Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met March 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 Dave Wendt, Trustee Lauren Young, Trustee Marilyn Johnson, Trustee Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Jeff London

Absent: Trustee Bob Gruenewald

Staff Present: Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Public Works Director Darin Fowler, Planning and Zoning Director Ryan Raleigh, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Village Engineer Representative Stephanie Brown, Village Library Director Melanie Weigel

Staff on Phone: Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli

Others Present: Bill Krueger

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2024 2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

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

Trustee Wendt 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 – Wendt, Shaw, Young, Johnson, London

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

Sheriff Deputy Evenson had few incidents to report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck asked Village Attorney Petrilli if she has been able to contact Kevin Greenfield of Macon County Board but has not heard back from him. Mayor Peck said he would try to find better contact information. The golf cart registration went smoothly with no complaints from residents.

OLD BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING VILLAGE OF FORSYTH STRATEGIC PLAN DRAFT (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

This was the last topic of the evening since it involved the most discussion. Village Administrator Applebee explained that she and the staff made before and after layouts of Forsyth Park, Sports and Nature Park, Veteran’s Park, and Prairie Winds depicting current amenities and potential amenities. A lengthy discussion ensued as each of the four areas were discussed.

No Motion needed.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING VILLAGE OF FORSYTH INVESTMENT POLICY (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that the staff has reviewed the policy and noted which items they updated. She then asked for Board input. Mayor Peck said there are two stockbrokers in town with Forsyth offices who sell Certificates of Deposits and are FDIC approved just like banks. Is this something the Board should consider? A discussion ensued regarding these brokered investments. Trustee Wendt will do more research and Board members will think about it then discuss again at a future meeting. The topic was tabled.

No Motion needed.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SPORTS AND NATURE PARK CONSTRUCTION SCOPE AND CONTRACT (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Representative Stephanie Brown explained that the project was reviewed again for the scope and observation time needed. She then explained the details of the changes to the contract, which reflects the need for less observation time. A brief discussion ensued. Work is scheduled to start May 1 or earlier.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the revised contract for not to exceed $114,000 as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-5 AN ORDINANCE ADDING TERRITORY TO ENTERPRISE ZONE AND APPROVING THE AMENEDMENT OF THE ENACTING ORDINANCE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (AMENDMENT 5) VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that the Economic Development Corporation approached the Village with four (4) total boundary amendments and asked for Village recommendation to approve. A brief discussion was held by the Board.

MOTION

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

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

Yeas: 4 – Shaw, Young, Johnson, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Abstain: 1 – Wendt (due to conflict of interest with employer ADM)

Motion declared carried.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-6 AN ORDINANCE ADDING TERRITORY TO ENTERPRISE ZONE AND APPROVING THE AMENDMENT OF THE ENACTING ORDINANCE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (AMENDMENT 6) (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that the Economic Development Corporation approached the Village with four (4) total boundary amendments and asked for Village recommendation to approve. A brief discussion was held by the Board.

MOTION

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING REPLACMENET OF COMMUNITY ROOM FURNITURE (VILLAGE LIBRARY DIRECTOR MELANIE WEIGEL)

Village Library Director Weigel explained the current condition of tables and chairs that need to be replaced at the library Community Room. The cost would be $10,289.75 instead of $9592.55 and would include a new table cart. The cost could be slightly more depending on freight charges. A short discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee London made a Motion to approve the purchase of the Community Room furniture as presented with the addition of a table cart and applicable shipping and freight charges that may be added and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING COZIAHR’S ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE BIKES EVENT (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that the 32nd annual Blessing of the Bikes will be held on April 28 at Coziahr’s. They request permission to block off Market Street from 8:00 – 4:00 p.m. on that day. A brief discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the closing of Market Street as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald

Motion declared carried.

5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING IDOT CROSSING (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Administrator Applebee explained that the approval of golf carts crossing US Route 51 is not permitted by IDOT. A discussion ensued regarding removing the language all together from the Ordinance and Village Attorney confirmed that you can take the language out altogether. She said other communities manage it by removing the language and IDOT cannot really enforce it. Public Works Director Fowler said IDOT told Effingham the same thing. After discussing the Board agreed to remove the language from the Ordinance and update the golf cart rules and repost the revisions on the same media channels.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to remove the section of the Ordinance that refers to Route 51 crossings and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

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

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 8:20 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(75).pdf