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 board will need to waive formal bidding when it takes up the item.

Finance and HR Director Shannon Hansen presented several budget- and funding-related resolutions, including adjustments for interfund balances and MFT appropriations. Hansen said MFT funds are provided by the state of Illinois and "can only be used for expenses authorized by the state," and that the village estimates $735,525 of MFT will be used for road salt and street lighting during fiscal year 2025-26.

Village engineer Chris Dobkins outlined two Route 251 projects using Rebuild Illinois and MFT funds. He said the village’s Rebuild Illinois allotment is "about a million and a half" and that funds will be used to reconstruct medians along Route 251 between Harlem Road and Roosevelt Road and to make a minor realignment at the Roosevelt Road intersection. Dobkins said earlier phases that involve ADA ramps are already under contract and that a contractor is expected to start next week.

The committee also recommended a supplemental MFT appropriation after the village’s recent Route 251 sidewalk project exceeded its original appropriation. Dobkins said the project was budgeted at $575,000 but final costs reached about $583,000, driven by construction inflation and additional demolition of an underlying, older sidewalk discovered during excavation.

All motions in committee were approved by voice vote and forwarded to the April 21 board meeting with positive recommendations. The meeting included routine reports and a short recognition of former trustee and treasurer Tommy O.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of March 17, 2025 minutes — Motion by Trustee Bailey; second by Mr. Simons; outcome: approved by voice vote; individual tallies not recorded in the committee minutes.

- Warrant for $1,406,876.96 — Motion by Trustee Bogie; second by Mr. Van Vliet; outcome: approved by voice vote; individual tallies not recorded.

- Ordinance 9-25 (disposal of various personal property) — Motion by Mr. Simon; second by Mr. Van Vliet; staff: Kevin Sutter, Management Analyst; outcome: approved by voice vote; forwarded to April 21 board meeting with positive recommendation.

- Ordinance 10-25 (adopt 2021 International Building Codes and 2020 National Electrical Code, with amendments) — Motion by Trustee Bailey; second by Mr. Simons; staff: Izzy Emmanuel, Community Development and Building Coordinator; outcome: approved by voice vote; forwarded to April 21 board meeting with positive recommendation.

- Resolution 17-R-25 (authorize purchase of 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 service-body truck, not to exceed $68,000.70) — Motion by Mr. Van Vliet; second by Mr. Simons; staff: Mitch Holden, Public Works Director; outcome: approved by voice vote; forwarded with positive recommendation. Note: purchase exceeds state purchasing allowance of $25,000 and will require a board action to waive formal bidding.

- Resolution 20-R-25 (settlement/adjustment of interfund balances for FY 2024-25) — Motion by Mr. Van Vliet; second by Trustee Bogie; staff: Shannon Hansen, Finance and HR Director; outcome: approved by voice vote; forwarded with positive recommendation.

- Resolution 21-R-25 (MFT appropriation estimate for maintenance, FY 2025-26) — Motion by Trustee Bailey; second by Mr. Simon; staff: Shannon Hansen; outcome: approved by voice vote; forwarded with positive recommendation. Hansen estimated $735,525 for road salt and street lighting.

- Resolution 22-R-25 (authorize Rebuild Illinois and MFT funds for Route 251 median improvements between Harlem Road and Roosevelt Road) — Motion by Mr. Simon; second by Mr. Van de Leed; staff: Chris Dobkins, Village Engineer; outcome: approved by voice vote; forwarded with positive recommendation. Dobkins said the village’s Rebuild Illinois allotment is about $1.5 million and that plans have been submitted to the department for review.

- Resolution 23-R-25 (supplemental MFT appropriation for Route 251 sidewalk improvements) — Motion by Trustee Bailey; second by Trustee Bogie; staff: Chris Dobkins; outcome: approved by voice vote; forwarded with positive recommendation. Dobkins said the sidewalk project exceeded the original $575,000 appropriation and final cost was about $583,000 due to inflation and additional excavation.

Speakers

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