Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met May 6.

Here are the minutes 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, Trustee Bob Gruenewald

Absent: 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: Kevin & Stacey Hoadley, Linda Gruenewald, Sheree Park, Carson Park, Hannah Gruenewald, Alissa Gruenewald, Caden Gruenewald, Stephen Gruenewald, Mary Alice Cunningham, Eric Morr, John Kottke, Tammy Ashby, Dawn Wendt, Ryan Scott, Dani Scott, Justin Reed, Michael Scott, Mary Scott, Elizabeth Reed

CONSENT AGENDA

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

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 30, 2025

MOTION

Trustee Johnson 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: 5 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – 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 John Kotke spoke and shared a thank you to Johnson and Gruenewald for their Board services to the Village over the many years.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Sheriff Deputy Roberts had nothing significant to report other than the complaints regarding e-bikes on the bike paths.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck gave kudos to Village Engineer Buening regarding the high quality of Parking Lot A. Village Engineer Buening said sealer is being applied to Route 51 medians and pavement will be happening soon afterward. Well 7 is getting close and has been approved. He said the water tower painting project is waiting on the IEPA loan approval in June. If we are not approved this project still needs to be addressed as soon as possible. He also said he is waiting on a return phone call regarding the problem with Route 51 traffic light. The striping of Route 51 crosswalks has a June 1 completion date.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-9 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF FORSYTH, MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND SULLIVAN DEVELOPERS, LLC (PRAIRIE WINDS SUBDIVISION PROJECT) (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that developer Reed Sullivan desires to purchase 3.5 - 4 acres on the southeast side of the current subdivision to include 10 additional Phase 3 homes. After previous discussions it was decided to include this in his current TIF, allowing for 90%, with him covering all infrastructure and road costs. A brief discussion was held.

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: 5 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

2. RESOLUTION NUMBER 6-2025 A RESOLUTION FOR IMPROVEMENT UNDER THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE FOR MOON, ELWOOD AND SMITH STREETS (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained the details of the sidewalks repair. This project will connect to the bike trail to the school that is being developed. A brief discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee London 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: 5 – Johnson, Wendt, Young, London, Gruenewald

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING DANA MANN – PRAIRIE WINDS NORTH/SOUTH ROAD (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that during the March meeting the Board approved a Not to Exceed Agreement with Dana Mann for this project. That amount has been met and an additional 50 more hours of engineering services are needed at a cost of $9,000. A short discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the additional engineering services for $9,000.00 as presented and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

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 7:05 p.m.

At this point in the evening, Mayor Peck took a few minutes to express his gratitude to Trustees Gruenewald and Johnson for the combined 40 years of service they have given to the Village Board. Congratulations were given all around, photos taken with their plaques being presented to them, and refreshments were served.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Peck called the meeting to order at 7:20 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Upon a call of the roll, the following members were physically present: Mayor Jim Peck, Trustee Chelsie Kidd, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Lauren Young, Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Jim Ashby

Absent: 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

NEW BUSINESS

1. INSTALLATION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Clerk Marty swore in Jim Peck as the returning Mayor. Also sworn in were the new Trustees Jim Ashby and Chelsie Kidd along with returning Trustee Dave Wendt. A round of applause was given for all.

2. ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Attorney Petrilli explained the need for a Mayor Pro Tem and the process options to do so. The Board will elect one Trustee for this responsibility. Last time Mayor Peck selected Trustee Wendt and the Board agreed via vote. Mayor Peck made the same recommendation again then asked for Board discussion. All agree to elect Trustee Wendt as Mayor Pro Tem.

MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to approve Trustee Wendt as Mayor Pro Tem and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 5 – Wendt, Young, London, Kidd, Ashby

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

3. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-10 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING ADDING TERRITORY TO ENTERPRISE ZONE AND APPROVING THE AMENDMENT OF THE ENACTING ORDINANCE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (AMENDMENT 9) (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that the Decatur Macon County Enterprise Zone Board has approved the request for a boundary amendment to include an additional parcel into the Decatur-Macon County Enterprise Zone. A brief discussion ensued as this topic has previously been discussed.

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: 5 – Wendt, Young, London, Kidd, Ashby

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

4. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-11 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A VARIANCE TO ALLOW A WALL SIGN AT 115 MAGNOLIA DRIVE, FORSYTH, ILLINOIS THAT EXCEEDS 7% OF THE FAÇADE (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained that Waite’s Cleaners has relocated to a new location in the same building they previously occupied which also now houses Carpet Weavers. Waite’s Cleaners is requesting for a larger sign than the current Ordinance allows. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval. A brief Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee London made a Motion to approve the Ordinance as presented and Trustee Kidd seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 5 – Wendt, Young, London, Kidd, Ashby

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

5. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-12 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING MINOR SUBDIVISION AND FINAL PLAT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 254 US ROUTE 51, FORSYTH, ILLINOIS (PIN: 07-07-14-110-006) (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained that Jarrod Stock has made a request for minor subdivision and a re-plat of his property located at 254 US Route 51 in Forsyth. This request allows for more room for Hoadley’s to expand their business. A discussion was held on this topic and the next two agenda items as they are all related to the same topic. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval. The Trustees discussed briefly and were in support of approving these three items.

MOTION

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

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

Yeas: 5 – Wendt, Young, London, Kidd, Ashby

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

6. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-13 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING VARIANCES OF LOT SIZE FOR TWO LOTS ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 254 US 51, FORSYTH, ILLINOIS (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Discussion of this topic was held under Agenda Item #5.

MOTION

Trustee London 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: 5 – Wendt, Young, London, Kidd, Ashby

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

7. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-14 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE VILLAGE’S ZONING MAP TO CHANGE THE ZONING FOR A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 254 US ROUTE 51, FORSYTH, ILLINOIS FROM C-1 TO C-2 (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Discussion of this topic was held under Agenda Item #5.

MOTION

Trustee London 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: 5 – Wendt, Young, London, Kidd, Ashby

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

8. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING TRUCK PURCHASE (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained that the Village has budgeted $110,000 for the purchase of a new dump truck with a plow and salt spreader to replace one of the aging trucks. Staff recommends purchasing the F550 from Drake-Scruggs for $105,926. A brief Board discussion followed.

MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to approve the purchase of the F550 for $105.926 as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 5 – Wendt, Young, London, Kidd, Ashby

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

9. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING MAROA-FORSYTH GRADE SCHOOL BIKE PATH COST ESTIMATE (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained that the Village was approved for the ITEP funding for the Maroa-Forsyth Grade School Bike Path project. He went on to explain the two bid amounts received and how they compared to the allowed funding. Chastain and Associates recommends a contract be awarded to Illinois Valley Paving for $536,306.60. A Board discussion ensued regarding the details.

MOTION

Trustee London made a Motion to approve the contract award to Illinois Valley Paving for $536,306.60 as presented and Trustee Ashby seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 5 – Wendt, Young, London, Kidd, Ashby

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

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 7:45 p.m.

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