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Village of Rockton approves redevelopment agreement for Fibs
By Marianne Mueller
Rockton Village Trustees covered a few subjects during the Feb. 1 meeting.
Trustee Jodi May gave a summary of Rockton Police activity. From the time period of Jan.16-Jan. 31 there was a total of 136 traffic stops, 89 warnings were given, and 47 traffic tickets. Four criminal arrests were made. Seven traffic accidents occurred; one resulting in injuries. In the month of January, 32 snow parking violation tickets were issued.
The village board authorized the approval of a resolution to enter into a redevelopment agreement with Fibs at 103 W. Main St. in Rockton. Fibs has been in business for more than 20 years and was known as Avery’s before the time that Donna Deal became the owner.
The Village is backing plans for redevelopment through TIF funds, which will cover 50 percent of the entire project. A total of $5,000 will come out of the village’s “Downtown Redevelopment Project Area Special Tax Allocation Fund.” This will help defray certain costs.
Deal is planning to make improvements to redevelop, renovate, and to repair the property, including but not limited to: repairing the property’s water service connection to the village’s water main.
In the redevelopment agreement it states that the village feels that “redevelopment will further the growth of the village and facilitate the redevelopment of the entire project area, increase economic activity within the village, provide a substantial number of jobs to residents, and will be in the best interest of the village by furthering health, safety, moral and the welfare of residents and taxpayers.”
All of the work performed will comply with applicable Federal, state and local regulations, codes, ordinances, and laws of general applicability; including prevailing wage to the developer. All of the work will be submitted through the village’s typical review and approval process for items such as water/sewer, demolition, repair, resurfacing, or renovation projects that are occurring throughout the village.
Trustee May inquired about the possibility of adding a bonfire to Yeti Fest; per amending the event application. The Village board entered into a discussion about a location for the proposed bonfire and overall safety issues. Trustee Justin York offered to man the bonfire on Thursday night of Yeti Fest.
“We need something definitive from the fire chief approving this, and we need to know if additional police are needed to help,” Village President, John Peterson said.
May read an email response from Rockton Fire Chief Kirk Wilson advising on the best way to handle a bonfire. In his reply he referenced the villages burning ordinance but if done properly he said he didn’t see any problem with having it. He recommended if doing this that a fire pit is to be used.
Village Attorney Aaron Szeto offered to check into specific allowances. The motion to approve the amended
Yeti Fest application passed in a unanimous 6-0 vote.
The event is set to happen Feb. 9-12 in conjunction with a Galentines Day event.
Yeti Fest is billed as “A festival where the abominable snow people of Rockton and their friends come out to enjoy come out to enjoy a mixture of winter related activities and is a celebration of all things winter and of course it all revolves around Yeti’s.” Walk, play, or skate like a Yeti.
This family friendly event grows in popularity each year along with an increase in activities to participate in. This year marks the seventh of this family-oriented tradition.
All are invited to help build a giant community snow fort in Settlers Park and to find the Yeti. More fun comes in the form of a scavenger hunt that can be completed in downtown Rockton, where Yetis are set to be hidden in businesses. Search for these Yeti’s. Once you spot the Yeti’s name on a scarf print off the scavenger card posted on the Yeti Scavenger Hunt Facebook page and write down the Yeti’s name and location.
Adults can put on their best or cutest onesie to wear to a pub crawl on Friday night.
Always a proven favorite is a Hot Cocoa Crawl coming back on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now to allow participants a chance to try a variety of flavors in a commemorative mug, complete with a cool stirring spoon. After tickets are purchased mug sets can be picked up at the Village Municipal Center, (Village Hall) the week before the event during office hours of 8 a.m. Until 4 p.m. or the day of the event starting at 1 p.m. After visiting places offering the hot chocolate stop into the Village Hall to vote on your favorite flavor. The HD Jameson House is the sponsor of the hot cocoa crawl.
On Saturday, Feb, 12, celebrate friendship as while trying your luck at Drag Queen Bingo, take classes or get creative with make and takes, take part in drawings for special prizes or a huge basket giveaway. Photo ops, scratch off deals, and finding discounts and specials in various stores add to fun options. A full list of details, participants, and specific events can be found on the Downtown Rockton’s Galentines Day Facebook page. Hours of fun run from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Also approved was an MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) resolution at a cost of $1,381.31.
