Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met May 16.

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, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Marilyn Johnson

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

Others Present: Auditor Luke Sparks

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 2, 2023

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

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

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

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

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

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

No report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck asked Village Attorney Petrilli about the Phillips pipeline status, and she said it is still moving forward. He also said the First Friday event was absolutely wonderful and has received many positive comments. He said the flags look good on Route 51. When asked how close to bid we are on the Sports and Nature Park, Village Engineer Buening said he is meeting on Thursday with Administrator Applebee to set a date. Route 51 will be out for bid in September. He also gave an update on IDOT projects and a short discussion ensued.

Trustee London noted that Rise Broadband fiber network installation has started but asked if permits are not required, which Public Works Director Fowler confirmed is correct. Trustee London asked if the Village clean-up day’s effectiveness can be measured. In general discussion all agreed they thought it was light this year but would be difficult to measure. All agreed the junkers were out early and picking up items before staff started pick up.

OLD BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SOUTH WATER TOWER LINE LEAK (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Fowler gave a brief description of when it was discovered, how the leak occurred and what was needed for the repair. Per Administrator Applebee all Trustees previously agreed on the recommended solution through a Board email discussion so only a short discussion followed.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Inserta-Valve solution at a cost of $13,495 as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING MAROA/FORSYTH SCHOOL SIGN (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee was notified that the bid was received for the proposed school sign. Discussion included the three (3) pictures and the corresponding quotes. The proposal is to split costs equally between the Village of Forsyth, City of Maroa, Maroa/Forsyth School Foundation and Maroa/Forsyth High School. Trustee Shaw shared his latest knowledge on the topic. Discussion followed. Trustee Wendt likes and approves of the project but is concerned that other schools may come to us with the same type of request and the unknown impact on the budget. Trustee Gruenewald had the same concerns as Trustee Wendt. Trustee London is all for the sign and thinks it would look fantastic but the school district and the Village are two separate entities so he has concerns about the financial aspect and concerns residents may have about how the Village money is spent on a non-Village item, to which Trustee Johnson agreed.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw made a Motion to contribute up to $12,000 in support of adding a 20’ x 20’sign to the middle school in Maroa as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Peck, Young, Shaw, Wendt

Nays: 3 – Gruenewald, London, Johnson

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. PRESENTATION OF AUDIT REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 KEMPER CPA GROUP, LLP (VILLAGE TREASURER RHONDA STEWART)

Village Treasurer Stewart said an RFP for future auditing services was mailed out to several auditing firms with a return deadline of June 23, 2023. Staff will review the responses and then bring back a recommendation to the Board. This for 2023, 2024 and 2025 audit services. Kemper CPA Group has been providing this service for the Village for nine (9) years.

Auditor Luke Sparks said the audit was clean and very straight forward. He was very pleased to report that the internal controls had no deficiencies. He discussed strong assets and minimal liabilities which creates a very strong balance sheet. He then discussed the income statement details and noted that the Village spends less than what it takes in which is very good. A brief discussion ensued.

No Motion needed.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING COZIAHR SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATION (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee shared the request details for the special event of Iron and Ink on June 17, 2023. Selling of beer will be through Door 4 whose liquor license will be used. During the discussion it was noted that there were several omissions and errors on the application which prompted several questions from the Board. Ultimately Board members had no issues with the event itself, but Administrator Applebee will ask Coziahr to revise the application and resubmit it for discussion at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.

No motion needed.

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

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1): The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.

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 Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to move to approve the closed minutes of May 2, 2023 and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

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 8:15 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(58).pdf