Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met April 18.

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, Trustee Bob Gruenewald

Staff Present:

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

Others Present: Ron Macek (Rise Broadband), Pat Coit (resident)

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 4, 2023

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

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

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda along with corrections to the Minutes as noted and Trustee London 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 at the mall and Menards continue to be an issue.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck appreciated the signs for hydrant flushing throughout the Village this weekend. Trustee Wendt spoke about the Maroa-Forsyth/City of Decatur Bass Fishing Tournament at Lake Decatur on October 14-15. The conversation then turned to the option for local hotels to form their own association. Village Attorney Petrilli said the law states that the municipality they’re located in has to approve it. A short discussion ensued.

OLD BUSINESS

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

Mayor Peck reiterated the importance of getting started on the Sports and Nature Park per our grant agreement. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the layout and the pond location. Trustee Wendt doesn’t see the need for a four-plex ball diamond but regardless of what goes in that area he felt the pond needs to remain where it’s located and Trustee Gruenewald agreed with his comments. Village Engineer representative Stephanie Brown explained details of the layout. $150,000 could possibly be saved if we don’t re-engineer the edge of the pond. After thorough discussion all Board members agreed to leave the pond edge and five acres as is so future options are available and it can be bid out sooner. Brown confirmed construction could be ready to go to bid within two weeks from signed contract.

No motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-12 AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY INTO THE VILLAGE OF FORSYTH, ILLINOIS (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Attorney Petrilli explained the details of the property under consideration. It’s likely that this odd property legal identity occurred years ago and has only recently been acknowledged that annexation is needed. A short discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw made a Motion to approve the Ordinance as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

2. PRESENTATION OF RISE BROADBAND (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE, RON MACEK)

Administrator Applebee introduced Ron Macek from Rise Broadband. He made a presentation explaining Rise Broadband services that provide faster fiber internet services for residential and commercial usage. They have installed this in Maroa already and are interested in next bringing it to Forsyth and Argenta. He outlined the responsibilities of Rise Broadband and of the Village once this installation occurs. A discussion ensued with general questions from the Board. It was understood that this installation can and will occur in the Village without our permission, yet he wanted to first establish a good relationship with the Village regardless. The timeline is yet undetermined.

No motion or vote needed from the Board per Village Attorney Petrilli.

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.

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 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.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION

A brief discussion was held on a proposed solar panel farm within 1.5 miles of the Village limits. Village Attorney Petrilli will confirm the process to challenge it if we so desire. A short discussion centered around the fact that this is area where we might expand the Village in the future.

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/External_Meeting_Packet_2023-05-02.pdf