Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Dec. 19.

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, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Village Engineer Jeremy Buening, Village Library Director Melanie Weigel, Director of Planning and Zoning Ryan Raleigh

Others Present: Matt & Hiliary Crawford, Bill Krueger, Tina Horve

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 5, 2023

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

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

MOTION

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

Tina Horve shared her education and experience in archiving Maroa/Forsyth School history and documents for the past several years. One of the many interesting items she found was a diploma from 1885. Her priorities are preservation and access to the information which she thinks is critical to be preserved by the Village. Her annual archive expenses are close to $4,000 but is asking only $1,000 from the Board to support this endeavor. If possible, she suggested a potential part-time person working 10-15 hours per week be hired to support this work. Mayor Peck said this will be put on the next Board meeting agenda for consideration. A short discussion ensued.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Sheriff Deputy Hale reported a high amount of retail theft within the Village.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck said that the Rudolph Village Market was a huge success and appreciated that Administrator Applebee created another successful event for the Village. He along with Trustee Wendt have received many positive compliments from community members. Village Engineer Buening announced that Matt Foster of Chastain & Associates is leaving and relocating to the St. Louis area on January 6. Jonas Ozier will be taking over part of those job duties along with another member of their staff.

OLD BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING FAMILY SPORTS AND NATURE PARK PHASE 1 RECOMMENDATION OF AWARD (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Jeremy Buening briefly summarized the reasons for the reduction in the bid cost. He recommends the Beyers Construction bid to be accepted. A short discussion ensued. Work will start in the spring according to soil conditions and weather permitting.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the contract award to Beyers Construction in the amount of $1,631,131.37 for construction of the Family Sports and Nature Park, Phase 1 as presented and Trustee Shaw 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 DEVELOPMENT OF LOT 4 IN PRAIRIE WINDS (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee summarized previous Board discussions on this topic. Tonight’s discussion is to only focus on the size and layout of the project as displayed on the map. Administrator Applebee confirmed that both potential developers plus Macon County officials were happy with the map layout and access to Route 51. A lengthy Board discussion was held concerning the frontage area, impact on value of remaining acreage and unconfirmed road plans and costs. Crawfords were present and responded to Board questions. The discussion concluded with a consensus to agree to sell 12.5 acres instead of 10 acres to Crawfords.

No motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING CHANGE ORDER FOR GRAYHAWK PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening shared the details of the small change order. A short discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the change order 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. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING CHANGE ORDER FOR EASTSIDE BIKE PATH (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening shared the details of the change order which reduces the overall cost of the project by $3,929.04. A short discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the change order 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.

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 8:00 P.M.

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