Village Board - Regular Meeting

Good evening everybody and welcome to the village board meeting for Mantino on Monday, February the 2nd. Would you please stand for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. And tonight if Reverend Warner is here, Reverend Warner is from the Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Mantino and he is doing the invocation.

Thank you, Reverend. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, Lord of life, we thank you for all all the blessings that you give to us, both temporal and spiritual. We we thank you for our faith in Jesus and pray that that faith would continue to grow. But tonight, we also pray and continue to pray for our village. We pray that it might be a place in which we might all prosper and might all um be blessed um and and enjoy the community that we have. We thank you for these elected officials and those appointed to um and we thank you for their service to us and to this community. We pray that you would be a blessing among them also. We pray this all in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.

Roll call, please. President here here. Here present.

Thank you. There is a [snorts] quorum. The reading of the agenda. Are there any additions or deletions to the agenda? Seeing none. Um, tonight we are not going to vote on last meeting's minutes because there's a couple things that need to be corrected. So, we will approve those minutes on February 17th and that is a Tuesday night because two weeks from today is a holiday. What did we say it was, Chris? President's Day.

Okay. So, that would be the next meeting. Public participation. The first speaker tonight [clears throat] is Francine Fatima. [cough] Good evening. [clears throat] So, today is Groundhog Day. What surprises it holds? Well, I know most of the time it's past, but how long will winter be with us is one of the things that one does on Groundhog Day. It looks like the foreseeable future six six more weeks of winter. So what is the future of goan here in Mantino? Hopefully not six weeks. Court will be on Wednesday the 4th and our prayers are for this debacle to end. The communist company Gan should go into demise out of our village once and for all. We're hopeful. Thank you. [applause] Next speaker is Denise Nicholson. I'd like to talk about fiscal responsibility and I have some questions. The village may not have money for residents to have free garbage

service or a village tax rebate. This has been mentioned many times now in my business. This is called foreshadow things to come. My question is did we not have at one time an account of $30 million or somewhat close to it in the village coffers? What happened to all that money? Spent on necessities or on what I call Christmas list items, things you put on your Christmas list and hope rich auntie or uncle or grandparents buy for you because you certainly know your parents won't because your Christmas list hopeful item is way out of line for the family budget. Necessity or Christmas list item. It was argued at one time, what difference if the new vehicle costs $2,000 more? Well, for most residents, $2,000 equals one month's mortgage payment. Another illustration, this restroom on the square. Is this cost a necessity or on your Christmas wish list? Originally, it was said to cost $150,000 when brought up. Then a trustee asked, "Does this include plum, plumbing, electricity, etc." Answer was no. Then asked, "Well, what would the project cost upon completion?" and an estimated additional cost of was said of $150 to $180,000. So the once restroom on the square went from $150,000 to an estimated $350 to $380,000. Now last village board meeting a motion to approve an estimate of LT turf pros from PietOne for $22,484 remove and install turf was voted on. Later on this evening, a motion to approve an estimate same company for $86,218 to install turf at square. It does not say remove. So is it $22,484 plus an additional $86,218.

Either way, this is close to an additional $100,000 for a restroom. Now totaling close to $500,000. Is this a necessity or on our Christmas list? In my opinion, I have to say money well spent was the 10 to12,000 to televise the committee meetings in the early morning and evenings as well as the village board meetings. That's great fiscal responsibility and benefits everyone. It was mentioned January department heads were putting a budget together. I'm sure putting I'm sure there are necessity necessary items as well as Christmas items on each list. My challenge to you board members as you go over the list, ask yourself, is it a necessity or something that you could put on hold for another year so as we can gift the entire village with another tax rebate and free garbage bill. Likewise, put and save money I'm almost done. Put and save money in the village coffers for necessities as most people do for their family budgets. Thank you. Our [applause] third and final speaker is Ann Gates. [clears throat]

Good evening. After speaking with some developers and project managers concerning what they consider when they're looking to invest in an area, I was told they look at several demographics in addition to growth patterns, taxing surrounding communities. These metrics help companies tailor products, refine marketing strategies, set prices and select optimal locations for maximum profitability. What some have looked at definitely is goan how it failed in Michigan and caused havoc in their community. North Dakota was also looked at in the same situation. Now, the plant in Fremont, California, also in court with multiple lawsuits, has been closed down multiple times with signage on their doors saying unsafe work environment. Governor Sanders of Arkansas refused to allow Goan in her state, saying that they would not give one blade of grass to communist party-owned go. Illinois has incredibly high taxes. Our state is bleeding population. We will be in a court again in a few days for Judge Parker's decision concerning Goan. Yet, it was said here that the citizens who have voiced concern, fear, and yes, anger at what's been forced upon them are at fault along with trustees that won't go along and push this further. It is an incorrect assumption on the part of some that that is the hindrance for housing development and big box companies and stores to come here to Mantino. It does play a part. The heart of the community

is very important adding to the cohesiveness of the town. But when Mr. Wheeler spoke of the manufacturing phase of goan coming into fruition. It only stoked more concern over the chemicals that are toxin producing. So, we're in facing production on the west side of town and now Gan is looking at the cold storage location at 1125 Sycamore Road, 30 acres of land over there to store what they're going to be manufacturing over there. What they will be manufacturing? H Mantina would be like a toxic sandwich. Goan on the west of us. Goan on the east of us. And we're stuck in the middle. Might bring to mind an old song. Clowns on the left of me, Joker's to the right. Here I am stuck in the middle with you. We're stuck in the middle. No thanks. I'm tired of hearing non-disclosure propaganda. That is not how our republic was meant to be. It was intended to be the people by for the people by the people. Unfortunately, here it's become by a few along with the former mayor and Pritsker endeavoring to short circuit the new mayor and a few new trustees that were chosen by the town's people to represent them because they saw hope in honest transparency. Maybe the leftovers would do well to listen to and act on the will of the people, not the money that's been talking. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] That concludes our public participation for tonight. And so now we'll go to the reports of the village officials. I'll begin by letting you know that um this year is the 250th birthday of the United

States of America. So we are putting together I am putting together a committee. Jacob Knox is going to help me with this, but we want to get some good citizens to help us plan some events for that week leading up to the 4th of July. So, watch for some things to come out in the news. We'll we'll get that we'll get that online and get that uh spoken about right away. Um last week I visited Harbor House and they are inviting public officials to come and see the services that they offer to people who are victims of domestic violence. It's shocking. It's It brings tears to your eyes to see what some people have to go through. And they do have apartments for them to live in, but they're so tiny. They are currently working on a $5 million project. They're building a larger building that's that would work better. It's been designed by Jeff Jarvis, one of the architects in Cany County, and they got a $2 million grant. They've already raised $1.5 million on their own, and they're they're looking for more help from other people in the county. So, I encourage all the trustees to please go on that tour when you have the opportunity. And anybody who'd like to donate money, I can give you the contact of somebody from Harbor House. On Thursday of this week, I was invited. I'm going to go out to Heritage Woods and speak to the residents out there. And once again, Jacob's coming with me. We're going to show them a quick video. I'm going to bring some cookies and talk to them about Mantino and what a great place it is for us all to live and hopefully in the future we can visit them more because I know people who are in nursing homes really appreciate that. So that's all I have for tonight. I'm going to turn this over to the village administrator, Chris Lorac.

Okay, I have one announcement. The uh entrance to Eagle's Landing off of County Highway 9 will be closed tomorrow for the installation of the storm sewer for that widening project on the road. So [clears throat] residents will need to use the two entrances off of North Spruce Street. It should be opened back up again sometime on Wednesday, but it'll depend on how that goes. That's all I have. Thank you. All right. Committee reports, finance trustee Barry.

Thank you. Old business on the agenda. None. New business on the agenda. Payment of the bills $31,79741 includes tip number three for $0. Bills authorized and paid between board cycle $48,92948. Our next finance committee meeting will be February 17th at 5:00 p.m. here in the village boardroom. Thank you. Thank you. Planning and zoning trustee Woodruff. Thank you, Mayor. Uh no old business. Uh no new business either. Our next planning and zoning committee meeting will be uh next Wednesday the 11th at 7 a.m. in the village boardroom. And our next planning commission meeting has been cancelled since there is nothing on the agenda for that. And that's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you. Public safety and health trustee von. Thank you. Um old business on agenda. None. New business. I have nothing. Public safety committee report. We have Officer Ben Elzinga here this evening that's going to give us an update. Thank you, Ben.

Uh, good evening, mayor and trustees. As the winter trap temperatures drop, I want to take a moment to remind everyone about cold weather safety and an important resource available here in Manino. Prolonged exposure to the extreme cold can be dangerous, especially for seniors, children, and anyone with inadequate heat. Frostbite hypothermia can occur quickly, even when temperatures don't seem extreme. We encourage residents to limit climb outdoors, dress in layers, and check on neighbors who may be vulnerable during cold snaps. When temperatures become dangerously low, the village of Mino opens a warming center at the Leo Hasset Community Center for residents in need. This warming center is available 24 hours a day and can ask and can be arranged simply by calling Mino Police Department. An officer will ensure residents are able to get inside and stay warm. If you know someone who may need help or if you're experiencing a heat emergency yourself, please don't hesitate to reach out. No one in the community could be community should have to face the extreme cold.

Thank you and please stay safe. Thank you, officer. Thank you. Okay. Um my next public safety and health committee meeting is February 17th at 5:00 p.m. at the village boardroom. Thank you. Thank you. Public Works and Utilities Trustee Crackett.

Uh, thank you. I don't have any new items on the agenda this evening. Uh, the next public works committee meeting is scheduled for the 24th of this month at 7:00 a.m. here in the village boardroom. Uh, a couple of items from the public works committee meeting uh, from the 27th of January. Uh, Jim, I'll uh, refer to you for some info on some of this. Um, we talked about the storm sewer project updates.

Uh, yep. The, uh, project over in Heritage Park on the, uh, north side of Jeffrey, uh, they're looking to start that later on this week. Um, and the, uh, project over there by Lehey Circle and whatnot. They have a couple connections to make and then, uh, restoration then in the spring. Another item we had talked about and uh this is uh something that uh we're going to continue to uh discuss and take a look at were the main street uh ADA uh concept ideas looking for some additional uh possible handicap parking. Uh we were brought uh by our village engineer three different concepts. Um as a group we kind of all looked at that didn't really come to any clear consensus. So Jim, I think we put that on the agenda for next month's meeting for further discussion. Correct.

Correct. Okay. Um, walking path maintenance. We discussed a little bit of that throughout the village. Obviously, we have a lot of walking paths that somewhere down the road will need maintenance. So, we talked about uh potentially looking at what the costs of that might be and uh putting together maybe a rainy day fund for that. Uh Jim, did you have any other items that you want to discuss? Snow plowing, any salt issues or We uh we have our contract fulfilled with the state for salt. Uh we got that delivery last week.

Uh stone plowing. Yeah, we were out last weekend, Sunday, Monday then and uh yeah, a couple more inches than what they were expected, but everything worked out well. Um looks like we're in a maybe a possible warming trend. Uh the ice rink has been open. It was open all weekend and it was plenty cold, but I know that they did get a lot of use. I think the guys were out there Saturday morning with the Zambonian. There was 20 kids ready to get on the ice. So, um, a lot of use. Probably one of the longest stretches we've had it open. So, that's a that's a good thing. Um, probably going to lose the ice here in the next few days. 25 28 degrees. And if it stays if we get some sun, it'll it'll probably melt it. But, we'll keep you posted on that. But, yeah, no issues.

Well, as Mrs. Fatima said six more six more weeks of winter. So hopefully they get uh they get to use the rink a little bit more. Um that's all I have for this evening. Thank you. Properties and recreation trustee Gesky.

Thank you. Uh I have no new business. Uh no old business. Our next committee meeting scheduled for the 11th at 7 a.m. right here at the village boardroom. During that, we will discuss um some possible ideas for Rooter Park as well as begin the discussions for the wall of fame that we talked about at the last meeting. Um I'd like to take a second and address some of the concerns that were brought up about the square on second in the restroom um by Miss Nicholson. Jim, um the the fee that we're looking at today or that we're going to be voting on this after this evening, that is for the installation of the turf. That has nothing to do with the bathroom. Is that correct? That's the installation of the turf to the north side, which that's the turf that we had purchased, but we didn't pay for the labor to install it. So, that

correct labor. We had some changes because originally the building was going to go there. Uh we're removing some of that merrygoround. Uh so they're going to install turf over there. The sidewalk has been removed. So we've got some change order items that got added to that list. Uh along with uh getting the fall zone around the uh zip line. So that they're going to be replacing that fall zone that's starting to wear, which we all look at it and think the park's not that old, but is it 8 years old now? That section I think is at least eight years old. Yeah. And and that that fall zone underneath the zip line is splitting. And I know when Trusty Vaughn and I were out there, it needed some some TLC, but that has nothing to do with the bathroom.

Correct. Okay. All right. Um that's all I had. Okay. Would you like to give Trustee Zimblemen's report? Sure. Um she does not have any uh new or old items on the agenda. her next uh committee meeting is scheduled for February 24th at 7:00 a.m. right here. That's all.

Thank you. All right. There's no other old business. [clears throat and cough] So, um the new business is the payment of the bills. Ordinance 25-34 and ordinance amending title 3 business regulations. Chapter 9, amending title 4, I'm sorry, liquor. Chapter 9, liquor. Section 394, fee and section 3914, limitation and by amending title 4, police regulations. Chapter 1, misdemeanor code, article six, offenses involving morality, section 41612, gambling of the village of Mantino Municipal Code. Chris, you want to explain that?

Yeah. So, the the board in their committee meetings um had a request from the True Golf business over on the west side of town for a liquor license um and gaming if they would allow it. Um the board decided that they would give him a liquor license for now and revisit the gaming maybe somewhere down the road. So, this creates a new liquor license category, which is an NVG, no video gaming. So, he'll be allowed to serve alcohol, but he will not be allowed to have video gaming on the site. Okay. I'll ask for a motion from the floor. I'll make that motion to approve. Second. Motion [clears throat] by Budro, second by GKY. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Motion carries. Oh, crack. I'm sorry. Jumping ahead. Uh, yes. Motion carries. Ordinance 2535, an ordinance amending title 3, business regulations, chapter 9, liquor, section 3914, limitation of the village of Mantino Municipal Code. Chris?

Yes. So, this is to create a uh an additional license for a class A license which allows for uh serving and consuming alcohol on the premises. It does not uh restrict gaming. So this would be for a liquor license and to allow gaming on that premises. Liquor license and allow gaming. Yes. And is that's not for the true golf though, correct? No, this is for this is to create a new license uh for a request uh for the old uh bank building and uh section line and uh division street. [clears throat] I'll make that motion.

Second. Ro,

I'm sorry. Motion made by Cracket. Seconded by Pardon. Wait, did I'm sorry. No. Yes. Yes. No. One. Yeah. Sorry.

No. Motion fails. Resolution 256, a resolution authorizing the sale of surplus real property commonly known as 409 South Oak Street, Mantino, Cani County, Illinois. Chris?

Yeah. So, this is the uh former property that we had a quonet hut and a small poleb barn building on there that the public works was using mostly as cold storage. Uh we built a new building out at the new facility and so they've got it emptied out now. So we're looking to put this up for uh blind bid to see if we can get it sold. Can I have a motion, please? [snorts] So moved. Motion by Guski. I'll second. Second by Wood.

Can I get to this? Yes. This is just to let everybody know that the contract for this has to come back for the board to approve. So this is just basically authorizing the sale. We publish it. We get the bids, you guys approve the contract and and so if you don't come to an agreement on a contract or the price is no good, you don't have to. So this is just for a bit, correct? This is just allowing us to advertise our process. Now, how do we advertise it? [clears throat] Well, that said, it's how are we going to advertise this property? It has to be posted in the paper, I believe, three times, and we have to we usually put it on our website and put it out on Facebook as well. So you use real too, but it just cost less money obviously.

So [clears throat] we have a motion on the floor. Motion was made by GKY, seconded by Budroy. Yes. Yes. No. No. Yes. Maybe you could ask to approve it. No.

So motion fails. All right. Resolution 257, a resolution off authorizing the sale of surplus real property [cough] in a vacant lot on Main Street and Cook Street, Mantino, Cani County, Illinois. Chris.

Yeah. So, this is the vacant property down there where our brush pile is at. Part of that property is already been deeded over for a communications tower that's there. Um, we've talked about maybe moving the brush pile out somewhere near Legacy Park if uh we wanted to get rid of this property. Would be the same process with putting it out for bids and then deciding whether or not uh if they did get bids, whatever would be adequate that the board would agree on to sell it for that price. Jim, would that be possible to put I know we discussed this before, but just to the town if they didn't like we could put the brush pile out close to our public works building out there somewhere. Yeah, we were thinking maybe the north end of Legacy Park.

Might have to talk to the township, make sure that they're okay with that as long as we maintain the area. Okay. Has there been any issues with that brush pile over there where it's at? No, I don't think so. I mean, it's just and it's way people can't see all the brush and all the other stuff. I guess we've had a couple complaints of apartment buildings. There's a pile of brush clippings and grass clippings. But yeah, and that property really holds no value because of itself. It's a very odd shaped and you have we have to make sure that we keep access for the uh for that tower. So, can't just

we'd have to write in an easement so that whoever runs the tower has access to the tower. Any more discussion? I'll make that motion. Motion made by Budril. Second. Second by GI. Yes. Yes. Barry. Yes. Rocket. Yes. Yes.

Motion carries. All right. Ordinance 2536, an ordinance vacating a portion of an unimproved street east of and parallel to north Cypress Street south of Marquette Drive in the village of Mantino, Cani County, Illinois. Chris,

yeah. So, this is the final piece of property that we had those rightways, 25 foot wide strip of land that were rightways um that were west of the houses over there and east of Thieves Park. So, this is the last one that uh we're basically vacating so that the property owner to the east of this property can acquire it and we're charging them what our costs have been to get through that process. So, it's a little over $500. Any more discussion? I think we've discussed this at quite a few committee meetings about

propert we've already given up most of it. I don't feel like Yeah. A motion, please. Motion by Barry. Second. Second by GI. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Motion. Yes. I just have a question in regards to that for Chris. Chris, do we have any more of these odd situations with uh like this one? I know we've had three or four of them over the years. Are there any more out there that you're aware of?

Um, no. We I thought we had one um kind of in the middle of town, but actually I ended up doing some research and found a file in the in the safe that basically it was already vacated and done. So, um I think this will be the last last time that we have to deal with it that I'm aware of. Anyway, good. Y we'll still have one property to the north of there that they chose not to correct. All right. Consideration. A motion to approve a lease agreement between the village of Mantino and the Mantino Youth Baseball softball league. Is there a motion from the Just a quick question. We we do we charge them anything? We did not.

That's why I thought to confirm. Yeah. It's the same thing we do with all the sports program. Just want to make sure. Yeah. So, this is something we do every year. Yes. Every Yes. We'll make that motion. Motion by Crockett. Second. Second by GKY. Yes. Yes. Barry. Yes. Yes. Bon. Yes. Motion carries. Is that it? That's it. All right. Consideration. A motion to approve an estimate from LT Turf Pros Pieton, Illinois in the amount of $86,218 to install turf at the square on second. I'll make that motion.

Motion by I'll second. Second by Crackett. So, just to be clear, this is the piece of turf that we talked about at the committee meeting that where the the playground's at on the north side of that where that trees taken down. That whole piece is going to be removed. The base underneath it's going to be re reworked and that new turf is going to be added. Correct. So, what is the expectancy of this turf, Jim? Uh, we got 8 to 10 years out of the last batch. So, uh, it's, you know, they got a new technology. It's a, you know, new product. So, it's a little more geared towards the use. So, we should be seeing at least 10 years or more.

And there's no So, the separate price of the 21,000 for the stuff around the pavilion. They're going to be doing this at the same time, correct? No. Uh, they'll probably do the pavilion first and then we'll have some demo work to do. Um, removing the fence and sidewalk. So kind of be a little bit of back and forth. So we have turf sitting somewhere right the way I understood that. Mhm. Is that part I mean are we when we had our meeting didn't you say that we haven't paid for that? Is this part of that? We paid for material already. Yeah. This is just the labor and then the uh the uh change order.

Okay. So, the labor in the change order is $86,000. Correct. Jim, in regards to the turf, um, is there any kind of standard warranty um provided on any of these products? Yeah, they I'd have to look into it again. I mean, it's it's based on normal use or anything else. I mean, if there's, you know, somebody lights a fire on or something that could be damaged beyond, but yeah, there there is uh some warranty. I can I can confirm that. But like just normal wear and tear type situations, not abuse or So the stuff to the south is over a year old and I've been out there a few times checking it out. Looks great. It's held up. So

So the stuff that's out there that's going to be removed that that's approximately 8 to 10 years. It's in the condition that it's in after 8 to 10 years. This is a newer product. You would think with newer technology it should hold up at least 8 to 10 years. Correct.

Gotcha. The thing is that I mean down the line like we talked about the meeting that's $8,000 a year $8 to $10,000 a year for turf. I mean and that piece on the other side that's so next time that this in 8 years from now it might be 150 grand to replace all that turf. So, I mean, once again, it's it's I understand that that we have to continually look at things, but if I had a piece of turf that I'm paying $86,000 for, and it's only going to last 8 to 10 years, I definitely would have looked at the long-term possibility of that. Would it be more cost effective to put sod down? We would have to dig up. We already paid for it. Yeah. Like

we already paid for it. But for the future, is that something we could look at as like I know maybe on the playground equipment we might have to obviously use a special circumstance for like safety of the kids. Like I get that of course like we want the safety for this the kids if they ever fell off. But I was wondering I mean that's that's something we could look at. Obviously we hope hopefully we have 10 years or more but we could start obviously looking into that option.

I think the original goal again this was something they planned on was it does get a lot of use. Uh originally we had grass to the south and it was just getting burned up by the kids. I mean we've created the uh the spot for kids to go to. So they use it and I think that's part of the reason why they wanted to go with turf was so it's not muddy. It looks clean. Gives a spot for kids to play. So So you're talking grass instead of sod. I mean sad's a little bit more durable.

Sad like no it would need to be watered and we'd have to put irrigation system. I mean, you're still going to get the use on it. I I' I'd still say it would get burned up compared to Turf, but [snorts] [clears throat] there's a motion on the floor. Second made by Woodro, seconded by Crockett. Yes. Yes. No. No. Yes.

No. [clears throat]

Motion fails. All right. The final consideration is a motion to approve payment of the bills in the amount of $31,79741 including tiff number three at $0. May I have a motion? I'll make a motion. I'll second. Motion from Barry, second from Woodro. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay, before we go to public comments from the trustees, I kind of skipped over Jake. Jake, did you have anything tonight?

Um, no. Other than we're busy planning all summer spring events, if you guys are on our Facebook, uh, you might have seen our summer concerts have been uploaded as well as our movies in the park as well as our opening night for farmers market. Um, aside from village stuff, I do want to share from the chamber that we were awarded the 2025 best festival in Kangi County from Mantino October Fest. [applause] So, thank you. Um, it takes a lot of hard work from not only myself, but from the committee that is purely run by volunteers. So, I want to give them all a shout out and uh we beat out uh Merchant Street Musicfest after 5 years. They kind of took that. So, I'm very proud of that and uh thanks to our community for showing up and supporting such a great festival.

Thank you. And Chief, did you have anything else tonight?

All right. Comments from the board. Mike, you want to go first? Yeah, I'm still baffled as I sit here and we have a business that wants to come into town, wants to invest into our community, wants to use a prime property and a long-term lease. And one of the things was is that he wanted to have gaming and he wanted to have liquor. And we shot it down because of the game. And the way I look at it is is that and I've spoke to people in this room and I said if you want to hold a total uh gaming for there's 10 facilities or 12 facilities I'm fine with that. But if you have a business that wants to come into town to invest into this town and now we tell the man the business that we don't want to do this because of the gaming. The gaming is one-third revenue to the village. It's free money. It's free money. So now we've lost a business and a person that wants to invest into a building that sat vacant for two years because we don't want game. But then we talk about how we need revenue sources coming into the village and we have a person that wants to come and open up a nice facility into the town and we tell them and and uh it just baffles my mind if you don't want the gaming there's everywhere for 30 years in Ki County you could go to any bar and put money into a slot machine that was unregulated by the state of Illinois. Now it's regulated by the state of Illinois. We get one/ird of the revenue and now we pass up an opportunity for a legitimate business to come into town for a property that sat there for 2 years because we don't want gaming. It makes absolutely no sense to me. It It's hypocritical that we sit here

and talk about we want these things to come into the village and then we have someone that wants to come in. I don't see everybody else knocking at anybody's doors. I don't see any home builders knocking on anybody. I don't see anything else coming into the town. But we shoot it down. Makes no sense. [applause]

So I went and looked at that location [clears throat] off the bat because I agree we need new businesses here too with that thing. So I went up to the one in New Lennox and I see the photos here with it and the conversation we had and you can go look back at our January uh planning and zoning meeting that we as a board had kind of talked about. We don't want any more gaming centric businesses. We feel like again we have Winnies, we have Darlas, we have Riley's already gamingcentric businesses and of course there's a bunch of businesses around town, a lot of bars and restaurants that have gaming machines. So I said, "All right, let me go check this." Because the people that have come and pitched this to me multiple times is it's a wine bar, a wine and whiskey bar that also has gaming. So I went to the location yesterday and I walked in and it is a gaming place that has a wine bar. I went and asked, I said, "Do you have a food menu?" They said, "No." I said, ' Do you have a bar menu? They said, ' It's everything's here. You just got to just tell me what you want. So, when I'm looking at that, we have three businesses already in town that are gaming centric. I don't think we need four. I'm not anti-gaming. As we talked about this here, too. True Golf wants one. I'm ready to give it to them 6 months down the road from now to them proving that they have a sustainable business that has gaming attached. It's not gaming centric. Uh, with it, I think that's what we want. We want sustainable businesses that don't rely on gaming alone. We already have 70 machines. I don't think adding another five, 10, 15 are going to bring in more gamblers or bring in more things. And yes, we'll make more money. That that's great. But in my mind, I don't think we need any more gaming type because if we open this up, that might go hurt Winny's, Riley's, and Darlas. Then maybe one of them closes. And I don't think that's that's not how we add businesses here. We need to kind of keep it balanced in that kind of way.

You got a new pizza? Yeah. Not really.

What about that? Well, when I and when I looked around town here too, uh, and I looked in the area of like where it is, most towns, Bradley Bourbon, they've capped their gaming centers at three, which is what we're at, too. And then they have kind of an open. So, again, I I'm not anti-wine bar, but when I walked in there, it wasn't a wine bar. I think they had kind of they're kind of trying to sell me on a fake kind of story here was that in that business. Now, that was just one I've seen. Maybe they have a different location that has different, but that's why I voted no because I don't think I was getting the full story there with what they were selling. Again, I think a wine and whiskey bar would be great. Flight 102 in Bradley tends to do very well and they don't have gaming there. I think something like that would be great in town. I think that's a great location, but if it's a gaming centric place, I just in my mind, I don't think we need so. And I and if I went and asked those three businesses, I don't think we could support for town. I really don't. Uh, what's that? Did you look at the the food menu? He just gave you the

But that's when I went to the actual place and I asked for that menu. They didn't have it. So that's what confused me is why are they showing me something and then they're actual. Well, maybe they're changing what he showed us. He's changing.

Well, I'd love to see it first because he said he had 12 of these and I went to the one and it didn't have it. So, so that's why I'm like I I can only trust someone so much and then that's why I wanted to go see the real business to actually see what it looked like and I just walked in. That's not the vibe I got. And that's that's why I voted no. I would love to have a wine bar, but that was a gaming place that had wine uh with it. That's why again the True Golf one's an absolute yes. And I'd say 6 months from now, and they've done very well, I think so far, I will be voting yes in the future on that because I feel like that makes sense. It's a entertainment business that also has gaming machines. I think that's kind of where I'm more focused on uh was that um for the selling of the public works building. We don't use that location anymore. Um I feel like we we're just trying to liquidate that to use that money elsewhere towards other projects, other parts, other things. I don't really see a use for that anymore of that property for us as a town. Uh was it the two? Um [snorts] same with the turf. I I get the price is not what we want, but we've already bought it, so we might as well install this turf as we already have for at least 10 years. And then as we look towards the future, we can look for other options. But this was turf that was bought two years ago. This is before like most of the board was here already. So we're now it's just sitting wasting away. Again, that's that to me is not smart spending the money. And I and I get I get it's a high price. I really do. But this is a very prominent part of town. This is a very used part of town. It looks very nice. I like that look with it, too. But I mean, I'd be open to looking at other things for the future, but we've already we've already bought this um was that and that's kind of just where I was at was that. So, that kind of surprised me just because it's already bought and now it's just kind of sitting there um to the side uh with it. But again, everything else we've kind of talked to that was already passed through with it. [snorts] Um, the last couple things really quick. Um, I want to shout out two wrestlers from our Mantino High School that advanced to

sectionals for next weekend. Carter Weber and Lucas Heman. Um, our girl our girls cheer team ended their season. They had a successful year but ended sectionals. So, shout out to them. And then girls and boys basketball regionals is coming up. Uh, girls basketball are currently 22 and three and they're playing tonight. So, they are in really good shape. We're optimistic. Hopefully hopefully they're going to be playing at Bishop Mack for regionals and not Senica just for the drive so we can be more local support them. Boys basketball actually hosting in a couple weeks a regional. They've been kind of scrappy this year so I'm optimistic for maybe a little bit of a run. Um and then also hopefully our eighth grade boys are playing well right now to go hopefully to a trip to state. So again our athletics seems to continue to kind of push through which is uh great to see. Also, sorry again the high school teachers got to push out there. There's two studentrun companies, um, JA companies that just started out. Uh, so be on the lookout on Facebook from the high school to support some, uh, used businesses. Those are always really interesting. I think one's a a shirt to tote bag kind of thing. So you give them a shirt, they'll turn it into a tote bag, which is kind of a cool design. And the other one is making mugs and plants. What's that? Thank you, mayor.

Thank you.

Okay. The only thing I have um I what I think we should do because I think this is absolutely ridiculous on how much money that we are spending on just so many different things and I think we need to put a spending freeze on everything across the board. [applause] That's all I have to say. Todd Crockett. So, in regards to in regards to the [clears throat] gambling, uh, the gaming, I should say, here, here's a situation where I'm actually in agreement with two of the members of the board here, both the mayor and Peggy. If you go back to our January 14th planning and zoning meeting and anybody can go on YouTube and look at this, okay, I will say and and quote the mayor, "The reason we are against bringing in more gaming is that we are still a small town. We have 9,300 people in this town and we are bringing in three to 5 million a month and that does affect families. Sometimes people aren't able to pay their bills because of their addictions. Mantino has 75 machines and we feel that's adequate for the number of people that live here. If we gave a gaming license to everyone that wants it, our town would be like Reno. Trustee Vaughn said, "If your business is managed right and the food is good, I don't see why your business wouldn't survive in Mantino with just the liquor license. We could look down the road with the gaming 6 months to a year. So, quote unquote, you could look it up, go on the YouTube video. That's I'm I'm in agreement with them when it comes to the gaming.

Todd, we have somebody right now that wants to put a business over there that has been empty for two years. Mhm. And I just think that if he doesn't put signs out or make it look like Las Vegas or what what is the harm? What's harm? We're not denying the business. We we didn't deny them to come here. Peggy,

so a so a gaming is going if the business is a little bit slow, the gaming is going to help him or help whoever we decide to let come into the community. I guess if gaming is the end all be all, then why don't we allow gaming in the barber shops, the nail salons? You know, libraries libraries don't have many people there anymore either. So maybe we should put gaming in the libraries. Maybe. Yeah. You think? Well, that's that's just ridiculous.

But that's that's your answer. He can survive if he has the gaming. We're not denying him the fact to come here to town. I've said publicly and look it up on that YouTube video. I'd frequent the place probably myself if it if it were open. I'd love for them to come here. But if you tell other businesses that have already invested hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars here in Mantino already know. How do you tell somebody yes that hasn't invested a penny? No, he's going to be invested in a penny. What business have invested hundreds of thousands of millions of dollars? Todd True Golf. True golf. Mhm. He invested and we told them no that very same day. Okay.

That's all I have. Yes. Yes.

Um obviously I agree with the uh note to the gaming license. I'm not going to get us into a giant debate over it. We've discussed it at length. this particular person who came, this was I think their fourth time presenting to the board um with a second separate location. So um if they want to come and run as a as a restaurant and then in 6 months look to us for gaming license, my support would be there if it's a viable business. But um just for a gaming cafe, I'm not in favor. Um, as far as the turf, I think that we'll have to put that on our next park committee meeting to decide since we don't want to install the turf and do any improvements over there. What do we want to do? Do we want to take delivery of the turf that we've already paid and put it up in the attic at public works or what we want to do with it? So, um, we as a board have some discussions to be made. Um, as far as the public old public works building, um, not putting that out for bid to see what we could get for it. It may or may not make sense. I I don't know. But, um, that obviously was defeated. So I guess we will keep a piece of property that's not being used that um will be off the tax roles and I guess just a asset there. So um that's all I have. Thank you.

My comments sorry mayor. So what you're saying, Joel, if he comes to that building over there, we will readress this in six months for the gaming license. If he's if he's opened as a restaurant for 6 months and it's a restaurant that is that is doing well and they want a liquor license, I absolutely would be in favor of giving it to him. Then if he wants a liquor license,

I'm sorry, the gaming the gaming license in 6 months. That's what we all agreed upon. In fact, I think it was your idea of hey, let's see if you can sustain it because the the wine bar like when we talk about and not to bash 102, flight 102, it's a great great amenity that Bourbon A has. I would love to have that here. They might need supplement with the gaming and if so, great. Does Flight have gaming? I I don't think they do. I don't They do. They do. They do. Okay. Again, I I don't know. Oh, I don't.

But when you walk in there, you don't see, you know what I mean? It doesn't look like a gaming bar. It looks like a wine bar. It's got TVs, got tables, and then in the back probably has gaming. Like that's I think that's the that's the vibe I think. You know that I just don't understand why we're dictating how a guy could design his own business. Well, to me, it's not a wine bar. It's a it's a gaming centric. I mean, if I walk into Winnies and I walked into that, I think it would look like the same. But if I walk into Sammy or if I walk into the pub, I don't I don't I don't I feel a bar. I don't feel like a gaming. walk into the club, the first thing you see is the machine. Well, that's kind of tough. But I don't feel like at the game you play. I feel like at the bar, but again, well, maybe we need to see the blueprints of what it's going to or something. I we don't

All right, I'm the last one to give my comments and it's disappointing that we can't work together on things. It really is. [applause] I know the people in Mantino expect a lot out of us. They want us to do what's best for the people. So sometimes we have to pick and choose our battles and pick and choose what's the most important thing. I don't like to see an empty building that just got remodeled sitting there vacant. It would have been wonderful to fill it up. I don't know what you think what kind of business you think would want to come there, but this would have been an upscale wine bar that does serve food. Did you look at this menu, mayor? They've got a shark chery board, a cheese platter. Well, mac and cheese. regardless of what their servings are.

I don't think that's restaurant quality food. Yeah. I hope you can find a good restaurant that wants to come into that. I hope we can all find a good restaurant. So, I thank all the people. We tried to find a good one. I thank the people who come to our meetings and continually watch us work. Not always together, but at least some of us are trying to do the best we can. So, um I don't know what the answer is here, but I thank everyone for coming. I need a a motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. I'll second. Are you going into executive session? Are we going into executive session? Yes. Yes. There's a motion to adjourn for executive. Who wants to do it the right way?

Yeah. I don't know what we're doing. We're adjourning or going to We're going into executive session. We need a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel. And what we'll do is we'll adjourn from the end of the executive session. I assume there's no action items that'll be taken afterwards. We announce that so nobody sticks around. Right. You don't have to stick around. [cough] Motion.

Yes. Yes. Everyone make sure you shut off your mic.