McLean County Times

Town of Normal Town Council Met Jan. 19.

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 7:01 p.m.

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.

Mayor Chris Koos made the following statement:

Due to recent changes in the Open Meetings Act, I feel compelled to make the following statement that the Governor has issued a disaster declaration related to the public health concerns caused by the statewide COVID-19 pandemic.

As mayor, I have determined that an in-person meeting is not practical or prudent because of the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus stemming from an indoor gathering, and that the remote meeting is in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the council, staff, and general public.

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 available virtually through the use of Zoom Meeting.

Tim Ryan, Laborers Union, spoke in support of the senior housing project at the Fairview building.

Rev. Matt Wilcox, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, spoke in support of the solar array project at the church.

Karl Sila, Normal Resident and Town Council Candidate, spoke regarding concerns for the CIRBN withdrawal.

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 JANUARY 4, 2021:

B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF JANUARY 13, 2021:

C. MOTION REBATING FUNDS TO CENTRAL ILLINOIS REGIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK (CIRBN):

D. RESOLUTION CONSIDERING THE RELEASE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FROM JUNE 19, 2017; FEBRUARY 18, 2019; AND APRIL 15, 2019: Resolution No. 5832:

E. RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND ACCEPT QUOTES TOTALING $59,949.22 FROM DELL FOR THE PURCHASE OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT:

F. AMENDED RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE $930,000 OF MOTOR FUEL TAX (MFT) FUNDS FOR THE TOWANDA AVENUE BRIDGE OVER SUGAR CREEK REPAIR PROJECT:

MOTION:

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Karyn Smith, the Council Approval of the Omnibus Vote Agenda.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Item A, B, D was approved by the Omnibus Vote.

Items C, E and F were removed from the Omnibus Vote.

6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

MOTION REBATING FUNDS TO CENTRAL ILLINOIS REGIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK (CIRBN):

MOTION:

Councilmember Stan Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Karyn Smith, the Council Approval of a Motion Rebating Funds to Central Illinois Regional Broadband Network (CIRBN).

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Stan Nord requested clarification on vesting of the CIRBN employees. Mr. Nord made note that the 2013 report states CIRBN will pay fringe benefits and if terminated, CIRBN will adjust payment to the Town, however some of those payments were not made. Mr. Nord stated he would like to Table this Motion until there is an audit. The Motion to Table failed due to no second. City Manager Pam Reece stated the calculations will be completed in about 3 weeks. Mr. Nord requested that the calculations be brought before the Council before the refund is made.

Councilmember Karyn Smith stated the CIRBN reimbursement benefits have been paid as defined by the program. Ms. Smith stated she believes an extra audit is not needed at this time.

Councilmember Stan Nord stated Ms. Smith is accurate in regard to healthcare, however there were employee assistance programs that a lump sum was paid for that we not a part of the reimbursement.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated that he spoke to the director of CIRBN who stated no employee of CIRBN was vested in IMRF. Mr. McCarthy clarified that each month the Town made payments to IMRF in which CIRBN then reimbursed the Town for that amount. Mr. McCarthy then stated that this Motion is simply to reimburse back to CIRBN the money they paid in advance. Mrs. Reece responded this is correct.

Councilmember Chemberly Cummings stated that this rebate is owed back to CIRBN so they can then terminate their status with the Town and begin a new pension system for their employees. Ms. Cummings noted the amount that the employees themselves paid in is their prerogative to do what they want with it. Ms. Cummings then stated that the Town has qualified CPAs that will effectively and efficiently calculate what is owed and another audit is not necessary, and Council needs to be careful what picture they are painting with this arrangement.

RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND ACCEPT QUOTES TOTALING $59,949.22 FROM DELL FOR THE PURCHASE OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT: Resolution No. 5833:

MOTION:

Councilmember Stan Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Karyn Smith, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Waive the Formal Bidding Process and Accept Quotes Totaling $59,949.22 from Dell for the Purchase of Computer Equipment.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked if there was any consideration to delay this action and extend the program about 6 months. City Manager Pam Reece responded and introduced Innovation and Technology Director, Vasu Gadhiraju who also responded. Mrs. Gadhiraju stated the program is automatically delayed due to shipping delays and most of this equipment is already expired. Mr. Nord noted he will ask this same question every time this action comes before the Council regarding warranty and extended warranty information.

Councilmember Karyn Smith highlighted that the cycle of the equipment is intended to scatter replacement throughout each department, so no department runs into complications when the equipment then all becomes outdated and the warranties expire simultaneously.

AMENDED RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE $930,000 OF MOTOR FUEL TAX (MFT) FUNDS FOR THE TOWANDA AVENUE BRIDGE OVER SUGAR CREEK REPAIR PROJECT: Resolution No. 5834:

MOTION:

Councilmember Karyn Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Kevin McCarthy, the Council Approval of an Amended Resolution to Appropriate $930,000 of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds for the Towanda Avenue Bridge over Sugar Creek Repair Project.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Karyn Smith stated this is a revised total reflecting some of the change orders and not an additional amount added to what was previously approved.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked if this has changed and is there grant money available for this project. Engineering Director Ryan Otto responded the grant program is part of the Rebuild Illinois grant instituted in July 2020 which is a supplement to the Motor Fuel Tax money that is received each month. Mr. Otto stated the Town will receive $1.3M in a 3-year term. Mr. Nord stated that there have been several projects off by a significant margin and he believes that during the next budget session some additional margins should be added to account for these deviations, so we don’t run out of money for these projects. Mrs. Reece responded. Mr. Nord asked if there is a project that has been delayed and could it be implemented now that there is the Rebuild Illinois grant program. Mr. Otto responded that all the projects are being implemented.

GENERAL ORDERS:

7. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING AN AMENDED SITE PLAN FOR 901-905 N. MAIN (SENIOR HOUSING): Resolution No. 5835:

MOTION:

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Scott Preston, the Council Approval of the Resolution Conditionally Approving an Amended Site Plan for 901-905 N. Main (Senior Housing).

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Town Planner Mercy Davison gave a program overview stating this would be a senior affordable housing development just north of Fairview Park for those 55 and older. Mrs. Davison stated the project includes restoring the historic sanitorium building and adding a second structure totaling 41 units.

Councilmember Chemberly Cummings stated she is excited about this project and prefers to use the term equitably diverse housing.

Councilmember Stan Nord requested information regarding a separate parcel and access to Main Street. Mrs. Davison responded that the County is working with the State of Illinois and will come back with a final plat. Mrs. Davison stated there are no fee waivers or discounts and the developer is well aware of the site fees. Mr. Nord requested information regarding the utility crossover and the ability to use Connect Transit. Mrs. Davison responded this is a unique situation since the County owns the land and also that Connect Transit already is a user on this site.

Councilmember Scott Preston stated he thinks overall this is a great project and meets community needs.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated he believes rehabilitating an old asset is a great project especially for an underserved market.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz stated this action has her full support.

Mayor Chris Koos echoed this is an exciting project and adds that it is an adaptive re-use of an historic building.

8. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING AN AMENDED SITE PLAN FOR 2000 E. COLLEGE (FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SOLAR ARRAY): Resolution No. 5836:

MOTION:

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Karyn Smith, the Council Approval of the Resolution Conditionally Approving an Amended Site Plan for 2000 E. College (First Presbyterian Solar Array).

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Town Planner Mercy Davison gave a program overview regarding these round-mounted solar panels on the northwest corner of the property. Mrs. Davison stated these panels will be screened with an existing berm and several evergreen trees. Mrs. Davison noted there is no existing zoning code standards for ground-mounted solar panels, so she reached out to other municipalities for their code’s requirements.

Councilmember Stan Nord requested information regarding being seen from Hershey and College and would there be a glare from the panels. Mrs. Davison noted the panels will be screened by a row of evergreens on Hershey and are behind the building so will not be seen from College Avenue. Mrs. Davison stated these are no-glare or low-glare panels so there is no safety issue and no noise issues. Installer Yvonne Long spoke regarding the installation and stated there should be no concerns from the public. Mrs. Reece stated the Planning Commission was unanimous in their decision to move forward.

Councilmember Karyn Smith stated she strongly supports this action.

Councilmember Scott Preston acknowledged the fact that the church worked well with the neighbors and commends the church for that.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated he is a big fan of vitality and sustainability projects. Mr. McCarthy also noted he appreciates the church and taking part in the public process and how the process works.

Mayor Koos stated this project touches two major issues of the Comprehensive Plan being environmental sustainability and smart city technology.

NEW BUSINESS:

9. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2021 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,100,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFUNDING THE TOWN’S TAXABLE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2010A RECOVERY ZONE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (RZED) BONDS: Ordinance No. 5858:

MOTION TO AMEND:

Councilmember Stan Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Karyn Smith, the Council Approval of an Amendment to the Ordinance to Pay these Bonds in Full.

AYES: Nord.

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

Motion declared failed.

MOTION:

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz, the Council Approval of an Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2021 in an Amount not to Exceed $2,100,000 for the Purpose of Refunding the Town’s Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2010A Recovery Zone Economic Development (RZED) Bonds.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

City Manager Pam Reece introduced Finance Director Andrew Huhn; Mike Southworth, Bond Counsel; and Todd Krzyskowski from Mesirow Financial. Mrs. Reece pointed out that the interest rates will decrease but the duration will stay the same.

Councilmember Stan Nord stated he is not opposed to refinancing but feels these bonds should be paid off instead. Mr. Krzyskowski stated you need to look at the current marketplace activity from other municipalities which shows that most are refinancing to keep their liquidity in these uncertain times.

Councilmember Karyn Smith stated this action is allowing the Town to take advantage of a lower interest rate and keep the cash reserves to make it possible to pay off a larger debt in 2022.

Councilmember Chemberly Cummings stated that refunding this debt amount sets us up for the future to pay off a bigger debt which would allow for a bigger savings. Ms. Cummings also stated that paying off debt and refunding bonds effects the overall credit rating of the Town.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated he wanted to thank Mr. Huhn and the bond team for their diligent management of Town funds. Mr. McCarthy noted that cash reserves are a large part of maintaining the Triple A rating for the Town. Mr. McCarthy discussed the need to be careful of the cash reserves during COVID since these times are still uncertain as to the future.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz stated this action tonight is an important and deliberate step in the path towards debt reduction.

Councilmember Stan Nord stated he believes this action does nothing to reduce the debt but only to reduce the interest payment. Mr. Krzyskowski responded. Mr. Nord made a Motion to Amend to pay this debt off in full.

Councilmember Karyn Smith stated she believes there is confusion on bond debt. Ms. Smith noted she thinks it is short-sighted to push for this Amendment.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz explained this debt as a personal mortgage debt and questioned whether a person would want to exhaust all of their personal reserves to pay off a debt in these uncertain times.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated this Amendment does not make logical sense to spend down the Town’s savings when the future is so uncertain.

Councilmember Stan Nord requested more information from Mr. Huhn. Mr. Huhn responded that the Town takes the debt program very seriously and that the Town will absolutely need that cash in the future. Mr. Huhn then stated that the information before the Council does not take into account monies received from the federal government. Mrs. Reece stated the debt program and debt reduction will be discussed more fully at the budget hearings next week.

Mrs. Reece stated that part of the strategy in refunding these bonds is to be in a position to pay off $8M in bonds in June 2022 which is approximately 16 months away.

PRESENTATION BY CONNECT TRANSIT:

City Manager Pam Reece introduced Ryan Whitehouse, Chairman of the Connect Transit Board, Julie Hile, Vice Chair, Timothy McCue and Mandava Rao, who serve as Trustees and Town representatives on the board as well as Mark Peterson who is serving as the Interim General Manager of Connect Transit.

The presentation included a review of the 2021 Operating Budget, COIVID-19 Policies and Procedures, and recent grant awards. The group also presented information on their Better Bus Stop campaign, recommendations of the Connect to the Future Working Group, and the search for a new General Manager. Information was also provided on the Route Review process in 2021 and the Downtown Bloomington Transfer Center project.

Council discussions include questions regarding the eligibility of drivers to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, the deadline for feedback on the General Manager search, and the availability of individual emails the public can use to contact transit Board Members.

Council also discussed the process citizens and businesses can use to request route changes or expansions, how grant dollars are being used and the limitations of use based on grant award criteria.

Councilmembers also discussed their appreciation and support for the One Fare for All program. There were additional comments on the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Town and Connect Transit as it pertains to the Town’s ability to review the transit budget and the potential of removing a clause withing the agreement that requires Town approval.

9. PUBLIC COMMENTS:

There was no Public Comment.

10. CONCERNS:

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy commented on a recent story regarding Rivian, indicating their investment into Normal has been a bright spot in the pandemic.

11. 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 Karyn Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz the Council Accept a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 10:06 p.m.

https://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3889