Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met July 2.

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, 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: Andrew Hendrian, Bill Krueger, Matt Crawford, Mare Cunningham, Brad McCool, Sandy Lynch, Randy Grigg

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 18, 2024

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF JUNE 20, 2024

3. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda and requested specific corrections to the Special Meeting minutes of June 20, 2024 and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 6 – Johnson, London, Gruenewald, Young, Wendt, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

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.

Resident Bill Krueger had several questions for the Board regarding sales tax revenue and projected cannabis revenue. Mare Cunningham, pastor at Maroa and Forsyth churches, introduced herself.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Sheriff Deputy Hale reported retail thefts are still an issue. There are still some smash and grabs at the park that they are working to curtail.

2. Village Staff Reports

Trustee Gruenewald reported on the recent disk golf tourney that had ninety-four participants from in state, out of state and one out of the country. Many positive comments were received about the course and its condition so he congratulated Public Works Director Fowler and his staff for an excellent job.

OLD BUSINESS

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

Village Engineer Buening explained the costs for the Woodland Hills street rehabilitation project. Chastain and Associates proposal is for $106,000 which is well within the $130,000 projected budget. A brief discussion was held.

MOTION

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

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

Yeas: 6 – Johnson, London, Gruenewald, Young, Wendt, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-14 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A VARIANCE RELATING TO SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 105 S. ROUTE 51 (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the details of the variance request for a change in the setback requirements. Owner Andrew Hendrian is asking for permission to place a fence and storage building within twenty feet of the U.S. Route 51 right of way. He is also asking to have a storage building be placed on the property on the interior side lot line. Hendrian spoke at length with the Board and is willing to make some modifications. A lengthy discussion ensued in which the ultimate question became which is considered the front yard and which is considered the side yard on this property. Village Attorney Petrilli will research this and the topic was tabled for the evening.

No Motion needed.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-15 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE VILLAGE’S ZONING MAP TO CHANGE THE ZONING AT 130 S. GRANT STREET FROM OT TO R-2 (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained that the owner is asking for a map amendment for this lot in Old Town to R-2 Multi-Family Residential. The lot is currently empty except for an old accessory structure in the back of the property. Listing agent Randy Grigg answered several questions from the Board. A lengthy discussion was held by the Board with many concerns for both the pros and cons of making this amendment.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt 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 – Peck, Young, Shaw, Wendt

Nays: 3 – Gruenewald, London, Johnson

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared failed as five (5) yes votes are required as two thirds of the majority for a map amendment per Village Attorney Petrilli.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING DISTRIBUTION OF HOTEL/MOTEL TAX DOLLARS (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained the following requests for funding have been received: Lake Decatur Fall Frenzy Bass Tournament for $2,500 and Hydro Racing on Lake Decatur for $5,000. A brief discussion was held by the Board.

MOTION

Trustee Johnson made a Motion to approve the two requests as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 6 – Johnson, London, Gruenewald, Young, Wendt, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SPORTS AND NATURE PARK TILE (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Jeremy Buening explained that an old 8” clay field tile was discovered while excavating the Sports and Nature Park pond. Unfortunately, there are no maps showing the location of the tiles on the Village property nor on the neighboring properties. He offered the following options to consider: 1) Reroute the existing 8” tile around the south side of the pond at a cost of $184,200.00. 2) Upsize the existing 8” tile to 12” tile and reroute around the south side of the pond at a cost of $295,600.00. Regardless of which option is chosen, the repair has to happen. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the two options.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve Option 2 for the 12” tile at a cost of $295,600.00 and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Peck, Young, Johnson, Wendt

Nays: 3 – Gruenewald, London, Shaw

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING PRAIRIE WINDS SANITARY ANNEXATION (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained the need to decide if the Board wants to pay to annex only the 12 acres for Crawfords or the whole 117.35 acres. The cost is $1,280 per acre. Crawfords 12 acres would cost $15,360 and the entire 117.35 acres would cost $150,208. There is no advantage to doing all of the acres versus doing just the 12 acres. After discussion, the Board agreed this is part of infrastructure and the cost of the twelve acres would be applied to the $400,000 in the budget.

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 8:20 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(81).pdf