By Stephanie Irvine
At the village’s October 15 board meeting, the Village of Manhattan heard a presentation from Robert P. Vail, senior vice president and managing director of Bernardi Securities, Inc., to learn about the potential to recall some and refinance the remaining portion of the SSA Bond issued in 2015 for the Brookstone Springs subdivision.
Vail explained this was like refinancing a home. Homeowner savings could vary depending on the rate when they are ready to sell the bond.
Trustee Justin Young inquired if the village could take advantage of lower rates if the rates lowered further before they closed. Vail advised the rates will vary slightly day-to-day, and the village is not locked in until they are ready to sell the bond.
“I just feel we can’t lose. It’s the best thing for our residents. If they could save $50-100, it’s fantastic. We’re not extending the length of the bond, so I don’t see why we don’t keep going,” Trustee Dave Beemsterboer said.
Following the bond presentation, the village board approved a commitment to continue to hold the Manhattan Irish Fest in Manhattan.
Additionally, the board approved the meeting minutes from its comprehensive land use plan workshop, which was held on September 30, with representatives from Hauseal Lavigne.
During the meeting, the board discussed a transportation study and a Rt. 52 bypass, with one option transferring traffic to Cherry Hill Road and another to Cedar Road. Hauseal Lavigne will implement revisions and provide a new study at a future meeting.
Work continues on Manhattan’s dog park, with a license agreement with Metra approved. The next step is for Metra to approve the agreement. Mayor Mike Adrieansen noted this project hadn’t moved forward due to ironing out some legal issues in the agreement.
Village Attorney Jeff Taylor explained the IGA (intergovernmental agreement) indicated the park district would enter into an IGA with Metra. Then, there was a license issue with the Village of Manhattan. The park district had made some changes, which Taylor felt went a bit beyond the IGA, so they changed the license, and now it will go back to Metra, who still has the opportunity to make changes, but he anticipates they would be minimal, if any.
A tax levy discussion was held ahead of the required ordinance, which must be passed and filed with the county clerk before the second Tuesday of December. Beemsterboer asked if they would have a budget to review before then, and Adrieansen replied that is usually how it is done and how it has been done in the past.
Included in the board packet was a memo from Village Administrator Jeff Wold, which stated a revenue and expenditure report was included, but the usual finance report was not completed in time to be included in the packet.
Outside of agenda items, Trustee Lucy Neighbors noted the Taste of Fall was a lovely event. Clerk Shelly Lewis stated the Scarecrows on Parade have been set up in the Wabash parking lot, where they will be on display until Halloween. Judges have been selected to award the various cash prizes to entrants.
Administrator Wold advised that the Kankakee Daily Journal had an article on Manhattan’s growth, which they would share online.
Wold also reported that the county will hold an open house for its Long Range 2050 plan at the Manhattan Fire Station, on November 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Public Works Supervisor John Tyk reported Baker Road construction has begun, and they are working on street lights for Smith Road and Stonegate. He noted field mice chewed on the wires, so that would need to be addressed. The smoke test was conducted on the sanitary system, and they are awaiting the results.
Finally, the November board meeting was rescheduled to Monday, November 4, at 6 p.m., due to the election (the room where the board meetings are held is turned into an election polling place).
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.