Town of Normal Town Council met April 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Koos called the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council to order at 7:32 p.m., Monday, April 20, 2020.
2. ROLL CALL:
The Clerk called the roll with the following persons
PRESENT: The Meeting was conducted virtually. There were no persons physically present in Council Chambers.
REMOTE: 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, Assistant City Manager Eric Hanson, 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:
Given the circumstances necessitated by the COVID – 19 crisis, and in accordance with a mandate of social distancing, public comment was made virtually through the use of Zoom Meeting.
Ron Ulmer, Normal Resident spoke about his concerns over the Midwest Fiber Agreement and Jersey Avenue Water Main Replacement Project.
5. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:
Mayor Koos read aloud the items to be considered by the Omnibus Vote Agenda.
City Manager, Pamela Reece reviewed the agenda items, summarizing project budgets, project specifications, and project timelines.
A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF MARCH 23, 2020; APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 6, 2020:
B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF APRIL 15, 2020:
C. RESOLUTION TO AWARD THE BID FOR THE JERSEY WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT (ROBINWOOD TO ETHELL PARKWAY) TO GEORGE GILDNER, INC. AT A TOTAL COST OF $512,433 PLUS UP TO A POTENTIAL $15,000 BONUS FOR EARLY COMPLETION:
D. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION OF A CONTRACT WITH T2 SYSTEMS OR THE T2 FLEX PARKING TICKET SOLUTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $81,741: Resolution No. 5766:
E. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE SUPPLY AND PROCESSING AGREEMENT WITH MIDWEST FIBER RECYCLING FOR THE PROCESSING OF RECYCLED MATERIALS AND CONTINUATION OF THE DROP-BOX RECYCLING PROGRAM FOR SIX MONTHS AND AUTHORIZING AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT:
F. AN ORDINANCE RESERVING VOLUME CAP IN CONNECTION WITH PRIVATE ACTIVITY BOND ISSUES AND RELATED MATTERS: Ordinance No. 5825:
Items B, C, and E were removed from the Omnibus Vote. MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Lorenz, the Council Approval of the Omnibus Vote Agenda.
AYES: McCarthy, Cummings, Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Items A, D, and F were approved by the Omnibus Vote.
6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:
REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF APRIL 15, 2020:
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Accept a Report to Receive and File Town of Normal Expenditures for Payment as of April 15, 2020.
AYES: Cummings, Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Chemberly Cummings excused herself from voting on any expenses she incurred in her role as Councilmember.
Councilmember Stan Nord expressed concerns over the Energy Assessment performed by the University of Illinois and creek bank maintenance performed by Cardno Inc.
Mayor Koos noted Storm Water Management guidelines are mandated by the EPA.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy clarified the Energy Assessments and Storm Water Management projects that were performed could not have been done by the Ecology Action Center.
RESOLUTION TO AWARD THE BID FOR THE JERSEY WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT (ROBINWOOD TO ETHELL PARKWAY) TO GEORGE GILDNER, INC. AT A TOTAL COST OF $512,433 PLUS UP TO A POTENTIAL $15,000 BONUS FOR EARLY COMPLETION: Resolution No. 5767:
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Accept a Motion to Approve a Resolution to Award the Bid for the Jersey Water Main Replacement Project (Robinwood to Ethell Parkway) to George Gildner Inc. at a Total Cost of $512,433 Plus up to a Potential $15,000 Bonus for Early Completion.
AYES: Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on the budgeted amount of the project versus the bid amount. Mr. Nord also indicated with the difference in funds, he would like the unused portion of project dollars to be used to offset the water rate increase and postpone by one year. City Manager, Pamela Reece responded.
Councilmember Karyn Smith asked for clarification on the responsibility of providing PPE equipment to vendors working on Town Projects. City Manager, Pamela Reece and Water Director, John Burkhart responded.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE SUPPLY AND PROCESSING AGREEMENT WITH MIDWEST FIBER RECYCLING FOR THE PROCESSING OF RECYCLED MATERIALS AND CONTINUATION OF THE DROP-BOX RECYCLING PROGRAM FOR SIX MONTHS AND AUTHORIZING AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT: Resolution No. 5768:
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Accept a Motion to Approve a Resolution Authorizing a Second Amendment to the Supply and Processing Agreement with Midwest Fiber Recycling for the Processing of Recycled Materials and Continuation of the Drop-Box Recycling Program for Six Months and Authorizing an Associated Budget Adjustment.
AYES: Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Koos.
NAYS: Nord.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord stated since the item was not budgeted, he wants the Drop- Box Recycling Program eliminated since it has reached its sunset date. Mr. Nord also indicated he has issue with the financial evaluation of the equipment.
Councilmember Karyn Smith spoke about the preference some residents have for drop- box recycling. Ms. Smith also noted the cost difference between recycling and landfill expenses, indicating there is a savings in keeping items out of landfills.
Councilmember Chemberly Cummings stated the option and availability for residents to recycle should continue.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz noted the consequence of removing the drop-box locations would equal an increase in landfill expenses. Ms. Lorenz also questioned if there was truth to there being a sunset date on the contract.
Corporation Counsel, Brian Day responded, indicating all contracts have termination dates that have options for renewal.
Councilmember Nord then stated residents can take their recycling to the vendor location themselves rather than use the drop-box locations and asked what is the Town willing to no longer pay for.
City Manager, Pamela Reece addressed the limited value to older equipment.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy noted that 40-42% of the Town’s recycling is done through the drop-box locations. Mr. McCarthy asked about joint program interest from the City of Bloomington and McLean County. City Manager, Pamela Reece responded.
7. GENERAL ORDERS:
There were no General Orders.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
There was no New Business.
9. CONCERNS:
Councilmember Karyn Smith noted this is a difficult time for everyone, sharing her own experience in getting through a crisis.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy thanked residents, noting as a small business owner patience is hard and things are difficult to manage. Mr. McCarthy also thanked our first responders and spoke about the need to continue to be safe and practice social distancing.
Mayor Koos stated that his community interaction has been broadly supportive, noting citizens have been understanding and receptive in dealing with the pandemic. Mayor Koos encouraged people to get outside for exercise and walking in an effort to keep up positive mental health during this stressful time.
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 Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Lorenz, the Council Accept a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.
AYES: Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Nord, Smith, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 8:23 p.m.
https://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3638