Current Issues
 

Rockford/Greenfield Community Expo

The Rockford Community Education/Center is hosting the 2010 Community Expo on March 20, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at the Rockford community center which is attached to the Rockford High School (7600 County Road 50). The Expo includes exhibits from local organizations and businesses. Another draw to this event includes: stage demonstrations, food, children's area, door prizes and cash prizes.  For more information contact Barb Northway 763-477-5294.

City Council Changes Employee Policies

The city council started 2010 with a workshop meeting that was held on January 5, 2010.  The purpose of the workshop meeting was to review some of the employee benefits as part of the personnel ordinance.  The city council reviewed the current policies in regards to: holidays, sick leave, vacation and funeral leave.  The existing sick leave policy included a percentage paid out at the time an employee resigned after a certain number of year of service.  Vacation time accumulated was high and there was no limit.  Therefore, at the January 23rd regular council meeting the city council approved some changes to the personnel ordinance.  The changes include: maximum vacation benefit of 240 hours after 21 years of service and a carry over of 80 hours plus the amount earned at any one time.  Sick time will no longer be paid out at the time of resignation, but the current sick time bank of hours will be froze until the employees resign.  The city council feels that these changes will reduce the financial liability the current policy provided.  A new policy was created for when an employee has been absent due to an injury or serious illness NOT as part of a workers compensation claim. The employee shall be required to submit a Return to Work form notifying the city if there are any work restrictions as a safeguard for the city and employee.  These new policies take effect February 1, 2010.

Flood Levee Project 

After many years of planning for this project the rehabilitation of the flood control levee in the downtown has been completed with the exception of some landscaping to be completed in the spring of 2010. The city bonded $525,000 for the project which will not increase taxes as this bond payment will replace a bond that was paid in full at the end of 2009.  to Doboszenski & Sons were awarded the bid to rebuild the levee on the south end. The project required moving Freedom Park, but the city has plans to replace the park farther north along the levee. The improved levee will be eligible for the Army Corps Rehabilitation Inspection Program (RIP).  Which will pay for 80% of the costs of maintaining the flood control levee. Stop down along Mechanic and Lieder Streets catch adjacent to the Bridge Street bridge and see the improved levee.  

Clean Water Grants

The city has plans to stabilize the southwest Crow River bank to prevent further erosion and to protect the upgraded levee.  Staff has been discussing the  BWSR Shore land Grant opportunities with the Wright County Soil and Water Conservation department.  The application was due and sent in on December 1, 2009 by the Wright County Soil and Water Department.  The grants will provide up to 75% of the cost of the project.

2010 Preliminary General Fund Budget/Levy 

On August 18th the city council met to review a proposed general fund budget for 2010.  There were many changes made to that proposal and in the end it involved a layoff of a part time city hall employee.  The budget does not include any employee wage increases which has been the case for the last two years.  The preliminary levy increased a total of $34,965 from the current year to 2010.  Many cuts were made in all areas of the budget including: staff, donations, equipment, consultants, commissioners, fire department, recreation subsidies, etc. Some costs are fixed which we have no control over such as utilities, insurance, contracts for assessor's, auditor, police protection.  The city council worked hard to lessen the load on the taxpayers of Rockford. The final budget will be adopted December 8th.

MNDOT Landscape Grant

With money and a design from the Minnesota Department of Transportation three new gardens were recently planted in the Highway 55 right of way at the intersection of Hwy 55 and Main St.  Volunteers planted the gardens on September 12th.

River Works Organization May Lease City Building

A newly formed non-profit group plans to update a vacant city owned building in downtown next to the library.  The building would be used as a resource to residents in the community and may include a food shelf.   A lease agreement has been drafted by the city attorney. The group is hoping to get volunteer labor and has already been awarded a grant from the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls to assist with the administration of the non-profit group.  For more information or to volunteer please contact Denise at 763-607-9308.

Water Conservation Rates

The state is mandating all cities adopt new water conservation rates.  For cities that serve more than 1,000 users such as Rockford this must be completed by the end of 2009 and the new rates will become effective in 2010.  

Parkwood Western Access

The city council selected one of the proposed options for a western access for the Parkwood residential development.  The option is a bridge over the railroad tracks that will connect to County Road 32 with a median to allow only right in/right out turns.  The city engineer and administrator submitted a draft of this option to the Wright County Engineers and MNDOT representatives for their input.  The Wright County Engineers made a few recommendations such as lighting the intersection and MNDOT recommended that the median be extended farther north to prevent vehicles entering the wrong lane. The city council has approved soil testing be completed for this design and that is the next step.

Proposed Industrial Park Development

The city was recently notified that the DEED grant application to fund part of the $500,000 costs for the extension of water and sewer to a new industrial development was awarded.  The city will be reimbursed for $250,000 to the extension of water and sanitary sewer to the site.  The property was recently annexed into the city and is 49 acres in size located south of Highway 55 and east of County Road 32.  United Properties is the proposed developer for the industrial development and is seeking industrial businesses for the site.   To see a proposed layout of the industrial park just click on the map.  

.Developments

Residential development map shows where lots are available. Map  Commercial and industrial lots available in the city are located on the economic development page..

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Rockford Ends the Year with a Positive General Fund Balance!

At the end of December the city's general fund budget has a positive balance due to budget cuts that were made during the year.  There will still be a few more invoices that will be expenses from 2009 but I am happy to say that Rockford will not have to take money out of the reserve to make up for a deficit in 2009.  The city's audit will take place the first week of March, so I am not going to include any dollar amounts until the audit is complete and all is set and done. 

Sherburne/Wright Cable Commission

The City of Rockford is a member of the Sherburne/Wright Cable Commission.  At a recent meeting of the cable commission held February 4th the commission acted to pay out three (3) quarters of the franchise fees collected by Charter Cable to the member cities in 2010.  For Rockford that translates to about $21,000.  Members cities sited the fact that budgets are tight, employee wages have been froze for the past two years, cities have had employee layoffs, increased benefit costs,  less tax capacity, Market Value reductions, etc.  

Rockford/Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce 

The newly formed board has met a few times to discuss the mission statement, goals, etc. The Rockford HRA received a grant to fund the cots associated with filing all of the necessary paper work to become a non-profit agency with a tax ID through the state.  The last meeting was held on January 14th including a State of the Cities and School District address.  The City of Rockford HRA passed the torch to the newly formed Chamber.  The next chamber meeting is scheduled for March 11th at noon at Bank West.  Contact city hall to RSVP. 

Market study Rockford for Grocer and Retail

Good news for Rockford is provided in a market study.  The Rockford HRA reviewed  the market study prepared by KWA & Associates on October 24, 2009. The primary focus o the study was to determine the feasibility of a grocery store in Rockford and if so the size, sales forecast, and potential sites.  The study shows that the city can support a 15,000 to 20,000 SF grocer at this time.   The market study suggest a grocer opening a store in September of 2010.  three sites selected in the study were: the Northwest corner of Hwy 55 and Co Rd 50, the Rockford Mall on the north side of Highway 55, and an undeveloped site on the south side along Highway 55 just west of Lone Oak Road.  

The second focus of the market study was to determine what retail potential there is in Rockford and to define categories and size. Retail need recommended up to 79,000 SF for categories suggested as follows: liquor,, pharmacy, dollar store, full service restaurant and coffeehouse with drive-thru.

Downtown Master Plan  

The city council reviewed the land use portion of the downtown Master Plan at their meeting held September 22, 2009.  This plan provides a long range plan for the redevelopment of the downtown.  A copy of the map is linked here.  The next step to the downtown master plan will include elevations that will bring properties out of the flood plain.  The city has already adopted design guidelines for development of the downtown which has been used in recent projects. map

Downtown Redevelopment Project

The redevelopment project at 8240 Bridge Street has begun. Dr. Perry & Kimberly Buffie are building a new chiropractic clinic on the site which is part of downtown  Rockford.  

The city council also approved a no interest loan for the demolition of the old structure at 6111 Main Street which was home to Personal Touch Auto Body.  The site is planned for redevelopment of a new commercial business.  

Council Meetings On Web

The city council meeting video's are now on the front page of our web site, so if you do not have access to Charter Cable, which houses our recordings and bulletin board you can watch them online.  This technology is possible due to the Wright/Sherburne Cable Commission and our agreement with Charter Cable which includes franchise fees and PEG fees.