McLean County Times

Town of Normal City Council met June 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Chris Koos called the regular meeting of the Normal Town Council to order at 7:02 p.m., Monday, June 17, 2019.

2. ROLL CALL:

The Clerk called the roll with the following persons physically

PRESENT: Mayor Chris Koos and Councilmembers Kevin McCarthy, Chemberly Cummings, Stan Nord, Karyn Smith, Kathleen Lorenz, and Scott Preston.

Also present were City Manager Pamela Reece, Corporation Counsel Brian Day, and Town Clerk Angie Huonker.

ABSENT: None.

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Mayor Koos led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Rickielee Benecke, Executive Director, Life Center for Independent Living, spoke about the importance of accessibility to public transit and fixed transit routes. Ms. Benecke spoke against the elimination of the Olive transit route. Ms. Benecke also suggested that a person with a disability be appointed to the Transit Board as the representative for Normal.

Angie Britch, Bloomington Resident, thanked the Town for the recent sidewalk accessibility changes and updates. Ms. Britch then spoke against transit route eliminations and noted the need for accessible routes and affordable fares.

Mary Wuhrmann, Normal Resident, spoke regarding concerns over transit route eliminations and the importance of accessibility to transit.

Deborah Hutchins, Normal Resident, spoke about the importance of filling the vacancy on the transit board, and stated she would like to see a daily transit user selected. Ms. Hutchins also spoke about the importance of accessibility to transit routes.

Nancy B. Littell, Bloomington Resident, spoke about the importance of filling the vacancy on the transit board, and stated she would like to see someone who uses transit selected. Ms. Littell also spoke about the importance of curb cut accessibility at transit stops and her concerns over fare increases.

Shirley Craig, Normal Resident and member of the Connect Transit Advisory Committee, stated that she is a long-time transit user. Ms. Craig spoke about her concerns on the need for continued transit funding and urged council to not vote against transit funding payments. Ms. Craig stated that such action would be devastating to the transit system.

Terri Morgan, McLean County Resident, stated that as a regular transit user she would like to be considered to fill the Town’s vacant seat on the transit board.

5. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

Mayor Koos read aloud the items to be considered by the Omnibus Vote Agenda.

A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 3, 2019:

B. APPROVAL OF TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF JUNE 12, 2019:

C. RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDED FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR CONSTITUTION TRAIL CENTRE PUD – JIFFY LUBE: Resolution No. 5686:

D. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT FOR THE EIGHTH ADDITION TO CONSTITUTION TRAIL CENTRE SUBDIVISION (JIFFY LUBE): Resolution No. 5687:

Mayor Koos excused himself from voting on any expenses he incurred while performing his duties as Mayor.

Councilmember Chemberly Cummings excused herself from voting on any expenses she incurred while performing her duties as Councilmember.

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approve the Omnibus Vote Agenda.

AYES: McCarthy, Cummings, Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, Koos. NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Item A, C, and D were approved by the Omnibus Vote.

Item B was removed from the Omnibus Vote.

6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

APPROVAL OF TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF JUNE 12, 2019:

MOTION:

Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of Town of Normal Expenditures for Payment as of June 12, 2019.

AYES: Cummings, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Koos. NAYS: Nord.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on some of the expenditures. City Manager, Pamela Reece responded.

GENERAL ORDERS:

There were no General Orders. NEW BUSINESS:

7. PRESENTATION BY THE GENERAL MANAGER OF CONNECT TRANSIT:

Mr. Isaac Thorne, General Manager of Connect Transit, Mr. Martin Glaze, Chief Operating Officer of Connect Transit, and Ms. Julie Hile, from the Board of Trustees for Connect Transit reviewed the Short-Range Transit Plan.

The group discussed fixed route rider profiles, route restructure, Connect Mobility service, fixed route trends. The group also reviewed transit propensity maps, transfer trends and passenger trips, and route service area and duplication of service. The group then discussed the Connect Transit Advisory Committee and the Connect to the Future Working Group.

Councilmember Karyn Smith asked for clarification on the use of matching funds. Mr. Thorne responded there is 13.7 million dollars available from the Illinois Department of Transportation, but only 9 million dollars is being used due to the lack of matching funds provided by municipalities.

Councilmember Karyn Smith asked several questions of the group, including a question about reimbursement of fares provided by Medicaid for individuals with impairment. The Connect Transit group responded.

Councilmember Chemberly Cummings stated the Council is here to work together with our Community Partners, noting it is important to be positive. Ms. Cummings noted that not everyone will get what they want, but the job of the Council is to make sure there are no gaps.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz stated the Council needs to focus on what the Council can do. Ms. Lorenz reviewed what she has heard from the public and stated it is the role of the Council to make sure those ideas and concerns are explored.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on the priorities of Connect Transit today. The Connect Transit group responded that some of the priorities include a focus on individuals that are transit dependent, building partnerships with multiple agencies, and providing quality service.

Mayor Koos noted the Council will not micromanage the operations of Connect Transit. Mayor Koos stated the Council will take a policy approach.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated that despite adversarial views, he is encouraged by the information that he heard. Mr. McCarthy further stated from a policy position work needs to continue on access to transit for those with disabilities and on funding the transit system.

Mayor Koos noted that Connect Transit understands there are gaps in their services and there are things that could be done better with additional funding.

Councilmember Scott Preston stated most of the areas of concern that he has heard about were addressed in the transit group presentation, such as accessibility concerns and the vacancy on the transit board. Mr. Preston asked for clarification on the overlapping of routes. Connect Transit responded.

Mayor Koos stated he is looking for an individual to serve on the transit board and asked those interested to contact him. City Manager, Pamela Reece noted there is a form on the Town website that can be filled out by individuals seeking a position on various Town boards or committees.

Councilmember Karyn Smith asked why the date of 2024 is so dire. Mr. Isaac Thorne responded that in 2024 all federal allocation will be used for operation, and there is no more money to obtain.

Mayor Koos commented on the structure of the value card, indicating he would like to see more equity for ridership found in the value card.

Councilmember Stan Nord stated he feels that not everyone should pay the same fare rate.

8. MOTION TO APPROVE REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY MUSEUM FOUNDATION:

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Lorenz, the Council Accept a Motion to Approve Reappointments to the Children’s Discovery Museum Foundation.

AYES: Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Koos. NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy read the reappointment memo of Mr. Patrick Bane, Ms. Marleen Dietz, Mr. Mark Jontry, and Ms. Gina Mandros to the Children’s Discovery Museum Foundation Board.

9. CONCERNS:

There were no Concerns.

10. ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Koos called for a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.

MOTION:

Councilmember Preston moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Accept a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.

AYES: Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Nord, Koos. NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

https://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3347