Construction updates, fixing streets, village finances – a Village Board summary

LANSING, Ill. (May 24, 2024) – The Lansing Village Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, May 21 to discuss and vote on village business, including construction updates for ongoing projects around town, street repairs, village finances, and “cracking down” on fireworks.

Construction updates

During the Committee of the Whole meeting, Village Engineer Jeff Pintar of Robinson Engineering gave updates on several ongoing construction projects.

2023 Pavement Management: Pintar said the 2023 Pavement Management Program has been nearly completed, resulting in 2.25 miles of Lansing’s road being repaired. The 2023 program was extended into 2024 due to material and cost limitations in 2023. The final cost for the 2023 program came in at $1.6 million — just under budget — Pintar said.

The list of streets to be included in this year’s program will be presented at a future board meeting, said Steve Kaminsky, also of Robinson Engineering.

Flanagin subdivision culvert: Pintar detailed the construction work that was done to create a new box culvert to better manage stormwater in the Flanagin subdivision. Construction tore up some of Sherman Street, as well as Flanagin park, resulting in street reconstruction and an ongoing park replacement project — which pushed the project as much as $250,000 over budget. The Village had received $1.6 million from the Midwest Water Reclamation District for culvert construction.

Pintar said the old sewer system in the area still exists, and that the finished culvert marks only “phase one” of the overall goal to better manage stormwater in the area.

Oakwood Estates water main: In the Oakwood Estates area, which is generally south of 188th and west of Burnham, the Village has replaced the water main system, which Pintar said was the “area of most concern from a water main standpoint” in the Village.

Roughly two miles of water main was replaced, impacting the water service of 225 homes in Lansing, Pintar said. $3.7 million was budgeted for the project, which used federal dollars available through the American Rescue Plan Act. Pintar said the project did have some cost overages due to the increased pressure, and subsequent breaks, in water mains surrounding the project area.

Fox Pointe parking lot: The new parking lot along Roy Street near 181st Street is “substantially complete” Pintar said, with only additional landscaping work needed to eliminate washout areas and tripping hazards. He said the project came in under budget, and the new parking lot is designed to direct stormwater run-off to natural bioswale areas in the lot instead of the sewer system.

Chicago Avenue water main: The new Chicago Avenue water main is in place from 170th Street north to the Lansing Sports Complex, but the project is not yet completed, as the main needs to connect to the main along 170th Street. 170th is a county road, and a permit is still in process for the Village to tear up part of 170th to make the connection.

Pintar said the project is under budget so far, and he’s confident it will be completed this year.

Ridge Road and Bernice Road: Curb and concrete work is ongoing on both Ridge and Bernice, and once that’s complete, “pavement grinding, structure adjustments, and paving and striping” will come next. Read more about the scope and funding of these projects in this April article: Ridge Road and Bernice Road will be resurfaced this summer.

Water pump station generator: The Village will go out to bid to replace a water pump station generator in June or July, and will use state dollars through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to fund the replacement.

Village financial review

Finance director Brian Hanigan gave the board a financial overview presentation. He said vehicle sticker revenue has continued to decrease year over year at about 5-6% every year. “I think we need to look at what this means, and come back to the board with some recommendations,” Hanigan said.

In answer to a question from Trustee Saad Abbasy, Hanigan said Lansing’s diverse revenue sources would help the Village weather the possible elimination of the 1% grocery tax in Illinois.

On the spending side of the budget, Hanigan said Village departments should be proud of the current outlook. He added, however, that the board should be aware of the water fund in the years ahead. Hanigan said the Village will need to prepare to actively fund water main repairs and replacements in future years. Hanigan said the fund currently has about $3.7 million, but should have a balance of closer to $10 million for a village of Lansing’s size.

After current spending obligations are met, Hanigan said the Village surplus for the last financial year is about $1.2 million.

Hanigan said the board will be presented with a first draft of the next budget on June 4, with an ideal approval date of July 16.

Fireworks crack-down

Lansing Police Chief Al Phillips told the board use of illegal fireworks has become a “quality of life issue,” and added that the LPD will be enforcing fireworks restrictions around town. He said the department’s tactical team will be part of the crack-down efforts.

Phillips encouraged residents to call an anonymous tip line at 708-895-7105 to report fireworks. He said fines up to $750 may be issued.

“We’re trying to do this for quality of life issues for our residents,” he said.

Other Village Board notables

• The board voted to transfer “incremental revenues from funds of contiguous tax increment financing districts.”
• Trustees voted on Ford Hangar restoration bids in the amounts of $247,500 for repointing and masonry repair, and $404,197 for roofing.
• Trustees approved the lease of a new animal control van for LPD.
• The board approved a clean-up ordinance “related to the number of liquor licenses for certain classifications.”
• Two public comments were made at the board meeting. The first was made by Carla of Carla’s Supper Club, protesting a delay in receiving a liquor license for her business. The second was made by Bob Malkas, who said that if Lansing received a grant for work done at the Ford Hangar, that should be made available to the public.
• Kaminsky said the Village will be demolishing 3251 Ridge Road, which was damaged in a fire last summer. Other upcoming demolitions include 1951 Bernice Road, 1961 Bernice Road, and a portion of 17053 Burnham Avenue.

Related

• Ridge Road and Bernice Road will be resurfaced this summer (April 25, 2024)
• Lansing Mayor makes pledge to preserve Monarchs – a Village Board Summary (April 19, 2024)