Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Public Works Committee met March 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, Dan Baumgartner, Arianne Honkamp, Jodi May and Don Self

Staff present: Sally Bennett & Adam Bunge

Also present: Dave Bennington, Spencer Cushing and Jamin Unger

Motion by Mr. Baumgartner, second by Mrs. Honkamp, to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of February 17, 2025. 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 advised the Committee that he met with Alan Zais (Winnebago County Housing Authority) again today in reference to the D’Agnolo Apartments. Mayor Peterson stated that Mr. Zais understands that there are problems and they are taking steps to address them. Mayor Peterson said he left the meeting feeling a little bit better about things and that Mr. Zais understands the Village’s concerns.

Mayor Peterson stated that he spoke to the Administration Committee in reference to the pavilion that the Rockton Lion’s Club would like to build over the basketball court in Settlers Park. Mayor Peterson said that the Rockton Lion’s Club was able to get a $100,000 grant, but the cost of the pavilion is approximately $350,000. Mayor Peterson advised that the Administration Committee wasn’t interested at this time in providing financial assistance for the pavilion to be constructed.

Mayor Peterson said that Mr. Self is meeting with a few people in reference to a temporary disc golf course at Barwood for a tournament.

Mayor Peterson advised that he spoke with the Administration Committee about the Red Barn Golf Course and that the Administration Committee would like to see if Richard Barnes has mitigated the problem for this season at the golf course. Mayor Peterson said that code enforcement will be enforced if there are any problems with golf balls hitting the nearby condos.

Mayor Peterson added that he signed the paperwork with MGT Impact Solutions, LLC for them to proceed with recruiting services for the Village Administrator position.

WATER, SEWER, & GARBAGE – JODI MAY

Ms. May stated that Ordinance 2025-3: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 53 “Water Service, Section 53.21 “Service Pipe Connections and Curb Stop” of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Rockton, Illinois is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on March 4, 2025. Mr. Barber stated that he found information in the Illinois State Plumbing Code that condos can have one service as long as there is a manifold to shut off individual services. Mr. Barber said that this will save the Village approximately $200,000. The Committee was okay with this.

STREETS AND WALKS – DAN BAUMGARTNER

Motion by Mr. Baumgartner to ratify the consensus for Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. for land acquisition services for the Rockton Road multi-use path at a cost not to exceed $3,500, second by Mrs. Honkamp. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

Mr. Baumgartner stated that Ordinance 2025-4: An Ordinance Amending Schedule I. Stop Streets of Chapter 74 of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Regarding the Placement of Stop Signs is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on March 4, 2025. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Baumgartner added that the special events application for the “Kishwaukee Valley Abate Bike Show” to be held on Saturday, July 12th from 10 am – 2 pm at the Rockton American Legion (221 W. Main Street) is also up for approval at the Village Board meeting. The Committee was okay with this.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – ARIANNE HONKAMP

Mrs. Honkamp discussed the 2025 pool fees with the Committee. Mr. Self went over the proposed rates with the Committee and stated that minimum wage is increasing as well. Mr. Self added that the pool actually made money last year. The Committee was okay with the 2025 proposed pool fees.

Mrs. Honkamp also discussed waiving the formal bid process and renewing the lawn maintenance program with Nason’s Landscaping. Mr. Self said that renewing the agreement with Nason’s is a fair way to do this and explained that the contract is for three years with a 3% increase each year. Mr. Self stated that year one is $104,100.31. Mrs. Honkamp said that this is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on March 4, 2025. The Committee was okay with this.

PUBLIC WORKS – DAN BARBER

Mr. Barber stated that he has been spending a lot of time working on obtaining the easements for the Rockton Road bike path.

Mr. Barber added that there was a broken water line that was galvanized pipe at 109 W. Warren Street and that the Public Works Department repaired this and had Midwest Directional Drilling assist with the repair. Mr. Barber said that he would like a consensus for Midwest Directional Drilling in the amount of $2,400. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Barber stated that the new storage building for Ms. Diduch is ready and that they are starting to move items from the Goldie Floberg property into the storage building.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR – DON SELF

Mr. Self advised the Committee that he attended the landscaping show where he met with several vendors in reference to replacing the retaining wall at Settlers Park. Mr. Self said that the design ideas are due back to him at the end of the month.

Mr. Self said that the blowers have been installed at the Rockton Athletic Complex and that he started working on the baseball fields.

Mr. Self stated that he met with a few different pool vendors and that he’s getting pricing for the drains that will need to be replaced this year. Mr. Self added that he’s also getting information about an automated system for the pool and pricing for sandblasting the pool and painting it. Mr. Self said that this would be significantly less than purchasing a new pool liner.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. Baumgartner, second by Mrs. Honkamp, to adjourn at 7:03 pm.

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