Manhattan Park Board Meeting | September 2025

Article Summary: The Manhattan Park Board has unanimously ratified the emergency purchase of a used 2012 Ram 5500 bucket truck for $36,500. The board utilized a provision in the Park District Code that allows forgoing the competitive bidding process for necessary emergency expenditures to enhance its park maintenance capabilities.

Bucket Truck Purchase Key Points:

• The board passed Resolution 25-9 to formally ratify the emergency expenditure.

• The vehicle is a 2012 Ram 5500 bucket truck purchased from Admiral Motors, Inc. for a total price of $36,500.

• The purchase was classified as an “emergency expenditure,” which, under the Illinois Park District Code, allows the board to approve the contract without competitive bidding with a three-fourths vote.

• The truck will be used for in-house park maintenance and operations, such as tree trimming and light fixture repairs.

The Manhattan Park Board on Thursday, September 11, 2025, formally approved the emergency purchase of a bucket truck, a move aimed at increasing the efficiency of its parks and operations department.

The board voted 5-0 to pass Resolution 25-9, a measure ratifying the expenditure of $36,500 for a 2012 Ram 5500 bucket truck. The purchase from Admiral Motors, Inc. was made without going through the standard competitive bidding process by classifying it as an emergency expenditure under the Illinois Park District Code. This provision allows the board to act quickly on necessary purchases with the approval of at least three-fourths of its members.

The newly acquired vehicle will enable the park district’s staff to perform a variety of maintenance tasks that previously may have required outside contractors, such as trimming trees, maintaining tall light fixtures, and other elevated work. A monthly operations report from earlier in the summer detailed numerous instances of tree trimming and removal of storm-damaged limbs, highlighting the ongoing need for such equipment.

According to a Parks and Operations monthly report, the district recently purchased the truck and staff have already undergone safety and operational training on the new equipment. The truck was recently used to diagnose a problem with a parking lot light fixture in Central Park.

The unanimous vote to ratify the purchase included President Bridget Hope, Vice-President Kristy Byers, Treasurer Joe Farkas, Secretary Ed Ludwig, and Commissioner Nick Goodwin. The acquisition represents a significant investment in the district’s ability to maintain its expanding portfolio of parks and facilities more efficiently and cost-effectively.