Manhattan board selects VC3 for IT services and approves a series of purchases and amendments

The Village Board of Manhattan approved multiple procurement and infrastructure actions at its meeting, including selection of VC3 as the village's IT services provider, purchase and outfitting of a replacement police vehicle, approval of a new compact skid steer, an engineering amendment for the wastewater treatment plant, and a public mural agreement. The board also tabled a peer review for the wastewater project while state funding remains uncertain.

IT services: The board authorized an agreement with VC3 for managed IT and Microsoft licensing. VC3 representative Randy Allen described 24/7 remote and on-site support, cybersecurity layers including endpoint detection and two‑factor authentication, CJIS compliance support for the police department, backup and disaster-recovery services, and vendor coordination. Allen said prior IT costs had risen sharply and that VC3 would bring a predictable monthly pricing model. The transcript reports a monthly cost as "7,7121" and a one-time onboarding cost as "11,92312" (transcript text); the contract is subject to final legal review. Trustees voted affirmatively on the resolution.

Public safety equipment: The board approved replacing a squad car struck by a DUI on March 19, 2026. The total estimated replacement cost reported in the meeting was $61,747.15, with line items provided: vehicle $45,345 (Curry Motors), outfitting $15,191.95 (Public Safety Direct), and graphics $1,210.20 (Element Graphics and Design). The vote was unanimous.

Public works equipment: Trustees approved purchase of a compact skid steer (described as a Bobcat with rubber tracks) from MCA Implement Company for an amount shown in the transcript as 68,26.30 (transcript text). The board noted the existing machine has about 2,600 engine hours and rising maintenance needs; the new tracks reduce turf damage.

Wastewater project and peer review: The board approved amendment No. 1 with Strand Associates for wastewater treatment plant design updates, increasing authorized services from a prior $75,000 to $123,000 to address code-related design revisions identified in a May 6, 2026 letter. The board then voted to table a separate peer review for the wastewater project because IEPA funding that was anticipated may not be available; the item will be revisited once funding clarity is obtained.

Arts and downtown: The board authorized a contract with artist Russ Schaw for a roughly 40-by-14-foot mural at 255 South State (Manhattan Historical Society building) for $11,100; approximately $7,700 would come from a remaining Route 66 Centennial grant and the village would cover about $3,400. The installation is contingent on special-use-permit approval and staff indicated a goal of completing the work by the July 4 anniversary events.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the transcript): consent agenda approved (unanimous); PCO community survey agreement (approved, unanimous); VC3 IT services agreement (approved, unanimous); police vehicle purchase (approved, unanimous); skid steer purchase (approved, unanimous); Strand amendment for wastewater ($123,000) (approved, unanimous); peer review tabled (approved, unanimous); ordinance reducing P&Z terms from four to two years and eliminating a removal public hearing requirement (approved, unanimous); mural agreement (approved, unanimous).

Several trustees and staff commented on other matters including crosswalk permits on Route 52 and estimated lighting costs from IDOT, progress on a safety corridor study led by the Farnsworth Group, neighborhood traffic-calming observations, and routine monthly reports available in the meeting packet.