Will County Gazette

Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A Regular Meeting of the Village of Manhattan President and Board of Trustees was held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Adrieansen calls the Village of Manhattan Board meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL:

Neighbors aye, Young aye, Dilling aye, Beemsterboer aye, Adamski aye, Doyle aye, Adrieansen aye (7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent). Also present are Lewis, Palmer, Nelson, Pintar, Tyk, Gehrke, Wold, Doyle, and Attorney Taylor.

PUBLIC HEARING/RECOGNITIONS/SPECIAL ITEMS:

Mayor Adrieansen presents STAR Award certificates to the Manhattan Patriots Varsity Cheer Team for taking 1st Place at the state competition at Northern Illinois University.

Mayor Adrieansen presents a plaque to Commander Brian Zarnowski for his 8 years of service with the Manhattan Police Department. Zarnowski will retire on January 5, 2024.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

There is no public comment.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Doyle Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda which consists of the December 5, 2023, Village Board Meeting Minutes, December 5, 2023. Executive Session Meeting Minutes (Not for Release), Approval of December 5, 2023, Bills List, and Authorization to Reschedule the Tuesday, January 2, 2024, Village Board Meeting to Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Adamski Second. Roll Call: Neighbors aye, Young aye, Dilling aye, Beemsterboer aye, Adamski aye, Doyle aye (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain) Motion Carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mayor Adrieansen informs the Board of Trustees that the first item on the agenda is a Resolution Releasing Irrevocable Letters of Credit No. 2020-1658, No. 2020-1654, No. 2020-1657, No. 2020-1656, and No, 2020-1655 and accepting Certain Public Improvements in the Village of Manhattan, Illinois (Leighlinbridge Unit 5 – Erosion Control and Demolition, Underground Improvements, Basic Roadway Improvements, Finished Roadway Improvements, and Parkway Improvements). Village subdivision regulations require Letters of Credit to guarantee public improvements such as streets, sidewalks & other common elements. Cachey Builders has completed all improvements to Unit 5 and is requesting a release of their Letters of Credit. The total amount is $80, 637.68.

Young Motion to Approve a Resolution Releasing Irrevocable Letters of Credit No. 2020-1658, No. 2020- 1654, No. 2020-1657, No. 2020-1656, and No, 2020-1655 and accepting Certain Public Improvements in the Village of Manhattan, Illinois (Leighlinbridge Unit 5 – Erosion Control and Demolition, Underground

Improvements, Basic Roadway Improvements, Finished Roadway Improvements, and Parkway Improvements). Adamski Second. Roll Call: Young aye, Dilling aye, Beemsterboer aye, Adamski aye, Doyle aye, Neighbors aye (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain) Motion Carried.

Mayor Adrieansen informs the Board of Trustees that the next item on the agenda is an Ordinance Providing for Qualifications for Full-Time Police Officers in the Village of Manhattan, Will County, State of Illinois. Recruitment for police officers remains very competitive. To increase the pool of applicants, Police Chief Wold has proposed some changes to the qualifications for police officers. The ordinance will be amended to change education to a high school diploma and change the minimum age to 21 years old. These changes are consistent with the state law that goes into effect January 1, 2024.

Doyle Motion to Approve an Ordinance Providing for Qualifications for Full-Time Police Officers in the Village of Manhattan, Will County, State of Illinois. Dilling Second. Roll Call: Beemsterboer aye, Adamski aye, Doyle aye, Neighbors aye, Young aye, Dilling aye (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain) Motion Carried.

Mayor Adrieansen informs the Board of Trustees that the next item on the agenda is an Ordinance Amending the Qualifications for Police Commander in the Village of Manhattan, Will County, Illinois. The amendment would remove the requirement that the 5 years of experience must be with the Manhattan Police Department. Officers that have experience from another department can use that experience to qualify for the Commander’s position.

Beemsterboer Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending the Qualifications for Police Commander in the Village of Manhattan, Will County, Illinois. Neighbors Second. Roll Call: Dilling aye, Beemsterboer aye, Adamski aye, Doyle aye, Neighbors aye, Young aye (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain) Motion Carried.

Mayor Adrieansen informs the Board of Trustees that the next item on the agenda is a Resolution Authorizing a Design Engineering Services Agreement with Robinson Engineering for the Manhattan Road Water Main Replacement Project. The Village received two ARPA grants from Will Couty for $500,000 each. These are significant dollar amounts and are greatly needed to address water main improvements throughout the village. This Resolution formally approves Robinson Engineering to begin design engineering for the Manhattan Road water main between Marion to Gougar. The total cost is $82,000.

Doyle Motion to Approve a Resolution Authorizing a Design Engineering Services Agreement with Robinson Engineering for the Manhattan Road Water Main Replacement Project. Adamski Second. Roll Call: Adamski aye, Doyle aye, Neighbors aye, Young aye, Dilling aye, Beemsterboer aye (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain) Motion Carried.

Mayor Adrieansen informs the Board of Trustees that the next item on the agenda is an Ordinance Amending Certain Provisions of the Village of Manhattan, Will County, Illinois Employee Handbook. The Illinois General Assembly approved the Paid Leave for All Workers Act which requires employers, including municipalities, to provide 40 hours of paid leave to employees on an annual basis. There are

two items related to this issue on tonight’s agenda: Ordinance amending the village’s employee handbook; Ordinance opting out of this law because the Village is providing these benefits currently and with the new amendments to our employee handbook. Mayor Adrieansen states that the IML worked to get some amendments to this legislation but were not able to convince state legislators to change anything in this law. However we expect further changes in the future.

Village Administrator Palmer informs the Village Board that this is a new law effective January 1st. This amendment makes the Village compliant and allows employees that did not receive benefit time prior to this will get an accrual up to 40 hours of paid leave annually. Additional updates to the employee handbook will come after the new year.

Beemsterboer Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending Certain Provisions of the Village of Manhattan, Will County, Illinois Employee Handbook. Dilling Second. Roll Call: Doyle aye, Neighbors aye, Young aye, Dilling aye, Beemsterboer aye, Adamski aye (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain) Motion Carried.

Mayor Adrieansen informs the Board of Trustees that the next item on the agenda is an Ordinance Regarding the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act for the Village of Manhattan, Will County, Illinois. This is what was just discussed to opt out of the law that goes into effect January 1, 2024.

Beemsterboer Motion to Approve an Ordinance Regarding the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act for the Village of Manhattan, Will County, Illinois. Adamski Second. Roll Call: Neighbors aye, Young aye, Dilling aye, Beemsterboer aye, Adamski aye, Doyle aye (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain) Motion Carried.

Mayor Adrieansen informs the Board of Trustees that the next item on the agenda is a Resolution Recognizing Manhattan Irish Fest. The Irish American Society of County Will is working on plans for their 30th annual Irish Fest for Marh 2024. The Resolution is written as 29th year but Mayor Adrieansen states he spoke to someone and confirmed it’s 30 years. The group requested a formal resolution to demonstrate our continued commitment to working with them as they plan the event which brings many people into the Village. It is important to note that this group raises a significant amount of money which gets donated back in the form of charitable grants and donations to many community organizations. The Irish American Society pays for Police, EMA, and Public Works staff that support the event.

Doyle Motion to Approve a Resolution Recognizing Manhattan Irish Fest Subject to Verification of the 30th Anniversary date. Beemsterboer Second. Roll Call: Young aye, Dilling aye, Beemsterboer aye, Adamski aye, Doyle aye, Neighbors aye (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain) Motion Carried.

Mayor Adrieansen informs the Board of Trustees that the next item on the agenda is a Discussion on the Firehouse Restaurant. The downtown plan originally showed this building as going away. After public comments, the Village has begun looking at leasing it out. There are a few different restaurants interested in it. The purpose of the discussion is to make sure the Village Board are all okay with this.

The Village Board discuss leasing the building. All agree that they are okay with the idea but want to make sure the lease will cover taxes and maintenance. The board does not want to put too much money into the building and does not want it to get in the way of the future growth plan. All agree it will be good to fill a vacant building.

Mayor Adrieansen states that the Village of Manhattan will fix the windows and exterior of the building but whoever leases will be responsible for the inside of the building.

Attorney Taylor informs the Village Board that when the Village gets an interested party, the Village will enter into a lease agreement which will give the board the ability to review, edit, discuss, and approve. Many of the points brought up here today in this discussion can be addressed through the terms of the lease.

The Board has further discussion about the possibility of closing the road there as well for safety reasons.

Mayor Adrieansen informs the Board of Trustees that the next item on the agenda is a Discussion on the Sale of Nitrous Oxide in the Village. This has been found to sold over the counter in different vape shops in Manhattan. It is legal if you are using it for medical and culinary processes. The two vape shops in the Village are selling “whippets” or nitrous oxide. The Village is looking to possibly create an ordinance to restrict the sale of it in Manhattan.

Police Chief Wold informs the Village Board that there has been overdose cases in Manhattan from huffing nitrous oxide and had to be transported to the hospital.

The Village Board discusses the dangers of the misuse of Nitrous Oxide. To keep our community safe, the board is in favor of restricting the sale. Of Nitrous Oxide in Manhattan.

FROM VILLAGE OFFICIALS

Mayor Adrieansen Announcements:

• Congrats to the Manhattan Patriot Cheer Team.

• Congrats to Brian Zarnowski on his retirement and his years of service.

• Lot of great things have been completed in 2023 and more to come in 2024.

• Village Strategic Planning Session is Saturday, January 27, 2024. Please get your ideas to Nick who will be putting out materials in advance.

• The Manhattan Township will be having an Irish New Year at 6:00 P.M. to allow for families to participate in the ball drop. This is in addition to the ball drop at midnight.

The entire Village Board offer congratulations to Brian Zarnowski on his retirement. The Village Board would like to wish everyone a Mery Christmas and a Happy New Year.

REPORTS FROM VILLAGE STAFF

Village Administrator Palmer requests that the Village Board send him ideas to discuss at the Strategic Planning Session on January 27th.

Monthly Reports for October 2023 in the Board Packet are presented to the Village Board for Finance, Police, EMA, Public Works, Village Engineer, and Building and Development.

Public Works Superintendent Tyk updates the Village Board on the Route 52 Lighting Project. The light poles are installed, and wiring is complete. ComEd equipment should be delivered soon and expect the lights to be on in about two weeks.

Public Works Superintendent Tyk provides an update on the Baker Road and Eastern lights. The control box is in, and the lights should be on by Saturday. Public Works Superintendent Tyk states that he received an email from IDOT requesting additional paperwork for Eastern Ave. to be signed by the Village. Public Works hand delivered the signed document to IDOT in Schaumburg on Friday. Hoping the road can be opened soon.

The Village Staff wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

ADJOURNMENT

Doyle Motion to Adjourn. Adamski Second. All are in Favor. Motion Carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:05 P.M.

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