Normal Town Council Met Feb. 1.
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 8:15p.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 felt 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.
There was no Public Comment.
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 19, 2021:
B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF JANUARY 27, 2021:
C. AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE LEVY OF 2020 PROPERTY TAXES FOR SPECIAL SERVICE AREA NUMBER ONE: Ordinance No. 5859:
D. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FRAME RAIL REPLACEMENT AND CORROSION REPAIRS TO A 2009 PIERCE FIRE ENGINE: Resolution No. 5837:
MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Cummings, the Council Approval of the Omnibus Vote Agenda.
AYES: McCarthy, Cummings, Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, Koos. NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Items A, C, and D was approved by the Omnibus Vote.
Item B was removed from the Omnibus Vote.
6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:
REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF JANUARY 27, 2021:
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approve the Report to Receive and File Town of Normal Expenditures for Payment as of January 27, 2021.
AYES: Cummings, Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Koos. NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on a Fire Station expenditure. City Manager Pam Reece responded.
GENERAL ORDERS:
7. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A FINAL DEVELPOMENT PLAN – PHASE 4 OF THE J & M PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (COTTAGE AVENUE AND VILLAGE COURT): Resolution No. 5838:
MOTION:
Councilmember Preston moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council
Approve the Resolution Conditionally Approving a Final Development Plan – Phase 4 of the J & M Planned Unit Development (Cottage Avenue and Village Court).
AYES: Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Koos. NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Karyn Smith asked for clarification regarding trail access for the residents and the easement for trail access.
Councilmember Scott Preston noted it is good to have a developer invest in this type of housing in Normal.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz asked for clarification regarding dates of the final plat and dedication of trail right-of-way versus easement. Town Planner Mercy Davison and Corporation Counsel Brian Day responded. Mrs. Lorenz then asked about hard surface
access to the trail. Ms. Davison responded. Mrs. Lorenz stated this is good for community development which we want to encourage, but indicated it seemed complicated. City Manager Pam Reece responded.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy spoke about his excitement for the Town regarding this development, his gratefulness for the outcome, and his thanks to the staff and developers.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked staff for clarification on fee in lieu of water retention. Mercy Davison and Greg Troemel responded.
8. ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY VACATING AN EASEMENT WITHIN THE J & M PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT LOT 1 (COTTAGE AVENUE AND VILLAGE COURT): Ordinance No. 5860:
MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approve the Ordinance Conditionally Vacating an Easement within the J & M Planned Unit Development Lot 1 (Cottage Avenue and Village Court).
AYES: Smith, Lorenz. Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Nord, Koos. NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
9. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING THE 1ST AMENDED FINAL PLAT OF J & M PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (COTTAGE AVENUE AND VILLAGE COURT): Resolution No. 5839:
MOTION:
Councilmember Preston moved, seconded by Councilmember Lorenz, the Council
COUNCIL MINUTES - 4 - February 1, 2021
Approve the Resolution Conditionally Approving the 1st Amended Final Plat of J & M Planned Unit Development (Cottage Avenue and Village Court).
AYES: Lorenz. Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Nord, Smith, Koos. NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
10. PRESENTATION ON THE FUTURE ALLOCATION OF $335,359 IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CORONAVIRUS (CDBG-CV) FUNDS
Associate Planner Taylor Long presented information on the kickoff of the public comment phase of an amendment to the Town’s five-year plan to allocate the second allocation of CDBG-CV funds. Housing assistance is still the greatest need facing the community which can be addressed with these funds. Public comment period will run February 4, 2021 – February 21, 2021. A virtual public hearing will occur February 10, 2021 from 6-7 p.m. The amendment will be brought to Council for approval on March 1, 2021. Funding has to be put towards expended before the end of the Town’s fiscal year, March 31, 2021. If housing ends up not being the greatest need the funds may be reallocated at that time.
Councilmember Karyn Smith asked for clarification on the dates and how the public goes about commenting. Mr. Long responded.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on whether the public hearing would be virtual and if residents would have the option to call in. Mr. Long responded.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz commented the United Way and PATH have had a lot of involvement with the Town and notifying the public of what various options residents have.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy commented there is a significant need in the community for this type of assistance and appreciates the efforts the Town has put forth to get the word out.
11. NEW BUSINESS:
There was no New Business.
12. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ron Ulmer, Normal Resident spoke on his concerns regarding the water main extension on West College and priorities.
13. CONCERNS:
Councilmember Scott Preston congratulated the 50 local small business which were awarded a total of $450,000 in COVID relief grants. Mr. Preston thanked all the businesses who applied and Town staff for their work.
Mayor Chris Koos commented staff got to see first-hand the appreciation from the small businesses who received grant funding, noting it was a much-needed life line.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz commented on Council use of social media and to be mindful of what is out there. For the sake of the community put council first and campaigns second.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy shared some positive feedback from local businesses on the small business grant and having their business in Normal.
14. 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 McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Cummings, the Council Accept a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.
AYES: Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Koos. NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 8:58 p.m., Monday, February 1, 2021.
https://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3900
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