[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6270751,"mediaKeyId","3032365-806b799a6db8961708f341e8589838aa","parentId",3032365,"title","Village, donors celebrate new Manhattan dog park named for Dr. Scott Becker","audioSeconds",361,"startMs",28000,"endMs",389000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032365-806b799a6db8961708f341e8589838aa&start=28&end=389","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032365-806b799a6db8961708f341e8589838aa/thumbnail_28000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6270751/Manhattan/Will-County/Illinois/Village-donors-celebrate-new-Manhattan-dog-park-named-for-Dr-Scott-Becker","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270751-2dc97c7de903f85ca2feb57de2be7f6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174456&Signature=V6TxmZW4LUPA3k6hALbfugToR7xn3SPg4iisfM7TOXnHVKM40q2vAKaoTLU1I1DHMIkwiyvVswOEaAm64T~DolAeucv1Y~gGZRyQVehpjeV1burGUD7oPg3DVfFYMGiiqI~IfomXTQVCVsfT2L5-RvYjxtpDiZZFgR4oU~vQC7KEe84yrG-vFkgsQkGM56ZamMbXBdMDRneblb-0TSDK0SoFPbbW7lJ941cspEYWss2Hk36rycj2i~X6yN~GQM8xtTmASmgbLYir7RA6N9-847AHgykK7vpssHc0jGhqykQS5USVPAikk3SSNVyq-VQC8l~0Kx7Cs8JjWOCZWEuxpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Manhattan, IL","date","2025-04-17T04:31:47.583Z","article","Village officials and park-district leaders recognized donors and announced the community\u0000dog park will open early this summer and bear the name Doctor Scott Park in memory of the late veterinarian Scott Becker.

Mayor Mike Adrianson and trustees thanked the Village Park District, Metra and a long list of sponsors. Kate Becker, identified in the meeting as the widow of the late Dr. Scott Becker, spoke for friends and family. \"This park stands as a testament to Dr. Scott's enduring legacy, celebrating his love for animals and his commitment to their well-being,\" she said. She told the board the donation funds were gathered after Dr. Becker\u0000s sudden death in 2020 and that the family and friends wanted a lasting tribute.

Representatives of corporate and nonprofit partners attended and spoke. Earthrise Energy\u0000s development manager, Rob Kalbus, and Earthrise director of community engagement, Talia Tupper, presented a contribution; Tupper said, \"We have contributed $50,000 to this park over the last 2 years, and we cannot wait for it to open.\" Other named supporters included Metra, Manhattan Park District, Grand Prairie Animal Hospital (Dr. James McMahon), Dynasty Utility Services and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.

Village staff reported construction work is underway on electrical, plumbing and fencing; the mayor said the park will open early this summer. Metra staff thanked the village and park district for coordinating the project and confirmed Metra property is being made available for the site.

Why it matters: the park fills a long-sought community recreational need, and the naming recognizes a local veterinarian who served area families and animals.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are listed in the speaker roster below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","VOM Board Meetings 2025 04 15","oneSentenceSummary","Officials and donors gathered to mark construction progress and announce the dog park will open early this summer and be named \"Doctor Scott Park\" in memory of veterinarian Scott Becker; Earthrise Energy presented a $50,000 donation.","taxTitle","Manhattan, Will County, Illinois","taxId",70416,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6270755,"Village of Manhattan board approves budget, leases and infrastructure contracts; several routine resolutions pass",676,518000,1194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032365-806b799a6db8961708f341e8589838aa&start=518&end=1194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032365-806b799a6db8961708f341e8589838aa/thumbnail_518000.jpg","/articles/6270755/Manhattan/Will-County/Illinois/Village-of-Manhattan-board-approves-budget-leases-and-infrastructure-contracts-several-routine-resolutions-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270755-6938237c6b9227264ae290fa9230ad8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174456&Signature=YH7XVm2WJ5Atx9uO38qH-7M41dIDjt9YRk1NM3khWsh2Or1NOrefNrQMYdUl0EwRzoL5frzEHd7~OkfKR0QJkk-aWKvCy8IUL3Nb-N32RwyMj63HrNFVt~zM1iL0bseWPcctvQpyhgsbeZGkzQH~UK2mjmiQZ20tJRFQyHCFOraAE-xw9oCJPzO9a-ezRpHqeBNbF~snY0vdjXkHsvBiKb4Bob2~5MRRMChQF0F~DKIcjJua~Bi58wd4Xo3j-l~lX0nOmnFext5TGKbZIQHbMA25udKsEheh5x871fQe4UxeDI0NTFgwaREKY-u3PJihbaineoVFaXSnwQ4NoiHNew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees approved a set of routine and budgetary items at a recent meeting. Key outcomes and vote records (as recorded in the meeting transcript) follow.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance adopting fiscal year 2025–2026 budget (version 2): Board approved the budget ordinance (version 2). Recorded roll-call entries in the transcript include: \"Steve Stavoor? No.\" \"Adamski? Yes.\" \"Doyle? Yes.\" \"Neighbors? Yes.\" \"Young? Yes.\" \"Dilling? No.\" The board announced \"Motion carries.\"

- Resolution authorizing execution of a one-year cash-rent farmland lease (Route 52 south of Bruns Road): Approved; motion carried. Transcript lists a roll call with \"Damsky. Yes. Doyle. Yes. Neighbors. Yes. Young. Yes. Dilling. Yes. Beamsterboer. Yes. Adamski. Yes.\" Motion carries.

- Resolution authorizing execution of a one-year cash-rent farmland lease (North side of Hoff Road, west of Galgar Road): Approved; motion carries. Roll call recorded \"Doyle? Yes. Neighbors? Yes. Young? Yes. Dilling? Yep. Beamsterboer? Yes. Adamski? Yes.\"

- Resolution approving equalization-basin valve automation controls at the wastewater treatment plant (Trier Systems): Approved; amount $70,000. Roll call recorded several yes votes and the chair said, \"Motion carries.\" The board packet stated the work and price were budgeted and that only one vendor submitted a proposal.

- Resolution awarding bid for South Park Street roadway reconstruction (North Street to First Street): Awarded to P.T. Farrell as the lowest bidder at $721,726; project funded by the Rebuild Illinois Public Infrastructure Grant. Roll call recorded multiple yes votes and the chair declared the motion carried.

- Consent agenda items (03/18/2025 meeting minutes; 04/15/2025 bills list; change start time of 05/06/2025 meeting from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., temporary): Approved on a roll call; motion carries.

- Reappointment: Kelly Gibbons reappointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a four-year term expiring 05/01/2029; approved by roll call.

Other procedural actions: Trustees opened and closed a public hearing on the FY 2025–2026 budget (no public speakers registered) and later entered executive session for personnel, collective bargaining and pending litigation; no final actions were taken publicly following executive session.

Why it matters: The budget adoption and contract awards set municipal spending and authorize projects that affect infrastructure, public-works schedules and future capital planning in Manhattan.

Speakers who appear in the transcript and are relevant to these items are listed in the speaker roster below.","At this meeting the board adopted a fiscal-year budget (version 2), approved two one-year farmland leases, awarded a road-reconstruction bid and approved wastewater plant automation, among other routine items. Several roll-call votes were recorded.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6270760,"Saint Joseph parish urges code change after sprinkler retrofit costs stall school renovation",893,611000,1504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032365-806b799a6db8961708f341e8589838aa&start=611&end=1504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032365-806b799a6db8961708f341e8589838aa/thumbnail_611000.jpg","/articles/6270760/Manhattan/Will-County/Illinois/Saint-Joseph-parish-urges-code-change-after-sprinkler-retrofit-costs-stall-school-renovation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270760-9d9e9fad9a3fe192aa45b0504ba39275/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174456&Signature=iAtlcrau4NY-tVK3yZop2A~ienAa1QPXvxulOPVfo13x8D8fUBtdJBay~t1O66ZmgN6CEnOr~Ah9oa5xBs4C51MNrzgYiH0jUgz87X5~XyUc24OPGle0NtfUuTWvptk3Spmt0qE9CDcQdlHL-VqncSvRlw4bwAlyh48P0lX3pjruUkYSY7q-fB1TQnbE49fnX5vG0pMB4RhDQKxe-JMNVDYRZGvjwxFtNMdQAFEngS-iXW6mvP9G5DRbuGnxpLV9DDaVUSjkLeliG-x5XMGNR0hVMVEPm1O~QjRh50JO4hGHRY7NxVClLV5ESrc2nBtF-PIwbREu7hklmoCrzcK4~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parish leaders at the Village of Manhattan meeting on an unspecified May date asked trustees to consider a code amendment after presenting estimates showing sprinkler retrofits and water-main work would dramatically increase the cost of a planned renovation at Saint Joseph School.

Father Mike, speaking for Saint Joseph Parish, said the parish is seeking a solution that preserves life safety while avoiding an outcome that would make a modest renovation uneconomical. \"Sprinklers, in order to function properly, they need a certain amount of water volume, they need a certain amount of pressure,\" he said, adding that connecting to the main could require a 2-, 4- or 6-inch line and excavation. Father Mike told trustees the parish’s renovation budget for the adaptive reuse of a 1,140-square-foot garage is $233,000 and that sprinkler- and main-related work could add at least $75,000 to the total project; he said, \"On the very lowest end with the most optimistic of attitudes... we're talking at minimum $15,000. On the high end, it's north of $30,000.\"

Chris Lavoie, the parish’s contractor, said village amendments adopted after the 2007 International Fire Code removed three exceptions that formerly exempted many small or low-occupancy buildings from sprinkler requirements. Lavoie described three draft text amendments he prepared and argued for a rule targeted to small, older buildings. \"I'm asking you to consider a text amendment... based on square footage and adding additional smoke detectors and strobes,\" he said, suggesting a 1,500-square-foot threshold coupled with added alarm features as one option.

Manhattan Fire District Chief Steve Moore told the board that the fire district does not set village codes and that his primary concern is life safety across the growing community. \"If we make changes ... for every time someone makes an ask, we're setting ourselves up for failure,\" he said, while also offering to work with the parish and village staff on a solution.

Trustees discussed timing and process. Village staff said drafting a text amendment, holding a public hearing and voting would be required; trustees suggested aiming to bring language back at the May 6 meeting if possible. Parish representatives stressed urgency: the school has waiting lists for preschool (11 last year; seven already this year) and they said they need usable space by August for students.

The parish and its consultant described alternative technical approaches that were considered and why they are not cost‑saving: dry-pipe systems still require the same infrastructure; above-ground storage tanks would add building and footing costs; directional drilling to the main is complicated by underground electric and a sewer line requiring minimum horizontal separation. Lavoie further noted the village has assisted by waiving roughly $9,000 in permit fees for the project.

Parish leaders asked trustees to consider a narrowly drawn amendment that would not set a broad precedent. \"I don't want to set precedence,\" Lavoie said. \"I think it should be something that you look on a project-by-project basis\" or limited by square footage, construction date and added detection/strobe requirements.

Why it matters: the parish says the renovation would create classroom and program space needed by school students and parish activities; trustees must balance life-safety requirements adopted into local code with the financial and practical limits of existing infrastructure on older properties.

What’s next: trustees instructed staff and the village attorney to draft amendment language for board consideration. Village staff signaled willingness to prepare text for a public hearing and potential vote at the board’s next meeting; parish representatives said they will pursue an interim approach (revising permit submittals to show a sports/assembly use that currently fits the existing code exceptions) if necessary to open the space for the upcoming school year.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are listed in the speaker roster below.","Parish leaders and their contractor urged the Village of Manhattan to consider a narrowly tailored amendment to local fire-code requirements after engineers said retrofitting sprinkler service would add tens of thousands of dollars and require a new water main.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Village, donors celebrate new Manhattan dog park named for Dr. Scott Becker

Village of Manhattan board approves budget, leases and infrastructure contracts; several routine resolutions pass

Saint Joseph parish urges code change after sprinkler retrofit costs stall school renovation