Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Feb. 18.

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 Dave Wendt, Trustee Lauren Young, Trustee Jeremy Shaw

Absent: Trustee Bob Gruenewald, Trustee Jeff London

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

Others Present: Lacie Elzy, Nikki Furloft, Sean Bowsher, Andrew Hendrian, Bill Krueger, Michael Dougherty

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 21, 2025

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR JANUARY 31, 2025

MOTION

Trustee Wendt 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: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

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 Deputies Casner and Roberts had no significant items to report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Village Engineer Buening confirmed that Parking Lot A and the Sports and Nature Park tile repairs are still the priority. Public Works Director Fowler said they are still problem solving with the inconsistent testing on Well 7. He also said the first week of May is scheduled for the annual clean-up days. Waste Management cannot do the door-to-door trash pick-up so staging at the Water Plant like last year may be required. Trustee Shaw thanked Village Treasurer Stewart for the additional reports he requested and said they are helpful to him.

OLD BUSINESS

1. RESOLUTION NUMBER 1-2025 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR FEDERALLY FUNDED CONSTRUCTION WITH IDOT FOR BIKE PATH PROJECT AND APPROVING EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR THE BIKE PATH PROJECT (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that the Village is moving forward with the construction of a new bike path extending from the existing path at the intersection of Cox Street and Smith Street to the east entrance of Maroa-Forsyth grade school and is funded through the IDOT ITEP program with an 80/20 funding structure. A brief Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

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

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

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Village of Forsyth

Board Meeting Minutes

February 18, 2025

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-3 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A VARIANCE TO CONVERT BILLBOARD TO A DIGITAL BILLBOARD ON PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS PART OF THE SW ¼ OF THE NW ¼ OF SECTION 23, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH, RANGE 2 EAST OF THE 3RD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN IN MACON COUNTY ILLINOIS (PART OF “FORSYTH PLAZA SOUTH”) (PIN: 07-07-23-151-004) (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh outlined the details of the variance request to install a second digital billboard on the south side of the existing one near Route 51. He noted that it was unanimously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw 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: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-4 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGGREGATION PROGRAM AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF FORSYTH, ILLINOIS, AND ILLINOIS POWER MARKETING LLC D/B/A/ HOMEFIELD ENERGY (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained the annual aggregation program. After reviewing the new plan and noting it was very similar to last year’s, she had the authority to approve it which she did. Residents can still either opt in or opt out. This contract will be honored for 12 months.

MOTION

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

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

3. RESOLUTION NUMBER 2-2025 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH MAROA-FORSYTH COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2 (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee recommended approval of the contract with the school district for the 2025 calendar year for rental of the softball and baseball fields. The one-year contract remains at $10,500, which is unchanged from previous years. Maroa/Forsyth has priority but not exclusivity. A brief discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Resolution as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

4. RESOLUTION NUMBER 3-2025 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF DECATUR RELATED TO URBAN TRANSIT NETWORK (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained the details of the IGA for micro-transit on demand services for everyone within the Village and Macon County. There is a nominal fee for this service. The City of Decatur is asking the Village to purchase one van every five years starting in 2026 with Decatur paying for the van maintenance. City of Decatur representative Lacie Elzy further explained details of the service. There is a 30-day opt-out clause. Should things not work out the van would come back to the Village for use or selling. The launch date is July 1, 2026.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Resolution as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

5. RESOLUTION NUMBER 4-2025 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN EXCLUSIVITY AGREEMENT WITH BLUEROCK EVENT SOLUTIONS (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee provided a summary of this exclusive agreement with BlueRock Event Solutions. She said they have provided excellent reliable service and are easy to work with during any event.

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: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING DESIGN AND BIDDING ON FORSYTH BIKE PATH REHABILITATION (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained that per our 2025 budget $30,000 was included for the design and bidding by Chastain and Associates on this project. After a brief Board discussion all agreed on this contract and for it to not exceed $30,000.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the contract not to exceed $30,000 as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

7. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING LIBRARY CHILDREN’S AREA FURNITURE (LIBRARY DIRECTOR MELANIE WIEGEL)

Village Library Director Wiegel explained the increased need for seating in the kids’ play area. The purchases will be made locally and the cost is quoted at $6,097.00. A brief discussion followed.

MOTION

Trustee Johnson made a Motion to approve the purchase as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

8. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING PRAIRIE WINDS STORMWATER AND UTILITY DESIGN FOR NEW ROAD – PHASE A (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the Prairie Winds Stormwater and Utility Design for the new road in Phase A of this major project. The first phase will complete a drainage study to understand how best to retain drainage for the proposed road. A brief discussion ensued and agreed with the contract not to exceed $9,200.00

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the contract not to exceed $9,200 as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

9. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING HOPE AND MARION ROADS (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee met with Horves since they are taking over the duplex portion of Hickory Point Christian Village. Horves are requesting the Village to take over those private roads with maintenance and plowing along with the sidewalks. Individual approaches are still under discussion. The Board discussed the issue of when it becomes a public road and the consequences of that choice. Communication will be needed for residents informing them that it will no longer be a private road and it will be a public road. The Board is split so no consensus could be reached. Administrator Applebee will share this with Horves.

10. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING HENDRIAN REDEVELOPMENT GRANT (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained the details of the $25,000 request for a Commercial Revitalization TIF Grant for the property at 105 South Route 51. The project has already been approved by TIF. Mr. Hendrian described the improvements that would be made. A brief Board discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to approve the grant request as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

11. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING 2025 ANNUAL ROADWAY MAINTENANCE (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained details of the major projects included in this annual maintenance contract with Chastain and Associates. A brief Board discussion ensued and the contract was agreed upon and not to exceed $35,000.00.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the contract not to exceed $35,000 as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

12. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING HOTEL/MOTEL TAX FUND REQUEST FOR FUNDING (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained the annual request for funding and noted the (3) three requests as follows: Hardy’s Highway Race for the Lake $5,000; 35th Annual Shoreline Classic $1,500 or $3,000 for premier sponsorship; MidState Cup Soccer Tournament $5,000. A brief discussion was held.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the three requests as follows: Hardy’s Highway Race for $5,000, Shoreline Classic for $3,000 and Soccer Tournament for $5000 and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, Shaw

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, London

Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Wendt made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 P.M.

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