Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Jan. 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 Dave Wendt, Trustee Jeremy Shaw (late arrival), Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Bob Gruenewald

Absent: Trustee Marilyn Johnson

Telephone: Trustee Lauren Young (participated remotely due to an employment obligation) MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve Trustee Young to attend the Board meeting via telephone as she was out of town due to employment requirement and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Wendt, London, Peck, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Johnson, Shaw

Motion declared carried.

Staff Present: Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Village Engineer Jeremy Buening, Village Library Director Melanie Weigel

Telephone: Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli

Others Present: Tina Horve, Andrew Hendrian, Corey Zelhart, Matt & Hiliary Crawford CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 19, 2023

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

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

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda with corrections and as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Johnson, Shaw

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 introduced three new deputies, Casner, Pistorious and Clark for the Forsyth patrol schedule. Retail thefts continue to be a challenge.

2. Village Staff Reports

In reply to Trustee Gruenwald’s question, Public Works Director Fowler confirmed that all swing sets and monkey bars in the parks are not being removed.

OLD BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING FORSYTH PUBLIC LIBRARY’S HISTORICAL ARCHIVE PROPOSAL (LIBRARY DIRECTOR MELANIE WEIGEL)

Library Director Weigel explained her proposal for housing community historical materials. The intent is to create a dedicated space within the library to serve as the physical archives, where the items can be stored in a manner that best preserves them.

The cost of the project is $10,300 which includes $2,500 for preservation supplies and digital access and hiring a part-time person at an annual cost of $7,800. Grant opportunities are being pursued as well. General discussion continued with responses from Library Director Weigel and Tina Horve, current volunteer historian. All agreed this is highly important for the community. Mayor Peck praised Horve for her efforts and noted that her involvement lends further credibility to the quality of the historical items and information.

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the expenditure of $10,300 for the historical preservation efforts and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Johnson, Shaw

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. RESOLUTION 1-2024 FOR THE USE OF MFT/RBI FUNDS FOR US 51 IMPROVEMENT (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of acquiring these funds for the design of the US Route 51 improvement project. The Village has $230,004.72 RBI funds that need to be spent by July 1, 2025. Village Engineer Buening confirmed that work will likely begin in early May weather permitting. A short discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the use of MFT/RBI funds for US 51 as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Johnson, Shaw

Motion declared carried.

Page 6 of 82

Village of Forsyth

Board Meeting Minutes

January 16, 2024

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING BUSEY FARM REPORT BY COREY ZELHART (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Farm Manager Corey Zelhart reported on the status of 2023 Village farmland production, financials and 2024 productivity forecasts. He reported income of $166,939.01, expenses of $86,061.87, leaving a net profit of $80,877 for the Village. He said planting could likely start early to mid-April and that should any of the land happen to sell, seed and supplies can always be returned. A short discussion ensued by the Trustees.

No Motion needed.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING POTENTIAL TIF GRANT FOR ANDREW HENDRIAN AT THE PROPERTY OF 130 E. COX (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee introduced Andrew Hendrian who is the new owner of the apartment complex north of Caseys and noted the improvements that have been and more to be implemented in the near future. He is requesting $25,000 for the total project, which was $68,900. TIF IL has approved that all expenses would be eligible. A short discussion followed with Board members agreeing that this is the type of development the Village is looking for.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the $25,000 matching grant as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Johnson, Shaw

Motion declared carried.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING OUR USE OF LAND IN THE PRAIRIE WINDS SUBDIVISION (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee introduced the topic to discuss what portion of the Prairie Winds land would make the most sense for the Village to keep in their possession. A lengthy discussion ensued including discussion of the location of pickleball courts and tennis courts, if both should be located in separate areas, or continue farming the land and the willingness of the high school to share in the tennis courts costs. Administrator Applebee said that one developer has shared their master plan but she has yet to receive such plan from the second developer. After a lengthy discussion, the Board agreed that Lot 4 is the best choice to locate a playground, pond and pickleball court. This topic will be discussed further in the next strategic meeting.

No Motion needed.

5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING POTENTIAL ROAD IN THE PRAIRIE WINDS SUBDIVISION (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained the road details on the map (green line) directing traffic from County Highway 20 to the school parking lot. She stated that the Maroa/Forsyth School District has approved to put $500,000 towards this road project since this will reduce traffic congestion on County Highway 20 and improve overall safety. A lengthy discussion followed regarding long-term responsibility of road upkeep and the benefits of a partnership between the Village, developers, the school district and Crawfords. The conclusion was that the next step should be a direct conversation with the developers to confirm if either wants Lot 4 for housing then after that decision move forward with the road topic. Administrator Applebee and Mayor Peck will schedule those developer conversations.

No Motion needed.

6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING POTENTIAL SEWER/WATER DRAINAGE IN THE PRAIRIE WINDS SUBDIVISION (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Mayor Peck said this is the same discussion that was had in #5 topic above. Further conversations with the developers need to happen first before decisions are made. A brief discussion ensued.

No Motion needed.

7. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING CRAWFORDS INCENTIVES INCLUDING TIF PERCENTAGES FOR THE PROJECT IN PRAIRIE WINDS (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Mayor Peck stated that Crawfords cost is $3.5 million. He suggested that the Board consider being the bank. If the Village loaned them this money at a lesser rate than the bank it was still more money than the Village is making now on investments. This also creates a supporting partnership to see them be successful and would also act as our collateral. A lengthy discussion ensued around the legality of the Village to be able to do this. Village Attorney Petrilli said Sorling has attorneys who deal with banking laws and will have them research this possibility. The Board agreed to table the topic until those answers have been discovered.

Mayor Peck then directed the Board’s attention back to the Treasurer’s report and opened it for questions and discussion. Trustee Gruenewald questioned if there are opportunities to generate more interest on our fund balances. He asked the Board if they were interested in pursuing this. He suggested looking at funds we have no plans for to find new avenues to generate a greater return on investment. Village Treasurer explained that the Village investment choices are dictated by policy that limits which banks are available for our use, and the Village staff is not allowed to randomly shop various banking facilities unless the Board approves policy changes. After discussion, the general consensus is that the investment policy is very old and needs to be reviewed and brought up to date and Administrator Applebee will make sure the policy is reviewed.

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 8:45 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(71).pdf