The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Amy Thomas presiding. Board members present were Ron Deatz, Lisa Farmer, Kelley Herron, and Kory Paris. Also present were Utility Office Manager Terri McGuire, City Clerk Emily Schulte, Chief of Police Derek Morriss, and Superintendent Brentlee Thomas.

The meeting agenda was approved.

Minutes of the February 15, 2023, meeting were approved.

Jennifer Geib gave an update on the park’s new ARPA project approved by the Board of Aldermen last month, a new water slide feature for the pool. The final quote for the slide and freight was $34,016.68 with a lead time of around five weeks. Geib inquired if staff is still planning to assist with installation. City Clerk Schulte stated that department heads present at today’s meeting decided to make the recommendation to the Board of Aldermen that some of the remaining ARPA funds be considered for the park’s ARPA project. City employees were initially planning to assist with the slide installation, however a full-time employee just gave notice and the other pool projects they have already committed to will be more extensive than they initially thought. The time might not be available to assist, so staff believed it was in everyone’s best interest to contribute additional funds to assist in the slide project’s completion.

Alderwoman Farmer’s opinion was that the police department should also be considered for the remaining funds, as they hadn’t received any. Aldermen Herron and Paris stated we should consider raising the park’s allotment from the previously approved $30,000 to a figure that would at least cover the amount to purchase the slide and have it delivered. The aldermen voted to approve increasing the park’s ARPA allotment from $30,000 to $35,000 for the purchase of the recommended pool slide.

Geib then reported on several other projects currently in the works for the park. The installation of the new baseball fence is almost complete. Another group is looking at replacing the park entrance sign. FBLA is working towards obtaining a piece of toddler playground equipment to donate to the park. There have also been inquiries made about when the parking lot will be repaired. Additionally, security is a continued concern and the Park Board is applying for a grant to assist with the purchase of new cameras for the park grounds. The shelter house will potentially be repaired this week and the pool is still in need of lifeguards for the 2023 season.

Geib also submitted two candidates interested in vacancies on the Park Board. The Board of Aldermen approved Mayor Thomas’ appointment of Madison Erdman and Amber Graham to the Park Board.

Consent Agendas

Deatz pointed out a potential error in the Sales Tax Report which Schulte will rectify.

The aldermen approved the city financial statements, accounts payables, tax report, delinquent tax list, the City Clerk, Chief of Police, and all board reports.

They also approved the utility financial statements, accounts payables, purchased power and water statements, take or pay water use report, water loss reports, Utility Office Manager report and City Superintendent report.

Farmers Market

Street Closure Request

Madison Dick with the Rock Port Farmers Market submitted a request to close a portion of Clay Street for the 2023 Farmers Markets, as was done in 2022. The dates requested were June 3, July 1, August 12, and September 16, 2023. This request was approved.

Action Agenda Items

The following action agenda items were approved and declared ordinances by Mayor Thomas:

Bill #1229 – Water Rate Ordinance.

Bill #1230 – Supplementary Utility Charges. This would increase the charges for customer disconnection and reconnection of service from $15.00 to 25.00.

Bill #1131 – Connection Charges. Adds the cost of the meter, labor, material and equipment to ¾” water service connections under existing Section 700.070: Connection Charges. This addition was previously requested by the board to be added to the current ordinance.

The aldermen also approved several changes to the Employee Handbook.

The aldermen voted unanimously to approve moving the position of full-time police officer from salary to hourly, per state statute.

Old Business

Mayor Thomas inquired if there are any updates regrading the pool liner installation. Staff is currently waiting on the welders, who are expected any time.

Thomas then stated she has received several comments regarding potholes at the park and wondered financially whose responsibility it was to address these issues. Farmer stated when she was on the Park Board it was their responsibility, however they don’t have funds available for the repairs.

Chief of Police Derek Morriss

Chief Morris is still waiting for the grant he previously discussed to open up, and then he will be applying for the new radios.

City Clerk Emily Schulte

At a recent department head meeting it was discussed looking into adding either additional criteria to the existing building permit application, or implementing a new permit for construction of larger projects that span more than a single property. The city has experienced extensive infrastructure damage on more than one occasion, and is now facing having to repair damage through city budgets.

It was agreed that the city would mow the park for 2023, however Schulte relayed that the cost of fuel had not been discussed in the terms. Staff recommends the street department purchase a fuel tank to track their fuel use, and the Park Board purchase the fuel. This was a  solution thought to be a fair compromise for both sides. The board agreed and asked that the terms be passed to the Park Board for consideration.

Pet tags are now past due and the price has increased to $7.50 per tag.

The Tourism Board is working on several events, including Summer Palooza. Anyone willing to donate towards the event, including volunteering, is encouraged to reach out to a board member. The event will be at the park on May 25, the last day of school.

Superintendent

Brentlee Thomas

Superintendent Thomas reported several trainings are coming up for employees. A lot of work has been done by the city and county to repair Fourth Street after the base fell through in recent weeks. Bids are being sought to replace 600-800’ of water line in an alley between Opp and Clay. The new hydrants were delivered and they are waiting on a quote for installation. A plan to replace large volume water meters is being made. Residents are encouraged to take the lead and copper Google form survey linked on the city Facebook page to assist in an upcoming project.

Alderman Kelley Herron

Alderman Herron expressed thanks to Zacariah for his contributions to the city, Clerk McGuire and the rest of the department heads for months of work redoing the entire employee policy manual, and Alderman Deatz for his time on the board.

Alderwoman Lisa Farmer

Alderwoman Farmer also thanked Deatz for his service. Farmer inquired if residents could have propane tanks in town. A current resident has been having issues for more than a year getting Empire/Liberty here to install service to their residence. Clerk Schulte will place a call.

Alderman Ron Deatz

Alderman Deatz is proud of how smoothly things are currently running within the city, which hasn’t always been the case.

Alderman Kory Paris

There has been interest regarding the hay agreement the city previously held with Jim Jochim bordering the turbine blade, near the compost site. Terms were discussed for a new potential agreement. The hay rights for the property near the turbine blade will be put out to bid for a five year term. Alderman Paris also thanked Deatz for everything he’s done for the board.

Mayor Amy Thomas

Mayor Thomas stated hoping she is back next meeting to serve another term, but if she’s not she has enjoyed her time serving on the board.

The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.