McLean County Times

Town of Normal City Council Met Feb. 15.

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

7:00p.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.

Mayor Koos recognized the Children’s Discovery Museum staff who were honored by the Illinois Association of Museums with their top three awards: Superior Achievement for COVID 19 Response, Award for Superior Achievement for Best Practice in Educational Programs, and Museum Professional of the Year – Shelly Hanover. Mayor Koos congratulated the museum staff for their exemplar work.

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.

Ron Ulmer, Normal Resident, spoke in opposition of the Maxwell Park Project, indicating a lack of support for the parking lot.

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 Budget Work Session Special Meeting Of January 26, 2021: Approval Of The Minutes Of The Regular Council Meeing Of February 1, 2021:

B. Report To Receive And File Town Of Normal Expenditures For Payment As Of February 10, 2021:

C. Resolution To Accept Bids And Award A Contract To Stark Excavating, Inc. For The Gregory Street Culvert Rehabilitation Project (Mft Project 20-00268-00-Br) In The Amount Of $862,923.73: Resolution No. 5840:

D. Resolution Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement With Republic Services – Bloomington Transfer Station For The Transfer And Disposal Of Solid Waste Collected By The Town:

E. Resolution Authorizing An Agreement For The Employment Of The Municipal Manager (Pamela S. Reece):

F. Resolution To Accept The Bid And Approve A Contract With Stark Excavating, Inc. In The Amount Of $375,383.05 For The Maxwell Park Oslad Grant Project:

G. Resolution Approving An Amended Site Plan For Heartland Community College (1500 W. Raab Rd.): Resolution No. 5841:

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 G were approved by the Omnibus Vote.

Items B, D, E, and F were 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 February 10, 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 February 10, 2021.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on an Uptown Circle Development Expense. City Manager Pam Reece responded.

Resolution Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement With Republic Services – Bloomington Transfer Station For The Transfer And Disposal Of Solid Waste Collected By The Town:

Resolution No. 5842:

MOTION:

Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approve the Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Republic Services – Bloomington Transfer Station for the Transfer and Disposal of Solid Waste Collected by the Town.

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

NAYS: Nord.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on potential savings on a longer-term agreement that was part of an alternate bid. Public Works Project Manager Jason Comfort stated that locking into a 10-year agreement could price other vendors out, and noted the alternate bid was a non-conforming bid.

City Manager Pamela Reece and Corporation Counsel noted the proposed item followed proper procurement policies and bid review processes.

Councilmember Nord made a Motion to Table in order to negotiate with the vendor.

The Motion Failed due to lack of a Second.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated he would not support tossing out the current procurement policy and is supportive of this agreement as is.

Councilmember Karyn Smith asked for clarification on the bidding process. City Manager Pam Reece and Public Works Project Manager Jason Comfort responded. Ms. Smith stated she is supportive of the agreement.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz reiterated competition is favorable for the taxpayers.

Mrs. Lorenz also stated this agreement does not discuss raising garbage fees.

https://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3913