Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Jan. 17.

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 Dave Wendt, Trustee Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Jeff London

Absent: Trustee Bob Gruenewald

Staff Present:

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

Others Present: Sean Molima, Illinois Health & Wellness

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 6, 2022

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2022

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 5 – Johnson, Young, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

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Village of Forsyth

Board Meeting Minutes

January 17, 2023

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.

Sean Molina, Illinois Health & Wellness representative, made a presentation to the Board asking them to expand the current ordinance to allow medical cannabis dispensaries within the Village. He shared statistics and benefits the community would reap if allowed, and also described the tight regulations under which they must operate.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Deputy Helfer had nothing to report other than updates on deputy staffing assignments.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck thanked Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli for working on the Phillips pipeline property issue. He also asked Village Engineer Jeremy Buening when the Well 7 pre construction meeting will occur and learned that he is still coordinating a meeting date in the next few weeks.

OLD BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING BIKE PATH EASEMENT (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the status of the issue. While working with IDOT he learned that part of the bike path is on private property and explained how that occurred in years past. He then shared 4 (four) options for the Village to consider for moving forward. Mayor Peck did not want to see this pushed off into 2024 and wants it done in 2023. After a short discussion all other Board members agreed and directed Village Engineer Buening to allow IDOT to stick with the pedestrian ramp widths.

No motion needed.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING NEW SERVICE FOR HOME ON MACARTHER (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Public Works Director Fowler explained that his staff tests every 6 months for lead and copper in residential lines. The last sample showed lead at much higher levels at this residence. After examining the Village line, it was found to be the cause of the high reading. He has spoken with the EPA and has understood their requirements and how to remedy it. Three quotes were obtained with Janvrin Plumbing coming in at the lowest quote being $7,600. Public Works Director Fowler recommends using Janvrin to replace the piping.

MOTION

Trustee London made a Motion to approve the use of Janvrin Plumbing to replace the piping not to exceed $7,600.00 as presented and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 5 – Johnson, Young, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING FIREWORKS CONTRACT (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee introduced the topic of the fireworks contract for the Forsyth Fest event. After summarizing the contract details, she recommends approving using the same company and the new contract. A short discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the fireworks contract with Pyrotechnico Fireworks as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 5 – Johnson, Young, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SERVER QUOTE (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee summarized the need for a new computer server for the Village. She explained the quotes received and recommends staying with Decatur Computer whose quote was for $13,247.55. A short discussion ensued with Trustee Wendt suggesting we identify this as a capital line item in the budget to which Village Treasurer Stewart agreed it was appropriate.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the purchase of a new server from Decatur Computer and not to exceed $13,247.55 as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 5 – Johnson, Young, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING ENGINEERING SERVICES QUOTES (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee said three RFQ engineering services responses were submitted to the Village and shared the details of each one. She asked the Board which approach they favored – interviewing each individually with herself, Mayor Peck and one Board member or interviewing all three in a public meeting. General discussion ensued with Trustee London asking to be involved. Ultimately it was agreed that Mayor Peck, Administrator Applebee and Trustee London would set up one meeting to interview each applicant individually.

No motion needed.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to move to Closed Session and Trustee London seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote and the meeting moved to Closed Session.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION

Upon return to Open Session, all Board members agreed to meet with the Union in order to raise this year’s wages by $2 and then follow the contract terms for 2024 and 2025.

MOTION

Trustee Johnson made a Motion to approve meeting with the Union in order to raise this year’s wages by $2 and then follow the contract terms for 2024 and 2025 as discussed and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 5 – Johnson, Young, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

General discussion was held on the choices made for Mortera liquor license for 2023. Trustee London raised concerns about being fair and treating all businesses equally and a general discussion ensued.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Wendt made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(53).pdf