Town of Normal Town Council met March 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 7:07 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, Deputy Corporation Counsel Jason Querciagrossa, 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 Public Hearing Of March 1, 2021: Approval Of The Minutes Of The Regular Council Meeting Of March 1, 2021:
B. Report To Receive And File Town Of Normal Expenditures For Payment As Of March 10, 2021:
C. Ordinance Authorizing The Publication Of A Zoning Map:
D. Resolution To Accept Bids And Award A Contract To George Gildner, Inc. For The 2021 Sump Pump Discharge And Storm Sewer Improvements Project In The Amount Of $356,662: Resolution No. 5853:
E. Resolution Authorizing Execution Of An Agreement With Mr. Craig Onsrud For The Operation Of The Ironwood Golf Course Pro Shop And Private Golf Lessons: Resolution No. 5854:
F. Motion To Approve Reappointments To Various Boards, Commissions, And Committees:
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 E were approved by the Omnibus Vote.
Items B, C, 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 MARCH 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 March 10, 2021.
AYES: Cummings, Nord, Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord noted a charge on a Capital Investment Fund for Union Pacific Railroad for review of the Underpass Plan. Mr. Nord requested Council be presented information with how funds are being spent regarding The Underpass.
Councilmember Karyn Smith requested clarification about a procedure regarding Use Tax to Bloomington. City Manager Pam Reece and Director of Finance Andrew Huhn responded.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy noted bills regarding the Underpass Plan have been identified in past meetings or reports which provides details of current spending.
Councilmember Stan Nord clarified his concern regarding future expenditures, not past decisions of Council.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy clarified it is the funding status Councilmember Nord is requesting.
ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PUBLICATION OF A ZONING MAP: Ordinance No. 5862:
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approve the Ordinance Authorizing the Publication of a Zoning Map.
AYES: Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Koos.
NAYS: Nord.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on whether there were any changes or updates to the zoning map in the past year which were not brought to Council. Mayor Koos and City Manager Pamela Reece responded. Mayor Koos did not relinquish the floor to Mr. Nord.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy called for a Point of Order. Mr. McCarthy noted the Mayor is the Chairman of the meeting and has full rights to run the meeting. Deputy Corporation Counsel Jason Querciagrossa clarified the Mayor is the Chair of the Meeting and as so, has the right to run meeting. Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on Roberts Rules of Order. Deputy Corporation Counsel Jason Querciagrossa responded.
MOTION TO APPROVE REAPPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES:
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approve the Motion to Approve Reappointments to Various Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
AYES: Smith, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Cummings, Koos.
NAYS: Nord.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord requested clarification on the number of meetings the various Boards and Commissions will have before the Election. City Manager Pam Reece responded. Mr. Nord noted certain Boards and Commissions have gone vacant for some time without someone being appointed. Mr. Nord commented he believes this action is packing the Boards last minute. Mr. Nord requested Councilmembers’ interest in Tabling the Motion until after the Election so new Council could make the decision.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated that he highly disagrees with politicizing appointments by intentionally aligning them with politics and political cycles. Mr. McCarthy noted these are volunteers who give their time and services and that focus needs to be kept on the role of the Board or Commission and their appointments, not used as a political tool.
Councilmember Karyn Smith stated she is adamantly opposed to postponing the appointment of the Boards and Commissions for political reasons. Ms. Smith noted she believes it is wrong to coast in an elected role, noting Boards have a specific time for appointment, appointees are volunteers, and she admires anyone willing to step into these rolls.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz stated she does not agree with postponing for three reasons: Boards and Commissions are designed to act and serve separate from the Council, politicizing the process would do more harm than good by deterring volunteers, and openings for positions on Boards and Commission occur all the time.
Councilmember Chemberly Cummings stated she is opposed to postponing in order to align with a political season. Ms. Cummings noted the action before Council are reappointments, not new appointments. Ms. Cummings also noted it is prudent to keep politics out of appointments for Boards and Commissions to encourage a wide range of volunteers interested to serve.
Councilmember Stan Nord noted he wants to keep politics out of the process as well. Mr. Nord requested clarification on a specific Planning Commission reappointment and why someone new was not chosen. Mayor Koos responded. Mr. Nord commented he has issue with the appointment process and prefers Bloomington’s process. Mayor Koos responded.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy commented there were opportunities to contact the Mayor if there were questions in advance of the meeting regarding appointments.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz indicated her disappointment in the conversation, how it has been political and is politicizing the process. Mrs. Lorenz commented Mr. Nord has made it abundantly clear he is in support of different leadership, and it is disrespectful to the current Council. Mrs. Lorenz commented the Council needs to work together and questioned whether future appointments will be political if there is a change in leadership.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy read aloud the reappointments: Nancy Armstrong to the Historic Preservation Commission, RC McBride to the Planning Commission, David
Burnison to the Uptown Design Review Commission, and Dennis French to the Uptown Design Commission.
7. GENERAL ORDERS:
There was no General Orders.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
There was no New Business.
9. 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.
11. CONCERNS:
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz spoke regarding Next Door posts regarding coyotes roaming, a resident’s experience with a coyote encounter, and inquired if the Town could provide some education on what to do proactively and even defensively.
Councilmember Stan Nord requested clarification on what Executive Orders are still in effect. Mr. Nord spoke regarding whether all Public Comment could be moved to the beginning of the Meeting.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy spoke regarding how much citizens value the services the Town provides. Mr. McCarthy noted he appreciates the work being done to make residents happy.
Councilmember Scott Preston spoke regarding how wonderful it is to see Rivian plans to grow. Mr. Preston noted the Town’s calculated risk has paid off and it is exciting to see what more job and economic activities are to come. Mr. Preston also noted McLean County’s housing market is very exciting, and there could be a critical housing need in the community.
Councilmember Karyn Smith provided a Public Service Announcement regarding S & C Corporations tax returns being due today.
City Manager Pam Reece responded to Councilmember Stan Nord’s request for Executive Order clarification, noting most active Orders involve delivery of alcohol.
12. 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 Cummings, 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 Chris Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 7:55 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2021.
https://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3942
Alerts Sign-up