: Alberto Pipitone

Motion by Mr. York, second by Mr. Winters to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of January 20, 2025. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that he and Ms. Kieffer, Village Collector, met with Dave Syverson in reference to health insurance rates for the Village. Mayor Peterson stated that there is going to be a 12% increase and that Ms. Kieffer will talk about that more at the Budget & Finance Committee meeting tomorrow evening.

Mayor Peterson asked the Committee if they were okay with the Village Administrator job description and the Committee stated that they were good with it. Mayor Peterson asked the Committee if the Village should hire a recruiting company to help with the hiring process. Mr. York stated that he would lean towards hiring a company. Mr. Winters agreed with Mr. York and added that he thought the middle-tier of the proposal from the recruiting company may be the most appropriate.

Mayor Peterson said that he and Atty. Szeto met with Richard Barnes, owner of the Red Barn Golf Course, along with Paul Grossen from the Summit Condos. Mayor Peterson stated that Mr. Barnes and Mr. Grossen didn’t get much further in coming to a resolution between the golf course and the condos.

Mayor Peterson commented that the Rockton Lions Club wants to build a shelter over the basketball court in Settlers Park. Mayor Peterson said that the shelter would be high enough to still play basketball and would also serve as the beer tent area for Old Settlers Days. Mayor Peterson said that the Village would have to approve the plans from the Rockton Lions Club and accept the donation.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – SCOTT DANIELSON, CHAIRMAN

Alberto Pipitone, owner of FIBS restaurant, spoke with the Committee in reference to a possible TIF agreement with restaurant. Mr. Pipitone stated that the restaurant is a great Rockton staple and that improvements to the building need to be done to an extreme extent. Mr. Pipitone said that there are three phases for the improvements and that Phase I is in progress. Mr. Pipitone stated that the windows on the second story of the building had to be unexpectedly replaced because there was a cracked window that was letting in cold air. Mr. Pipitone said that he’s working on numbers for the façade and that he had to install a rooftop unit to heat the building because the previous owners were using a woodburning stove to heat the restaurant. Mr. Pipitone advised the Committee that Phase I costs are approximately $132,000. Mr. Pipitone said that Phase II includes a new drop ceiling, new flooring (stained concrete floor), paint and new tables and chairs and will cost $71,000. Mr. Pipitone stated that Phase III is the most extreme and includes updating the kitchen and bar, new coolers and a draft system along with a gaming area. Mr. Pipitone said that he would like to rebuild and redesign the bar for a better traffic flow and overall layout. Mr. Pipitone stated that Phase III will cost $167,500 for a grand total of $371,000. Mr. Pipitone said that he is requesting $75,000 for the TIF agreement and feels that that is a reasonable request. MS. Diduch stated that she is looking for a general consensus to move forward and work through the specific details for approval later. Mr. Winters inquired if we can substantiate $75,000 of TIF eligible expenses and Ms. Diduch confirmed this. Mr. York commented that this fits in for Downtown Rockton and we have a successful business owner that wants to invest. Mr. Winters agreed and stated that he’s comfortable with where we’re at.

PUBLIC SAFETY & LEGAL – DAVE WINTERS

Mr. Winters stated that Resolution 2025-103: A Resolution of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Authorizing Amendments to the Village’s Employee Benefits Handbook Regarding Security Cameras Use is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on February 4, 2025. The Committee was okay with this.

ADMINISTRATION – JUSTIN YORK

Mr. York stated that he wanted to touch base with Garcea Technologies’ activity report that was emailed to the Committee. Mr. York said that the maintenance contract is working out okay, but he wants to talk to Jeff Garcea about the server replacement in 2028. Mrs. Bennett, Village Treasurer, recommended that the server replacements be staggered out instead of doing both of them at the same time.

THE CHIEF– MATT HOLLINGER

Chief Hollinger stated that he met with Dan Barber, Public Works Director, in reference to two different companies installing fiber in town. Chief Hollinger said that they are going door to door and that he will provide an update on social media. Mr. Barber advised the Committee that he spoke to the Metronet and i3 about permitting and bonds for their projects. Mr. Barber stated that each permit is $300.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR – TRICIA DIDUCH

Ms. Diduch advised the Committee that she sent everyone her activity report and that Yeti Fest is this weekend.

Ms. Diduch also discussed the comprehensive plan with the Committee. Ms. Diduch stated that the Village may want to exclude certain components such as the financial impact analysis on the request for proposal (RFP) which would cost $50,000 alone. Ms. Diduch added that she is currently working on the RFP and would welcome any input from the Committee.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

Chief Hollinger stated that he reached out to Andrew Dewey, Project Manager for the Highway 75 bridge replacement project. Chief Hollinger stated that he has some traffic safety concerns since the detour is at Route 2 and Roscoe Road. Chief Hollinger said that he would like a traffic study done prior to the construction project.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. York, second by Mr. Winters, to adjourn at 6:23 pm.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/2-3-25_Administration_Minutes.pdf