Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Administration Committee met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman York called the regular meeting of the Administration Committee to order at 5:30 pm. Members present: Mayor Peterson, Sarah Doerflinger, Dave Winters and Justin York Staff present: Dan Barber, Sally Bennett, Tricia Diduch and Chief Hollinger

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. York to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of May 5, 2025. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson stated that he was at a meeting with other realtors and they were inquiring if Rockton residents need to disclose the PFAS in the drinking water. Mayor Peterson said that he reached out to the IEPA, but he hasn’t heard back from them yet.

Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that Mr. Barber hired Lucy Lilja as a water operator for the Public Works Department. Mayor Peterson said that Ms. Lilja has an extensive history with water and that she also holds a Class B operator license. Mayor Peterson added that Mr. Barber is also looking into a pilot program for Well #5 with a second company. Mayor Peterson said that it will cost approximately $140,000 for a pilot test to make sure the filtration system is working properly. Mayor Peterson stated that a resin system costs $2M - $3M and a carbon filtration system costs approximately $6M. Mr. Barber commented that changes are coming from the federal EPA. Ms. Diduch stated that the Village is currently meeting the PFAS standards with the IEPA until 2029.

Mayor Peterson stated that Mark Peterson sent an example of a brochure that he wanted to use for the Village Administrator position and Mayor Peterson kicked it back to him to change a few things. Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that we have 31 applicants thus far for the position and that 5 of those are qualified to be interviewed.

ADMINISTRATION – JUSTIN YORK

None.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – SARAH DOERFLINGER

None.

PUBLIC SAFETY & LEGAL – DAVE WINTERS

Mr. Winters stated that the liquor license for Rockton Sports & Slots (625 N. Blackhawk Blvd.) is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on May 20, 2025. Mr. Winters said that everything looks good with the application. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Winters said that the special event liquor licenses Al’s Main Street Tap, Fibs, Prairie Street Brewhouse and Rookie’s Pub and Grill for the Rockton River Market (RRM) are also up for approval at the Village Board meeting. Ms. Diduch added that each vendor is selling the same things they’ve sold in the past. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Winters added that the special use liquor license for After the Vine for Old Settlers Days (June 12th -15th) is up for approval as well. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Winters stated that Ordinance 2025-12: An Ordinance of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Amending Section 112.24(L)(1) Regarding Bar Boutique Liquor Licenses is up for approval and that this is changing the number of licenses in the Village from three to two. The Committee was okay with this.

THE CHIEF– MATT HOLLINGER

Chief Hollinger stated that the police department was busy over the weekend. Chief Hollinger said that there were several self-initiated traffic stops that led to arrests including a felony drug arrest. Chief Hollinger added that one of the new trustees, Mr. Bennington, came in Friday night for a ride-a-long at 6:30 pm for the evening.

Chief Hollinger advised the Committee that they are still working on the OSD application for ambulance service for the event. Chief Hollinger added that they won’t have fireworks this year and that there will be a drone show instead.

Chief Hollinger stated that the Mercedes that the police department confiscated will go up for auction on May 31st and that there is no reserve on the vehicle.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR – TRICIA DIDUCH

Ms. Diduch stated that the first RRM of the season is on Wednesday.

Ms. Diduch advised the Committee that “Pelican Fest” was Saturday and that it was a great event. Ms. Diduch said that they may have to move the live pelican viewing to another location due to the attendance. Ms. Diduch said that she wants to check the page analytics for the radio ads to see how successful that aspect of it was for the event. Ms. Diduch added that there was also a bird calling contest and bird trivia for the event.

Ms. Diduch stated that she attended the ILCMA conference on Friday and that it was a very energizing conference for women along with a few men.

Ms. Diduch commented that she is currently taking a class on budget and that the Village should adopt a revenue policy and that this is something the new Village Administrator can work on once they are hired.

Ms. Diduch stated that the sign variation for Verizon Wireless was supposed to be approved at the Village Board meeting tomorrow, but that the item was removed from the agenda. Ms. Diduch said that the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) wanted some revisions on their signs. Ms. Diduch explained that a text amendment is needed to allow freestanding monument signs in this corridor on Rockton Road and not in the downtown area. Ms. Diduch said that this zoning item will be coming back in June for approval, but that they approved the design review to keep things moving forward and allowed the building permit to be issued. Ms. Diduch said that she believes there will be a resolution with the sign variation where Verizon Wireless and the Village will both be pleased with the outcome.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mrs. Doerflinger, to adjourn at 6:15 pm.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/5-19-25_Administration_Minutes.pdf