Council OKs employee handbook updates

ROCKFORD - Village councilors on Tuesday evening approved a motion to update the employee handbook to include clauses about the village's hiring process.

Councilor Marcas Heitkamp introduced the changes to help guide the village the next time it hires someone. He said there was no previous language pertaining to the hiring process.

The updated language stipulates that job postings will be published on appropriate job boards, newspapers and/or social media, according to the agenda. The appropriate committee and any other necessary employees will host interviews with qualified candidates.

After the interviews, councilors will meet to decide which applicants are best suited for the job, rank them and then vote on the most suitable person, according to the agenda. The village will offer the job in descending order based on the ranking. After the applicant accepts the job, the village will notify the other applicants they were not selected. If no suitable candidates accept the position, the process will restart. The new language also stipulates that councilors will introduce the new employee and discuss pre-employment requirements and obligations at the next available council meeting after the individual is hired.

In related business, councilors welcomed second shift patrolman Caden May. Caden May is the son of former village police chief and current Parkway Local Schools School Resource Officer Paul May.

On the heels of a monthslong process to appoint an SRO, Paul May stepped down as police chief, councilors promoted Sgt. Bryan Stetler to police chief effective July 1 with a $2,970 salary increase and then hired Caden May as a patrolman at $21 an hour.

In other business, councilors passed on final reading an ordinance levying assessments for unpaid property maintenance fees. Fiscal officer Lisa Kuhn said three residents will be assessed a total of $6,290 on their property taxes.

Additionally, councilors voted 5-to-1 to pass final reading of an ordinance establishing salaries for council members and the mayor. The mayor will earn $300 per month and council members would earn $200 per month. The rates would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2024.

Heitkamp cast the lone no vote and declined to comment on his reasoning when asked by the newspaper after the meeting.

Under new business, councilors discussed the dangers of minors operating golf carts in town.

Councilor Mary Beougher said she has witnessed young children driving golf carts on public roadways.

Village law stipulates that to operate a golf cart or an ATV, the driver must have a valid driver's license, obey all normal traffic laws, not exceed 20 mph on any street, not drive on Main Street and have the front and rear lights on at night. Insurance on the golf cart must also be visible.

Under new business, councilors also discussed possibly widening the entranceway into the parking lot of the baseball diamonds at Shanes Park, installing a fire alarm in the village hall and selling Second Crossing Brewing Co. beer at Rockford Community Days. The establishment is Rockford's only brewery.

Additionally, mayor Amy Joseph discussed possibly building a pavilion at the pond on Holly Lane at Shanes Park.

"We've got a lot of visitors - people have adjusted," she said. "Some are bringing their lawn chairs and beach towels … one of the things we talked about was starting with a pavilion."

A proposed 24-by-24 foot facility would include two restrooms and a storage area.

In January of 2022, an individual approached council and volunteered to dig a pond on Holly Lane at Shanes Park. Swimming is permitted at the pond, although there is no lifeguard.

Councilors also heard the village's liability insurance decreased by $600.

The next village council meeting is 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at the village hall.