Manteno board approves $984,101 Legacy Park Phase 2 contract; OKs $20,300 storm‑sewer televising

The Village of Manteno board on Jan. 21 voted to award a $984,101.05 contract to Tenneco Excavation of Bourbonnais for Legacy Park Phase 2 and approved a separate $20,300 contract for storm‑sewer televising and cleaning, both included in a consent (omnibus) agenda that passed by roll call.

The approvals came as part of an omnibus motion to accept three consent items: the Legacy Park Phase 2 contract, the 2025 storm‑sewer televising and cleaning contract, and payment of bills in the amount of $109,668.92 (the payment amount does not include TIF bills). Trustee Crockett moved approval; Trustee Boudreaux seconded. The roll call showed unanimous “yes” votes from trustees present: Crockett, Boudreaux, Dole, Geske, Phillips and Woodrow.

Why it matters: Legacy Park Phase 2 is the next phase of a park master plan that board members said dates to a multi‑year process. The board said the township, which owns roughly half of Legacy Park, will pay 50% of the Phase 2 cost. The village does not have a park district; trustees noted park work is paid from the village general fund.

Background and bid process: The village reported it received four sealed bids for the Legacy Park work. The low bid from Tenneco Excavation was roughly $20,000 below the next bidder and about $250,000 below the village engineer's estimate, according to board remarks. The bidding and engineer review are handled by village engineer Bruce Hill, who reviews bids for completeness and qualification before recommending award. Other bidders named in the meeting included Schwartz Excavating, R & R (Reuben Smith Construction) and KVCC.

Storm‑sewer contract details: The approved $20,300 contract is for televising and cleaning storm lines the village identified as having failed spots on Willow Street between Holtz and Leahy. Trustees said the lines are clay pipe; the televising work is intended to locate damaged segments and inform whether spot repairs or a full slip‑lining are needed.

Finance and next steps: The payment of bills approved by the board totaled $109,668.92. Trustees noted the village funds park operations and recreation from its general fund and that some prior park amenities (for example, an ice rink) were paid for entirely by the village when partner bodies declined to contribute. Implementation of the Legacy Park work will proceed under the contract award and oversight by the village engineer and public works staff; the township is expected to contribute its 50% share for accepted items.

Discussion versus vote: Board discussion at the meeting reviewed the bidding process, confirmation that sealed bids were received and opened by the engineer, and that the low bidder was a local contractor. There were no separate, recorded amendments to the award; the three items were approved together by omnibus vote.

Looking ahead: Trustees said construction of park improvements has proceeded in phases over several years and that work planned under Phase 2 follows the master plan originally developed in the late 2000s. Public‑works staff will schedule the work and report back as the contracts move into construction.