Manhattan-Elwood Library Board Authorizes Steps to Sell Extra Lot

Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Meeting | November 24, 2025

Article Summary: Following a closed-door executive session, the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Board of Trustees unanimously directed its library director to explore the sale of an extra parcel of real estate.

Elwood Real Estate Key Points:

• Trustees entered an executive session to discuss the purchase, lease, or acquisition of real property under state statute.

• Upon returning to open session, the board voted to allow Director Ashley Hopper to discuss next steps for selling an “extra lot.”

• The action passed unanimously via a 5-0 roll call vote among the trustees present.

The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Board of Trustees on Monday, November 24, 2025, authorized administrative steps to sell a vacant parcel of land following a closed executive session regarding the district’s real estate holdings.

Operating during their regular monthly meeting at the Whitson Street facility, the board temporarily halted public business at 5:50 p.m. to enter into a closed session. Trustee Patti Blatti made the motion to enter the executive session, which was seconded by Trustee Keri English. According to the meeting agenda, the closed-door meeting was held under the parameters of 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5), a state statute that permits public bodies to privately discuss the “purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for purposes of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.”

After deliberating in private, Trustee Blatti motioned to exit the executive session and resume the current meeting, which was seconded by Trustee English and passed unanimously by the board.

Once back in open session, the board took immediate legislative action regarding the property discussed. Trustee English made a motion to formally allow Library Director Ashley Hopper to discuss the next steps for selling the “extra lot.” The exact location and size of the parcel were not explicitly detailed in the public minutes or agenda packet.

Trustee Sharon Gill provided the second for the motion. The authorization to pursue the sale passed unanimously with a roll call vote of the five voting members present.