Machesney Park committee recommends updating building codes, vehicle purchase and multiple street projects; several measures sent to full board

The Village of Machesney Park committee on April 21 voted by voice to forward a series of ordinances and resolutions to the full board with positive recommendations, including an update to local building codes, authorization to buy a service-body truck, and appropriations for street and median improvements.

The package of items included Ordinance 10-25 to adopt the 2021 International Building Codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code; Resolution 17-R-25 to purchase a 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 service-body truck not to exceed $68,000.70; and multiple motor fuel tax (MFT) and Rebuild Illinois-funded street and sidewalk projects along Route 251. Committee members approved minutes and a warrant of $1,406,876.96 and recommended forwarding those routine items to the board as well.

The building-code update was presented by Izzy Emmanuel, Community Development and Building Coordinator. Emmanuel said the village’s prior code adoption dated to 2017 and that the village had been using the 2015 edition of the International Building Codes. "We want to make sure that anything that's built in the village is built to current safety standards," Emmanuel said, and recommended adoption of the 2021 codes with local amendments and the 2020 National Electrical Code.

Public works director Mitch Holden briefed the committee on the truck purchase, saying the village follows a rolling replacement plan started in 2022 and that the additional service-body truck will allow crews to carry needed tools and supplies to job sites. "This greatly increases productivity and job efficiency," Holden said. He told the committee the $68,000.70 figure would stay within remaining capital vehicle funds for fiscal year 24-25 and that, because the purchase exceeds the Illinois state purchasing allowance of $25,000, the…