Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Public Works Committee met May 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Mr. Baumgartner 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 and Don Self Staff present: Sally Bennett (7:00 pm) & Kevin Bunge

Also present: Dave Bennington

Absent: Jodi May

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp, second by Mr. Baumgartner, to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of April 14, 2025. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

VILLAGE ENGINEER – KEVIN BUNGE

Village Engineer Kevin 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 IDOT will start patching the Highway 75 bridge and getting it ready for the Ironman Triathlon. Mayor Peterson said that there may be partial closings and it could be down to one lane as well.

Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that he is working on extending the garbage contract with Rock River Disposal and that the Village is working with South Beloit as well since they use Rock River Disposal as well.

Mayor Peterson said that the Village received some of the Chemtool settlement checks today and that more are coming. Mayor Peterson stated that the Village needs to decide what to do with the money and that we should be getting approximately $180,000 in total.

Mayor Peterson stated that the letters from the Village were mailed out in reference to the PFAS level in Well #5. Mayor Peterson said that the IEPA standard is 10 ppt and that the Well #5 is 12 ppt. Mr. Barber commented that Well #5 doesn’t feed the water system on the south side of the bridge, but all of the Village’s residents were sent a letter. Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that the federal EPA is researching this more and that the standards may change again. Mayor Peterson wanted to make sure everyone understood this in case residents ask questions and added that this is very frustrating that the IEPA and federal EPA aren’t on the same page. Mayor Peterson added that Mr. Barber is working on treatment for Well #5.

Mayor Peterson said that the closing on the Goldie Floberg building is delayed another month and will be closing in June because they need to apply for a special use permit.

Mayor Peterson commented that there haven’t been any issues that he’s aware of at the Red Barn Golf Course since golf season is back in full swing.

Mayor Peterson said that the ad for the Village Administrator position went out today and that the salary range is between $100,000 - $130,000.

WATER, SEWER, & GARBAGE – JODI MAY

Mr. Baumgartner stated that he would like to table Item #1 and put it on the next agenda for approval.

Mr. Baumgartner said that the low bid for the Blackhawk Watermain Project was Northern Illinois Service Co. in the amount of $1,294,086.28. Mr. Barber advised the Committee that the Village will get some of that money for completing inspections. Mr. Baumgartner stated that this is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on May 6, 2025. The Committee was okay with this.

Motion by Mr. Baumgartner to approve the soil borings for the Rock River and Highway 2 crossing to be completed by Soil and Material Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $2,835, second by Mrs. Honkamp. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

STREETS AND WALKS – DAN BAUMGARTNER

Mr. Baumgartner stated that Resolution 2025-110: IDOT Rebuild Illinois Funds for Bristlewood Court Resurfacing Project ($120,000) is also up for approval at the Village Board meeting. The Committee was okay with this.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – ARIANNE HONKAMP

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp to ratify the consensus for Nason’s Landscaping to repair the existing retaining wall at Settlers Park in the amount of $2,520, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

Mrs. Honkamp stated that the special events application for the “Rockton River Market” to be held on Wednesdays (May 21st – August 28th) in Settlers Park is up for approval at the Village Board meeting. The Committee was okay with this.

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp to approve the purchase requisition for Pleva Mechanical for a chemical feed system for the Walt Williamson Pool in the amount of $6,016.70, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp to approve the purchase requisition for Fitzgerald Lighting for security light replacement at the Rockton Athletic Complex in the amount of $2,196.40, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

PUBLIC WORKS – DAN BARBER

Mr. Barber stated that he spoke with Kirk Bergstrom with the IEPA and advised that the Village can consult with him in reference to the PFAS level in Well #5.

Mr. Barber added that he met with Water Surplus and gave samples from Well #5 and that it’s clean except for the 2 ppt it’s over with the PFAS level. Mr. Barber said that Water Surplus is recommending a resin filter and that he would like to set up a pilot test to make sure that it’s working properly. Mr. Barber said that this would cost $140,000 to set up and that the system will cost approximately $2.5M. Mr. Barber said that there are companies contacting residents to sell them reverse osmosis systems, but that the water from Well #5 doesn’t go south of the river.

Mr. Barber said that there have been several complaints about Metronet installing fiber in the Village and that residents are being referred directly to Metronet with any issues.

Mr. Barber stated that the project for the Pinecroft lift station was delayed because they need to do a few more things and get new quotes for the work.

Mr. Barber added that he hired a new Public Works employee who is also a Class B operator, and she will be starting on May 19th.

Mr. Barber stated that he and Mrs. Bennett are still working on the budget and that they are close to being done.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR – DON SELF

Mr. Self advised the Committee that the Rockton Lions Club provided a new sign for the hockey rink.

Mr. Self stated that Nelson Carlson looked at the burner unit at the pool and this will need to be replaced. Mr. Self said that he is getting a price on this and that Nelson Carlson is looking at other components as well. Mr. Self added that Brian Elmer had to order a special part (valve) for the pool and that he will be replacing it as soon as it comes in.

Mr. Self commented that they are spot painting the pool and that this will hopefully be the last year that they will be doing this.

Mr. Self advised the Committee that he completed two interviews for pool manager and three interviews for lifeguards. Mr. Self said that he has more candidates to be interviewed.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp, second by Mr. Baumgartner, to adjourn at 7:19 pm.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/5-5-25_Public_Works_Minutes.pdf