Macon Reporter

Argenta-Oreana Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met Nov. 15.

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 Bob Gruenewald, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Jeff London

Staff Present:

Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Village Engineer Jeremy Buening, Public Works Director Darin Fowler, Library Director Steven Ward

Others Present: Grayson Applebee, Taylor Crouch, Cassie Crouch, Mindy Bunselmayer, Tehng Bunselmayer

Kassie Bunselmayer introduced Grayson Appleebee and Taylor Crouch who won the FFA state and national award for their project in agriscience. She shared the process they experienced and the interviews and presentations they were required to make. All Trustees congratulated them for their hard work.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 18, 2022

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

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, Gruenewald, Wendt, Shaw, London

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.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Sheriff Deputy Helfer had little to report. He said Halloween went quite well and that the new sheriff’s car is now in use in the village.

2. Village Staff Reports

Public Works Director Fowler said the Oakland pond work should still be done before winter. He also confirmed there will be no trees planted this fall. He also shared the difficulties that his staff is now having while picking up entire trees that residents have felled and put out for pick up. After a short discussion, was held all agreed to finish this season picking them up then reinforcing the policy of not doing so in the spring. Administrator Applebee confirmed that the disk golf tournament will be held July 28-30, 2023.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-28 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR ALL CORPORATE PURPOSES FOR THE VILLAGE OF FORSYTH, MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2022, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022 (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI)

Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli explained that this ordinance contains no increase from last year.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the tax levy for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2022, as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 6 – Johnson, Young, Gruenewald, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-29 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION TIF GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE FORSYTH TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI)

Village Attorney Petrilli explained the increase from $10,000 to $25,000 for economic development incentives. Short discussion ensued regarding the approval process of the expenditures to which Village Attorney Petrilli explained.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw made a Motion to approve the adoption of the first amendment to the commercial revitalization TIF grant as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 6 – Johnson, Young, Gruenewald, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING REMOTE MEETING ATTENDANCE (TRUSTEE DAVE WENDT)

Trustee Wendt introduced the topic for discussion. He summarized that with the exception of Bob Gruenewald acting only as a resident (not a Trustee) none of the public has logged in during the year we’ve offered Zoom opportunities for Board meetings. Trustee Wendt’s concern is for any resident to have the impression that the Village has sidestepped the state law on behalf of a trustee. We did not offer it for a couple of months but received no complaints from anyone.

General discussion ensued about the pros and cons, and it was decided to leave it in place and increase promotion efforts. Trustee London suggested that we also consider that if there were any sign-ups 24 hours prior to each Board meeting that we would then offer a Zoom opportunity, otherwise we would not.

No motion needed.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING CERTAIN BUSINESS TYPES (MAYOR JIM PECK)

Mayor Peck said the Village has been approached by a vape company to rent space in the strip mall slot that formerly housed Redwing Shoe Store. He asked for Board input and noted that two years ago there was a vape store in the Village. Village Attorney Petrilli explained the nuances and potential consequences of allowing or disallowing a vape store in the Village. Our current code does not disallow it. Lengthy discussion ensued. Ultimately it was agreed that Trustees should forward any types of POTENTIAL retail stores they feel inappropriate to Administrator Applebee. She will then work with Attorney Petrilli on this topic and present it at the next Board meeting.

No motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING CHANGE IN LIBRARY HOURS (LIBRARY DIRECTOR STEVEN WARD)

Director Steve Ward outlined his suggestions for a change in library hours and the benefits of doing so. Mayor Peck suggested reducing hours on Saturdays and Library Director Ward would like to collect more data first before moving forward with doing so. A short discussion ensued and the Board agreed with his suggested changes and supports making them. They also agreed to collecting more data for another possible six (6) months before reducing any Saturday hours.

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 MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the closed minutes of October 4, 2022, and October 18, 2022, as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 6 – Wendt, Johnson, Young, Shaw, Gruenewald, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

General discussion was held regarding the new newspaper that is being mailed out in the Village and Macon County and the concerns that it is connected to the Village somehow. It seems politically motivated. Administrator Applebee will do some research in efforts to not have it connected with our address.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Wendt made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(49).pdf