Manhattan residents have wanted safer pedestrian access along Route 52 — and the village board is pursuing a grant to help update the route.
The board approved a resolution supporting the village’s application to IDOT for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant, which, if awarded, could provide significant funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Route 52.
The resolution is needed because while the grant would provide 80 percent of a project’s cost, it requires a 20 percent local match.
The grant application window is open through Oct. 5, and $157 million is available in total. The village could be awarded up to $5 million for its project.
“The proposed project extends the existing multi-use path from Foxford Drive to Round Barn, creating a safer dedicated route for pedestrians and bicyclists, improving connectivity. And this also goes into what the forest reserve is planning on doing with connecting the Wauponsee Trail to the Old Plank Trail,” Mayor Mike Adrieansen said.
“We’re trying to get right-of-way for the bike path currently, but if we get that accomplished, then that might move the forest reserve closer to bringing the Old Plank Trail to the Wauponsee Trail for more connectivity,” he added.
Trustee Justin Young asked whether they could mention in the grant application that the post office is relocating across the street, as there is no walking path to the new post office location.
Adrieansen also suggested the village secure a letter of support from the Forest Preserve to help establish a need for the improvements.
The suggestions were taken into consideration and would be
Other board actions included changes to the village code regarding expenditure limits for the Village President (Mayor Mike Adrieansen), Superintendent of Public Works John Tyk, and Police Chief Ryan Gulli. Adrieansen and Tyk’s limits were each increased from $6,000 to $10,000; Gulli’s was increased from $1,500 to $7,500. The village administrator’s limit was unchanged.
Tyk offered the example that the increase would be beneficial in the event of a weekend of after-hours water main break where services are needed.
Trustee Lucinda Neighbors inquired whether the expenditures would be flagged in the expenditure report. Administrator Rosemaria DiBenedetto said all the expenditures would still be listed in the board report as they are currently. They would inquire with finance whether or not there is room to add a note.
The budget still needs to be followed, as well as purchasing laws and policies, and competing estimates for purchases over $1,000.
In other news, the board updated the village code to reflect current processes with regard to the village administrator and department heads overseeing operations while still allowing open discussion. Adrieansen explained that the village has operated under this organizational structure for the last six years, but the code didn’t reflect it, and this action updated it to reflect current practice.
The village’s fall community scarecrow contest, Scarecrows on Parade, has begun, and those interested in participating can pick up a frame at the village hall to decorate.