Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Feb. 20.

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, Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Lauren Young (late)

Absent: Trustee Bob Gruenewald, Trustee Marilyn Johnson

Staff Present: Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Village Engineer Jeremy Buening, Village Library Director Melanie Weigel, Public Works Director Darin Fowler, Village Attorney Andrew Jarmer

Others Present: Teri Hamel, Bill Krueger, Sean Bowsky, Nittea Harwick, Susan Urquhart

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 6, 2024

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 31, 2024 MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Wendt, London, Peck, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 3 – Gruenewald, Young, Johnson

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 Deputies Casner and Pistorious had nothing significant to report.

2. Village Staff Reports

No questions or comments for the staff.

OLD BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING WATER TOWERS, GROUND STORAGE TANK & AERATOR STANDPIPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the difference between applying for an IEPA loan or not applying for an IEPA loan. Per Administrator Applebee the staff recommends applying for the loan. The Board discussed the pros and cons of each choice.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the first alternative for a total amount of $150,000 for the water towers, ground storage tank and aerator maintenance as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Johnson

Motion declared carried.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING CRAWFORD INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL PRAIRIE WINDS DEVELOPMENT (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Mayor Peck provided an update and the results of Trustees’ opinions regarding the 80/20 offer to Crawfords. Crawfords rejected the offer and said 90/10 is all they can do. Mayor Peck then asked the Board for their opinions on a 90/10 offer split with Crawfords being responsible for all the infrastructure. TIF IL wants to see Crawford’s business plan along with more hard costs before they can tighten up the numbers. A lengthy discussion ensued with Trustees expressing their potential support, concerns, and opinions. The next step is for Crawfords to submit their business plan and engineering costs to TIF IL. After that, the Board will continue their discussions.

No Motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING HOTEL/MOTEL TAX GRANT (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained three requests were received this year. They are Hardy’s Highway Race for the Lake ($5,000.00), 35th Annual Shoreline Classic ($1,500.00), and MidState Cup Soccer Tournament ($4,092.00). Sean Bowser (fulltime Decatur police officer and boat racer) spoke about his interest in the boat races which were last held 20 years ago. There is widespread interest in bringing racing back to Lake Decatur on June 8-9. All racers will stay at Homewood Suites, and this family friendly event will bring local and out of state spectators and dollars to the local economy. This is also a five year contracted event. The Village would be a top tier sponsor at $5,000.00. There are fourteen classes with an average of six boats per class at 60-120 mph. Teri Hamel shared further event details. Lakeshore Drive will be closed during the event.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the request of $5,000.00 to the Hardy’s Highway Race for the Lake event as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Johnson

Motion declared carried.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the request of $1,500.00 to the 35th Annual Shoreline Classic event as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Johnson

Motion declared carried.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the request of $4,092.00 to the MidState Cup Soccer Tournament event as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Johnson

Motion declared carried.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING UNATTENDED DONATION BOXES (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that donations boxes have been installed within Forsyth without Village permission. Many residents are unhappy and often the boxes are unattended and overflowing. Tonight’s discussion is only to set a fee and she suggested $100 annually. If the Board does not want the donation boxes at all within the Village note that the Planning & Zoning Committee is currently working on that topic. An application has been developed that will also be required along with the fee. Board discussion ensued regarding location, fee, number of boxes, all of which will be confirmed in the near future.

MOTION

Trustee London made a Motion to approve the required $100 annual fee for the property owner to pay along with the completion of an application as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Johnson

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR DESIGN ENGINEERING PHASE SERVICES GRAYHAWK PATCHING AND CURB REPLACEMENT (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the scope of services for design engineering phase services for the Grayhawk patching and curb replacement project for a cost of $10,837. A short discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Grayhawk 1st Addition Pavement Patching contract for $10,837 as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Johnson

Motion declared carried.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR DESIGN ENGINEERING PHASE SERVICES PRAIRIE AT TALON INTERSECTION RECONSTRUCTION (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details for scope of services for these design services for Prairie at Talon intersection reconstruction for a cost of $28,846. A brief Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the design engineering phase services for Prairie at Talon intersection reconstruction at a cost of $28,846.00 as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Johnson

Motion declared carried.

5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING AVALON BOULEVARD REBIDDING SERVICES FOR RECONSTRUCTION (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details for rebidding services for reconstruction on Avalon Boulevard. Mayor Peck expressed concern that the need is not yet there. Village Engineer Buening explained the details and need for this during a Board discussion. Public Works Director Fowler shared more details on the areas that are failing and the need to completely repair this area.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Avalon Boulevard rebidding services for reconstruction proposal not to exceed $10,000.00 as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Johnson

Motion declared carried.

6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING WATER TREATMENT PLANT CLARICONE & FILTER MAINTENANCE CHANGE ORDER (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the change order for the Water Treatment Plant Maintenance project. There are two options to consider. Public Works Director Fowler thinks there is definitely a need for sandblast and paint and then it would be like a brand-new interior of the plant. He also felt the first option would be a waste of money. We have financial room to do everything we need and doing the sandblasting and painting would provide another 20 years of life in the plant.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve construction contract change order #2b for the additional $104,366 as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Young, Wendt, London, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Johnson

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/External_Meeting_Packet(73).pdf