Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met March 21.

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 Lauren Young, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Marilyn Johnson

Absent: Trustee Bob Gruenewald

Staff Present:

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

Others Present: Roy Groves of Bloomington, Kris Kahler, Jon Kidd

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2023

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 2023 MOTION

Trustee Johnson made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

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.

Roy Groves of Bloomington commended Public Works Darin Fowler for working closely with him on Well 7 and was very satisfied with the progress. He had three specific questions about the project which Administrator Applebee said they would research the answers and get back with him soon.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

No report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck complimented Public Works Director Fowler for the great work from him and his staff on Well 7. He provided excellent communications with him and Administrator Applebee throughout the process.

Trustee Shaw gave a brief update on the new signage at new middle school. They received several quotes that contained various dimensions and costs ranging from $25,000 to $50,000. A short discussion ensued.

Trustee Wendt commented that the general fund receipts and hotel tax dollars have run better than the previous four years as a moving average so that is a positive indicator the economy is looking up.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-11 AN ORDINANCE DECREASING THE NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING CLASS C LIQUOR LICENSES FROM THREE TO TWO (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that at the last meeting the Board decided to decrease the number of outstanding Class C Liquor Licenses from three to two. This ordinance just changes the number and keeps it under control.

MOTION

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING IMPROVEMENT OF BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL FIELDS (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Mayor Peck introduced the topic and said this is really about the strategic plan to discuss the potential of current assets versus future assets possibly to be created. No motion will be needed, just direction from the Board in general.

Administrator Applebee outlined details of the three options presented by Byrne & Jones. She also discussed the estimated costs and savings of each of these options.

A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the pros and cons of each option along with the immediate and future impact to the community and to the budget. Board members discussed the flexibility (or lack of) each option presents. Many were concerned about the funding sources for each option along with some parking concerns. Jon Kidd, Maroa/Forsyth Baseball Coach, shared details of the games he’s in charge of scheduling and how that impacts the usage of the Village fields.

Trustee London suggested bringing in Teri Hamel, Executive Director of the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and asking her specifically what would help her to bring in more events and commerce to the Village. Board members agreed to invite her and Jon Kidd to speak to the Board at the next meeting.

No motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-10 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE LOW QUOTE FOR A TRUCK TO BE USED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler explained the details of the four quotes he received for the purchase of a new dump truck. His recommendation is to accept the bid from Victory Lane Ford of Litchfield for the 2022 F550 4x4 Gasoline Engine Chassis for $57,005.00 and then have Drake and Scruggs of Springfield upfit the chassis. The complete cost of the new dump truck will then be $96,385.00 which is well under the budgeted $130,000. A short discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the purchase of the chassis from Victory Lane Ford of Litchfield as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

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.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to move to Closed Session and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the closed minutes of July 19, August 2 and 16, September 20, October 4 and 18 and November 1, 2022 as recommended by Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

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 8:30 P.M.

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