Town of Normal Town Council met March 21

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Jul 6, 2022

Town of Normal Town Council met March 21.

Here are 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: Mayor Chris Koos and Councilmembers, Chemberly Cummings, Stan Nord, Karyn Smith, Scott Preston, and Kathleen Lorenz, also present were City Manager Pamela Reece, Assistant City Manager Eric Hanson, Corporation Counsel Brian Day, and Town Clerk Angie Huonker.

ABSENT: Councilmember Kevin McCarthy

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Mayor Koos led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT:

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 7,2022. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 7, 2022:

B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF MARCH 16, 2022:

C. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH MR. CRAIG ONSRUD FOR THE OPERATION OF THE IRONWOOD GOLF COURSE PRO SHOP AND PRIVATE GOLD LESSONS: Resolution No. 5968:

D. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FRAME RAIL REPLACEMENT AND CORROSION REPAIRS TO A 2014 PIERCE FIRE ENGINE: Resolution No. 5969:

E. RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BID PROCESS AND ACCEPT QUOTE FROM DINGESFIRE COMPANY OF AMBOY, ILLINOIS FOR THE PURCHASE OF 11 BULLARD TXS THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS AND RELATED ACCESSORIES AT A COST OF $37,553.65:

F. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR A PARCEL OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 316 N. GLENN IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,500:

G. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH CARDINAL INFRASTRUCTURE, L.L.C. FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO FEDERAL ADVOCACY AND FUNDING.

H. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A PROPOSAL FROM MCCI TO IMPLEMENT LASERFICHE ELECTRONIC CONTENT MANAGEMENT (ECM) SOLUTION FOR A TOTAL OF $211,780, INCLUDING A ONE-TIME COST OF $158,305 AND AN ANNUAL LICENSING COST OF $53,475:

I. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT FOR HEARTLAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE SECOND ADDITION (WEST RAAB ROAD): Resolution No. 5970:

MOTION:

Councilmember Cummings moved, seconded by Councilmember Lorenz, the Council Approval of the Omnibus Vote Agenda.

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

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: McCarthy.

Motion declared carried.

Items A, B, E, F, G, and H were approved by the Omnibus Vote.

Items C, D and I were removed from the Omnibus Vote.

6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING OF MARCH 7, 2022. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 7, 2022:

MOTION:

Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of the Minutes of the Public Hearing of March 7, 2022. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 7, 2022.

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

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: McCarthy.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz requested clarification on page 6 of the Minutes where it mentions her motion for the 1% increase. Town Clerk Angie Huonker responded.

REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF MARCH 16, 2022:

MOTION:

Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of the Report to Receive and File Town of Normal Expenditures for Payment as of March 16, 2022.

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

NAYS: Nord.

ABSENT: McCarthy.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz requested information regarding the expense for Stark Excavating. Ms. Lorenz also requested information on the postage and envelope expense as well as the expense for Bond Counsel Opinion. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.

Councilmember Stan Nord read a portion of the State code and stated that he believes that the Town is using the Water fund improperly, specifically referring to the purchase of the snowplow equipment. Corporation Counsel Brian Day responded.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked who is accountable if the funds were used improperly. Mayor Koos called Mr. Nord Out of Order.

RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BID PROCESS AND ACCEPT QUOTE FROM DINGES FIRE COMPANY OF AMBOY, ILLINOIS FOR THE PURCHASE OF 11 BULLARD TXS THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS AND RELATED ACCESSORIES AT A COST OF $37,553.65: Resolution No. 5971:

MOTION:

Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Waive the Formal Bid Process and Accept Quote from Dinges Fire Company of Amboy, Illinois for the Purchase of 11 Bullard TXS Thermal Imaging Cameras and Related Accessories at a Cost of $37,553.65.

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

NAYS: Nord.

ABSENT: McCarthy.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz asked why the formal bid process is being waived. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.

Councilmember Karyn Smith clarified that in the absence of the bid, the Town was given the opportunity to view and test the equipment in advance. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.

ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR A PARCEL OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 316 N. GLENN IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,500: Ordinance No. 5906:

MOTION:

Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of an Ordinance Authorizing a Purchase Agreement for a Parcel of Property located at 316 N. Glenn in the Amount of $12,500.

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

NAYS: Nord.

ABSENT: McCarthy.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked what the reasons are for purchasing this property and how Town staff became aware. City Manager Pamela Reece and Building Commissioner Greg Troemel responded. Mr. Nord asked what the total cost of the project would be. Building Commissioner Greg Troemel responded.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked why the Town is involved and suggested that we just give the $12,500 to Habitat for Humanity so they can take care of the property. Mayor Koos stated that CDBG dollars can’t be used that way.

Town Planner Mercy Davison expressed that this is an opportunity for the Town to offer affordable housing.

Councilmember Stan Nord stated that he is not in favor because he believes there is better use for CDBG funds.

Councilmember Karyn Smith spoke in favor of this action, stating that the purchase price could be the extent of the Towns expense if Habitat for Humanity accepts the transfer of the home and proceeds with the rehabilitation. Ms. Smith also reiterated that the Town is using CDBG funds, which have specific guidelines for how funds are used.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz expressed that this is less about real estate and more about community development and properly using the CDBG funds.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH CARDINAL INFRASTRUCTURE, L.L.C. FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO FEDERAL ADVOCACY AND FUNDING: Resolution No. 5972:

MOTION:

Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Contract Extension with Cardinal Infrastructure, L.L.C. for Professional Services Related to Federal Advocacy and Funding.

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

NAYS: Nord.

ABSENT: McCarthy.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Stan Nord questioned why this isn’t being bid out and how do we know the Town is getting a fair price for these services. City Manager Pamela Reece pointed out that this is a contract extension.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked if it is best practice for Municipalities to go a certain amount of time without getting bids for services. Mayor Koos responded.

Councilmember Stan Nord referenced the report and questioned who decided the Town needs additional funding for the Underpass. City Manager Pamela Reece responded. Mr. Nord asked how the original relationship started with Cardinal Infrastructure. Mayor Koos responded.

Councilmember Stan Nord stated that he is not in favor of this since he believes this should be bid out and that there should be a process in place. Mayor Koos explained that there is a process, and every two years the Town looks at its working relationship with Cardinal Infrastructure and mentioned the federal funding they have helped the Town receive.

Councilmember Scott Preston confirmed that there have not been any price increases. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz believes that in this scenario, longevity and depth of knowledge between both parties is very important. Ms. Lorenz stated that professional services do not require a formal bid process which allows the Town to take advantage and deepen its relationship.

Councilmember Karyn Smith reviewed a breakdown of the volume of dollars that Cardinal Infrastructure has brought to the Town.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A PROPOSAL FROM MCCI TO IMPLEMENT LASERFICHE ELECTRONIC CONTENT MANAGEMENT (ECM) SOLUTION FOR A TOTAL COST OF $211,780, INCLUDING A ONE-TIME COST OF $158,305 AND AN ANNUAL LICENSING COST OF $53,475: Resolution No. 5973:

MOTION:

Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Cummings, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a Proposal from MCCi to Implement Laserfiche Electronic Content Management (ECM) solution for a total of $211,780, including a one-time cost of $158,305 and an annual licensing cost of $53,475.

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

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: McCarthy.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked how many positions this will eliminate once it’s implemented. City Manager Pamela Reece responded. Mr. Nord asked what the financial benefit is for the Town.

Director of Innovation and Technology Vasu Gadhiraju gave an overview of the old system verses the new system and explained that our current system was bought out by a new vendor.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked what the time frame is for the installation of this system. Director of Innovation and Technology Vasu Gadhiraju responded.

Councilmember Karyn Smith explained that she spoke with Ms. Gadhiraju before the meeting and clarified some reasons for the new system, mentioning document sharing, and duplication reduction. Director of Innovation and Technology Vasu Gadhiraju responded.

GENERAL ORDERS:

7. RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ANNEXATION AGREEMENT RELATING TO 10.29 +/- ACRES AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF WEST COLLEGE AND I-55: Resolution No. 5974:

MOTION:

Councilmember Cummings moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval a Resolution Approving an Annexation Agreement Relating to 10.29 +/- Acres at the Southwest Corner of West College and I-55.

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

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: McCarthy.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Karyn Smith posed questions regarding water and sewer access for the property that is specifically being used for storage units. Building Commissioner Greg Troemel responded.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked why they are restricted to only storage use if they are zoned in B-1. Building Commissioner Greg Troemel responded.

City Manager Pamela Reece noted that because it’s adjacent to a residential area, it made sense to identify the use of the property so the neighbors would have an idea of what the plans were for the property.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked what would need to be done if someone wanted to do more than storage on the property. Building Commissioner Greg Troemel explained that they would go through the Planning Commission and Council to get a different use of the property.

Councilmember Stan Nord asked since there will be no sewer extension to the location, will they be paying a sewer tap on fee. Building Commissioner Greg Troemel responded. Mr. Nord also asked what the benefits are in bringing this to Normal instead of leaving it in the County. Town Planner Mercy Davison responded.

8. NEW BUSINESS:

There was no New Business.

9. PUBLIC COMMENTS:

There was no Public Comment.

10. CONCERNS:

There were no Concerns.

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 Cummings moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith the Council Accept a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.

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

NAYS: None.