Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Public Works Committee met Feb. 3.

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, Arianne Honkamp, Jodi May and Don Self Staff present: Sally Bennett & Adam Bunge

Also present: Sarah Doerflinger & Jamin Unger

Absent: Dan Baumgartner

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp, second by Ms. May, to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of January 20, 2025. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

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 asked the Committee if they looked at the job description for the Village Administrator position. Mayor Peterson said that the Administration Committee would like to hire a recruiting company to handle the hiring process of the Village Administrator and that they are looking at the mid level amount proposal. Mayor Peterson advised that he will email out the proposal from the recruiting company again for everyone to review.

Mayor Peterson stated that the Rockton Lions Club would like to build a structure over the basketball courts, but the Village will have to approve the design and accept the donation from them.

Mayor Peterson said that he met with Dave Syverson today in reference to the health insurance rates for the Village. Mayor Peterson advised that they will discuss this further in the Budget & Finance Committee meeting on February 4, 2025.

Mayor Peterson inquired if anyone watched the Highway 75 Bridge meeting that IDOT hosted. Mr. Barber stated that he can print off the presentation for anyone that’s interested in reviewing it. Mr. Barber said that Chief Hollinger has concerns about the traffic detour at Route 2 and Roscoe Road.

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 stated that Alberto Pipitone, owner of FIBS Restaurant, spoke to the Administration Committee earlier in the evening about a TIF agreement for FIBS.

WATER, SEWER, & GARBAGE – JODI MAY

Ms. May stated that the purchase requisition for Cahoy Group for the emergency repairs of Well #10 in the amount of $72,112.50 is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on February 4, 2025. Ms. May stated that the Village Board will need to waive the formal bid process once again and that the Village Board previously approved $38,805 for the repairs, but they were substantially higher. Mr. Barber explained that Well #10 is up an running and that the water levels have increased, but that the Village will still need another well drilled at some point. The Committee was okay with this.

STREETS AND WALKS – DAN BAUMGARTNER

None.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – ARIANNE HONKAMP

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp to ratify the consensus for Gates Electric for the installation of two Excell blowers in the bathrooms at the Rockton Athletic Complex in the amount of $2,455, second by Ms. May. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

PUBLIC WORKS – DAN BARBER

Mr. Barber advised the Committee that he will be starting to work on the budget soon since there will be two budgets if the Village switches to a calendar year budget.

Mr. Barber stated that there has been a lot of illnesses going around with his crew, but they completed 196 work orders in the last two weeks.

Mr. Barber said that the new storage building for Ms. Diduch is almost ready and they will be moving all of her things from the Goldie Floberg building over to the new storage building soon.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR – DON SELF

Mr. Self stated that there is a light out over the ice rink and that Gates Electric can change out both of the lights to LED for $900.

Mr. Self said that he got a call today about the snow on the Rockton Road bike path and that he is going to take care of it tomorrow.

Mr. Self advised the Committee that he purchased signage for the Rockton Athletic Complex since the asphalt was completed in the fall.

Mr. Self commented that he spoke to several companies at the conference he attended and that he’s getting prices on scoreboards for the athletic complex. Mr. Self added that he is also getting prices on software that can serve many functions for the pool (purchasing pool passes, booking pool parties, etc..) Mr. Self advised the Committee that he is attending the Illinois Landscape Show in February as well.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

Mr. Barber mentioned that there is a grant he found out about through Representative Darin LaHood’s office and that the grant would pay for a bucket truck. Mr. Barber stated that a bucket truck costs approximately $269,000, but could be utilized in many ways in the Village.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp, second by Ms. May, to adjourn at 7:10 pm.

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