Macon Reporter

Village ofForsyth Board of Trustees met April 4.

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

RECOGNITION OF ELIZABETH BENNETT, 2ND PLACE IN STATE-WIDE ART COMPETITION

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, Trustee Bob Gruenewald

Staff Present:

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

Steven Ward, Village Building Inspector Dustin Pruitt

On Telephone: Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli

Others Present: Teri Hamel, Exec. Director Decatur Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Megan and Matt Bennett, Elizabeth Bennett, Emma Bennett, Josh Kidd

CONSENT AGENDA

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

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF MACON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT 2023 GRANT AGREEMENT

MOTION

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

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

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

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

Sheriff Deputy Hale said retail thefts continue to be an issue particularly at the mall.

Speeding issues have been curtailed at this time.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck said the Easter Egg Hunt was well done in spite of weather challenges. He also congratulated the Public Works staff for quickly dealing with the fallen tree across Hickory Point Road. In response to Mayor Peck’s question Village Attorney Petrilli said she is continuing to work with Phillips Pipeline regarding the overgrowth and building repairs. Mayor Peck asked Village Engineer Buening about the status of the Rt. 51 project and learned that the bids will likely be in June and hopefully work can start soon after that.

The owner of Hometown Buffet was made aware of recent storm damage and the Starbucks project is progressing. Trustee Gruenewald commended Public Works Director Fowler for excellent communication work with Mr. Groves regarding Well 7.

OLD BUSINESS

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

Administrator Applebee introduced Teri Hamel, Executive Director of the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Josh Lane who handles softball operations in the Maroa/Forsyth area. Mayor Peck asked staff to gather some numbers for funding consideration and then outlined those results. He shared his vision of the benefits of putting turf in two fields. He then said this discussion will be used for planning for possible building in 2025 or 2026.

Teri Hamel then shared her views as to what was needed to increase events and activities in the Village and shared her wish list which included needing more venues (including indoor) more than anything else. She iterated that she does not need more ballfields or soccer fields but that one more disk golf field would be ideal. She felt that improving the assets that we have would be most beneficial to bringing more events to the Village. She also said that turf is neither good nor bad as teams will come regardless. An indoor venue would definitely be a plus for pickleball tournaments, wrestling tournaments, dance competitions, etc.

Josh Lane then said he is personally not a fan of turf although he understands the maintenance aspect of it. From a youth league standpoint, he would not say no to another field. He spoke of their current field usage and timeframes for their teams. He said if the Diamond 3 outfield fence was pushed back then it is possible to get two older age groups on that field for increased usage. The general Board consensus was to agree that currently Diamond 3 is restricting in usage. A lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of current field improvements then ensued.

No motion needed.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL APPROVAL OF THE CHASTAN DESIGN CONTRACT FOR MOON STREET SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (JEREMY BUENING, CHASTAIN & ASSOCIATES)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the contract for the Moon Street Sidewalk improvement project. Mayor Peck questioned if previous engineering had been done in the past. This contract is for $50,500.

Mayor Peck asked the Board how interested they are in actually pursuing this project.

Trustee Wendt was very interested as was Trustees London and Johnson. Trustee Gruenewald is in favor of upgrading Moon Street but not the side streets while Trustee London felt the side street should be improved as well. Public Works Director Fowler felt this project is needed. A lengthy discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Chastain contract for the Moon Street sidewalk improvement project as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Johnson

Nays: 2 – Shaw, Gruenewald

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

3. RESOLUTION 4-2023 FOR THE USE OF MFT FUNDS FOR THE MOON STREET

SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (JEREMY BUENING, CHASTAIN & ASSOCIATES)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of using MFT funds for the Moon Street contract project. Mayor Peck asked if MFT funds will be used for the Rt. 51 project and Village Engineer Buening confirmed they will be. A short discussion then ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Resolution as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL APPROVAL OF THE CHASTAIN DESIGN CONTRACT FOR THE BARNETT AVE. RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT (JEREMY BUENING, CHASTAIN & ASSOCIATES)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the contract. This is budgeted for $125,000 so Administrator Applebee confirmed $115,500 is under budget. A general discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the Chastain design contract as presented and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

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Village of Forsyth

Board Meeting Minutes

April 4, 2023

Motion declared carried.

5. RESOLUTION 5-2023 FOR THE USE OF MFT FUNDS FOR THE BARNETT AVE. RECONSTRUCITON PROJECT (JEREMY BUENING, CHASTAIN & ASSOCIATES)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of using MFT funds. A short discussion then ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Resolution as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING STRATEGIC PLAN –SPORTS AND NATURE PARK (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

This topic was tabled and postponed until a later meeting due to the length of this meeting.

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

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.

MOTION

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

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Village of Forsyth

Board Meeting Minutes

April 4, 2023

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION

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 9:30 P.M. 

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(55).pdf