Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Sept. 16/

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

Staff Absent: Village Library Director Melanie Weigel

Others Present: Bill Krueger, John Doolin, David Daugherty, Clark Cameron

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2025

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

3. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 31, 2025

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda 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

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.

John Doolin, commercial developer, spoke on the topic of gaming within the Village. He has purchased local Village property for development. He has several tenants lined up, one of which incorporates gaming and asked the Village to consider allowing it within the Village.

Resident Bill Krueger said the high school baseball fields are great as they are and feels it would be a mistake to change them to anything else. Mayor Peck responded that it is no longer being considered at this time.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

Sheriff Deputy Ziegler had no report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Per Mayor Peck’s inquiries the staff confirmed the following: seeding at the Sports and Nature Park is done and fertilized. The bike path to the grade school is complete and is waiting on backfill and some concrete work. Trustee Young said the traffic on Forsyth Parkway has had two near incidents with kids getting off the buses. The route has now been rerouted to reduce the possibility of accidents. Trustee Wendt mentioned the Herald & Review article focused on Decatur’s City Manager resigning and said he is proud of our Board for working together through all issues and still being a cohesive Board.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-21 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR ALL CORPORATE PURPOSES FOR THE VILLAGE OF FORSYTH, MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025 (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that the Village is required to state (set) the amount of the 2025 property tax levy at least 20 days before it is passed. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to the proposed tax levy at 4.9%.

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

Nays: 0 – None

Abstain: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VILLAGE WATER AND SEWER RATES (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee introduced Clark Cameron from the Illinois Rural Water Association (IRWA). He then presented his spreadsheet of recommendations and explained the reasoning behind them. The general discussion focused on both base rate and usage structures, and the impact of current and future decisions. A lengthy Board discussion ensued regarding various options of ending the ongoing deficit of this line item. At the end of the discussion the Board agreed on the following rate recommendations:

1. To increase all monthly water meter rates by $0.50

2. To increase all water rates by $1.35 per 1,000 gallons

3. To increase all sewer rates by $0.30 per 1,000 gallons and increase the flat rate by $0.30

MOTION

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

2. RESOLUTION NUMBER 9-2025 A RESOLUTION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR OSLAD GRANT PROGRAM FOR FORSYTH FAMILY SPORTS & NATURE PARK PHASE II (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that this topic has already been discussed and approved by Board at a previous meeting. The Board now needs to agree in formal resolution format that the Village is interested in pursuing the grant. A brief discussion ensued and noted that the grant money has to be spent within two years.

MOTION

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING TIF GRANT ANDREW HENDRIAN – 105S. ROUTE 51 (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained tonight’s discussion is to approve making the distribution to Andrew Hendrian since TIF has already approved all of his submitted expenses. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to make payment as agreed upon.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw made a Motion to approve the TIF grant payment 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

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

No Motion needed.

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Village of Forsyth

Board Meeting Minutes

September 16, 2025

4. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING 2025 ROAD MAINTENANCE (VILLAGE ENGINEER REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE BROWN)

Village Engineer Representative Brown explained details of the two bids received from Fuetz Contractors and Kinney Contractors for the 2025 road maintenance project. Both bids were well within the Village budget. Chastain and Associate’s recommendation is for Fuetz Contractors for $371,645. A brief Board discussion resulted in agreement with the recommendation.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the contract to Fuetz Contractors for $371,645 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.

No Motion needed.

5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING 2025 MAINTENANCE CONSTRUCTION SERVICE (VILLAGE ENGINEER REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE BROWN)

Village Engineer Representative Brown explained details of the bids received for the 2025 road maintenance project. Chastain and Associates proposed construction assistance amount is $25,000. The Board discussed the topic briefly then agreed to move forward with the contract.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve construction assistance not to exceed $25,000 as presented and Trustee Shaw 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.

No Motion needed.

6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING E-BIKES (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained that the Village has received multiple complaints from residents regarding the use of motorized vehicles – including e-bikes, electric scooters, and electric skateboards – on grass, playground areas, and community facilities. She asked for Board discussion regarding these complaints and possible solutions. Village Attorney Petrilli explained the State statues that must be adhered to. A lengthy Board discussion followed which resulted in the Board agreeing for Administrator Applebee and Village Attorney Petrilli to craft wording options for signage and to bring back to the Board for approval.

No Motion needed.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to move to Closed Session and Trustee Young 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.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Resolution regarding the release of certain closed session meeting minutes as presented and Trustee Shaw 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.

A short general conversation was held on how to approach the topic of gaming within the Village. Village Attorney Petrilli will gather further information and include it in her next monthly attorney report.

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 8:30 p.m.

 https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/5126/VOF/6074821/External_Meeting_Packet.pdf