Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Nov. 19.

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, Public Works Director Darin Fowler

Others Present: Bill Krueger

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2024 2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 31, 2023 MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda with a typo correction to the minutes as noted as 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.

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

Sheriff Deputy Casner had no incidents to report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Village Engineer Buening confirmed that pipe repairs are in the process at the Sports and Nature Park and once that is done seeding and tree planting will be done this year. He reported that sealing of the Route 51 medians is still expected to be completed this year, and also gave an update on the status of Parking Lot A. Trustee Gruenewald inquired about the pond level at the Sports and Nature Park which lead to a short discussion of routing water to the pond as needed in the future, all of which is dependent on dry or wet weather conditions throughout the year. Trustee Shaw requested a general overall chart of all funds to make for easier comprehension, and Village Treasurer said she would create one to be included in the Treasurer’s reports in the future.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-37 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE SECTION 32.04 AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 839 ALL RELATED TO NON-HOME RULE MUNICIPAL RETAILERS’ OCCUPATION TAX AND NON HOME RULE MUNICIPAL RETAILER’S SERVICE OCCUPATION TAX (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI)

Village Attorney Petrilli explained the details of this ordinance which allows the Village to use that tax for other infrastructure items after the school loan is paid off.

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, Wendt, Shaw, Young

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

2. RESOLUTION NUMBER 8-2024 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI)

Village Attorney Petrilli explained that the agreement is the same as the last agreement other than the increase in salary and reviews are to be conducted in October. A brief discussion ensued. The term of the contract in Section 2A needs to be corrected to reflect it from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028, and Village Attorney Petrilli will correct and forward the revised copy to the Village for signing.

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Resolution as presented with the modification of correcting the term to show from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028 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.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING NORTH/SOUTH ROAD PROJECT IN PRAIRIE WINDS (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee said the bill from Mann Engineering & Surveying for a total of $23,698.90 was previously discussed at the November 5, 2024 Board meeting and approval withheld until further confirmation of all details. This work covers services provided for the north/south road project in Prairie Winds and is now ready for approval by the Board. A brief discussion followed.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the payment of the Mann Engineering & Surveying invoice 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 2ND DRAFT OF 2025 BUDGET (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that previous requested revisions have been made and shared what those items were. A lengthy Board discussion ensued on various budget details and searching for ways to reduce the overall deficit. Upon unanimous agreement the Board instructed Administrator Applebee to collaborate with staff and reduce the deficit from $7 million to $4 million and Administrator Applebee agreed to complete the task.

No Motion needed as budget will be revised and brought to the December 2 meeting for final approval.

NEW BUSINESS

1. RESOLUTION NUMBER 7-2024 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE VILLAGE’S PARTICIPATION IN THE REGION VIII EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER FOR THE INTERLOCAL PURCHASING SYSTEM (TIPS) (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler explained this is a national cooperative purchasing program. Joining this free program would guarantee that this choice of Byrne & Jones is providing the best choice for residents and the Village would receive the best price possible in these projects. A brief discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw made a Motion to approve the Resolution as presented and Trustee Wendt 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 2024-38 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING PROPOSAL FROM BYRNE & JONES SPORTS CONSTRUCTION (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler explained the details of the $379,200 quote from Bryne & Jones for new backstops to be installed to the baseball and softball facilities. A Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Young 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, Wendt, Shaw, Young

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

3. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024-39 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE ADOPTING CERTAIN BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained that in the past it has been the practice that all municipalities in Macon County utilize the same building codes version. This allows all builders, architects and contractors to be on the same page when it comes to codes. The Village is currently using the 2015 version and would like to join Decatur and Mt. Zion in using the 2021 version effective January 1, 2025. A brief Board discussion was held.

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: 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 Young seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(90).pdf