Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Oct. 7.

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

Absent: Trustee Jeff London

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 Jeremy Buening, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Village Library Director Melanie Weigel

Others Present: Resident David Starbody

CONSENT AGENDA

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

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

MOTION

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

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

Page 4 of 125

Village of Forsyth

Board Meeting Minutes

October 7, 2025

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 Taylor had no incidents to report.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck said the newly paved bike paths look fantastic. He also said he would like to address the topic of gaming on a future agenda for discussion if all agreed, which they did. Trustee Young asked if we could suggest or encourage helmets for those riding e-bikes and Village Petrilli confirmed that is all we can do as we cannot mandate it by law. Trustee

Wendt questioned why IDOT is cutting into the new Route 51 asphalt near the overpass. Public Works Director Fowler confirmed there was an area where it was holding water so a remedy was being made to resolve it.

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 and this is the time for that vote. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to the proposed tax levy at 4.9%.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the setting of the 2025 tax levy at 4.9% as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 1 REBID RECOMMENDATION OF AWARD (VILLAGE ENGINEER JEREMY BUENING)

Village Engineer Buening explained that four bids were received for the Water System Improvements Phase I project. The bids were competitive and the low bid was from Dynamic Industrial for $1,874,000.00. Chastain and Associates recommends accepting their bid based on their industry experience and quality reputation. A Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw made a Motion to approve the bid award to Dynamic Industrial not to exceed $1,874.000.00 as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-23 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING VARINCE ALLOWING POLE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 619 WEAVER ROAD, FORSYTH, ILLINOIS (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained that Mr. Starbody of 619 W. Weaver Road in Forsyth has requested a variance to allow pole building construction on this property. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 3-2 to approve the variance. The two negative votes were concerned that this would set a precedent, but Village Attorney Petrilli said a variance cannot legally set a precedent. Mr. Starbody briefly addressed the Board. A brief Board discussion followed.

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: 5 – Ashby, Wendt, Shaw, Young, Kidd

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

2. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING SCOREBOARD REPLACEMENT FOR PARK FIELDS 1, 2 AND 3 (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)

Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the various quotes received for replacement of scoreboards at Fields 1, 2 and 3. Staff recommended purchasing all three scoreboards from Daktronics for $37,947 with Bendsen Signs completing the installation at a cost of $14,998. This purchase would secure the equipment, with installation planned for Fields 1 and 2 immediately. Installation of Field 3 scoreboard will be deferred until the fence relocation is completed. The Board held a brief discussion on the topic.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the scoreboards purchase from Daktronics not to exceed $37,947 as presented and Trustee Ashby seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the installation of new scoreboards from Bendsen Signs not to exceed $14,998 as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

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

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

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – London

Motion declared carried.

3. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING TIF BOUNDARY DISCUSSION (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Village Administrator Applebee explained she had received a request from a local developer to ask the Board to consider expanding the current TIF boundaries which were originally established in 2018. She outlined several reasons that doing so would benefit the Village but the main concern was the estimated cost of $19,500 with approximately four months to complete. The Board discussed the pros and cons of adding to the TIF. Trustees discussed which additional properties would be beneficial to the Village. All seemed in favor of increasing the TIF boundaries. Staff has direction from the Board to pursue and identify all properties that would be included. That information will be brought back to the Board at a future meeting.

No Motion needed.

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 7:05 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/5126/VOF/6099114/External_Meeting_Packet.pdf