Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Administration Committee met Oct. 6.

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, Chief Hollinger and Happy Welch

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mrs. Doerflinger to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of September 15, 2025. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that Highview in the Woods is still interested in the Goldie Floberg property and that they have been there a few more times to look at the property. Mayor Peterson stated that Highview is going to bring their entire board of directors to view the property on Wednesday. Mayor Peterson said that Highview would want all of the property including the cornfields located to the south of the property that are still owned by Goldie Floberg. Mr. Winters inquired if the Village would need to have another appraisal done and if the old appraisal includes all of the property since the Village was supposed to keep some of the property for a park. Mayor Peterson said that he will have to look into that further. Mayor Peterson added that 5th Avenue Capital Partners, Inc. would like to move forward with all senior living in the facility. Mayor Peterson explained that the Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA) advised him a few weeks ago that they ended their relationship with 5th Avenue Capital Partners, Inc. and that Atty. Szeto spoke their attorney and advised them that this was a dead deal.

Mayor Peterson stated that he received an updated garbage contract from Rock River Disposal for the Village to review and that they included a once/year electronics recycling day.

Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that he and Atty. Szeto will be meeting with the Summit Condo Association next Thursday.

Mayor Peterson added that he and Mr. Barber met with people from the railroad and that they will be redoing the train tracks next year on Main Street (300 block E. Main) and cleaning up the area next to the ditch.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR – HAPPY WELCH

Mr. Welch stated that he received a phone call from Dan Bowman about property on Old River Road and that he would possibly like to develop triplex condos where All Trucks USA was located. Mr. Welch said that Mr. Bowman would like to know if this is something the Village would like to consider before he moves forward with the Planning Commission. Mrs. Doerflinger commented that Mr. Bowman builds a nice home, but the Committee would like to know if he would be selling or renting the condos. Mr. Welch stated that he will ask Mr. Bowman a few more questions, but that he would like to build five buildings totaling 15 units.

Mr. Welch added that he is working on a chain of command for the Village along with job descriptions.

Mr. Welch stated that he spoke with one person in reference to the Community Development Director position and that he is currently trying to get a hold of another person. Mr. Welch said that he is getting interest in the Community Promotions position and that he has three applicants for that position.

ADMINISTRATION – JUSTIN YORK

Mr. York discussed the risk analysis and incident response plan (IRP) for the police department with the Committee. Chief Hollinger stated that we have to have some things in place that are required and that the police department needs to have an IRP. Mr. Winters asked if the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) could do this for the Village. Mr. York stated that someone from the Village’s IT would have to still be involved with CISA. Mr. York said that when he first spoke with CISA about the IRP that it involved the entire Village and not just the police department. Mr. Winters commented that the Village should let CISA do the heavy lifting if they’ll do it. Mr. Welch stated that he will reach out to CISA.

Mr. York also discussed the purchase requisition for Garcea Technologies for computer upgrades for the Public Works Department in the amount of $2,609.99. Mr. Barber explained that this includes a new computer along with Windows 11 upgrades. Mr. York inquired if this is uninstalling and reinstalling software and what exactly is being done. Mr. Barber said that he will check into this further before it gets approved.

Mr. York also reviewed Garcea’s monthly report with the Committee. Mr. York stated that Jeff Garcea doesn’t provide what he’s charging the Village for each line item in his report. Mr. York added that Mr. Garcea is still learning government and that we need to let Mr. Garcea know what items need to go to Mr. Welch and then Mr. Welch will decide if it needs to got to the Village Board for approval.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – SARAH DOERFLINGER

Mrs. Doerflinger discussed the American legion parking lot with the Committee. Mayor Peterson stated that he and Mr. Welch met with the American Legion last week. Mr. Welch advised the Committee that the American Legion provided a proposal and drawing for the parking lot and that they are requesting the Village pay for 50% of the project which would be $150,000. Mr. Welch stated that the American Legion would like the Village to be responsible for potholes and striping the parking lot. Mr. Barber said that our engineers have been reviewing the plans that the American legion provided. Mr. Winters stated that any legal and engineering fees need to be shared costs as well. Mr. Welch said that the American Legion also has their engineering costs and that it would essentially be a wash. Mr. Welch added that the Village wouldn’t have to pay anything until next budget year. Mayor Peterson said that we need to look at the big picture and that additional parking is needed in the downtown area. Mrs. Bennett said that the Village talked about using the Chemtool settlement money for this project. Mr. York stated that he was okay with this as long as the legal fees come out of the 50% as well. Mayor Peterson added that the Village doesn’t wasn’t to be responsible for plowing the parking lot and stated that the American Legion stated that they would be taking care of the plowing when they brought this to us the last time.

PUBLIC SAFETY & LEGAL – DAVE WINTERS

None.

THE CHIEF– MATT HOLLINGER

Chief Hollinger stated that he is currently working on a new IGA for the school resource officer (SRO) position with Hononegah High School. Chief Hollinger said that there is also a reciprocal reporting agreement with the high school and that the new SRO agreement will combine the two agreements. Chief Hollinger advised the Committee that this should be ready for approval in the next month or two.

Chief Hollinger stated that Mr. Unger participated in a ride along this past Saturday with the police department and that they had a busy evening.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR

Mayor Peterson inquired when the Village should look at what we’re offering for the economic development position. Mr. Welch advised that he would like to give this another week to see if we get any additional applicant for the position.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

None.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mrs. Doerflinger, to adjourn at 6:17 pm.

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