Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Public Works Committee met Aug. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Baumgartner called the regular meeting of the Public Works Committee to order at 6:30 pm. Members present: Mayor Peterson, Dan Barber, Dan Baumgartner, Dave Bennington and Don Self Staff present: Sally Bennett & Adam Bunge

Absent: Jamin Unger

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

PUBLIC COMMENT

Josh Garcia and Kevin Molitor with the Stateline Disc Golf Association addressed the Committee in reference to making Thunder Rock a permanent premier disc golf park. Mr. Garcia stated that they hosted a disc golf tournament at Barwood Park at the beginning of June and that they had over 200 rounds of disc golf played and it was a great success. Mr. Garcia added that he’s a Rockton resident and that he got a lot of positive feedback to make it a permanent course. Mr. Garcia said that he would like to have further meetings and discussion about doing this. Mr. Self asked Mr. Garcia what exactly they would need from the Village. Mr. Molitor stated that they would like new baskets along with turf T-pads which would cost approximately $15,000. Mr. Baumgartner asked what the agreement with the Village would entail. Mr. Garcia stated that they would design the course and clear the area. Mr. Garcia said that the Village of Roscoe provided the installation at Porter Park, but that they could also take care of the installation of the equipment. Mr. Garcia added that they have a lot of experience in design and maintenance, but that this would be a perfect location for a premier disc golf park because disc golf thrives in wooded areas.

VILLAGE ENGINEER – ADAM 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 the Administration Committee meeting was canceled due to lack of a quorum, but that it was mentioned that Atty. Szeto is looking into an E-Bike ordinance for the Village.

Mayor Peterson said that Happy Welch accepted the Village Administrator position with the Village.

Mayor Peterson added that there are a group of professors conducting health and water checks on PFAS in the Village and that they would like the most recent test results for Well #5. Mayor Peterson said that they are also looking for someone from the Village Board or Water Department to serve on their board as well.

Mayor Peterson encouraged the Committee members to take a look at the latest Illinois Municipal League (IML) magazine because there were articles on pop-up retail incubators and PFAS. Mr. Barber added that the PFAS in Well #5 has increased another 2 parts per trillion (ppt) since the last test. Mr. Barber said it went from 12 ppt to 14 ppt in the last 6 months. Mr. Barber stated that the Village is going to run a pilot test on Well #5 for 6 months and that this will help decide the what the Village’s long-term plan will be. Mr. Barber said that he believes the resin system will work better on Well #5 and that the carbon filter may be a better option for Wells #7 and #9.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – DAN BAUMGARTNER

None.

WATER, SEWER, & GARBAGE – JAMIN UNGER

Motion by Mr. Baumgartner to approve the purchase requisition for Gasvoda & Associates for an Omni alarm system at the wastewater treatment plant in the amount of $5,870, second by Mr. Bennington. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 2-0.

STREETS AND WALKS – DAVID BENNINGTON

Mr. Bennington stated that the special events application for the “Hononegah Homecoming Parade” to be held on Friday, September 6th at 4:20 PM on Main Street (Downtown) is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on August 5, 2025. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Bennington added that the purchase requisition for Enterprise for a 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 and a 2026 Chevy Silverado 2500HD in the amount of $114,612 along with the sale of the 2019 GMC 3500HD is up for approval at the Village Board meeting as well. The Committee was okay with this.

PUBLIC WORKS – DAN BARBER

Mr. Barber advised the Committee that he would like a consensus to purchase 50,000 water bills from Balsley Printing in the amount of $3,360. Mr. Barber said that the water bills will be a one-year supply for the water department. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Barber stated that the project on Hawick Street is almost done and that they are starting to hook up water services. Mr. Barber said that he would like to have a change order for the project so that they can repave Hawick Street all the way up to the hardware store. Mr. Barber said that this will clean up Hawick Street and now’s the time to do this, but the cost difference is $166,128.70. Mr. Barber said that there is money available in the sales tax and that he will need this placed on the special Village Board agenda for August 11th. Mrs. Bennett added that there will need to be an adjustment made to the budget since this wasn’t originally a budgeted item.

Mr. Barber said that the pumphouse is moving to the other side of town and that Well#10 could go down. Mr. Barber stated that there is $668,170 in the budget for the water booster station and generator to be completed by Gasvoda & Associates. Mr. Bunge advised the Committee that the bid opening for the river crossing watermain and path for this project will be held on September 2nd. Mr. Barber stated that this could be over budget by approximately $170,000, but that he will have Mrs. Bennett take a look at the budget.

Mr. Barber said that the Blackhawk Watermain project is moving along.

Mr. Barber stated that there were a couple of waterline breaks in the last few weeks, but they were repaired.

Mr. Barber commented that a Public Works employee recently left, but he hired a new employee that will be starting on August 18th.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR – DON SELF

Mr. Self discussed the bases for the benches in Settlers Park with the Committee. Mr. Self asked the

Committee if they should be pavers or concrete pads. Mr. Bunge stated that using concrete pads is the way to go. Mr. Self said that he got a quote for 8 concrete pads ($6,600), but that he would like to add more and have some of those pads accommodate a garbage can as well.

Mr. Self commented that this is the last week for pool operations and that he is hiring for a full-time park maintenance position and that he placed an ad on Indeed.

Mr. Self added that he would like a vehicle for Ryan and that he will spec one through Enterprise.

Mayor Peterson asked Mr. Self to look at the sidewalk on the north side of W. Main Street in the 100 block because there’s something that needs to be cleaned and he’s not sure what it is. Mayor Peterson said that it may need to be pressure washed.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. Bennington, second by Mr. Baumgartner, to adjourn at 7:39 pm.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/8-4-25_Public_Works_Minutes.pdf