Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Dec. 5.

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 Marilyn Johnson, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Jeff London

Absent: Trustee Bob Gruenewald

Staff Present: Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Finance Assistant Glenda Hoffman, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Public Works Director Darin Fowler, Village Engineer Jeremy Buening

Others Present: Matt & Hiliary Crawford

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 21, 2023 2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and with the brief correction to the minutes as noted and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

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 - None.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck thanked all who helped out with the Mayor’s Challenge last Saturday, it was a huge success. He also thanked all the staff for the tree lighting ceremony, which was very well attended. This weekend is Rudolph’s Village Market so kudos to Administrator Applebee. The Phillips Pipeline has lots of activity but the staff is not exactly sure what type of work is being done. Sports and Nature Park bids are being opened this weekend per Village Engineer Buening and work will start first thing in the spring. The Westerman easements are on schedule for filing.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-38 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING PROPOSAL FROM MIDWEST ATHLETIC FIELDS LLC (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE) Public Works Director Fowler summarized the details of the quote for $114,350.00 for enhancements to be made to diamonds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. A brief discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Ordinance accepting proposal from Midwest Athletic Fields LLC as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-39 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CODE TO INCREASE WATER AND SEWER RATES (VILLAGE TREASURER RHONDA STEWART)

Village Treasurer Stewart summarized the previous discussion on this topic. A brief discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Ordinance amending code to increase water and sewer rates as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

3. RESOLUTION NUMBER 20-2023 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH MACON COUNTY FOR THE PROVISION OF POLICE SERVICES (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE) Administrator Applebee explained the details of negotiating their services to which both parties ultimately agreed. A brief discussion ensued with the following wording change agreed upon by the Board and anticipated to be agreed upon also by the Macon County Sheriff’s department: The Sheriff shall may purchase with the written consent of the Village and at the Village’s expense, new patrol vehicles (make and model to be determined by the Village) with all necessary equipment according to the following schedule.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement with Macon County for the provision of police services as presented with the additional change as described above and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF 2024 BUDGET (VILLAGE TREASURER RHONDA STEWART)

Village Treasurer Stewart explained her brief memo outlining the changes. The Board held a short discussion.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the 2024 budget as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. RESOLUTON NUMBER 19-2023 A RESOLUTION AMENDING 2023 BUDGET (VILLAGE TREASURER RHONDA STEWART)

Village Treasurer Stewart explained the expected amendments to the 2023 budget, and she recommended approval to the Board. Board members asked several questions then agreed to a Motion.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Resolution amending the 2023 budget as presented and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING POTENTIAL TIF OPTION FOR CRAWFORDS (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that Matt and Hiliary Crawford would like to purchase 12.5 acres (rather than 10 acres) for the total cost of $184,684.82, which is 80% of appraised value. She confirmed the Board needs to identify what percentage of the developer share they would like to offer. A lengthy discussion ensued that included the topics of the types of retail development and its location along with installation of road locations. Ultimately the Board wanted further discussion. Mayor Peck summarized that Crawfords want to buy 12.5 acres for around $185,000 (80% of appraised value), and four lots on County 20 would all be commercial development. Several Board members were unclear on road location and the funding of that construction. Administrator Applebee confirmed she would provide an updated drawing for their review. All agreed to delay any TIF decision tonight and will address the topic again perhaps at the next Board meeting.

No Motion needed.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING CHASTAIN CONSTRUCTION PHASE SERVICES CONTRACT FOR WATER TREATMENT PLANT MAINTENANCE PROJECT (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING) Village Engineer Buening explained the general details and need for this construction phase services contract. A brief discussion ensued with all agreeing that it should not exceed $49.800.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Chastain Construction phase services contract as presented and also not to exceed $49,800 and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

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, London, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2): Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 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 approve the closed minutes of November 7, 2023 as presented and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the pay increase for collective bargaining as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

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 8:50 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(70).pdf