Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Administration Committee met June 2.

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, Tricia Diduch, Chief Hollinger and Connie Kieffer

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mrs. Doerflinger to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of May 19, 2025. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson stated that he spoke with Mark Peterson in reference to the Village Administrator applicants. Mayor Peterson said that there were 46 applicants and that Mr. Peterson is narrowing it down to 5-10 applicants and completing background checks on them. Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that they will need to hold a special Village Board meeting and go into executive session to discuss the applicants. The Committee agreed that Tuesday, June 24th at 7:00 pm would work for everyone.

Mayor Peterson also discussed the Rockton Road bike path with the Committee. Mayor Peterson said that the Parrs would like the Village to pay for a fence to be installed in front of their property along the bike path, but Mr. Barber is preparing a counter proposal for Mr. Parr.

Mayor Peterson said that he and Mr. Barber spoke to IDOT in reference to the potholes on the Highway 75 bridge and that they are waiting to hear back from the IDOT supervisor later in the week.

The Village Clerk advised the Committee that she wasn’t able to get the public hearing for the appropriations ordinance published until after the Memorial Day holiday, therefore, the Village Board won’t be able to pass the budget until the second meeting in June.

ADMINISTRATION – JUSTIN YORK

None.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – SARAH DOERFLINGER

Mrs. Doerflinger stated that Resolution 2025-111: Approval of Comprehensive Plan Services with Houseal Lavigne, LLC is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on June 3, 2025. Mayor Peterson said that this company was, by far, the best that they interviewed. Ms. Diduch stated that there were three companies that they spoke to and that Houseal Lavigne clearly researched the Village and the energy within the community. The Committee was okay with this.

Mrs. Doerflinger said that the special events application for “Summerpalooza” to be held on June 7th, July 12th and August 9th in downtown Rockton is also up for approval at the Village Board meeting. Ms. Diduch stated that the heavier duty barricades will be used for the event. The Committee was okay with this.

Mrs. Doerflinger stated that the purchase requisition for Uline for the wall barrier and fence panels in the amount of $9,181 is up for approval at the Village Board meeting as well. The Committee was okay with this.

PUBLIC SAFETY & LEGAL – DAVE WINTERS

Motion by Mr. Winters to approve the purchase order for Monarch for the camera and access panel for the police department in the amount of $4,807.20, second by Mrs. Doerflinger. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

Mr. Winters advised the Committee that Ms. Kieffer and Atty. Szeto were reviewing the bar boutique (BB) gaming license classification for the Village. Mr. Winters stated that he spoke with Atty. Szeto today regarding the BB licensing along with the restrictions. Mr. Winters said that there are currently two BB licenses in the Village and that they are going to be transferring them to a class K license. Ms. Kieffer explained that the two BB licenses create more of a bar experience than meeting the criteria of a BB license. Ms. Kieffer added that it would cost $500/each to transfer the BB licenses to a class K. Mr. Winters asked what the Village should do about the two BB licenses since there will be two available. Mr. York questioned if the Village even needs the BB license. Mayor Peterson said that we can keep the BB licensing for now. Ms. Kieffer advised the Committee that she will be talking to the two businesses that have a BB license. Mayor Peterson commented that he would meet with the businesses as well if necessary.

Mr. Winters inquired about the date of the municipal code posted online. Mr. Winters said that it says it was updated in 2016 in a sidebar on the webpage. The Village Clerk advised that it was recently updated and that she will check the website and change the sidebar date. Mr. Winters also inquired about posting the IMRF employee compensation online.

THE CHIEF– MATT HOLLINGER

Chief Hollinger stated that there was a domestic incident in the Village and that Victor Ortega is still at large and that he did leave the area. Chief Hollinger said that the police department is getting assistance with federal partners and that they are trying to resolve this as soon as possible. Chief Hollinger said that if anyone has questions, they can reach out to him anytime for clarification of incidents because social media isn’t always factual.

Chief Hollinger advised the Committee that the Mercedes sold at auction for $46,000 and that the police department will receive 65% of that after the state gets their cut.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR – TRICIA DIDUCH

Ms. Diduch stated that she is leaving around lunchtime tomorrow to attend an ILCMA conference that she was awarded a scholarship for and that she will be back later in the afternoon on Thursday.

Ms. Diduch advised the Committee that she emailed her activity report to everyone and to let her know if anyone has questions. Ms. Diduch added that June is crazy with all of the events going on in the Village.

Ms. Diduch said that she’s been meeting with Mrs. Doerflinger about the downtown and that she has lots of energy and ideas for a collaboration.

Ms. Diduch stated that the grocery tax was discussed at the NorthCOG meeting and that this will go away on December 31st unless municipalities pass an ordinance to keep the 1% tax. Ms. Diduch said that the municipalities in this area are looking to pass the ordinance sometime in July and that she can draft the ordinance for the Village.

Ms. Diduch stated that all of the Rockton River Market (RRM) sponsorships are full for the season

Ms. Diduch briefly discussed the fines, fees and forfeitures as revenue sources for the Village. Ms. Diduch said that this is approximately 2.2% of our budget and that she spoke to Chief Hollinger about this. Ms. Diduch added that this is a good number to be at.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

Mayor Peterson stated that IML conference registration opens on June 16th and that the conference will be held September 18th – 20th. Mayor Peterson said that the Village Clerk will need to know who is attending so that she can take care of registration and hotel accommodations.

Mayor Peterson updated the Committee in reference to disclosing the PFAS in the water system and that the Realtor’s Association, attorneys and IEPA are disagreeing about the matter. Mayor Peterson said that this is extremely disappointing.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mrs. Doerflinger, to adjourn at 6:25 pm.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/6-2-25_Administration_Minutes.pdf