Town of Normal City Council met July 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McCarthy called the regular meeting of the Normal Town Council to order at 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 1, 2019.
2. ROLL CALL:
The Clerk called the roll with the following persons physically
PRESENT: 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: Mayor Chris Koos.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McCarthy led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no Public Comment.
5. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:
Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McCarthy read aloud the items to be considered by the Omnibus Vote Agenda.
A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP OF JUNE 7, 2019 AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 17, 2019:
B. APPROVAL OF TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF JUNE 26, 2019:
C. RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH CHAMPAIGN SIGNAL AND LIGHTING COMPANY FOR MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT, HIGHWAY LIGHTING AND UTILITY LOCATE SERVICES:
D. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT FOR THE OHLENDORF SUBDIVISION BY EXPEDITED PROCESS (301-303 E. STEWART PL.):
Items A, B, C, and D were removed from the Omnibus Vote Agenda, therefore no motion to approve was made and no votes were cast.
6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP OF JUNE 7, 2019 AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 17, 2019:
MOTION:
Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approve the Minutes of the Leadership and Governance Workshop of June 7, 2019 and the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of June 17, 2019.
AYES: Cummings, Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Koos.
Motion declared carried
Councilmember Karyn Smith asked for clarification on assignments to committees. City Manager, Pamela Reece responded.
APPROVAL OF TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF JUNE 26, 2019:
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of Town of Normal Expenditures for Payment as of June 26, 2019.
AYES: Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, Cummings, McCarthy.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Koos.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on the Normal Professional Baseball payment. City Manager, Pamela Reece responded.
RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH CHAMPAIGN SIGNAL AND LIGHTING COMPANY FOR MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT, HIGHWAY LIGHTING AND UTILITY LOCATE SERVICES: Resolution No. 5688
MOTION:
Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember Cummings, the Council Approve a Resolution Waiving the Formal Bidding Process and Authorizing a Contract with Champaign Signal and Lighting Company for Maintenance of Traffic Control Equipment, Highway Lighting and Utility Locate Services.
AYES: Smith, Lorenz, Preston, Cummings, Nord, McCarthy.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Koos.
Motion declared carried
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz asked why there was a large increase in expense for this item. City Manager, Pamela Reece stated an increase was expected. Public Works Director, Wayne Aldrich stated the pricing is consistent with other local proposals. Mr. Aldrich then stated there will be an opportunity to modify this agreement in one year.
RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT FOR THE OHLENDORF SUBDIVISION BY EXPEDITED PROCESS (301-303 E. STEWART PL.): Resolution No. 5689:
Councilmember Scott Preston asked for clarification on the current zoning of the property. Inspections Director, Greg Troemel indicated the property is currently zoned R3A multi-family.
GENERAL ORDERS:
There were no General Orders. NEW BUSINESS:
7. ORDINANCE CHANGING THE CURRENT MITSUBISHI MOTORWAY TO RIVIAN MOTORWAY: Ordinance No. 5786:
MOTION:
Councilmember Preston moved, seconded by Councilmember Lorenz, the Council Adopt an Ordinance Changing the Current Mitsubishi Motorway to Rivian Motorway.
AYES: Preston, Cummings, Lorenz, McCarthy.
NAYS: Nord, Smith.
ABSENT: Koos.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord stated that he has concerns that changing the road name will cause confusion to travelers. Mr. Nord also indicated if there is a name change, he would prefer it be to a more generic name that wouldn’t have to be changed again.
Mr. Nord motioned to table the item. After receiving clarification, Mr. Nord withdrew his motion to table.
Councilmember Karyn Smith questioned whether there was an option to change the name of a private street instead of the motorway.
Town Engineer, Ryan Otto stated the plant is currently addressed off the motorway. Mr. Otto indicated that one aspect of addressing is to ensure first responders can find a site by addressing off a main street, indicating this is commonly the best practice.
Councilmember Stan Nord stated he has concerns over the expense of stationary changes for those property owners being affected.
City Manager, Pamela Reece indicated that all affected property owners received notification via certified mail advising them of the meeting to discuss the name change of the motorway.
Assistant City Manager, Eric Hanson then briefed council on the discussion held at the meeting, indicating of the 12 property owners affected by the change, only 2 were in attendance. Mr. Hanson indicated that all taxing bodies were present as well as a Chamber of Commerce representative and Economic Development Council representative. Mr. Hanson stated there was no indication of opposition. Mr. Hanson stated that Rivian was able to address concerns of the 2 parties in attendance.
Town Engineer, Ryan Otto stated the Postmaster will continue to use alias addresses so mail service will not be interrupted.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated that changing the name of the motorway is a small investment to show local support to Rivian.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz asked about mechanisms in place to make the electronic updates to GPS, databases, and other digital platforms. Town Engineer, Ryan Otto explained the process to make these types of changes with ETSB and E911 Services.
Councilmember Karyn Smith indicated she is supportive of Rivian but would be in support of delaying the vote on changing the name of the motorway.
Councilmember Chemberly Cummings stated that having worked in the data space, most government and public agencies share data and have access to technology the rest of the world is using. Mrs. Cummings further stated she views the name change as a long-term investment into what Rivian will bring to the community.
Councilmember Scott Preston indicated it is a benefit that the change will affect a large road directly off Interstate 74, which will cause the change of the large green interstate signs, which are highly visible. Mr. Preston further indicated he sees the change as a great sign of progress.
Councilmember Karyn Smith asked if Sakura Lane could be changed to Rivian Motorway instead. City Manager, Pamela Reece stated Sakura Lane is not an entrance way, and not an entrance to the plant.
8. ORDINANCE CHANGING THE CURRENT SAKURA LANE TO ELECTRIC AVENUE: Ordinance No. 5787:
MOTION:
Councilmember Preston moved, seconded by Councilmember Cummings, the Council Adopt an Ordinance Changing the Current Sakura Lane to Electric Avenue.
AYES: Cummings, Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Koos.
Motion declared carried.
9. CONCERNS:
Councilmember Chemberly Cummings announced that the National League of Cities is celebrating the Summer of Love. Mrs. Cummings advised to stay tuned for upcoming events and fun.
Councilmember Stan Nord spoke about the increase to Motor Fuel Tax and questioned what this will mean for the municipality. Mr. Nord also stated he would like to see any additional funds used only for road projects. City Manager, Pamela Reece indicated no specific amount has been determined yet. Ms. Reece also indicated that MFT projects must meet IDOT requirements, which usually means major projects.
Councilmember Karyn Smith stated that she recently attended a Connect Transit working group meeting and encouraged people to attend upcoming meetings and provide input.
10. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McCarthy called for a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.
MOTION:
Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Lorenz, the Council Accept a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.
AYES: Cummings, Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy. NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McCarthy adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 7:55 p.m., Monday, July 1, 2019.
https://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3366
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