Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met June 4.

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 Bob Gruenewald, Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Lauren Young, Trustee Dave Wendt

Absent: Trustee Jeremy Shaw

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 Lisa Petrilli, Public Works Director Darin Fowler, Planning and Zoning Director Ryan Raleigh

Others Present: Bill Krueger, Ed Flynn, Andrew Hendrian

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 21, 2024

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

MOTION

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – 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 Casner had no notable incidents to report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Trustee Gruenewald had a question regarding Well 7 and also the status of the median pattern and color to which Village Engineer Buening answered. Trustee Gruenewald then asked for a layout on the Forsyth Park playground before we bid it out and all agreed it was a good choice. Trustee Wendt expressed frustration with residents and businesses not mowing according to ordinance standards. Planning & Zoning Director Raleigh has spoken with Starbucks regarding their tall grass which needs mowing. Public Works Director Fowler responded to questions regarding the cut holes in several residents’ driveways for the installation of fiber optics. The companies have promised to return and repair all the driveways at once. Public Works Director Fowler noted that preparation requests have not been received for the disk golf tournament but he and his staff are reviewing the entire course.

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 said they have not heard back from Waste Management for further comment on this topic. Mayor Peck reviewed the ordinance amendment. A short discussion was held.

MOTION

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING FISHING PIERS FOR SPORTS AND NATURE PARK (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the options available for consideration are the land-based fishing pier and the fixed fishing pier and asked for Board input. Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh is still waiting on estimates from G&H Marine on these options so no vote was taken at this time.

No Motion needed.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING THE POTENTIAL SALE OF CANNABIS WITHIN THE VILLAGE OF FORSYTH (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Attorney Ed Flynn spoke to the Board on behalf of his client. He explained this industry is exploding and his client estimates a possible $250,000 - $400,000 sales revenue is possible for the Village should they approve a retail store. He suggested that if the Village moves forward with approval that they consider only one (1) license so the Village is not overrun with multiple businesses of this type. Several Board members expressed the importance and consequences of soliciting Village residents’ opinions, and that it being a controversial topic elevates the need for public input. After a lengthy discussion, the Board agreed to organize a public meeting in June and again in July at the Community Room in the Forsyth Library. After that input is received the Board will discuss future steps on the topic.

No Motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-11 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A VARIANCE RELATING TO NON-RESIDENTIAL WALL SIGNS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 990 N. ROUTE 51 (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained this variance request is for four (4) wall signs for the new Five Below retail store. Staff are recommending approval of the variance due to the property having three (3) street frontages and two (2) parking lot frontages. The Planning and Zoning Committee unanimously recommended approval of the variance. A short discussion was held regarding any monument signs.

MOTION

Trustee London made a Motion to approve the sign proposal for Five Below with a condition of no additional signs and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-12 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A SPECIAL USE AT 105 S. ROUTE 51 TO ALLOW SELF-STORAGE FACILITIES (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the details of the special use permit request which would allow Andrew Hendrian to place portable self-storage building on the lot. This was unanimously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Hendrian explained that sheds will set above the rock lot and not directly on it. A short Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the special use permit for 105 S. Route 51 as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING WOODLAND HILLS REHAB PROJECT (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained that this discussion is to address the design and bidding of this project. Mayor Peck questioned that there are other Village roads in worse condition than these, particularly in the general area of the Forsyth Library. Public Works Director confirmed that water main repairs are first needed in that area before road improvement occurs. A lengthy Board discussion ensued with the conclusion that Village Engineer Buening will gather estimates for the water main and road repairs in the area near the Forsyth Library and present them to the Board for further discussion and prioritization of that project or the Woodland Hills rehab project.

No Motion needed.

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(80).pdf