Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Board of Trustees met Sept. 16.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Present: Mayor Peterson, Mr. Baumgartner, Mr. Bennington, Mrs. Doerflinger, Mr.Unger, Mr. Winters, Mr. York and Atty. Aaron Szeto

Staff present: Dan Barber, Sally Bennett, Chief Hollinger, Connie Kieffer and Happy Welch

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. Unger, to waive the reading of the September 2, 2025 Village Board meeting minutes. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. Unger, to approve the September 2, 2025 Village Board meeting minutes. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA

None.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Melissa Wright, Director of Sales and Marketing with Wesley Willows & Highview in the Woodlands, spoke to the Village Board about the services they provide. Ms. Wright stated that Highview in the Woodlands is a resource in the community that anyone can come to for insight in regard to education for senior living. Ms. Wright advised the Village Board that Highview in the Woodlands consists of half assisted living and half assisted memory care for residents. Ms. Wright said that they look forward to growing their imprint in the community and left pamphlets for the Village to share with anyone who may be interested or have questions about their facility.

MAYOR PETERSON

None.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR

Mr. Welch advised the Village Board that he was contacted by Winnebago County in reference to 571 Byrnes Drive. Mr. Welch stated that the home was demolished after a house fire without a permit and that A1 Restoration will have to contact the Village.

VILLAGE ATTORNEY

None.

ZONING

None.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND LEGAL & BUDGET – MR. WINTERS

Mr. Winters shared the Rockton Police Department activity summary from September 1st – 15th with the Village Board.

Motion by Mr. Winters to approve the special event liquor license for After the Vine “Wine Walk” to be held on Saturday, November 1st from 1-5 pm in Downtown Rockton, second by Mrs. Doerflinger. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

ADMINISTRATION – MR. YORK

None.

WATER, SEWER, AND GARBAGE – MR. UNGER

Motion by Mr. Unger to ratify the consensus for Water Well Solutions for Well #10 pulling and televising in the amount of $10,270, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Mr. Unger to waive the formal bid process for Well #10 rehab, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Mr. Unger to approve Well #10 rehab by Water Well Solutions at a cost not to exceed $175,000, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Mr. Unger to waive the formal bid process for the water service line replacement/abandonment for Union Street and Blackhawk Boulevard, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Mr. Unger to approve the purchase requisition for Northern Illinois Service Company for the water service line replacement/abandonment for Union Street and Blackhawk Boulevard in the amount of $63,690, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Mr. Unger discussed setting the fine for the illegal water hook-up at 512 Williamson Parkway with the Village Board. Mr. Barber said that he has a photo of the two uninstalled meters lying on the ground at that address and that they estimated there was 99 days of usage. Mr. Barber said that the developer can be fined up to $750/day per the Village Code. Mr. Barber advised the Village Board that they need to come up with a fine schedule for first, second and third offenses and suggested $50, $150 and $300. Mr. Barber said the fine would be $5,300 for the first offense for 99 days. Atty. Szeto commented that the Village has never had to take action on anything like this and stated that this has to be the same across the board for all offenders. Mr. Unger said that he knows the developer and that he was aware that the meters were supposed to be installed. Mr. York inquired how the Village found out about the meters not being connected. Mr. Barber stated that the Public Works Department didn’t get a read on the meters and went inside the home (that’s currently under construction) and saw the two meters lying on the ground with a hose hooked up for water. Motion by Mr. Unger to approve the fee schedule as $50, $100 and $300, second by Mr. Baumgartner. The Village Board further discussed the fines, and Mr. Unger suggested increasing the fines because he felt that offenders should be hit hard so that it doesn’t happen again. Mr. Unger suggested the fines should be $100, $350 and $750 for first, second and third offenses. The Village Board agreed. Motion by Mr. Unger to amend his original motion and set the fines at $100, $350 and $750 for first, second and third offenses, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – MRS. DOERFLINGER

None.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – MR. BAUMGARTNER

Mr. Baumgartner shared the Parks/Rec activity summary with the Village Board.

STREETS AND WALKS – MR. BENNINGTON

Motion by Mr. Bennington to waive the formal bid process for an Autowing plow and mount kit, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Mr. Bennington to approve the purchase requisition for Alta Equipment for an Autowing plow and mount kit in the amount of $27,950, second by Mr. Unger. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Mr. Winters to adjourn from regular session at 7:28 pm and go into executive session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) to discuss the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body, second by Mr. Baumgartner. All Ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Mayor Peterson called the Village Board meeting back to regular session at 7:41 pm. Roll Call. All Village Board members were present.

ACTION ON ITEMS ARISING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. Unger, to pay bills in the amount of $349,999.03. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

ADJOURN

Hearing no further business, motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mrs. Doerflinger, to adjourn at 7:42 pm. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/9-16-25_Village_Board_Meeting_Minutes.pdf