Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met April 1.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor 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 Jeff London

Absent: Trustee Bob Gruenewald, Trustee Jeremy Shaw

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

Others Present: Tina & Steve Horve, Becky Wisher, Michael Dougherty, Tom Cantwell, Bill Krueger

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 18, 2025

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

MOTION

Trustee London 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, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Shaw

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 Michael Dougherty asked the Board to address the e-bike issue on the bike paths.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Sheriff Deputies Ziegler and Hale had nothing significant to report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Village Engineer Buening confirmed the following: Route 51 median sealer will be done after curbing is completed and we have consistent warmer weather. Seeding and tree planting are still scheduled at the Sports and Nature Park. Crosswalk striping will be completed by June 1. Parking lot A paving is scheduled for next week. He estimates Route 51 crossings to be completed by the end of May.

Public Works Director Fowler said that Well 7 has produced two qualified samples and is now waiting on the final operating permit so the project is close to completion. The bike path to school bid will be going out in the next few weeks and should be awarded in April or May. The water tower paint project is waiting on the IEPA loan which should have results in June. The bidding should happen in August then it will be dependent upon availability of painting contractors. The goal is to have it painted by end of fall 2025.

Trustee Wendt gave kudos to the staff on the successful candidate forum. Trustee Johnson said the sidewalks on the old side of town are bad and need repair. Public Works Director Fowler said some sidewalks will be taken care of via a Safe Routes to School loan and will work on them this year. He also said there was a good turnout for the disk golf tourney last week. The spillway is undermined underneath and will be addressed. He agreed that e-bikes speeding all over town are becoming a problem.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-6 AN ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTING A MUNICIPAL GROCERY RETAILERS’ OCCUPATION TAX AND A MUNICIPAL GROCERY SERVICE OCCUPATION TAX (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained this topic was discussed at the last meeting and the tax was agreed upon. The only task tonight is to approve the ordinance.

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, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Shaw

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-7 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING FINAL PLAT FOR MINOR SUBDIVISION OF PROPERTY AT 260 E. WEAVER ROAD, FORSYTH, MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS (PIN: 07-07-14-305-018) (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained this topic was discussed at the previous meeting and was met with Board approval. Tonight’s action is to approve the final plat. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval.

MOTION

Trustee Young 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: 3 – Wendt, Young, Peck

Nays: 2 – Johnson, London

Absent: 1 – Gruenewald, Shaw

Motion declared carried.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-8 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING FINAL PLAT FOR MINOR SUBDIVISION OF HICKORY POINT VILLAGE SUBDIVISION PROPERTY IN FORSYTH, MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS (PIN: 07-07-15-451-006) AND ACCEPTING THE DEDICATIN OF MARION AND HOPE (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained that Steve Horve has made a request for minor subdivision and a re-plat of Hickory Point Christian Village Subdivision. This topic was discussed at the previous Board meeting. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 to approve the replat. A brief Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Shaw

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING LIBRARY FURNITURE – STUDY POD (VILLAGE LIBRARY DIRECTOR MELANIE WEIGEL)

Library Director Weigel explained that as more visitors to the Forsyth Public Library continues to increase, there is a need for finding ways to better utilize the space. The need has arisen for a study pod, and she explained its features and where it will be placed in the library. After exploring online options, Illini Supply provided a quote of $21,854.40 which she recommends approving. A brief Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to approve the purchase of a study pod not to exceed $21,854.40 as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 4 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 2 – Gruenewald, Shaw

Motion declared carried.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SULLIVAN TIF (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that Sullivan Developers would like to purchase 3.5 – 4 acres on the south-east side of the current subdivision to include 10 additional Phase 3 homes. Developer Reed Sullivan answered questions and shared further details via the Zoom call. A Board lengthy discussion ensued. Eventually a consensus was met to move forward with the TIF.

No Motion needed.

5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING HORVE AGREEMENT (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained the terms of the lease agreement between Horve Developers, LLC and the Village of Forsyth. A Board discussion ensued with the Board agreeing to the terms. Village Attorney Petrilli explained she does not have a draft agreement but will present one at the next meeting.

No Motion needed.

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 7:15 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/5126/VOF/5607490/External_Meeting_Packet.pdf