Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Sept. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Jim Peck called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Upon a call of the roll, the following members were physically present: Mayor Jim Peck, Trustee Marilyn Johnson, Trustee Lauren Young, Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Bob Gruenewald, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Jeremy Shaw
Staff Present:
Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Village Attorney Greg Moredock, Public Works Director Darin Fowler,
Staff Absent: Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Library Director Steven Ward Others Present: Chad and Gavin Krekel
CONSENT AGENDA
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 19, 2022
2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
3. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2022 MOTION
Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.
Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:
Yeas: 6 – Johnson, Young, London, Gruenewald, Wendt, Shaw
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 0 – None
Motion declared carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: 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. Comments must be limited to not more than three (3) minutes.
None.
ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
1. Law Enforcement Report
Deputy Helfer had no significant details to report.
2. Village Staff Reports
Trustee Gruenewald had a question regarding payment to SKS for analysis. Chastain & Associate Engineer Jeremy Buening responded to his question.
OLD BUSINESS
1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING ITEP GRANT (STEPHANIE BROWN, AICP, CHASTAIN & ASSOCIATES)
Stephanie Brown of Chastain & Associates said that $2,500 has already been spent toward this ITEP grant and it would cost another $5,500 to finish it up. If we are awarded the grant it would be for $1.9 million and the Village would pay $460,000 of that amount. Discussion among the Trustees ensued with their opinions agreeing that the money could be spent elsewhere to better serve the Village residents versus on property owned by the Decatur Park District. Thus, it was agreed to not pursue it at this time.
No motion needed.
2. RESOLUTION NUMBER 11-2022 AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION TO THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (ITEP) FUNDING CYCLE 15 FOR PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE FACILITIES (VILLAGE ENGINEER REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE BROWN)
No action needed due to the previous decision made in Item #1.
3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING AVALON BLVD. RECONSTRUCTION BIDS (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)
Village Engineer Jeremy Buening said that bids were received and they came in really high due to the increased price of concrete. He recommends to not approve the bid. Mayor Peck agrees as did the rest of the Board.
No motion needed.
4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SHADOW RIDGE MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATION OF AWARD (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)
Village Engineer Buening summarized the project details and said the estimate was 21% higher. He recommends approval of the bid and explained why. General discussion ensued with Trustees agreeing that the condition wasn’t as bad as originally thought and agreeing to gather further information on the potential purchase of equipment to do the task ourselves. The project will be on hold for now.
No motion needed.
5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SHADOW RIDGE PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)
No discussion or motion needed due previous decision made in Item #5.
6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING STRATEGIC PLAN (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)
Administrator Applebee said the strategic plan is still progressing and will be presented at the November 29 special Board meeting.
7. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING OAKLAND PARK POND REPAIR AGENDA (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)
Public Works Director Fowler said the weather and rainwater is eroding the pond bank. He has received a $11,720 quote from Lourash & Mahannah Excavation to peal the bank and rip rap it to increase safety and reduce erosion. He recommends approval of this $11,720 quote. All Trustees agreed after short discussion.
MOTION
Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the quote as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.
Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:
Yeas: 6 – Johnson, Young, London, Gruenewald, Wendt, Shaw
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 0 – None
Motion declared carried.
8. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING OAKLAND – SAWYER ROAD REPAIR AGENDA HICKORY POINT TOWNSHIP (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)
Public Works Director Fowler stated he had received a Hickory Point Township estimate and detailed plan regarding this road area. The cost of material, labor and equipment is $11,000 for Oakland and $17,000 for Sawyer Road, totaling $28,000 for both. A short discussion was held.
MOTION
Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the quotes as presented and not to exceed $28,000 and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.
Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:
Yeas: 6 – Johnson, Young, London, Gruenewald, Wendt, Shaw
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 0 – None
Motion declared carried.
NEW BUSINESS
1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ALLOW SOLAR PANELS SUBJECT TO REGULATIONS (VILLAGE ATTORNEY GREG MOREDOCK)
Village Attorney Moredock explained the detailed reasons to amend the development code. The Planning & Zoning Commission met twice on this topic then unanimously recommended amendments. General discussion ensued. Public Works Director Fowler said he and Village Building Inspector Linn Summers are both fully in support of these changes. General discussion ensued with Mayor Peck summarizing that all agreed to have Village Attorney Moredock clean up some of the wording and present it to the Board next month for final discussion and approval.
No motion needed at this time.
2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-23 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A VARIANCE TO ALLOW FREE-STANDING GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS TO BE PLACED IN THE BACK YARD OF THE RESIDENTIAL DWELLING LOCATED AT 249 HIGHLAND DR. (VILLAGE ATTORNEY GREG MOREDOCK)
Village Attorney Moredock explained the variance details. The Planning & Zoning Committee recommended denial. General discussion ensued and all Trustees agreed with that denial.
MOTION
Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve Ordinance Number 2022-23 to approve a variance to allow free-standing ground mounted solar panels at 249 Highland Dr. as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.
Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:
Yeas: 0 – None
Nays: 6 – Johnson, Young, London, Gruenewald, Wendt, Shaw
Absent: 0 – None
Motion declared failed.
3. ORDINANCE NUMBR 2022-24 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A VARIANCE TO ALLOW FREE-STANDING GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS WITH DIMENSIONS UP TO 38’ X 11’ X 8’ TO BE PLACED IN THE BACK YARD OF THE RESIDENTIAL DWELLING LOCATED AT 117 SHADOW RIDGE CT. (VILLAGE ATTORNEY GREG MOREDOCK)
Village Attorney Moredock explained the variance details. The Planning & Zoning Committee recommended denial. General discussion ensued and all Trustees agreed with that denial.
MOTION
Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve Ordinance Number 2022-24 to approve a variance to allow free-standing ground mounted solar panels at 117 Shadow Ridge Ct.as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.
Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:
Yeas: 0 – None
Nays: 6 – Johnson, Young, London, Gruenewald, Wendt, Shaw
Absent: 0 – None
Motion declared failed.
4. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-25 AN ORDINANCE DECREASING THE NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING CLASS A LIQUOR LICENSES FROM SEVEN TO FIVE; DECREASING THE NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING CLASS B LIQUOR LICENSES FROM THREE TO ZERO; AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING CLASS C LIQUOR LICENSES FROM TWO TO THREE (VILLAGE ATTORNEY GREG MOREDOCK)
Village Attorney Moredock explained that this was basically a clean-up and clarification of Village records. A short discussion was held.
MOTION
Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve Ordinance 2022-25 as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.
Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:
Yeas: 6 – Johnson, Young, London, Gruenewald, Wendt, Shaw
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 0 – None
Motion declared carried.
5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING I.T. AUDIT (VILLAGE BOARD TRUSTEE DAVE WENDT)
Trustee Wendt asked if the Village has ever had an outside 3rd party do an IT audit. He felt it was beneficial to consider for budgeting next year. It doesn’t have to be an annual task but he feels it is worth considering. Warrensburg recently did an IT audit so Trustee Wendt will check with them to obtain details and will bring back to the Board for further discussion.
No motion needed.
6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBE)
Administrator Applebee shared her recent conversations with three developers asking the Village to reconsider our TIF Commercial Revitalization TIF Grant Program. Currently they are eligible for $10,000 if they match $10,000. Staff is suggesting a $25,000 amount with a $25,000 match. Discussion ensued with Trustees agreeing to get further information from surrounding communities and how they handle this.
MOTION
Trustee Wendt made a Motion to bump up our Commercial Revitalization TIF Grant Program to a $25,000 matching as presented by staff and Trustee London seconded the Motion.
Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:
Yeas: 4 – Young, London, Gruenewald, Wendt
Nays: 2 – Johnson, Shaw
Absent: 0 – None
Motion declared carried.
7. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE VILLAGE TO ISSUE A LOAN TO KREKELS NOT TO EXCEED $131,000 (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)
Administrator Applebee introduced Chad Krekel and his interest in establishing a store in Forsyth. The history and success of Krekels is confirmed and well known. The Village does not have a loan program but Krekels has worked through a loan and TIF application. They are interested in the former Pizza Hut building. Lengthy discussion ensued focusing on this being unprecedented, incentives to bring new businesses to Forsyth, protecting our investment in these situations and gauging a risk, what other local communities do and several other topics. Ultimately the Board agreed to give Administrator Applebee and staff permission to move forward with more conversations with Krekels and involve Village Attorney Moredock with negotiations of an agreement. That would then be presented to the Board in the near future for further consideration.
No motion needed.
8. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING POTENTIAL FURNITURE STORE (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)
Administrator Applebee said a furniture business has reached out to her with interest in the property directly north of Staples. They are asking for financial assistance in the form of a grant, 2% sales tax rebate for 10 years and RE tax abatement for 5 years. Discussion ensued with the Board ultimately asking Administrator Applebee to find out more specifics including the impact of the enterprise zone, TIF district, etc.
No motion needed.
9. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING ELLIOTT BURGETT TIF GRANT REQUEST (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)
Administrator Applebee explained the request for a TIF grant in the amount of $25,000 to remodel the property just to the east of Village Hall. Lengthy discussion ensued with concerns of remodel details and the ultimate value to the Village if the grant is given. The Board then directed Administrator Applebee to gather more information and present it to the Board at the next meeting for further discussion.
No motion needed.
CLOSED SESSION: Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5): The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.
5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6): The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11): Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.
5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21): Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06.
CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Wendt made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee Young seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet_10-04-22.pdf
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