Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Sept. 2.

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 Jeff London, Trustee Jim Ashby, Trustee Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Lauren Young, Trustee Chelsie Kidd

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

Others Present: Bill Krueger

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 19, 2025

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF MOTOR FUEL TAX COMPLIANCE REVIEW FOR JAN. 1 TO DEC. 31, 2024

MOTION

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

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

Yeas: 6 – Ashby, London, Wendt, Shaw, Young, Kidd

Nays: 0 – None

Abstain: 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 Zigler had no report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Per Mayor Peck’s inquiries the staff confirmed the following: that the grade school bike path looks good, Sports and Nature Park seeding will happen next week, water tower bids are going out September 18, the road maintenance project is going out for bid September 11 with work to be done this year, and the Moon Street project will be done in the spring. The Mayor also congratulated Library Director Weigel for making a conference presentation in Albuquerque, New Mexico and for additional local publicity for library programs. Public Works Director Fowler confirmed that the bike path heading south will only go to Cox Street.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-19 AN ORDINANCE ADDING TERRITORY TO ENTERPRISE ZONE AND APPROVING THE AMENDMENT OF THE ENACTING ORDINANCE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (AMENDMENT 10) (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village 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. This topic has previously been discussed at a prior Board meeting so tonight’s agenda item is only in need of Board approval. A brief Board discussion was held.

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: 6 – Ashby, London, Wendt, Shaw, Young, Kidd

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-20 AN ORDINANCE FOR ROOF REPLACEMENT OF VILLAGE-OWNED BUILDINGS (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained that bids were solicited for the replacement of three roofs with architectural asphalt shingles at the following facilities: Village Hall, Field 4 Press Box, and Field 5 Press Box. Five contractors submitted bids and he outlined the details of each bid. This project was budgeted for $71,400. The Public Works Department recommends awarding the contract for all three roof replacements to Del Beiler Roofing for a total of $34,940. After a Board discussion, all agreed with the recommendation.

MOTION

Trustee London made a Motion to approve the bid of Del Beiler Roofing for $34,940 as presented and Trustee Kidd seconded the Motion.

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

Yeas: 6 – Ashby, London, Wendt, Shaw, Young, Kidd

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING THE SETTING OF THE TAX LEVY (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that the Village is required to set the amount of the 2025 property tax levy at least 20 days before it is passed which would be as of today’s date. Then based on our tentative schedule she would like to have the property tax levy passed at the October 7, 2025 Board meeting. During a lengthy Board discussion, it was agreed that the 4.9% increase is appropriate. Much of the discussion included the impact on tax bills along with how TIF assessed value impacts the decision. There are 1,900 households in Forsyth whose impact could possibly be $11 per household.

No Motion needed.

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING BIKE PATH IMPROVEMENTS (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Representative Brown explained that the only bid for the work was submitted by Dunn Company at a cost of $370,515.25 which is $21,500 over budget. She did explain that there is a possibility of cost reductions during construction. A Board lengthy discussion focused on which parts and how much of the paths should be done. This work will be done this year.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to accept the bid from Dunn Company not to exceed $370,515.25 for the bike path improvement as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 1 – London

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING BIKE PATH IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Representative Brown explained the details of the contract from Chastain and Associates for the construction of the 2025 Bike Path Improvements Project. The proposed construction assistance amount is $21,500.00 above the original contractor’s bid. Public Works Director Fowler said they would need minimal oversight since Dunn Company has been proven and dependable over the years in work done for the Village. He recommends having the Public Works staff perform some of the work to save some money. The Board held a discussion and all agreed to the additional assistance was not needed. Dunn Company will complete the work this fall.

No Motion needed.

6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING STRATEGIC PLAN (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that staff is working on the 2026 budget and needs some guidance for priorities. She shared the areas of concern. A lengthy Board discussion ensued. At the conclusion of the discussion, it was agreed to maintain what we already have for 2026, focus on Prairie Winds and Sports and Nature Park, and complete the projects we have already started.

ADJOURNMENT

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

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/5126/VOF/6033666/External_Meeting_Packet.pdf