Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met May 21.

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 Marilyn Johnson, Trustee Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Bob Gruenewald, Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Lauren Young (late)

Absent: Trustee Dave Wendt

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

Staff Absent: Planning and Zoning Director Ryan Raleigh

Others Present: Sheriff Jim Ruot, Deputy Casner, Bill Krueger, Ed Flynn, Dave Schaab

Attorney Ed Flynn made a cannabis presentation on behalf of his client Illinois Health & Wellness. He shared a handout describing potential sales tax dollars that this type of business might generate. Mayor Peck called for input from each Board member regarding their level of interest in having cannabis sales in the Village. After a lengthy Board discussion, Attorney Flynn said he will ask his client if their license can be extended to January to allow the Board to learn more about the topic and time to involve Village residents’ opinions. The topic will return to a future Board agenda for further discussion.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 7, 2024 2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

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

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Wendt

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 Casner reported on current speeding issues. The park bathrooms will be checked more frequently to reduce the chance of vandalism. She shared a brief update on the homeless person who keeps appearing at the library.

2. Village Staff Reports

Village Engineer Buening confirmed work will start on the Sports and Nature Park when the rain lets up. He also said he would look into when the Avalon project will be bid out. He said the sample of stamped concrete for the Route 51 medians is yet to be received. Public Works Fowler said he is working on new Veteran’s Memorial ideas to upgrade the site. Mayor Peck said Public Works Director Fowler’s staff knows best about the conditions of the Village roads so Public Works Director Fowler and his staff will identify the top three worst road conditions instead of paying an outside company to do so.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-9 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE TO DECLARE A NUISANCE AND PROHIBIT GARBAGE AND/OR REFUSE COLLECTION WITHIN CERTAIN TIME PERIODS OF NIGHT (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained the details of the ordinance amendment request stemming from Village resident complaints. Dave Schaab from Waste Management shared the company’s concerns and eagerness to work together to find a solution. Mayor Peck confirmed the concerns are only focused on residential noise before 6:00 a.m. and not commercial pick-up noise. Trustee London pointed out that it is not the truck engine noise but the hydraulics sounds and the backing-up alert that make it a nuisance and an irritant. Mr. Schaab wants their corporate attorneys to review the situation and find ways to work together to which the Board agreed. The topic will continue to be addressed in the near future.

No Motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-10 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING PROPOSAL FROM OTTO’S CONSTRUCTION FOR ROOFING WORK ON VILLAGE PROPERTY (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler explained the details of roofing work that is needed within the various park buildings and facilities. He is looking to create consistency for all park roofs to become green metal roofs and has a budget of $100,000 for this purpose. He also explained that there will be an unknown amount of insurance money coming to cover the hail and storm damage that recently occurred. He received two (2) quotes and recommended accepting Otto’s Construction bid of $65,394.00 which has a 5-year workmanship warranty. A brief Board discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to approve to accept Otto’s Construction bid of $65,394.00 as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Wendt

Motion declared carried.

2. RESOLUTION NUMBER 4-2024 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF POLICE EQUIPMENT IN VEHICLES (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained Sheriff Jim Ruot has come to the Village with this request for replacement of some cameras and computers in the Village police vehicles. Sheriff Ruot explained the current 2014 and 2015 equipment needs replacing before December at which time it will no longer support the operating systems. The total cost for the equipment replacement is $34,672.85 and the Village has $30,000 budgeted for this.

A brief Board discussion ensued and Sheriff Ruot answered various questions from the Board.

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the request to replace said equipment at a cost of $34,672.85 as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Wendt

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING TIF APPLICATION FOR 121 COFFEE (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that 121 Coffee has requested a TIF Agreement with us for their potential new property on Menards Outlot #4. Staff is recommending the 75% Developer Share in the TIF agreement. Mayor Peck said this is similar to what was previously discussed with Ziggy’s. A short Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to approve the TIF application for 121 Coffee as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Wendt

Motion declared carried.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING GRASS LOTS IN THE VILLAGE (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Public Works Director Fowler explained that some areas in the Village are not being mowed properly. These properties allow the grass to grow very tall then bale it. Public Works Director Fowler is looking for direction from the Board on how to manage issues equally between residents and commercial properties. He prefers to be stricter and is looking for consistency in enforcement. Mayor Peck and the Trustees agreed that residential should be mowed. During the Board discussion it was agreed that commercial properties should be treated the same as residential but farming should be managed differently. Ultimately the Board agreed on stricter enforcement of the ordinance.

No Motion needed.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee London made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M.

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