Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Sept. 3.

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 Dave Wendt, Trustee Jeremy Shaw (late), Trustee Lauren Young

Staff Present: Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Village Library Director Melanie Weigel, Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli, Public Works Director Darin Fowler, Planning and Zoning Director Ryan Raleigh, Village Engineer Jeremy Buening

Others Present: Ed Flynn, Darryl Dougherty, Many Patel, Tom Adcock, Ryan Bevers, Bill Krueger, Dharmaraji Paramiswaran, Brittany Simms, Darcie McConnell, Steven Hedenberg

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 20, 2024

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF MOTOR FUEL TAX COMPLIANCE REVIEW FOR JAN. 1 TO DEC. 31, 2023

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald 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 – 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.

Several residents spoke about the need for more affordable housing within the Village.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

No report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck said the library event today was very well done with about 20+ residents attending. The question-and-answer session was excellent and thought the interaction with them was beneficial. Trustee Gruenewald inquired about the Route 51 median status and Village Engineer Buening replied that IDOT has six local projects going on at the same time so the same crew is hopping from job to job. Striping should begin this week or next. Trustee Young reported that there have been several close calls for kids crossing Forsyth Parkway after leaving the school bus and asked for some sort of signage to alert drivers. Administrator Applebee will also contact the school to request the bus to remain in place while the children cross the street. Resident Steven Hedenberg resident spoke about drivers not stopping at the stop sign at Jacobs Way.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-27 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE TO ADD SECTION 3.21 AND AMEND RELATED SECTIONS FOR ADULT-USE CANNABIS DISPENSING ORGANIZATION AS SPECIAL USE IN B, C1, AND C2 (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved this unanimously. Mayor Peck summarized that the Board already made several changes that are included in this ordinance. Village Attorney Petrilli further explained several details. A brief discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee London 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 – Johnson, London, Young, Shaw

Nays: 2 – Wendt, Gruenewald

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-28 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE VILLAGE’S ZONING MAP TO CHANGE THE ZONING AT 223 HIGHLAND FROM OT TO R2 (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the details of the amendment request. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-2 against it. Owner Darryl Dougherty plans to build a duplex on each of these half acre lot properties that are designed to look like single housing. He currently owns two duplexes in Forsyth and those have increased in value over the years. He also has a waiting list from local corporations in need of this type of housing.

A Board discussion ensued.

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-29 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE VILLAGE’S ZONING MAP TO CHANGE THE ZONING AT 237 HIGHLAND FROM OT TO R2 (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained that this is for the second property described above and a brief discussion ensued.

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

3. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-30 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VILLAGE WATER AND SEWER RATES (VILLAGE TREASURER RHONDA STEWART)

Village Treasurer Stewart explained this is the annual rate increase request as discussed last year. Mayor Peck noted how much lower our rates are compared to other nearby communities. He appreciated the additional information that she provided. Trustee Gruenewald had several questions based on the study conducted last year. She responded by saying the timing of the implementation of new rates impacted the projections. A brief Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to approve the Ordinance 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 DISC GOLF SPONSORSHIP (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained the details of our past and current interest in sponsorship of this event. Discussion centered around the possibility of a higher sponsorship and the amount of increased attendance and participation it might generate. After a Board discussion, Trustee Gruenewald and Administrator Applebee agreed to meet with event organizer Nick Heinold to discuss how best to increase the event and will then report back to the Board.

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the $10,000 Sponsorship as presented 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.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Wendt made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(85).pdf