Aug 21, 2025

 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS:

 

Council called to order by Mayor Searight on August 19, 2025 at 7:30 pm.

 

Let us pray – Dear God, please bless us as we meet to discuss the village business. Give us the information that we need to make the best choices for our community. We thank you for all that you have provided us with. We ask this in your Holy name. Amen.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Those present: Marcas Heitkamp, Mark Heitkamp, Luke Stephenson, Mary Beougher, Shane Young and Chris Heitkamp.

 

Also attending: Bret Jones, Francis Schaffner, Robbie Peel, Chief Stetler,

Don Miller, Erin -from the Daily Standard, and Ross Finke.

 

Motion Marcas. Second Luke to accept the agenda as orders of the day.

Shane called for the question. Marcas = y, Luke = y, Shane = y, Mark = y, Mary = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

Motion Shane toaccept the minutes from the August 5, 2025 council meeting as presented. Second Marcas. Chris called for the question. Shane = y, Marcas = y, Chris = y, Mark = y, Luke = y, Mary = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

Mayor’s Report and Correspondence:

 

Noted receipt of Mayors court pay in and bank statement.

 

School is back in session and a few things have changed with this one event. School activities are just not around the school, as they can affect everyone no matter where you live in town. This may affect your driving to and from anywhere you’re traveling. Buses are making their rounds each morning and afternoon, stopping and dropping off kids to sometimes not where you would think of stopping. So, please obey their red lights, as they’re protecting our youth and their safety is important to all of us. But there are also children that are either walking to and from school, and there are athletes that run through our town training for their sport. So, please take care as you drive. Be alert so you don’t hit one of them, as they may not see you as well.

During one of my walks, I noticed a young girl riding one of those electric scooters down the street. And at first, I didn’t know what it was as she was singing, and she was coming from behind me. The scooter was so quiet that I never heard it but soon she appeared, and I saw what it was and the age of the girl. She was approximately in 5th or 6th grade and the scooter was moving fast for being on such an open vehicle. But the disturbing part was when she got close to the 4 way stop, she didn’t even try to stop or even slow down but she looked both ways and rode through it and at the same speed. One could say that it was an isolated incident and that could be the case. But what if it wasn’t, as I had just heard of a child almost getting hit by an oncoming vehicle here in Rockford at another intersection. Please inform your children of the responsibilities that they have when they use the streets. These scooters have become more common, please parents let them know the rules and laws of using them on the street before you allow them to ride them. No one wants to hit anyone, including your child.

 

Enjoy what time we have of summer, even though this has been a hot and humid one. Do something on Labor Day that is fun or relaxing either way summer is fading and soon we’ll be stuck inside. With that thought, I’d like to leave you with this thought that I was told to me at one of the places I worked at. “If it’s too hot now, give it six months and you’ll appreciate the heat and when it’s too cold in the winter give it six months you’ll appreciate the cold.”

 

Reminder – Parkway sports are broadcasted on WRKD 101.3 FM, if you can’t make it to a game then listen to it on Rockford’s own radio station. Go Panthers !

 

The Rockford Fire Department will be having their annual reverse raffle and chicken dinner on September 13^th at the Firehouse. For tickets, see any Rockford Fire Department fireman. There is a limited number of tickets available for the raffle.

 

Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!

 

Give more than you take and you’ll receive more than you gave.

 

God Bless you, Thank you.

 

Mayor Ron Searight

 

Upcoming Community information & events:

 

Monday – September 1st – Village Office closed for Labor Day

 

Sunday – September 7^th – Maker’s Market – MAINT ST – noon to 3 pm

 

Saturday – September 13 – Fire Department Chicken Dinner / reverse raffle

 

 

Sunday – September 21^st – Maker’s Market – MAIN ST – noon to 3 pm

 

Sunday – October 5^th – Maker’s Market – MAIN ST -- noon to 3 pm

 

Saturday – October 25 – Rocktoberfest – noon – 4 pm

 

Saturday – October 25 – Trick or Treat – 5 – 6:30 pm

 

Saturday – October 25th – Costume Judging – Fire Department – 7 pm

 

 

Village Administrator’s Report – Aaron Temple - absent report read by Mayor Searight.

 

Clarification on the letter that was sent last week to residents on Franklin St. This letter was not a letter of violation but a letter to let everyone know that they are now responsible for the lawn care in the tree lawns. Sorry for any confusion. Ordination violation letters are very clearly stated that you are in violation. For those that have already begun taking care of the tree lawns – Thank you.

 

WWTP --- UV disinfecting unit – parts are beginning to be phased out and we will be looking at several different options to disinfect. Some of the example of issues we are dealing with ---- the bulbs are now costing $500 each and we need 6 of them in this unit. The slightest voltage change causes the bulbs to burn out. We also had a cleaner motor burn up and only able to locate one on ebay. This project will take place sooner rather than later. Will be sharing more information as it comes available.

 

Shanes Park - Hoping to have electric to the shelter house by the end of the week. We are getting closer to coming to agreement with the park restroom renovation project costs. Should have final numbers at the next meeting. The park to-do list started at 15 items at the beginning of the year --- we have accomplished 5. We are hoping to get 5 more completed by the end of the year.

 

 

Committee Reports:

 

Finance Committee: Shane Young -

 

Motion Shane to accept Mayors court pay in - $ 803. Second Luke. Mary called for the question. Shane = y, Luke = y, Mary = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

 

Motion Shane to pay the bills as presented $27,918.36. Second Mary. Luke called for the question. Shane = y, Mary = y, Luke = y, Marcas = y, Mark = y, Chris = y. Passed 6 yes.

 

Rules Committee: Mark Heitkamp

 

Service Committee: Mary Beougher

 

Shanes Park signage ---- would like 2 more signs added to the list. Market Street Park sign – used to be there but has since been taken down when it got old and unreadable and also replace the Main Street Park sign - points down Front Street. Size 3 x2 should work. Should have estimates by the next meeting.

 

 

Safety Committee: Chris Heitkamp

 

Economic Development Committee: Marcas Heitkamp – Council President

 

Public Utilities Committee: Luke Stephenson

 

 

Visitor to address Council:

 

Don Miller - Would like to take this opportunity to thank the Village for their hard work and express appreciation for the grant funds that were secured for the Franklin Street project. The street has been completed and is impressive. Also, would like to mention that the ‘No Parking’ on Franklin Street was a great idea. There are safety issues – one of the busiest streets in town especially now that school has started there will be even more traffic. Thank you !

 

Austin Gause - Parking – did not show.

 

 

Old Business:

 

New Business:

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm