Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Public Works Committee met Sept. 15.

Here is the agenda 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, Don Self and Jamin Unger

Staff present: Sally Bennett, Adam Bunge and Happy Welch

Motion by Mr. Unger, second by Mr. Bennington, to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of September 2, 2025. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

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 he will be in Peoria tomorrow, but he should be back in time for meetings.

Mayor Peterson stated that he met with Alan Zeis, Executive Director of the Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA), in reference to the Goldie Floberg property. Mayor Peterson said that there have been a series of disturbing incidents at D’Agnolo Apartments and that he is concerned about the WCHA’s vetting process for their residents and that this is a concern if they purchase the Goldie Floberg property. Mayor Peterson stated that Mr. Zeis and his Board are willing to walk away from this property if the Village has concerns. Mayor Peterson said that he showed the Goldie Floberg property to two other potential buyers and that he will discuss this more with the Village Board tomorrow evening. Mr. Unger stated that he may have to abstain in these discussions due to a job-related conflict.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR – HAPPY WELCH

Mr. Welch advised the Committee that he is working on getting someone in to fill Ms. Diduch’s position. Mr. Welch stated that he is currently working on job descriptions for the Community Development Director and the Community Engagement position. Mr. Welch advised the Committee that he would like to hire the planning and zoning person first and that he is going to post the position in both Illinois and Wisconsin on the municipal league website. Mr. Welch added the pay range for this position would range from $60,000 - $65,000/year. Mr. Welch stated that he would like to try the Community Engagement position as a part-time position and see how it goes. Mr. Welch said that the pay range for this position would be $20,000 - $25,000/year.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – DAN BAUMGARTNER

Mr. Baumgartner discussed the fire inspection at the Goldie Floberg property with the Committee. Mr. Barber commented that Johnson Controls completed an inspection and forwarded the report to the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District. Mr. Barber advised that all the repairs that they are requesting from the Village at Goldie Floberg are simply not feasible. Mr. Barber also shared this with the compliance company that Johnson Controls reports to. Mr. Barber added that this report should have been sent to the Rockton Fire Protection District since the property is in their jurisdiction and not Harlem Roscoe’s jurisdiction.

WATER, SEWER, & GARBAGE – JAMIN UNGER

Mr. Unger discussed setting a fine for the illegal water hook-up at 512 Williamson Parkway. Mr. Barber stated that he spoke with Atty. Szeto and that he suggested setting the fine in a three-tier system based on reoccurring offenses. Mr. Barber said that if the Village Board agreed to the first offense being fined at $50/day then the fine would be $5,300 for 99 days. Mr. Barber stated that the Village Board would have to determine the fines for the second and third offenses. Mr. Baumgartner said that whatever the Village Board agrees to that this is setting a precedence and that this would be good to discuss it at the Village Board meeting tomorrow evening.

Mr. Unger also discussed Well #10 rehab with the Committee. Mr. Barber stated that he got a quote from Water Well Solutions and that the rehab for Well #10 will be done in phases, but he would like to get the full amount approved tomorrow evening in the amount of $175,000. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Unger discussed waiving the formal bid process for the water service line replacement/abandonment for Union Street and Blackhawk Boulevard with the Committee. Mr. Barber said that there is a leak in the water service on Blackhawk Boulevard and that since it’s a state highway, Northern Illinois Service Company will get all of the permits and take care if it. Mr. Barber stated that the total cost of the repair is $63,690 and that this is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on September 16, 2025. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Unger discussed the water bill for 101 W. Franklin Street with the Committee. Mr. Barber said that the property owner, Brent Seay, would like a reduction in his bill from $987.71 to $700 for the sewer portion of the bill due to a running toilet at his rental property. Motion by Mr. Baumgartner to approve reducing the sewer portion of the bill (due to special circumstances) from $987.71 to $700, second by Mr. Unger. Mr. Unger stated that he was okay with this for a one-time occasion but will not recommend this moving forward if it happens again. Mr. Bennington agreed with reducing the sewer portion of the bill one time only. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

STREETS AND WALKS – DAVID BENNINGTON

Mr. Bennington discussed the downtown alley vacation with the Committee. Mr. Barber stated that there are many alleys in the downtown area that have utility easements. Mr. Barber said that there is a resident that is complaining about brush on one of the easements and that the Village is going to clean up the area and vacate they alley.

Motion by Mr. Bennington to approve the cleanup of the right of way located in the 300 block of E. Mechanic Street in the amount of $3,200, second by Mr. Baumgartner. Mr. Barber said that Busy Beaver will take care of this. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

Mr. Bennington discussed waiving the formal bid process for the Autowing plow and mount kit in the amount of $27,950. Mr. Barber stated that this was budgeted for and that this was the lowest bid out of three bids. Mr. Bennington stated that this is up for approval at the Village Board meeting tomorrow evening. The Committee was okay with this.

PUBLIC WORKS – DAN BARBER

Mr. Barber stated that the IMLRMA will be coming to the Public Works building to present a class on October 1st and that he will be spending $400-$500 to provide lunch out of the training budget. Mr. Barber said that they will be hosting other municipalities at the class as well.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR – DON SELF

Mr. Self advised the Committee that the construction of the shade structure at the pool has begun and that the pool liner will be installed in the spring.

Mr. Self said that the clear cutting along the river in Settlers Park will be starting soon and that Busy Beaver will be completing the work.

Mr. Self advised the Committee that his full-time employee will be starting soon after their background check is completed.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. Unger, second by Mr. Bennington, to adjourn at 7:30 pm.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/9-15-25_Public_Works_Minutes.pdf