Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees 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 Attorney Greg Moredock, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Village Engineer Jeremy Buening, Library Director Steven Ward, Village Building Inspector Linn Summers

Staff Absent: Public Works Director Darin Fowler

Others Present: Resident Corey Maloney

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 1, 2022

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 31, 2022

Trustee Gruenewald noted the previous meeting minutes attendees’ names needed to be corrected.

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda with the November 1, 2022 minutes corrections to be made as discussed 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.

Cory Maloney, former Mayor of Warrensburg, came to thank the Public Works Department staff in person for their excellent service to him as a Village resident. His family has lived here for nearly a year and has had numerous issues with their house and property. He has reached out to the Public Works staff many times for assistance and direction in solving some of the issues and they have been incredibly professional and responsive each and every time. Mr. Maloney expressed his gratitude for their efficient help and praised all of them for their assistance.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

No report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck said the Veterans park looks fantastic with the flags that were installed.

Trustee Gruenewald had several questions regarding the Treasurer’s report to which Village Treasurer Stewart responded and a short discussion followed.

Trustee Wendt had a law enforcement reform question regarding the possible reduction of a trespass to a demeanor for Village Attorney Petrilli. He asked what the Village could do in our ordinances to be proactive. Village Attorney Moredock responded that at this point in time all we can do is watch the veto session once decisions are made and work from there forward.

Trustee Shaw requested an update on the IDOT meeting and Mayor Peck said the meeting went extremely well and he summarized the discussion points. Village Engineer Jeremy Buening was very satisfied with the meeting as well. The money for this project is already in the budget and it’s possible to award the contract in May and work could be done in early summer or early fall.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022-30 AN ORDINANCE RESCINDING AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A FORSYTH TIF DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI) GREG MOREDOCK

Village Attorney Petrilli explained the purpose of this ordinance and a short discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Ordinance as presented and Trustee London 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. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING WATER TREATMENT PLAN FILTER AND CLARICONE MAINTENANCE (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Jeremy Buening explained the need and details for this maintenance. Public Works Director Darin Fowler has requested the work not be done any time after March as water consumption increases greatly after that. Discussion was held on the topic and the Board agreed it is too risky for the Village to do a no bid project. Village Building Inspector Linn Summer confirmed that any functionality is not being risked by postponing the maintenance and that the filters could go another year. Village Engineer Buening recommends putting out the bid in early summer 2023 and further explained the bid process and timeline. The Board agreed to wait and put out bids in 2023 as suggested.

No motion needed.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING CLEAN UP OF THE PHILLIPS PIPELINE PROPERTY (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI)

Mayor Peck brought this topic to the attention of the Village attorneys. The property is outside of Forsyth, has not been used in three years and the tanks are empty. He asked them to look into what it takes to clean it up so it’s safer and also more attractive as you enter the Village. The attorneys said they must first talk with Macon County and Illinois EPA officials first and learn who the governing body is for this property. It was confirmed that the building on the corner of that property is not part of the tank farm and is a separate business.

No motion needed.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING 2023 BUDGET (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee introduced the 2023 budget discussion. Individual meetings have been held and progress has been made. Discussion was then directed to reviewing the list of changes that have been made.

Trustee Gruenewald started the discussion by going through his budget questions. This led to a lengthy detailed discussion regarding various line items and several major adjustments were then agreed upon and made to the 2023 budget. Village Treasurer Stewart and

Administrator Applebee answered the Trustee’s questions throughout the discussion.

No motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

CLOSED SESSION: Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

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.

No closed meeting was held as their was nothing to discuss per both Village Attorneys.

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 8:50 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(50).pdf