Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Feb. 6.

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

Absent: None

Staff Present:

Village Administrator David Strohl, Village Attorney Alan Jedlicka, Community and Economic Development Coordinator Nik Duffle, Village Engineer Matt Foster, Library Director Rachel Miller, Public Works Director Darin Fowler and Treasurer Rhonda Stewart

Others Present:

Reed Sullivan, Andrew Weatherford 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 December 16, 2019

2. Approval Of Warrants

3. Ordinance Number 2020-1. An Ordinance Authorizing Extension Of An Option Agreement With W & S Farms Inc. Regarding The Purchase Of Property For Public Purposes By The Village

Motion: Trustee Peck 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 – Denison, London, Gruenewald, Wendt, Peck, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor Johnson stated that, at this time, the public can 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.

Reed Sullivan of Sullivan Developers spoke to the Board about the street light poles for his new subdivision, Prairie Winds, that Ameren was proposing but were not in line with the Village Ordinance. He passed out what Ameren was proposing for the first 2 light poles. Ameren would maintain these poles. The Village would have to maintain the third pole and he would have to run 1200’ of wire for that pole. Administrator Strohl stated Reed was needing direction from the Board and Staff on this. He said when the Village Ordinance was changed several years ago we were not aware of the Ameren situation. He also stated this could go to the Planning & Zoning Commission as a Development Ordinance change and then come back to the Board. Trustee Wendt asked if the only difference was having a fiberglass pole instead of a metal pole. The only problem he could see is with the flag situation and these would not be on a main thoroughfare. Trustee Peck said he liked if Ameren installed their pole they would maintain it, so he is in favor of sending it to the Planning & Zoning Commission. He asked what was in the last addition we did; Shadow Ridge. Mr. Sullivan said they were all Ameren poles. He also said that he thought the 17’ poles were better for neighborhoods than the 30’ poles.

It was decided to send this to the Planning & Zoning Commission for review of the Ordinance change.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Deputy Herbert stated as the Board knows they have been having juvenile problems on Fridays and Saturdays. Mayor Johnson stated she knew of some arrests. Deputy Herbert verified that there were 3 arrests; an aggravated battery at McDonald’s, a vehicle was damaged and another obstruction of police officer’s arrest. Trustee Wendt had the McDonald’s store manager ask him if this had been brought up as one of the problems; as customer’s did not want to go there when they saw a large crowd of kids. Deputy Herbert said they are to call them and when they get there they ask them to leave and if they don’t then they are trespassing. He stated when they go to the restaurants when there is commotion they shoo them down the road. Mayor Johnson also said that people do not want to go to the theatre. Deputy Herbert said at the next meeting maybe he could bring the patrol lieutenant so they could talk and maybe they can come up with something. Trustee Gruenewald asked about how many teens were in these crowds. Deputy Herbert said 20-50 kids.

He also stated that they take off running when they show up. This is always on Friday and Saturday nights after 9pm.

2. Village Staff Reports

Trustee London commented to Library Director Miller how impressed he was at the number of people that she had at all her events. Trustee Gruenewald asked about the Phillip Circle project rock issue. He said he and his neighbor got a lot of rocks in their yards. Public Works Director Fowler stated his employees were instructed to raise the snow plows 1-2” in Phillip Circle. Village Engineer Foster stated they tried to sweep it up the Friday after Christmas. Trustee Gruenewald then stated he had seen the Well #7 test reports and so concluded that we did not need to do another test for volume. Village Engineer Foster stated they believe with the information they have this well will be about the same as Well #6. What they do not know for sure is how fast water will filter into the well. Trustee Gruenewald asked about the dates. Village Engineer Foster stated the LWCF grant has come through which means we are free and clear to purchase the property after the appraisal is complete. Then IDNR must approve and will get back to us within 6 weeks. Then we need to acquire the property and then a facility by 2021. He also stated we do not need to do an archeological survey. Village Engineer Foster then added that on Well #7 the main question to answer was if this well was a backup to #6 or is it going to be an increase in production to the system for all the new things the Village will be adding. He said he did not know if the water main can accept the additional flow through it to town. Public Works Director Fowler said in the summer months there are days when the treatment plant is running 12-16 hours a day, so they may need another pipe running water in to town. Trustee Gruenewald also mentioned the new Village sign at the south end is dark. Trustee Peck stated he had a call from a resident about lighting the parking lot between diamonds #4 & #5. Trustee Shaw said he had received an email about no lighting by Kids -n- Fitness facility.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

1. Approval Of PARC Grant Program Resolution Of Authorization (Village Administrator Strohl)

Village Administrator Strohl explained this PARC Grant program could help us pay for Phases 1 & 2 of the Sports Park. He had asked Village Engineer Foster to work on this. He stated the IDNR is looking for more indoor facilities but thought it would be worthwhile to get this in and make the request.

Trustee Shaw asked if we should propose the Community Center since they are looking more at indoor facilities. Village Administrator Strohl replied we are not at that point yet on the Community Center. Trustee Gruenewald asked if there is a certain dollar amount we are asking for. Village Engineer Foster stated about $700,000.00 for Phase 1 & 2. Trustee Gruenewald also asked if there was anything the Village needed to do for the water drainage. Village Engineer Foster said yes, to upgrade Oakland Ave. for that approximate 2000’ that floods over the road and as part of that put in a drainage system. Trustee Peck said he is totally in support of this even without a Community Center or ball diamonds as this gives the Village a bigger footprint for the parks and rec for our future. Trustee Shaw stated we should maximize any money from the grant and maybe shoot higher and add to this. Village Administrator Strohl stated we are not there yet. Discussion continued as to ask for funds for playground equipment, dog park, asphalt for the walking trail, etc. Village Engineer Foster stated the more you ask for the more scrutiny the application will get and he would need a layout, design and pricing, and the grant application is due on January 21st. Village Administrator Strohl stated in his professional opinion and recommendation we apply for Phase 1 & 2 only at this time. He agrees we need to make decisions, but not rush and do it in 2 weeks. Trustee Gruenewald stated the OSLAD Grant will be available this summer. Trustee Peck asked the distance of the walking path, then asked if we could also apply for the blacktop for it. Village Engineer Foster stated we could add that to the application as it would be a minor change and still keep the project request under $1,000,000.00. Trustee Shaw said he supported adding the blacktop but would still like to see the playground equipment added also. Village Administrator Strohl said it would be doable to add the asphalt.

Motion: Trustee Wendt made the Motion to Approve the PARC Grant Program Resolution of Authorization as presented, and Trustee Peck seconded.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

Motion declared carried.

2. Approval Of Purchase Of Public Works Department Truck (Public Works Director Fowler)

Public Works Director Fowler went over the pricing and explained that now each worker will have a truck. Trustee Wendt asked if this pricing included the emergency lighting and strobes. Public Works Director Fowler stated they will take the new truck to Brown’s to have those added. Trustee Peck asked if we had gotten any local pricing like at Bob Brady’s. Public Works Director Fowler stated he had checked their prices but not talked to anyone. Trustee Gruenewald asked if this was being purchased through a State program. Public Works Director Fowler said, Yes.

Motion: Trustee Wendt made the Motion to Approve The Purchase Of Public Works Department Truck and Trustee Peck seconded.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 - None

3. Discussion And Potential Action Regarding Decorations Along Route 51 (Trustee Gruenewald)

Trustee Gruenewald stated he has been out traveling some and has noticed that other communities have snowflakes that are lit on the light poles that look very nice. He stated he would like to see us have something on the light poles all year round. He noted the snowflakes were heavy and would have to be tied into the electrical. He got the pricing on the snowflakes which would run about $400.00 each; so, for 45-50 it would run about $20,000.00. This would need Ameren approval. Trustee Peck stated he liked the idea and it should be researched and get more hard costs. Trustee Wendt also liked the idea but if Ameren said No, we could still do Forsyth flags.

4. Discussion And Potential Action Regarding Community Center And Sports Park Projects (Trustee Gruenewald)

Trustee Gruenewald started by saying he had looked at the surveys from the Community Center/Sports Park meetings and thought we had enough feedback from the community to make a decision; or maybe we would want to do another survey. The information was only from 75 or so people. He said his goal is to see what the Board wants to do and which initiative to do first; the Community Center or the Sports Park. If it was the Community Center, then they would need to talk with the hospitals again and that would help decide on the aquatics; and then do the private fundraising. Trustee Peck talked about the business people that wanted something on Route 51 but the price of the land was too much; so they may be a leasing partner with us. He also stated he had been thinking more about this and wants to move forward with the Community Center first instead of the Sports Park; even if we do it without the aquatics. Trustee Denison stated he had been blind sighted by the Sports Park; like it came out of nowhere. He said the Community Center is #1 with him as it can be used 12 months of the year. He also stated they gave all residents ample opportunity to give feedback and does not think we need another survey. Trustee Wendt echoed what Trustee Peck said. He said acquiring the land gives us time. He also stated we should do the Community Center even if we do not do the aquatics; but maybe design it so it could be added at a later date. Trustee Shaw also echoed what Trustee Peck said in that we should pursue the Community Center first. He said we should let the community know the dollars this will cost and the layout. Trustee Denison said he had talked with Trustee Peck about the Hotel/Motel tax that could be used on this project. He said that residents don’t understand it and think we can use this tax for the roads. Trustee London stated we had an overwhelming response for the Community Center and does not see the need for more surveys. Trustee Wendt stated we should put all the facts about the Community Center in the Village Vision and say when we discussed this at the Board Meetings. Mayor Johnson said she is glad we have come to the conclusion to do the Community Center. Trustee Gruenewald stated it was a good consensus. He said the next steps were to meet again with the hospitals and pursue a partnership; and also, with the private business. Then the next step would be to pursue the private fundraising; and then get in position for a grant. It was decided that Trustee Gruenewald, Village Administrator Strohl and Trustee Shaw would meet with the hospitals again and Trustee Peck with the private business. Trustee Shaw said we should canvas the whole community for fundraising. Trustee Gruenewald agreed but said there were 15-20 people they should meet with individually.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 8:41P.M.

Motion declared carried.

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