6-26-2022 3:34pm

Trustees discuss progress on mural installation in downtown Roscoe

The side of Roscoe's Masonic building will feature a mural beginning in August. The building is also the home of Mary’s Shear Artistry, seen in this July 2021 photo..

At the Roscoe Village Committee of the Whole meeting, Tuesday, June 21, Village Administrator Scott Sanders gave trustees an update on the progress of the public art display to be installed this summer. The 1,300 sq. ft. mural will be painted on the side of the gray Masonic building, 10534 N. Main St, next to Harlem Roscoe Fire Department in Roscoe.

Roscoe’s mural will be one of many in the surrounding areas. Each is a beautification project in partnership with the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (RACVB).

Trustees were shown three design options created by Thomas Agran, an artist, muralist and art teacher from Iowa City, Iowa.

The design choice, location and approval of the cost of the mural will be sent to the board and voted on at the July 5 meeting.

Sanders said the cost is estimated to be approximately $30,000. However, several businesses and individuals in Roscoe are interested in making donations.

According to Sanders, Agran would begin the project in August. It is expected to be completed in about 10 days.

Sanders updated the Board on the Taste on Main event to be held June 25, 2022 in Main Street Square, 5300 Williams Dr. Most expenses for the event were being covered by business owners and donors. “We are far, far below the $2,000 budget,” Sanders said.

Trustees discussed prohibiting parking vehicles along frontage roads on the south end of town as well as the north end. The consensus was to place no-parking signs on both sides of the road, between McDonald Rd. and Swanson Rd., and Elevator Rd to McCurry Rd. The proposed ordinance will be sent to the General Board.

Trustees discussed amending the Village’s Bereavement Leave policy. After deliberation, it was decided that five days would be allowed for immediate family members, and one to three days for extended family members. Individual assessment would be at the discretion of the department supervisor.

The issue of placement, removal and storage of refuse containers was hotly discussed. Trustee Stacy Mallicoat and Justin Plock want the current ordinance to remain in place, while Trustees Carol Gustafson and Sue Petty want changes. Gustafson and Petty want an ordinance prohibiting putting plastic bags containing organic matter at the curb instead of inside toters (wheeled refuse containers). Another issue is where toters can be stored and how long they can be left at the curb.

Sanders said he would have a conversation before the next meeting with Waste Management, which has a contract with the Village of Roscoe for its residents. It was agreed that further discussion will be put on the agenda for the July 5 meeting.

Several resolutions and authorizations on the agenda were approved at the General Board meeting that preceded the Committee of the Whole meeting.

The Consent Agenda included:

Authorizing the purchase of a Panasonic Arbitrator VPU4000 Recording Unit and associated equipment for use by the Village of Roscoe Police Department, for the quoted price of $8,412.00.
Authorizing the purchase of a Motorola APX8500 Single Band In-Squad radio for use by the Village Police, for $6,991.99.
Authorizing the purchase of a gunSHOT BOX Dual Unit Training kit for Scenario Trainer, Inc. in the amount of $3,958.00 for active shooter drills.
Approval of a resolution to approve specifications and the letting of a bid for the construction of new sidewalks in the Shepherd Hills subdivision at the intersection of Montadale Dr. and Karakul Terrace.
Approval to authorize an agreement with Fehr-Graham and Associates to provide additional civil engineering, surveying and design services associated with the Main Street Reconstruction Project for the proposed fee of $53,500 (South Kinnikinnick Creek Pedestrian Bridge additional services),
Approval of a resolution for specifications and letting of bid for the reconstruction of the Porter Park parking lot.
Approval of a service agreement with UniFirst uniform and supplies company.
Approval of an ordinance granting a variance reducing the side yard setback from 13’-0” to 10’-6” in the Heavy Industrial district at the Village of Roscoe Public Works Department, 5402 Swanson Rd.
Approval of a resolution authorizing the issuance of an RFP (Request for Proposal) for code enforcement abatement mowing services.