Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Sept. 17.

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

Telephone: Trustee Lauren Young

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

Staff Absent: Planning and Zoning Director Ryan Raleigh

Others Present: Bill Krueger, Joe Dugger

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve that Trustee Young be allowed to participate by telephone in this meeting due to out of town on business and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

Upon a voice vote, all agreed with no nays cast.

Motion declared carried.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 31, 2024

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented with changes as noted and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

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

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.

Joe Dugger, resident, shared his concerns about cars running the stop sign near his home and recommends speed humps (not speed bumps) be installed. He also asked for oversight of the fiber optics companies who are damaging yards unnecessarily.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

No report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Public Works Director Fowler spoke in response to Dugger’s comments and agrees the Village needs more police coverage. He also addressed the issue of fiber optics companies damaging residential lawns and stated which companies are more responsive.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-28 AN ORDINANCE SETTING WATER RATE FOR EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLIED TO CITY OF DECATUR PURSUANT TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler explained the previously discussed agreement was approved by the Decatur City Council. All agreed the rate cannot go higher than two (2) times the current rate.

MOTION

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Young

Motion declared carried.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING VILLAGE PARK PLAYGROUND AND CURBING (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Administrator Applebee explained the details of the bids received for drainage and curbing around the new playground at Village Park. A brief discussion ensued. Director of Planning and Zoning Raleigh recommends approving the quote from A & A Build, LLC. for $54,789.00.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the quote from A & A Build, LLC and not to exceed $54,789.00 as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Young

Motion declared carried.

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

Public Works Director Fowler explained the two fishing pier options and the appeal of a partial roof which would be most usable and functional. Discussion centered on if both floating piers need the partial roof or not and the decision was to have one with a roof and one without noting that the roof could be added later if needed. This is not budgeted for this year but will be included in the 2025 budget. This will be installed once the pond is full.

No Motion needed.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING DISC GOLF TOURNAMENT (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained she spoke with Nate Heinold regarding the growth of the disc golf tournament. He felt $20,000 would make a huge impact. She also spoke with the Decatur Park District about utilizing Fairview for a temporary course. A lengthy Board discussion ensued which ended in a consensus to increase the total purse to $20,000 and try a temporary course at Fairview at the cost of $7,000.

No Motion needed.

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

Administrator Applebee explained the printed handouts of initial designs for the potential play space at Sports and Nature Park. Then she addressed the current version of the strategic plan as a refresher. Several of the designs are not the full concept the staff envisioned but they will continue to be revised with the staff at Chastain & Associates. A lengthy discussion was held.

No Motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING PARK CAMERAS (DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ZONING RYAN RALEIGH)

Public Works Director Fowler explained the multiple needs for video surveillance cameras at Village Park and the baseball/softball complex, noting that this $15,542.00 quote from Altman Monitoring Solutions is covered within the budget. A discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the purchase of video surveillance cameras from Altman Monitoring for $15,542.00 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.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Wendt made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee 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(86).pdf