Forest Village Council – November 13, 2025

Village of Forest Council met in regular session on November 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM in council chambers.

Interim Mayor Hastings called the meeting to order with the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Attendance:

• Derek Hastings – present
• Mary Dickinson – present
• Loretta Perkins – present
• Suzanne Shark – present
• Jerrie Whitling – present
• Valerie Mullholand – present

Approval of Agenda for November 13, 2025: J. Whitling moved to approve Agenda for November 13, 2025, seconded by S. Shark. Vote: 5 yeas, 0 nays. Agenda approved.

Approval/Corrections of Minutes: V. Mullholand moved to approve minutes for the October 23, 2025 meeting, seconded by J. Whitling. Vote: 4 yeas, 0 nays, S. Shark abstained. Minutes approved.

Bills:

V. Mullholand moved to approve payment of bills, seconded by L. Perkins. Vote: 5 yeas, 0 nays. Payment of Bills approved.

Citizen’s Comments:

A citizen brought up that the sidewalk between the Library and Get-A-Way Workshop needs repaired. The interim Mayor and the Administrator will research to verify who owns the sidewalk, whether it is the responsibility of the Village or the business owner(s), but the Village will put something in as a temporary repair.

Old Business:

Ordinance 2025-08 AEP Contract to operate in Forest completed 2nd reading with no discussion.

Ordinance 2025-10 Adopt and Enact Updated Codified Ordinances completed 2nd reading with a note that there remains a contradiction about time of Council meeting start up. The Interim Mayor will make sure that this error is corrected prior to being sent for printing.

New Business:

Ordinance 2025-09 Wage Ordinance completed 1st reading.

Committee Reports

Mayor: He continues to work on the disposition of nuisance properties in the Village with the help of Mark Doll from the County. Mr. Doll has some ideas on grants for property owners. The Interim Mayor announced that he is now accepting letters of interest for the council seat that will be vacated as of January 1, 2026. He mentioned that the Park Board will be looking for a new appointment from the school. There was some confusion about the term of Park Board members, whether it was 4 years or 5 years. Ms. Deringer indicated at Ms. Vogel has submitted her resignation to the Park Board, citing schedule conflicts. So, an additional member will need to be recommended.

Finance: The Finance Committee has not met since Council meeting but continues to work on the budget. The Committee will be looking at the well estimates with the Administrator. The next meeting is set for November 24, 2025 at 6pm.

Safety: Meeting scheduled for November 20, 2025 at 11am.

Police Chief: B. Kromer reported that the department responded to 301 calls, 27 traffic stops, 35 criminal warrants, 34 of which were felonies. The auxiliary donated 115.25 hours for the month. See attached reports.

Fire Chief: None

Ambulance Board: None

Service: Meeting scheduled for November 20 2025 at 6pm.

Administrator: He has received a well estimate of $462,000 along with a grant for $400,000. The remaining amount of $62,000 will be sent to the Finance Committee for review/acceptance. A catch basin has been replaced on South Davis Street. Leaf pickup has started. Cleaned out the VFW catch basin. This basin will need to be addressed in the spring. Sewer lift station on Campbell Street needs to be replaced on December 11, 2025. Other lift stations will have pumps and sensors replaced. Three employees completed training last week. Village employees are volunteering for meals at Thanksgiving for the underprivileged. See attached report.

Park Board: No action could be taken at the October 2025 meeting since no quorum was achieved. The November 9, 2025 was canceled due to lack of availability of members. The next meeting has been scheduled for November 17, 2025 at noon at the Village Office.

Market Square: Nothing

CIC: Nothing

Economic Development: Nothing

Zoning/Zoning Board of Appeals: Meeting scheduled for November 20, 2025 at 12pm.

Human Resources: Meeting scheduled for November 20, 2025 at 6:30pm.

Village Solicitor: Mr. Tudor completed a draft of the trash ordinance and said that other drafts will be forthcoming.

Attorney Morgan Fish attended with Mr. Tudor and indicated his interest in filling Mr. Tudor’s vacancy at the start of 2026. The Interim Mayor asked Mr. Fish to submit a letter of interest to him so that he and Council can consider him for the appointment.

Fiscal Officer: B. Kromer was not in attendance, but it was noted that she continues to finalize the Village Budget, working on forms and policies with the HR Committee, and correcting water billings. In her absence, minutes were completed by M. Dickinson.

V. Mullholand moved to adjourn, seconded by L. Perkins at 7:51pm.