Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met July 15.

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 Jeff London, Trustee Bob Gruenewald, Trustee Kerry Denison, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Jeremy Shaw, and Trustee Jim Peck.

Absent: None.

Staff Present:

Village Attorney Greg Moredock, Community and Economic Development Coordinator Nik Duffle, Village Engineer Matt Foster, Library Director Rachel Miller and Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart.

Others Present:

Deputy Herbert, Stuart Strate, Larry Pickett, Larry Shearer. Janice and Larry Perkins, Cathy Mitteer 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 July 1, 2019

2. Approval Of Warrants

3. Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the Month of June, 2019

4. Resolution Number 4-2019, A Resolution Approving The Release Of Certain Closed

Session Meeting Minutes

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 – London, Gruenewald, Denison, Wendt, Shaw, Peck 

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.

Larry Pickett of E. Hickory Point Road wanted to speak to the Board about Ameren and the tree removal. He stated he has lived there for 47 years. Ameren has removed trees twice and he has been compensated for them. According to Ameren the easement is undetermined. He stated he will lose 7 trees. He had a certified arborist come out and he said the trees were valued at $19,000.00. Ameren is not going to pay him anything for the trees or easement, but they will pay him $100.00 per tree to have the stumps removed. He believes that Stevens Creek Blvd. will be devastated. He stated Hickory Point Golf Course received $29,000.00 from Ameren for the easement. He asked the Board to please check into this to see if Ameren is allowed to do this. Larry Perkins of Navajo Dr. spoke on the same subject saying that Ameren is doing this all along the overhead electric transmission line that runs along Hickory Point Road through Montezuma Hills and over into Stevens Creek Addition. He asked the Board to have their Attorney and their Engineering firm; Chastain; look into this and find out what the easements are. What did the neighborhood developer sign off for on the easement with Ameren when the neighborhood was built? Ameren came by 3 weeks ago and just told him what they were coming in to do and there would be no payments. They want a 50’ easement on each side of the transmission poles. He stated that Michelle Henderson was the person that came to his house from Ameren.

Jerry Harrison of Stevens Creek Blvd. then spoke about his lot and a part of it that he thought he had given to the Village but has found out that it did not get done. He stated the offer still stands. He stated he was also told that he would not get any reimbursement for his trees. He called Michelle Henderson’s boss and she said “they have attorneys on their payroll and you can do whatever you are big enough to do”. He also said he had talked with his attorney; Cochran; and he said the easements have changed since 1928 which is what she had, and it would be on file at the County Clerk’s office.

Sam Osborn, Golf Coach from Millikin University spoke next to the Board. He stated that if the Board was truly willing to end the golf tournament they should tell everyone they are sorry. He said they should invite Stephanie back. The Tour is growing and will be on TV someday. He asked them to reconsider.

Stuart Strate spoke to the Board about the Ameren project and stated that 50’ would mean he would lose all of his shade trees within 12-14 feet of his house. It would also mean that he could not add any new additions to his house. He stated this makes him not want to live here.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Deputy Herbert stated it had been fairly quiet 2. Village Staff Reports

Trustee Peck asked about talking with David and Ameren; that we need to look into this. Trustee Gruenewald stated we would have a local rep that knows about this project. He said the Village also has easement questions and he can see a lot of problems here.

Village Engineer Foster told the Board the County has approved their agreement for the Phillips Circle project. He also showed a different option for the erosion control for the project. The Board members asked him to bring more options to the next meeting. Trustee Shaw complimented Village Engineer Foster on his communication plan for the residents affected by the Phillips Cr. project and then asked Village Clerk McCormick to relay to Village Administrator Strohl that he would like that type of communication set up with the residents affected by the Ameren issue.

OLD BUSINESS

1. 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)

Trustee Wendt asked if the fine had been paid. Community and Economic Development Coordinator Duffle replied, No.

Motion: Trustee Wendt made the Motion to table this Ordinance until the fine is paid and it is put back on the agenda and Trustee Peck seconded.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion And Potential Action Regarding Hours Of Operations Of Businesses Holding

A Class C Liquor License (Mayor Johnson)

The Mayor introduced Darrell, the Supervisor of the Casey’s store here in Forsyth. Darrell stated he was requesting that Casey’s be allowed to sell alcohol until 12:00PM instead of 10PM. He went on to explain all the checks they have in place to make sure no alcohol is sold to a minor. Trustee Peck stated this made sense. Trustee Gruenewald stated we cannot change this for 1 business. Trustee Wendt said he would like to see it changed for Class C & D. Trustee Denison stated he wanted to do it for Casey’s, but we must be fair and change it across the board. It was decided that the Board would like to extend the hours to Midnight and Village Attorney Moredock would draft the Ordinance.

2. Discussion And Potential Action Regarding Ball Diamond Back Stops (Trustee Peck)

Trustee Peck explained and showed how the back stops would look. He discussed the pricing and reminded everyone there was already $90,150.00 in the budget for this. However, it would go over the budgeted cost by approximately $58,500.00. Discussion continued about the cost of the project, reusing poles that would be taken down, etc.

Motion: Trustee Peck made the Motion to Approve the Ball Diamond Back Stops using Abe Jones Construction, Decatur Fence and Beacon Athletics as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

3. Approval Of Partial Assignment Of Tax Increment Financing District Redevelopment Agreement (Community and Economic Development Coordinator Duffle)

Community and Economic Development Coordinator Duffle explained, and Trustee Wendt asked if this could have been done in the beginning of this process. Community and Economic Development Coordinator Duffle stated this was for Reed Sullivan’s final financing at the Bank so that is why it is happening now.

Motion: Trustee Wendt made the Motion to Approve the Partial Assignment Of Tax Increment Financing District Development and Trustee Peck seconded.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

4. Discussion And Potential Action Regarding Retail Conceptual Plans (Community and Economic Development Coordinator Duffle)

Community and Economic Development Coordinator Duffle explained how site renderings would help the Village to be more strategic, show our vision for these properties to be developed and show developers and retailers how they would fit in. He showed them 2 proposals for site renderings. Trustee Wendt stated he would like the renderings to show the walkway/bike path going into the new area.

Motion: Trustee Peck made the Motion to Approve Architectural Expressions for 2 site renderings and Trustee Gruenewald seconded.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

5. Discussion And Potential Action Regarding Water Treatment Operations (Trustee Wendt)

Trustee Wendt told the Board members that Village Administrator Strohl is not looking for a decision on all 4 personnel decisions, but 3 of the 4 options would involve a contracted water service. He had 3 proposals for the Board to review; one of which is EJ Waters who is running the water plant now. The Board is being asked to authorize the Village Administrator and the Mayor to enter into an agreement with EJ Waters. He introduced Eric from EJ Waters. Trustee Gruenewald said that to operate our Public Works which entails the water operations, he wants to figure out going forward what are we going to spend for that part of the Village operations vs. what we have been spending. This is a big departure from what we have been doing. He wants to make sure we have looked at all the options. He stated he does not have enough information to enter into a contract. Trustee Wendt stated what Village Administrator Strohl said was out of the 3 personnel options that we are looking at; if we separate water treatment from the rest of Public Works we get that extra backup that we have not had and a Class A Operator. Trustee Gruenewald stated if he is going to be paying $75,000.00 a year more he is not convinced this is the best direction. Erik stated they are a not-for-profit company and they could automate certain things that might even lower the price. Trustee Wendt said the vote would be that IF they do something the recommendation would be EJ Waters. Discussion continued and then Trustee Gruenewald asked why they were doing this tonight and not at the next meeting. Eric responded that Linn had been working 24 hours on call for quite a long time and he needed the relief. He said that Linn was really a true team member. Village Attorney Moredock stated they could make a motion to enter into the contract with EJ Waters or to continue with negotiations to come up with a contract to vote on. Trustee Shaw agreed with Trustee Gruenewald that we need to compare what we were paying to EJ’s proposal and then they can move forward with the facts. Trustee Wendt stated we had too much under one hat with Larry Coloni. We need to agree this is the best proposal and then do the formal approval down the road. Trustee Peck said he is all in when it comes to signing up with EJ Waters. Village Attorney Moredock said the Motion could be made as a formal directive to the staff to go forward with looking only at EJ Waters and negotiating the contract; not accepting their proposal.

Motion: Trustee Peck made the Motion to authorize Village Administrator Strohl and the Mayor to enter into negotiations with EJ Waters and Trustee Denison seconded.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 8:36P.M.

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