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Will County Gazette

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Village of Manhattan President and Board of Trustees met August 1.

Village of Manhattan President and Board of Trustees met Aug. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

A Regular Meeting of the Village of Manhattan President and Board of Trustees was held on Tuesday August 1, 2017. Mayor Doyle opens the meeting at 6:30 P.M. Roll call: Trustee Beemsterboer aye, Trustee McDonough aye, Trustee Reeves aye, Trustee Biscan aye, Trustee Doyle aye, Trustee Naughton aye. Also present are Becker, Nelson, Pintar, Sing, Taylor, and Tyk.

Under Public Comments Mrs. Kathy Kirby is concern with the Northpoint Development and would like the Village to hold a meeting so people can ask those questions and obtain information. Mayor Doyle explains to Mrs. Kirby and the audience that is present, that at this time they still do not know what is going on and at this time it looks like it will be 5 months or more before the developer even sets up a meeting with them to even discuss a Professional Fee Agreement. The Village of Manhattan is not even on their radar now, they are only dealing with Elwood and if Elwood says no or the bridge is not feasible the project will be dead. Mrs. Kirby recommends the Mayor and Village Board drive down Ridge Road and see that they now installed double yellow lines, or she wants them to drive down Route 53 and Route 80 to see all the truck traffic that is there already. Mrs. Kirby informs the Mayor and Board of Trustees that she has been in contact with Mayors of other communities to discuss the issue of the truck traffic. Mrs. Kirby does not want this to invade the community and bring more truck traffic; it is not safe to drive the roads now. Mayor Doyle explains that the Village has 2 to 3 pages of questions and concerns for the developer, and once they are able to secure a Professional Fee Agreement and meet with the developer they will have more answers. Mayor Doyle recommends that Mrs. Kirby contact Elwood Road Commissioner in regards to the new double lines. Mrs. Kirby states that she knows why they are there. Mayor Doyle informs everyone that he was recently in California for a family wedding and while he was there he did go see the Long Beach Port and he found out that yes it annoys people, but it is there industry and livelihood. Kelly Baltis informs the Mayor and Board of Trustees that she is concern for the same things that Mrs. Kirby is concerned about, but she would like to know if the Village has started doing any survey’s or research. Trustee Naughton and Mayor Doyle both explain that until they have a signed agreement with the developer to pay for the cost of the studies, they will not be conducting any. They both also point out that it could be a waste of money if the project never gets started because the bridge cannot be done. Kelly Baltis would like to know if the Village believes Joliet when they say they are not considering it at this time. Mayor Doyle and the Board of Trustees explain that the key work is “Not at this Time”, and the Mayor and Board believe that if it is not built here, it will be built somewhere. Village Administrator Sing informs everyone that they are working with the CED Director in regards to obtaining information on the demand in the area for warehousing, as well as asking him how confident he is that this project will move forward if it is not in Elwood or Manhattan. Mayor Doyle also explains that no one on the Village Board has said that they are for this project, but the Mayor and Board of Trustees have to keep an open mind. Mayor Doyle again explains that if they cannot get the bridge project to move forward in Elwood, it would not be feasible in Manhattan. Trustee Reeves and Trustee McDonough would like Kelly Baltis to explain to anyone on Manhappenin’s that no one on this Board is receiving any sort of reimbursements. Trustee McDonough points out that they all live close to the proposed development area and are concerned about the traffic too. Kelly Baltis feels that it is not here place to inform anyone on Manhappenin’s that the Board should do this. Mayor Doyle explains that they will not discuss this issue on Facebook or in the social media, if residents have questions or concerns they need to come to the Board Meeting or call the Village to set up a meeting. Kelly Baltas would also like to know if Mayor Doyle has met with the Elwood Mayor. Mayor Doyle explains that they did discuss this, and when it was first proposed, and he will be meeting with him in a few days, but when he spoke to him last he still had very little information. Mayor Doyle wants everyone to know that if they sign a Professional Fee Agreement they will inform the public and any proposals will be discussed at a Village Board Meeting, they want the public’s input, but right now Elwood is doing studies and Manhattan will be included in those studies, so the Village will ask for copies of those reports. Mr. Ooykaas is in agreement with what the ladies covered. Mr. Ooykaas also informs the Mayor and Board of Trustees that a Citizen committee has been formed and met last night with over 100 people in attendance. Mr. Ooykaas also points out that there seems to be some annexation issues in Elwood, so the developer will have problems. Mr. Ooykaas would like to know the expiration dates for the Boundary Agreements with Joliet, and Elwood, as someone at the Citizen Committee Meeting said that they were going to expire in 2018. Mayor Doyle explains that it is 2016. Mr. Ooykaas is concern with the wrong information being put out there. Mayor Doyle explains that he and the Board are concern with this also, and appreciate that Mr. Ooykaas is in attendance to get the correct answers and he would like Mr. Ooykaas to keep them informed and if he has questions or feels he needs clarification on something please contact the Village.

McDonough motion to approve the Consent Agenda As Follows: The Regular Minutes of the July 18, 2017, Bills List For August 1, 2017 And A Resolution Authorizing The Use Of Manhattan/Monee Road And U.S. Route 52 On September 4, 2017. Doyle second. Roll call: Beemsterboer aye, McDonough aye, Reeves aye, Biscan aye, Doyle aye, Naughton aye. (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent). Motion Carried.

Village Administrator Sing informs the Mayor and Board of Trustees that they have before them a request to purchase a Chevrolet Colorado. The Village Hall and Police Department Administrative staff currently utilizes a 2014 Ford Explorer for inspections, code enforcement, meetings, economic development tours and meetings, seminars and processing of tickets. In the past, this vehicle has lower mileage and deteriorates due to old age and not wear and tear. In an effort to get the most use out of vehicles, replace older vehicles, and keep our fleet looking professional, we recommend cycling the Explorer to EMA to remove an older vehicle from EMA’s fleet. Originally we considered purchasing the new vehicle for EMA and keeping the Explorer for Village Hall staff, but our experience is that the Village Hall vehicle will develop rusting on the exterior and more mechanical cost due its lower use and being stored outdoors. The Chevy Colorado seating is similar in size to the Explorer and the bed will be a nice feature for code enforcement sign removal. This vehicle will also serve EMA well when it is transferred to them in the future. When we solicited pricing we also asked dealers to provide a quote for a similarly equipped vehicle that met or exceeded our original specifications. We did this because we are nearing the end of the model year and some dealers will provide bigger discounts on vehicles in stock to remove them from their inventory.

Biscan motion to Approve Authorization to Purchase A 2017 Chevrolet Colorado From Dralle Chevrolet In The Amount Of $30,469.60. McDonough second. Roll call: McDonough aye, Reeves aye, Biscan aye, Doyle aye, Naughton aye, Beemsterboer aye. (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent). Motion Carried.

Village Administrator Sing informs the Mayor and Board of Trustees that they have before them Approval of State Street Auto Invoices Totaling $15.00. Trustee Doyle is the owner of State Street Auto, for the Village to continue using State Street Auto; we followed the Illinois Municipal Code which sets parameters for doing business with elected officials. The Village Executed the final Contract not to exceed $2,000 annually with State Street Auto. If approved the total expended under the extended contract is $504.00.

Naughton motion to approve the State Street Auto Invoices Totaling $15.00. Beemsterboer second. Roll call: Reeves aye, Biscan aye, Doyle abstains because of the Personal Interest He Has in State Street Auto, Naughton aye, Beemsterboer aye, McDonough aye. (5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstain, 0 absent). Motion Carried.

Community Development Director Nelson informs the Mayor and Board of Trustees that they have before them A Resolution Demanding Payment On A Certain Irrevocable Letter Of Credit For Sunset Lakes-Phase 3 (Also Referred To As “Unit 3”), Off-Site Improvements (Baker Road) In The Village Of Manhattan, Illinois. This was Tabled by the Mayor Pro-Tem and Board of Trustees at the Last Meeting and Community Development Director Nelson explained that they are in the process of additional notice to the developer. Village Attorney Taylor states that the matter will still be considered tabled.

Village Clerk Becker invites everyone outside to enjoy the events for National Night Out.

Trustee McDonough reminds everyone that the St. Jude Run will be coming through Manhattan on Friday August 4, 2017, between 11 A.M. and 1 P.M, also that night there will be the Friday Night Drive In Movie, “Back to the Future” at the Round Barn. On Monday August 14, 2017, the car show will be taking place.

Trustee Beemsterboer wants to Thank The Fire Department, Police Department and the EMA Department for the Public Safety Event that was held on Friday, it was a great time and the weather was wonderful.

Trustee Doyle also wants to Thank the Departments for putting together the Public Safety Event, it was a good time.

Trustee Naughton was very impressed with the event, along with the Drone Demonstration.

Trustee Reeves wants to Thank the LWSR for the wheelchair baseball event that took place in the Berkot’s shopping center over the weekend, it was a great event and there were many people in attendance. Trustee Reeves would like to Thank Staff for putting together National Night Out.

McDonough motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 7:10 P.M. Reeves second. All members are in favor.

http://www.villageofmanhattan.org/vertical/sites/%7BC299AB89-4140-469A-B02A-149D683060CF%7D/uploads/MINAUG1-17.pdf

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