Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees met Nov. 4.
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, November 4, 2025.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Adrieansen called the Village of Manhattan Board meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
Bahena aye, Young aye, Dilling aye, Neighbors aye, Boone aye, Doyle aye, Adrieansen aye (7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent) Also present are Bouck, Wold, Nelson, VanVooren, Chief Gulli, Tyk, Pintar, Attorney Taylor.
PUBLIC HEARING/RECOGNITIONS/SPECIAL ITEMS:
Mayor Adrieansen awarded the scarecrows on Parade Contest Winners.
Scarecrows on Parade Contest Winner – 1St place, the Taco Man, David Pantoja Scarecrows on Parade Contest Winner – 2nd Place, the Triemstra Family
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Andrea Baumhardt provided comments regarding road safety on the north end of Manhattan near Baker Rd. Baumhardt noted the intersection has limited visibility due to a sharp curve and has been the site of numerous accidents over the past 20 years. Baumhardt requested consideration of a stoplight and dedicated turn lanes at Baker Rd to improve safety. Baumhardt also asked that IDOT consider adding turn lanes into the Ranch Oaks Subdivision, stating that high speed traffic and passing vehicles make it dangerous to turn into the neighborhood. Baumhardt thanked the Village of Manhattan for seeking public input on roadway concerns.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Bahena motion to Approve the Consent Agenda which consists of Approval of October 21, 2025, Meeting Minutes, October 21, 2025, Village Board Executive Session Meeting Minutes (not for release), November 4, 2025, Bills list. Young second. Roll Call: Bahena aye, Young aye, Dilling aye, Neighbors aye, Boone aye, Doyle aye. (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain). Motion Carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Doyle motion to accept the resignation of Village Administrator, Jeff Wold. Bahena Second. Roll Call: Young aye, Dilling aye, Neighbors aye, Boone aye, Doyle aye, Bahena aye. (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain). Motion Carried.
Doyle motion to approve the appointment of Marc Nelson as Interim Village Administrator. Dilling second. Roll Call: Dilling aye, Neighbors aye, Boone aye, Doyle aye, Bahena aye, Young aye. (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain). Motion Carried.
Representatives from the Farnsworth Group gave a presentation on the downtown design guidelines which included:
• Architectural style
• Scale & Height
• Color & Materiality
• Windows & Store fronts
• Awnings & Canopies
• Murals
• Signage
• Lighting
• Mechanical & Equipment Considerations
Young motion to approve a Resolution approving downtown design guidelines. Neighbors second. Roll Call: Neighbors aye, Boone aye, Doyle aye, Bahena aye, Young aye, Dilling aye. (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain). Motion Carried.
Dilling motion to approve a Resolution approving the purchase of a computer and computer software to assist in Video and Report Redactions for Fulfillment of Freedom of information requests. Boone second. Roll Call: Boone aye, Doyle aye, Bahena aye, Young aye, Dilling aye, Neighbors aye. (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain). Motion Carried.
Tax Levy Notification Discussion:
Mayor Adrieansen spoke on the tax levy notification saying that the village is required to provide the public with an estimated tax levy 20 days prior to passing the tax levy ordinance and that this is done yearly. Mayor Adrieansen said that the estimated tax levy for this year is $3,828,252.00.
Young asked VanVooren if he could explain the difference between a tax increase and a levy increase or a levy hold?
VanVooren explained the differences and stated that tonight is to announce the maximum levy amount being considered.
Route 52 Safety Discussion:
The Route 52 Safety Discussion began with Mayor Adrieansen stating that the safety on Route 52 has been a long-standing concern for the Village board and the community, and recent tragedies have renewed the urgency to pursue improvements to prevent future loss. Mayor Adrieansen reviewed the timeline of the Village’s actions and requests made to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and other agencies. Mayor Adrieansen also spoke on current considerations and local actions to improve safety in the Village. Mayor Adrieansen said that the Village Engineer has outlined preliminary work for cross walk engineering downtown. The estimated engineering cost is $16,000.00.
A lighting Specialist from Cyclone – Acuity Brand spoke on cross walk lighting and optics to control where the light is going.
A Manhattan resident expressed ongoing concern regarding safety along Route 52. The Manhattan Resident highlighted the importance of clear pavement markings for driver awareness. He reported that he has reached out multiple times to region 1 engineer for IDOT and copied the secretary of Transportation on correspondence and he received a response indicating that a team would be assigned to review the intersection within three to four weeks. The Manhattan resident emphasized the importance of holding IDOT accountable and continuing to advocate for visible, immediate safety measures. He stated his willingness to engage with state officials and other agencies as needed to help advance improvements.
Adam Ehlers addressed the board and announced the formation of a new citizen action group called the Bike Walk Alliance of Manhattan. Ehlers stated that the group will help residents learn how to provide testimony, gather input, and develop maps and action plans to guide safety improvements. He emphasized the importance of coordinated public comments and community surveys. Ehlers invited interested residents to join the Bike Walk Alliance of Manhattan Facebook group to stay informed and participate in upcoming meetings aimed at presenting a unified community voice to the Village and State Agencies.
FROM VILLAGE OFFICIALS:
Mayor Adrieansen does not have anything currently.
Doyle thanked Wold for doing a great job as Village Administrator and wished him luck at being Chief again.
Boone thanked Tyk and all Public Works for addressing the lighting in Stonegate. Boone thanked Wold for everything that he has done and wished him luck as he moves forward.
Neighbors thanked Wold for all of his hard work and asked VanVoreen what the current state of the audit is? VanVooren said that we are finishing up the preparation for the audit and the auditors should be here the week of November 17th.
Dilling thanked Chief and the Police Department for their continued efforts in reducing truck traffic through the downtown area. Dilling noted that for the past four Wednesdays, he and others have been counting trucks between noon and 4p.m., and while truck volume remains high, enforcement efforts have significantly reduced the number of trucks. Dilling commended the department for its active presence and outreach, stating that the word is spreading among truck drivers. Chief Gulli confirmed that in the two days preceding the recent accident, officers issued an average of 50-60 tickets per day, with a total of over 300 citations issued in October.
Dilling emphasized the importance of continuing enforcement, noting that the town’s layout was originally designed for horse and carriage, not semi-trailers. Dilling thanked Wold for his time as Village Administrator and thanked Nelson for stepping into interim Village Administrator. Dilling asked Tyk for clarification regarding Eastern Avenue project Delays. Tyk explained that NICOR requested late change to relocate a gas line, which caused temporary work stoppage. The cost of the relocation will be covered by NICOR, not the Village. Dilling commented on coordination with IDOT regarding lighting and signage improvements, noting that IDOT process moves slowly but efforts are ongoing to advance these.
Young thanked Wold for his service and Marc Nelson for stepping into the interim Village Administrator position.
Bahena thanked Wold for all the help that he has given her as a new trustee. Bahena also thanked the Police department for making Halloween fun. Bahena said that she is here for the Route 52 battle and will keep sending emails and contacting our representatives to get it safe. Bahena thanked the residents for advocating for our children’s safety.
Bouck thanked Wold and wished him luck moving forward.
REPORTS FROM VILLAGE STAFF:
Wold thanked everyone for their kind words.
Nelson thanked Wold, saying he has been great to work for and that he will be missed.
Tyk thanked Wold, saying it has been a pleasure to work with him. Tyk said that they are working with ComEd to put in more streetlights from Rt. 52 up to Foxford on Smith Rd. This has been pushed from November 17th back a week or so. Tyk noted that the water main lining for the Well 6 project began today and is progressing well. The sewer line work on Gougar Rd is expected to be completed tomorrow and is hopeful that work on the water line will begin next week.
Pintar has nothing currently.
VanVooren thanked Wold and said it has been great to work together.
Chief Gulli thanked residents for their continued support, emphasizing that efforts with IDOT will persist until progress is made. Gulli noted that Apollo successfully passed the state test. Gulli also expressed appreciation to Wold for his leadership, mentorship, and support, stating that Wold’s guidance has had a meaningful impact on his career and family. Gulli congratulated and thanked Wold for his service and wished him luck moving forward.
Executive Session:
Dilling Motion to enter executive session at 6:40 p.m. for Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific: Employees, Appointed, or Elected Officials; and Collective bargaining (5ILCS120/2(c)1-3). Doyle Second. Roll Call: Doyle
aye, Bahena aye, Young aye, Dilling aye, Neighbors aye, Boone aye. (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain). Motion Carried.
Dilling Motion to reopen regular session at 7:02 p.m. Bahena second. Roll Call: Dilling aye, Neighbors aye, Boone aye, Doyle aye, Bahena aye, Young aye. (6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent, 0 abstain) Motion Carried.
Adjournment:
Doyle Motion to adjourn. Dilling Second. All in Favor. Meeting Adjourned at 7:02 P.M.
https://www.villageofmanhattan.org/Agendas-Minutes/Village%20Board/2025/Minutes/11.04.2025.pdf?t=202511261534360
