Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Aug. 1.

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 Bob Gruenewald, Trustee Marilyn Johnson, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Jeremy Shaw

Absent: Trustee Jeff London

Staff Present:

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

Others Present: Sheriff Jim Ruot, Deputy Matthew Jedlicka, Alicia and Braelyn Force, Mike Baietto, Bill Kruger

CONSENT AGENDA

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

2. APPROVAL OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION 2022 BOARD TERMS

3. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

MOTION

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

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

Deputy Hale reported retail thefts have increased again in Von Maur. Several vehicles in the Village have been broken into recently. The running of stop signs has decreased.

2. Village Staff Reports

Village Engineer Buening reported the slow lead time on Well 7 is a result of poor planning on the contractor’s part. It is expected to begin soon but has been a slow process. He also reported that the school bike path project is moving slowly due to dealing with utilities and waiting for soil sampling results. There is no time estimate for putting out for bid on the project. Regarding the sports and nature park, he reported that they are waiting for IDNR to sign off on it, then predicts putting bids out in either August or September. He said Chastain still hopes to meet the timeline on the grant for safe routes to school.

Public Works Director Fowler reported that the veterans pond repair is still on schedule.

Trustee Gruenewald gave an update on the disc golf tournament results. There were 30 professionals playing in the tournament which made it exciting.

Trustee Shaw complimented the Public Works staff on the storm cleanup and Public Works Director Fowler said they are still finishing it. Administrator Applebee said she has been in conversations with Macon County Emergency Management and FEMA regarding reimbursement for storm cleanup costs which could amount to an estimated $40,000 if all criteria align in favor of the Village.

OLD BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SHERIFF’S CONTRACT (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee summarized the details of their contract increase request. Trustee Gruenewald asked several questions regarding how coverage is figured into the contract along with questions on the time schedule of purchasing new police cars. Sheriff Ruot responded and also said the Village is to pay anything not part of regular maintenance. Further discussion ensued regarding the updating of car computers to Windows 11 in the future along with the process of how bills are paid.

No motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-19 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE ALLOWING PET STORE / GROOMING AS SPECIAL USE IN AREAS ZONED R1/OT (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained the details of the text amendment request and said the Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved to recommend this. Village Attorney Petrilli explained further legal details of how the zoning chart is designed and its impact on this. A brief discussion was held.

MOTION

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-20 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT AT 424 S. ELWOOD TO ALLOW FOR THE OPERATION OF A PET STORE/GROOMER (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee introduced the details of the special use permit request as it relates to the text amendment just presented. The Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved to recommend this. Trustee Wendt fully supports this since it is an existing commercial building. A brief discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the special use permit at 424 S. Elwood as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

3. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-21 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A VARIANCE TO PERMIT A SHED WITHOUT FENCING AT KREKEL’S HAMBURGER RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 910 N. ROUTE 51 (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that a shed was already installed on this property. The Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved to recommend this after a thorough discussion of the pros and cons. The shed is attractive as is and fencing would detract from that as well as cause traffic concerns. A short discussion ensued.

MOTION

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

4. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-22 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A VARIANCE TO CONVERT BILLBOARD TO A DIGITAL BILLBOARD ON PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS PART OF THE SW1/4 OF THE NW1/4 OF SECTION 23, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH, RANGE 2 EAST OF THE 3RD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN IN MACON COUNTY ILLINOIS (PART OF “FORSYTH PLAZA SOUTH”) (PIN: 07-07-23-151-004) (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained the details of installing a digital billboard at this location. The Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved to recommend this. A short discussion ensued with the Lamar representative explaining further details and the investment Lamar is making on this project. An agreement can be made outlining the benefits to the Village can be made. Trustee Gruenewald shared his concerns about negative impact while at the stop light and while driving by. A discussion ensued by Board members. Many felt this is a step towards modernization and is a good economic tool.

MOTION

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

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw

Nays: 1 – Gruenewald

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

5. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-23 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AMENDMENT TO PRELIMINARY PLANNED UNIT DEVLOPMENT AND MINOR SUBDIVISION AT 994 US ROUTE 51 (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that the incoming retail store has requested more parking spaces leading to this change. A discussion was held with Trustees agreeing to the amendment.

MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to approve the amendment to the P.U.D. as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

6. RESOLUTION NUMBER 9-2023 A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF POLICE VEHICLES FROM BOB RIDINGS INC. (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that this is for the car that is currently sitting in the Village parking lot and the purchase is within budget. A brief discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the purchase of police vehicles as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

7. RESOLUTION 10-2023 A RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACT WITH CHASTAIN FOR DESIGN WORK FOR MAINTENANCE ON THE WATER TOWERS, GROUND STORAGE TANK AND AERATOR (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler said he is happy to see this project moving forward. He explained the details of the types of maintenance that will happen. Village Engineer Buening noted this is the initial contract until the final scope is identified then the contract will be amended.

MOTION

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

8. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING RFP FOR AUDITING FIRM (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained RFP has been sent out and only two were received, those being May Cocagne & King and Kemper CPA Group. Staff recommends MCK because of the cost difference. A brief discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to award the RFP for annual audit to MCK CPAs and Advisors and rejecting all other proposals as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

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

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5): The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.

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: 5 – Young, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the closed minutes of June 20, 2023 and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

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/External_Meeting_Packet(63).pdf