The Manhattan Park District held a public hearing during its February monthly meeting and subsequently voted to sell $2,250,000 in general obligation park bonds. The bonds would be used primarily for improvements at Round Barn Farm, though the exact itemized expenditures would be determined at a later date.
Parks Director Jay Kelly explained, “We don’t have any non-referendum taxing authority. When PTELL’s introduced, we didn’t get anything. So, all of our bonds, without referendum, are an alternate revenue source, which means the intentions are the money will generate a profit to repay it.”
“All of our bond issuances, if you’ll recall back in January — we abate all those taxes. So there’s no tax implications to these issuances, at all,” Kelly advised the board, also explaining that until the parameters ordinance is passed, “nothing is set in stone.”
Later in the meeting, Kelly advised the board that he is working with Mayor Mike Adrieansen to complete the annexation agreement for Round Barn Farm. They currently are negotiating water and sewer at Round Barn Farm, especially regarding cost sharing, with the intention for the Park District to be able to run water and sewer at a later date. Kelly explained the goal is to have the details worked out so they’ll be cleared to move forward with those items when they’re ready.
Kelly also reported the park district had a site visit with Firmitas, the engineer, and Will County for Round Barn Farm improvements and said the meeting was “awesome.” They are finalizing the renovation plans, which will be submitted to the county.
Outside of the public hearing, the meeting was relatively brief, with President Bridget Hope extending her appreciation to the staff for working outside in the cold, noting more cold weather would be on the way.
Kelly advised the board the park district is now FOIA-ready after people conducted First Amendment audits to ensure organizations adhered to FOIA and OMA standards. The district will post pertinent information in the lobby. Additionally, they will have an information packet available for staff in the event they encounter an individual wanting to do a check.
Improvements at the Hansen Community Center include new lights in the offices, and they are working to consolidate the water RPZ valves.
New signs were posted at Round Barn Farm and Prairie Trails Parks, and the sign at Central Park was moved. The park district also installed new, more prominent yellow signage to tell people to stay off the ponds, informing people of the no-swimming and no-skating policies on ponds. Kelly reported the park district had signs posted, but it was clear people had used the pond at Central Park for ice hockey as a net was on the ice, which is prohibited.
Regarding programming, The Den Program has 41 participants, and youth basketball has 52. Spring soccer, baseball, and t-ball registration closes on February 23.
The park district again will offer an adult softball league and a new adult pickleball league this spring.
Spring Break Camp will be March 31 through April 4, and summer camp registration opens on March 10. Taylor Swift will be the theme of the dance recital. Two Easter Egg hunts will be held, one for adults. The board is also planning Heritage Fest.
The park board also approved a Micrombility Device Policy, which previously was discussed at the December meeting. The board also approved a resolution allowing the legal team to handle tax appeal cases, which Kelly said was standard yearly.
The spring program guide is anticipated to be available as of March 3.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.
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