Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Oct. 15.

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, Trustee Lauren Young

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

Staff Absent: Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Library Director Melanie Weigel Others Present: Matt Crawford, Reed Sullivan, Jake Horve, Will Horve

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 2024

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and Trustee Gruenewald 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.

None.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

No report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Village Engineer Buening will confirm if Moon Street sidewalks will be done in 2026 and report back. Public Works Director Fowler reported on the status of the striping of cross walks. Trustee Wendt recognized Darin Fowler for being inducted into USA Softball Hall of Fame. Trustee Gruenewald inquired about the status of the water tower loan option to which Village Engineer Buening said he is working with the IEPA on this. Also, a short discussion was held on the future crosswalk at the Sports and Nature Park. Trustee London asked Village Engineer Buening to check into the timing of the stoplight at Weaver and Rt. 51 versus at Cox Street. Trustee Shaw asked about the status of the Forsyth Park parking lot timeline to which Public Works Director Fowler replied it could be an early November completion date.

OLD BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING TIF GRANT FOR 105 SOUTH ROUTE 51 (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler summarized the TIF details. Andrew Hendrian has purchased the building; his projects are complete and he is asking for $25,000.00 reimbursement. TIF has approved the expenses to be eligible. A short discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the TIF grant as presented and Trustee Gruenewald 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.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING PRAIRIE WINDS ROADS (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler reiterated that the Prairie Winds project is a critical piece in Forsyth’s ongoing development efforts. The Horve Development Group has committed to Phase 1 of the project. The projects of Crawfords, Horves, and Sullivan will all benefit from this road. Discussion centered on the north/south road only. A lengthy discussion ensued including the topics of turn lanes, medians, location of all utilities along with the cost estimates. After discussion, a general consensus agreed to commit to the north/south road project.

No Motion needed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING CONCRETE ESTIMATES FOR FORSYTH PARK PLAYGROUNDS (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the details of the Village Park playground sidewalks estimate from Hutchins Excavating and Kingdom Concrete. A brief discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the estimate not to exceed $14,800 for the playground sidewalk work and Trustee Gruenewald 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.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Wendt made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee London seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(88).pdf