Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met July 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Marilyn Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Upon call of the roll, the following members were physically present: Mayor Marilyn Johnson, Trustee Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Kerry Denison, Trustee Jim Peck, Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Bob Gruenewald and Trustee Dave Wendt.

Absent: None.

Staff Present:

Village Administrator David Strohl, Village Attorney Jeff Jurgens, Community and Economic Development Coordinator Nik Duffle, Village Engineer Mary Cave, and Library Director Rachel Miller.

Others Present:

Deputy Burgener, Les and Pam Endsley, Stephanie Endsley, Steve Hubbard, Jack and Dianna Wagner, Stephanie Corman, Katie Fraven, Jack Shaw, Sam Osborne and John Moody.

CONSENT AGENDA

Consideration of items listed on the Consent Agenda under the omnibus vote designation:

1. Approval Of Minutes Of The Regular Meeting Of June 17, 2019

2. Approval Of Warrants

Motion: Trustee Wendt made the Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and Trustee Denison seconded.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Shaw, Denison, Peck, London, Gruenewald, Wendt

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor Johnson stated that, at this time, the public has the opportunity to express views or make comments to the Mayor and Board of Trustees on agenda items or any other Village issue. Mayor Johnson asked that comments be limited to not more than three (3) minutes and opened the meeting for the public to address the Board. Jack Wagner of 923 James Ct. stated he had asked for more lighting in the Pocket Park a couple of years ago and the Board got it approved and he appreciates it. He states there is another issue about the path being too dark. They have been having vandalism in their neighborhood the last couple of years. Now their house has been vandalized and their neighbors house. He called the Sheriff’s Department and the Deputy said the kids were hiding in the Pocket Park. He stated he had also asked for the path lighting when he had asked for the lighting in the Pocket Park. He asked the Board to please add lighting on the path between James Ct. and Greenbrier.

Steve Hubbard of 837 Phillip Circle addressed the Board about Agenda Item #2 coming up. In thinking about the last 10 years he can think of 2 decisions that the Board made that he did not agree with as they were detrimental to the community. First was when it was voted on to suspend the Hotel/Motel tax and second was the decision made about the golf tournament. It is a quality of life issue not a monetary thing. He stated he knew everyone is not a golfer, but the attractiveness of the tournament brings in young women from around the globe to Forsyth. He thinks to eliminate that was a poor decision, but with hard work we can bring the tournament back.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Deputy Burgener stated in the past month there have been issues with the kids at the mall again.

Also, there have been a few DUI’s along 51 just north of Forsyth and reports of some vandalism.

2. Village Staff Reports

Trustee Peck stated that he sees there is a finality to the Railroad Right-Of-Way tonight. He thanked Attorney Jurgens for all the work he has done on this. He also thanked Village Engineer Cave for her outstanding work she has done for the Village and wished her well with her family.

Trustee Wendt directed his statement to Village Administrator Strohl about other areas he had on a diagram along paths that could also use more lighting and would get that diagram to him.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

1. Presentation Of Deed For Railroad Right-Of-Way (Village Administrator Strohl)

Village Administrator Strohl stated the Village had been working for several years to obtain this right-of-way and there were 2 people here from the Bureau of Land Management to present the Village with the deed to the property. Stephanie Corman of the Bureau of Land Management presented Mayor Johnson with the Quick Claim Deed through the Rails to Trails Act.

2. Discussion And Potential Action Regarding Hotel/Motel Tax Fund Request For Funding

(Trustee Denison)

Trustee Denison started by saying he knew that most everyone on the Board had already spoken with Stephanie Endsley about reformatting the golf tournament. He said he had thought a lot about this and she already has 2 sponsors in the Springfield area that are committing to $50,000.00 each.

He felt her original request of funds was too steep, but they had then talked about a lesser number.

He feels as a Trustee he should listen to everybody, so he is willing to sponsor her. Stephanie Endsley explained the Symetra Tour is now a necessary step for the girls to go to the LPGA. The

top ten girls on the Symetra Tour go on to the LPGA. This means the top 10 on the money list.

This year that number was $60,000.00. She stated she already had 2 sponsors in the Springfield area totaling $100,000.00. She said it should be focused on being a Central Illinois Golf Event.

She is asking the Board to match the $100,000.00 or at least more than $50,000.00. She would be going to the Country Clubs, golf enthusiasts, IHSA Girls and collegiate golf. This would be a 2 year commitment. Trustee Wendt commented he liked making it for Central Illinois and has always been in favor of this. Trustee Gruenewald stated he thought the golf tournament was a good thing; however, from an economic revenue of what the event brings in he could not always get the math to add up. He feels the revenue has been exaggerated sometimes. The Community Center/Sports Park facilities require much more Hotel/Motel money than is available today. He stated that as a member of the Board we need to use the funds for the best value for the money.

He is supportive at a low level. Trustee Peck stated it was a quality of life issue. He is not convinced that it will work but is willing to give her a chance. Trustee Shaw stated he had a hangup with the amount of the money requested. Discussion continued about who else she had asked for funds, Decatur Park District, how other communities get involved, does it bring in enough money, residents’ comments, etc. Attorney Jurgens stated if they want to take action the Ordinance states the maximum allowed per event is $5,000.00 or 10% of the project; whichever is less. An exception would require a yes vote of 5 and the Mayor would vote. There is an exception for the Decatur/Forsyth Classic; but is this a new event. He stated his interpretation is that this is something different.

Motion: Trustee Peck made the Motion to approve Hotel/Motel Tax Fund Request for the Golf Tournament for $50,001.00 and Trustee Wendt seconded.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 4 – Denison, Peck, London, Wendt

Nays: 3 – Johnson, Shaw, Gruenewald

Absent: 0 - None

Motion denied.

3. Discussion And Potential Action Regarding Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training (Trustee Wendt)

Trustee Wendt explained the training cost from the company the AED’s were purchased from would be $30.00 per person. He talked with some individuals from Hickory Point Fire Department and they would be able to do the training for $40.00 per person but it would include AED and CPR training. They would provide videos and mannequins and masks. Individuals would be certified through the American Heart Association for 2 years. All agreed that all employees should be trained.

4. Ordinance Number 2019-18, An Ordinance Approving A Special Use Permit To Allow An Electronic Message Board By BP Gas Station At 104 South Route 51 (Community And Economic Development Coordinator Duffle)

Community and Economic Development Coordinator Duffle explained the Ordinance and the results of the Planning and Zoning Commission. He let the Board know that he has issued them a fine. Trustee Peck stated he knew they have not paid the fine and what happens when they don’t.

Attorney Jurgens stated he would recommend the Village pursue the fine and take them to court and not set a precedence of allowing people to do whatever they want. Trustee Wendt asked if this could be tabled to the next meeting to see if they pay the fine by July 8th. Attorney Jurgens said Yes. All agreed to table this to the next meeting.

Motion: Trustee Wendt made the Motion to table Ordinance Number 2019-18, Approving a

Special Use Permit to Allow an Electronic Message Board by BP Gas Station at 104 S. Rt. 51 until the next Board Meeting on July 15, 2019 and Trustee Peck seconded.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Shaw, Denison, Peck, London, Gruenewald, Wendt

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

5. Ordinance Number 2019-19, An Ordinance Approving A Text Amendment To The Village Of Forsyth Development Ordinance Regarding Special Uses (Community And Economic Development Coordinator Duffle)

Attorney Jurgens explained this came about as the Village gets questions from landowners from time to time about a Special Use on their property and want to know if they sell the land will that Special Use continue. He believes it would be wise to put in the Ordinance that the Special Use will run with the land unless the adopting Ordinance says otherwise, or the Special Use is discontinued for 30 or more days.

Motion: Trustee Gruenewald made the Motion to Approve Ordinance Number 2019-19, Approving a Text Amendment to the Village of Forsyth Development Ordinance Regarding Special Uses and Trustee Wendt seconded.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Shaw, Denison, Peck, London, Gruenewald, Wendt

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion: Trustee Wendt made the Motion to go into Closed Session for the purpose of reviewing Closed Session minutes with no action to be taken after the Closed Session and Trustee Denison seconded. Motion was approved by Voice Vote.

Mayor Johnson reconvened the meeting at 8:04 P.M.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion: Trustee Wendt made the Motion to adjourn, and Trustee Denison seconded. Motion was approved by voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 P.M.

http://www.forsythvillage.us/village-board/minutes.htm