Budget, Property Lines, and Safety Topics at Village Meeting

By Stephanie Irvine

At the Village of Manhattan’s bimonthly meeting on April 2, the board held a public hearing for its Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget, attended to new business, and held an executive session. The village’s budget has been a topic of discussion as the board worked through changes at previous meetings.

A presentation was provided by Village Financial Director Glen Gehrke at the start of the public hearing. During Gerhke’s presentation, he reiterated from the last meeting that although the budget is up for approval, it may be altered, and projects may be approved or rejected in the future.

Gehrke reported the village once again had received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in the Financial Reporting Program from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).

Manhattan property owners will note that after enjoying a rate decrease last year, the tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year will stay the same. From a resident’s tax bill, the village receives about 10 percent of the total bill. The village used the example that taxes on a $300,000 home would be $8,763 and of that $8,763, only $850.76 would go to the village. Taxes increase as equalized assessed value grows.

Other highlights from the budget presentation include the appointment of two additional police officers and three new squad cars, two snowplows, radium treatment at well #7, sewer peak flow optimization, a dog park, and public works facility expansions. The village hopes to obtain additional grants to pay for some of these projects, such as the dog park.

Additionally, a number of local infrastructure improvements were included in the budget: Designing and engineering of the southern portion of Eastern Avenue, Baker Road improvements, drainage improvements for Park and Trask Streets, water main repairs at Front Street and Manhattan Road, water main/bike path easement on Rt. 52, Hanover Estates resurfacing and maintenance, repairs to Cherry Hill Road, and water and sewer lines for the new fire station/public works/EMA site that would be primarily paid for through the ARPA Grant.

Overall, the village obtained just over $7 million dollars in grants for various projects. Total debt for the village is currently just over $1 million dollars. The village is using some capital reserves to fund capital improvements.

Gerhke noted the village’s goal is to provide resident satisfaction with quality services. Village Administrator Nick Palmer noted that when considering items for the budget, they really try to look at things from a multi-year perspective to ensure fiscal responsibility.

Prior to the unanimous approval of the budget, which occurred without discussion, Adrieansen acknowledged the many meetings and discussions regarding the budget. Although there were members of the public in attendance, no members of the public spoke during the budgetary public hearing.

Moving on to other new business, the board approved a property transfer between the park district and the village, which is a result of issues with property lines that arose during the sale of property from the fire department to the park district. This property transfer cleans up the parcel lines. The fire department’s parking lot, to the north of the station, was village property and this was deeded to the park district in the transfer. Additionally, the EMA garage was slightly over the property line, and this was deeded to the village.

Trustee Dave Beemsterboer questioned Village Attorney Jeff Taylor whether squatter’s rights could apply. Taylor responded that Beemsterboer may have been thinking of the concept of adverse possession, where there are certain elements recognized under law. Taylor noted this sometimes results in adversarial proceedings.

“It has come to my attention that the I call it the smoking shack for lack of better terms, behind Fritz’s, is partly on the property that’s basically owned by the village,” said Beemsterboer. “I don’t want any adverse conditions. I’d like to just clean that up, too, with our lines and maybe just lease them back the two feet for a dollar for 20 years, whatever it takes.”

Beemsterboer clarified his intent was not to hurt Fritz’s. “That way they can’t come back and say, well, we own this now, if we decide to do something else with that whole area. I’m just trying to clean up the property lines.”

Taylor was unfamiliar with the property and redirected the conversation back to the agenda item but noted it could be discussed in the future.

Business moved on, including the approval for bids to be opened for construction of the path by the new well house on Andrea in the Century East subdivision. The multi-use pathway would give residents access to the park, while the main path is inaccessible in the construction area and, following the conclusion of construction, the new path and previous path would connect.

The board approved an IDOT Resolution for using Motor Fuel Tax funds to resurface and improve streets in Hanover Estates.

The board also approved a bid to repave the parking lot at 195 South State Street. This area would be an additional parking area that was previously under the deck behind the old Manhattan Firehouse Grill location, soon to be occupied by Arrowhead Smoke Works.

Three quotes were received by the village from Accurate Construction Services in the amount of $9,500, Sanchez Paving Company in the amount of $16,980, and Oak Lawn Paving in the amount of $19,600. Staff recommended Accurate Construction Services, as they were the least expensive of the quotes received.

The mayor moved to reappoint two members of the village’s plan commission to serve additional four-year terms ending May 1, 2028, which included Steve Krol and Kyle Robbins. These appointments were unanimously approved. Robert Dykstra also was reappointed to the Police and Fire Commission with a three-year term ending May 1, 2027. Police Chief Jeff Wold noted that Dykstra had hoped to attend the meeting but was unable and offered his gratitude for the reappointment.

During the reports from village trustees and staff, Adrieansen said the senior luncheon was a huge success. Village Clerk Shelly Lewis noted that 112 people attended. Additionally, Boy Scouts would be having a Spaghetti Dinner on April 6, from 4 to 7 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Adrieansen announced he formally requested a meeting with Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy to review and, hopefully, extend the current boundary agreement, which is set to expire in 2026.

Manhattan recently extended its boundaries with other neighboring villages and stated that it is difficult to create a comprehensive plan if village boundaries are unknown. He has high hopes the meeting will be a positive one. Adrieansen advised he would report back as to what transpired.

During trustee reports, Trustee Bob Dilling inquired about ADA access in the village building. Dilling was advised Public Works Supervisor John Tyk, who was unable to attend that meeting, was working on that project.

Ron Adamski noted that April is Alcohol Awareness month. He inquired about streetlights in the Prairie Trails subdivision.

Adamski also stated he was upset. He offered an impassioned plea for all residents to be safe while driving, choking up at times, as he advised that he observed a truck driver driving through downtown on Rt. 52, with the truck driver’s eyes on his cell phone, swerving all over.

“Chief, I know you guys are doing everything you can to stop this,” said Adamski. “We need help. Will County. State. Federal. We need some help.”

“It’s already bad enough. It makes me really upset. On his phone, driving through town. This is our town! It makes me so mad – the reason: My wife and I got crushed on Rt. 53 and Manhattan Road. I suffer today,” Adamski said tearfully, before continuing. “It’s ridiculous. It’s not right. This is a safety message. It’s a mess out there. People cut you off. People on their phones, watching videos. Nobody’s paying attention.”

“We have to take it upon ourselves to make sure we all are safe and our town is safe,” Adamski concluded before apologizing for his emotion. Adrieansen affirmed it is a concern that people don’t pay attention.

Trustee Justin Young thanked the board for allowing him to appear virtually at the last meeting. Trustee Tom Doyle, along with others on the board, hoped everyone had a nice Easter.

Palmer noted the village is re-evaluating its website, as well as how the board agenda is put online. He welcomes comments on its usability.

Prior to the meeting’s conclusion, the board entered into a lengthy executive session. The only action following the executive session was to approve lease agreement amendments for Arrowhead Smoke Works.

All board members, with the exception of Trustee Dave Beemsterboer, voted to approve the changes, which formally approved the lease for Arrowhead Smoke Works. Beemsterboer did not offer any comment before casting a vote in opposition to the approval.

Arrowhead Smoke Works is a new restaurant for restaurateur and brewer Mike Bacon, who also owns Arrowhead Ales in neighboring New Lenox.

Arrowhead Smoke House will be located on Rt. 52 in the historic Manhattan Firehouse building (previously home to a number of restaurants over the years, including the most recent Manhattan Firehouse Grill that occupied the building until 2019), which is owned by the Village of Manhattan.

It is also worth noting this is the first meeting that the village recorded for publication on the village website and YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@VillageofManhattan/videos. The board meeting video was uploaded the day following the meeting.

Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.