Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met May 2.

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 Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Bob Gruenewald

Absent: Trustee Marilyn Johnson, Trustee Dave Wendt,

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 Jeremy Buening, Village Building Inspector Dustin Pruitt

Others Present: Elliott Burgett, Shannon and Ryan O’Connor

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 18, 2023

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF REAPPOINTMENT OF KEN KIRCHNER AND MARY JANE LINTON TO THE LIBRARY COMMISSION

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented including corrections to the May 18 minutes as discussed and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Shaw, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Johnson, Wendt

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 are down. Bathroom damage at the park was addressed by the deputies and Administrator Applebee. Deputy Hale suggested that a bathroom key be made available to the deputies and be kept in their Village Hall office for future use and all agreed.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck said the Larry Reed garden is a good idea. Also, he and Administrator Applebee met with Maroa/Forsyth high school officials regarding the ball diamonds contract. They decided not to do a long-term contract until we determine what happens with the ball fields. They want a 3-year contract and the Village will agree with that.

Mayor Peck said he and Administrator Applebee had a positive conversation with Ameren regarding electric vehicle charging stations and ways to pay for it. Costs can run anywhere from $20,000 - $40,000 but there are many grant opportunities to pursue. Administrator Applebee will do further research on the topic. There was discussion of possibly partnering with local hotels and businesses as potential locations.

Public Works Director Fowler said he has talked with Decatur regarding the sharing of water in emergencies and they are open to the idea. But a decision is needed if that’s something the Village wants to consider. He also said Maroa asked the Village if we would truck water to them in case of an emergency and as part of their emergency response plan and all agreed that would be a good choice.

Trustee Gruenewald is in total support of the First Friday event but shared his various concerns regarding the selling of beer at it. Village Attorney Petrilli confirmed that while this goes against Village rules for the parks, the appropriate special permits have been obtained and Mayor Peck and the Village staff are willing to take that risk. Mayor Peck and other Board members were comfortable with the choice. Administrator Applebee confirmed that the Village and the beer vendor will be making a profit from it. Trustee Shaw congratulated Administrator Applebee and the Village staff for bringing in new events that will draw people to the Village.

OLD BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING IDOT PRELIMINARY PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO US ROUTE 51 (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening made a presentation including IDOT’s preliminary plans for the Route 51 project and asked for Board input. He gave an overview of the project then addressed specific areas of questions for the Board. Likely the project will go out for bid in August and work could possibly begin in the fall and continue into spring 2024. During the discussion inconsistencies were noted along with questions that Buening will take back to IDOT for discussion.

No motion needed.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING THE CHASTAIN CONTRACT SUPPLEMENT FOR BIDDING SERVICES ON THE FORSYTH FAMILY SPORTS AND NATURE PARK – LWCF COMPLIANCE PROJECT (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the contract and the request and need for an additional $7,000 to be added to the total. A short discussion ensued on various details and the Board agreed to support the contract increase.

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the $7,000 contract supplement for bidding services on the Forsyth Family Sports and Nature Park as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Shaw, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Johnson, Wendt

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-13 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE A TEXT

AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE ALLOWING KENNELS AS A SPECIAL USE IN AREAS ZONED C1 AND C2 (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI)

Village Attorney Petrilli explained the details of the text amendment request under consideration and confirmed that this is an appropriate location for kennel and doggie day care usage within the zoning usage description. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved to recommend this text amendment. A discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw made a Motion to approve a text amendment to the development ordinance as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Shaw, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Johnson, Wendt

Motion declared carried.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-14 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A SPECIAL USE AT 350 S. ROUTE 51 TO ALLOW FOR THE OPERATION OF A KENNEL (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI)

Village Attorney Petrilli explained the details of the request for a special use permit to locate a kennel and doggie day care in the Village. This property is zoned C1 and is allowable for a special use permit. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved to recommend this permit with specific conditions to be added for clarification.

Shannon O’Connor, owner of the proposed kennel and doggie day care, spoke to the Board about their business plan, target audience, need in the community and attributes of the facility once it’s completed along with how the animals will be handled throughout the day and night. Their plan has already addressed all State requirements for fire safety and sanitation.

Administrator Applebee said that all inspections are yet to occur along with plan designs, etc. before opening which O’Connor said they are targeting mid-June. Lengthy discussion ensued with many questions which O’Connor responded to.

MOTION

Trustee London made a Motion to approve the Ordinance approving a special use permit at 350 S. Route 51 as presented and which will include all agreed upon conditions and facility attributes and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Shaw, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Johnson, Wendt

Motion declared carried.

3. INSTALLATION OF NEW VILLAGE OFFICERS (VILLAGE CLERK CHERYL MARTY)

Mayor Peck thanked the three returning Trustees for their commitment to the Village and for being part of a cohesive Board who has accomplished many goals. Village Clerk Marty then proceeded with the swearing in of re-elected Trustees Jeff London, Jeremy Shaw and LaurenYoung.

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

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Shaw, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Johnson, Wendt

Motion declared carried.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT

Trustee London made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee Shaw 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(56).pdf