Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Nov. 5.

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 Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli, Village Engineer Jeremy Buening, Planning and Zoning Director Ryan Raleigh, Village Library Director Melanie Weigel

Staff Absent: Public Works Director Darin Fowler

Others Present: resident Bill Krueger

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 15, 2024

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented with the exception of not approving the Mann Engineering invoice 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.

Resident Bill Kreiger said he was very impressed with the new mall bike path pavement along with the recent weeding throughout the parks so he thanked the Board and the staff.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Sheriff Deputy Casner had no report. There was a brief discussion on the number of people continuing to run stops signs within the Village.

2. Village Staff Reports

Trustee Shaw asked about the main park parking lot status. Village Engineer Buening said they are waiting on parts for the underground water retention storage. He also gave a brief update on the Sports and Nature Park status. Mayor Peck said he attended the opening of the new park playground and was impressed with the high attendance and praised Administrator Applebee for the great organization of it all. Village Engineer Buening gave updates on the status of the grade school bike path, Rt. 51 medians and the sealing of them, and will look into the broken concrete on the mall bike path by Hickory Point Christian Village. Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh gave a brief update on the process of confirming which water values are open and closed within the Village. Mayor Peck then asked for volunteer participation in Salvation Army bell ringing at Hobby Lobby on December 14.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-35 AN ORDINANCE REGARDING FORSYTH TIF DISTRICT AMENDMENT TO THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF FORSYTH AND SULLIVAN DEVELOPERS, LLC AND REED W. SULLIVAN (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that the TIF agreement approved for Carpet Weavers did not include ISC Enterprises, Inc. as it should have. This amendment corrects that and no other changes are occurring within the agreement. A brief discussion followed.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the TIF amendment as presented and Trustee Shaw 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. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-36 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR ALL CORPORATE PURPOSES FOR THE VILLAGE OF FORSYTH, MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024 (VILLAGE TREASURER RHONDA STEWART)

Village Treasurer Stewart explained that the levy was approved to move forward at an October Board meeting. This requested action tonight is for formal approval.

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the 2024 tax levy as presented and Trustee Johnson 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.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING PAVEMENT STRIPING CHANGE ORDER #1 (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the $75,393.50 change order for pavement striping. Upon questions from the Board he explained that additional striping was requested from Public Works Director Fowler. The striping will be done next spring once the contract is approved tonight.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the pavement striping change order #1 for $75,393.50 as presented and Trustee Young 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.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING PARKING LOT #A CONSTRUCTION SERVICES (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the reconstruction for Parking Lot A. Services in the contract include site visits, reviews of shop drawings, maintaining record of contractor’s activities during site visits, review of partial and final pay estimates and review of contractor’s requests for information. A Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the construction services assistance bid not to exceed $20,000 as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 1 – Gruenewald

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING WELL #7 SECOND AMENDED AGREEMENT (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained that the contractor Burdick has done a poor job on this job causing Public Works Director to request additional oversight from Chastain until the job is completed. The costs have also increased due to numerous meetings with the nearby landowner, further hydraulic analysis and creating additional erosion control measures. There have also been compliance issues with the EPA. Mayor Peck asked Village Attorney Petrilli to review the contract for remedy of the additional costs incurred due to wrongdoing and negligence on the part of Burdick. A lengthy discussion ensued.

No Motion needed.

6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING AVALON-TALON PRAIRIE RECONSTRUCTION CHANGE ORDER #1 AND FINAL (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the change order which resulted in a net deduction to the contract of $33,779.25. A brief Board discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Avalon-Talon-Prairie reconstruction change order #1 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.

7. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING GRAYHAWK 1ST ADDITION PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE CHANGE ORDER #1 AND FINAL (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the change order which resulted in a net deduction to the contract of $7,618.88. A brief Board discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Grayhawk 1st addition pavement maintenance change order #1 as presented 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.

8. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING MALL PATH REHABILITATION CHANGE ORDER #1 AND FINAL (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the change order which resulted in a net deduction to the contract of $38,154.71. A brief Board discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the mall path rehabilitation change order #1 as presented 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.

NEW BUSINESS

1. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING VILLAGE SALES TAX (VILLAGE TREASURER RHONDA STEWART)

Village Attorney Petrilli explained the IGA will end but not the tax itself. The tax can be used for public infrastructure. The tax goes on indefinitely until the Board directs staff to notify the Illinois Department of Revenue to end at an appointed time. She then explained what the Board must do to continue the tax. Mayor Peck said all future new construction within the Village will need funding to support additional infrastructure. A lengthy Board discussion ensued with all agreeing the tax should continue.

No Motion needed.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING FORSYTH VILLAGE 2025 BUDGET 1 REVIEW (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained many staff hours have been put into this. This is a first review, revisions will be made based on discussions, and then the final approval must occur at the first Board meeting in December. She proceeded to outline the highlights of the budget then asked for Board input on budget areas of concern. A lengthy discussion ensued.

No Motion needed.

CLOSED SESSION: Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1): The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve to move to Closed Session and Trustee Young 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 8:50 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(89).pdf