Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Jan. 20.
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 Jeremy Shaw, Trustee Jeff London, Trustee Lauren Young, Trustee Chelsie Kidd, Trustee Dave Wendt
Absent: Trustee Jim Ashby (family death)
Staff Present: Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli, Planning and Zoning Director Ryan Raleigh, Village Engineer Representative Stephanie Brown, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Village Library Director Melanie Weigel, Public Works Director Darin Fowler
Absent: Village Engineer Jeremy Buening
Others Present: Joe Vavrina
CONSENT AGENDA
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 16, 2025
2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
3. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 31, 2025 MOTION
Trustee London 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: 5 – Wendt, Shaw, London, Kidd, Young
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Ashby
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 Armstrong had no report.
2. Village Staff Reports
Mayor Peck had no questions for the staff. Trustee Shaw inquired as to when we will see a sales tax impact from the cannabis sales. Administrator Applebee replied that it usually takes three to four months for the reporting to catch up.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-1 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING VARIANCES OF DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE SECTION 4.6.C RELATING TO SETBACK AND LIGHTING AT THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1275 N. ROUTE 51 (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)
Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the details of this request and referred specifically to the Chick-fil-A site plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously approved recommendation of this variance. In response to Trustee London’s inquiry, Village Attorney Petrilli explained our development ordinance is not completely clear so the variances are presented in this fashion according to the current development ordinance. The development ordinance is noted to need further review and refinement. A Board discussion followed relating to setback and lighting at the property.
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, Shaw, London, Kidd, Young
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Ashby
Motion declared carried.
2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-2 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING VARIANCES OF DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE SECTION 7.4.C RELATING TO SIGNAGE FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1275 N. ROUTE 451 (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)
Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the details of the signage requests. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of this with one nay vote. Starbucks is currently the tallest sign and this one will be shorter at 80 feet. A brief discussion ensued.
MOTION
Trustee Kidd 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, Shaw, London, Kidd, Young
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Ashby
Motion declared carried.
3. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-3 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING MINOR AMENDMENT TO PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AT A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS HICKORY POINT MALL TAX LOT 13-2 APPLEBEE’S (PIN: 07-07-22-227-006) (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)
Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the amendment details of this PUD. Trustee Wendt said some residents have concern regarding potential traffic backup. Chick fil-A representative Joe Vavrino explained that a grand opening team is assigned to each new store and all managers are trained to deal with traffic. Having duel drive-up lanes should alleviate this problem. A brief discussion was held. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of this amendment.
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, Shaw, London, Kidd, Young
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Ashby
Motion declared carried.
4. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-4 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING VARIANCE OF SETBACK FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AT LOT 35 PRAIRIE WINDS SUBDIVISION 3RD ADDN, FORSYTH, ILLINOIS (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)
Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the details of the variance request from this resident. The setback request is for 22 inches. A brief 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: 5 – Wendt, Shaw, London, Kidd, Young
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Ashby
Motion declared carried.
5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING POWER MOWER PURCHASE (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)
Public Works Director Fowler explained the need for this purchase. The current old machine no longer performs as needed without having expensive repairs. He explained the mower’s special functions along with the safety features it offers. The cost is $93,778.36 which is under the budgeted amount of $99,000. A brief discussion was held.
MOTION
Trustee Young made a Motion to approve the power mower purchase as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.
Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:
Yeas: 5 – Wendt, Shaw, London, Kidd, Young
Nays: 0 – None
Absent: 1 – Ashby
Motion declared carried.
6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING LIBRARY SIDING CHANGE ORDERS (PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR RYAN RALEIGH)
Planning and Zoning Director Raleigh explained the details of the requested change orders for the library siding. These changes include replacements of drip edge on 10 gables, brake metal on top of brick areas, drip edge on eaves, and installation of new vinyl tile flooring in the kitchen area. The total cost of these four change orders is $22,894.00 and is still under budget. A short discussion followed.
MOTION
Trustee Kidd made a Motion to approve the change order as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.
Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:
Yeas: 4 –Wendt, London, Kidd, Young
Nays: 1 – Shaw
Absent: 1 – Ashby
Motion declared carried.
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/6177247/External_Meeting_Packet.pdf
