Town of Normal Town Council met March 20.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Koos called the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council to Order at 6:59 p.m., Monday, March 20, 2023.
2. ROLL CALL:
The Clerk called the roll with the following persons
PRESENT: Mayor Chris Koos and Councilmembers Kevin McCarthy, Chemberly Harris, Scott Preston, Stan Nord, Karyn Smith, 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: None.
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 6, 2023. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 6, 2023
B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF MARCH 15, 2023
C. RESOLUTION RE-ESTABLISHING THE MORATZ FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
D. RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION OF A CONTRACT WITH CIVICPLUS FOR WEBSITE SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $33,406: Resolution No. 6074
E. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF EIGHT CARDIAC MONITOR/DEFIBRILLATORS FROM ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION PURSUANT TO THE NATIONAL PURCHASING PARTNERS-PUBLIC SAFETY GPO CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $371,256.20: Resolution No. 6075
F. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A PROPOSAL FROM PRESIDIO NETWORKED SOLUTIONS GROUP, LLC (PRESIDIO) FOR THE PURCHASE OF STORAGE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $366,485.55: Resolution No. 6076
G. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A PROPOSAL FROM SCIENTEL SOLUTIONS LLC FOR THE PURCHASE OF NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $712,727, INCLUDING AN ANNUAL MANAGED SERVICES COST OF $68,933: Resolution No. 6077
MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Lorenz, the Council Approval of the Omnibus Vote Agenda.
AYES: Lorenz, Nord, Smith, Harris, Preston, McCarthy, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Items B and C were removed from the Omnibus Vote by Councilmember Nord. Items A, D, E, F and G were approved by the Omnibus Vote.
6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:
REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF MARCH 15, 2023
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of a Report to Receive and File Town of Normal Expenditures for Payment as of March 15, 2023.
AYES: Smith, Harris, Preston, McCarthy, Lorenz, Koos.
NAYS: Nord.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on a Facilities Management expense for the Children’s Discovery Museum Climber demolition and questioned why this wasn’t listed as a Childrens Discovery Museum expense. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.
Councilmember Stan Nord Motioned to move the climber demolition expense from Facilities Management to the Children’s Discovery Museum.
City Manager Pamela Reece responded to the Motion made by Mr. Nord and stated that this can be done as a journal entry if Council wants to see the expense in a different department and noted that this expense has already been paid.
Councilmember Karyn Smith asked if an amendment is needed for a journal entry modification. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy spoke against the Motion to move the expense, stating that Facilities Management is responsible for the maintenance and care of Town facilities, so moving the expense would be inconsistent with the department’s method of operation.
Mayor Koos asked for Councilmembers to speak if they would like to see the expense moved. Motion failed for lack of a Second.
Councilmember Stan Nord believes that keeping the expense listed under Facilities Management is not being transparent.
RESOLUTION RE-ESTABLISHING THE MORATZ FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM: Resolution No. 6078
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of a Resolution Re-establishing the Moratz Façade Improvement Grant Program.
AYES: Smith, Harris, Preston, McCarthy, Lorenz, Nord, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord questioned where the program’s funding is coming from. City Manager Pamela Reece responded that it is funded by the General Fund. Mr. Nord inquired whether previous recipients could reapply for the program and if any business owners had requested assistance. City Manager Pamela Reece and Town Planner Mercy Davison both responded.
Councilmember Stan Nord voiced his concerns regarding businesses being permitted to apply for the program multiple times.
Councilmember Chemberly Harris expressed her support for the program that aims to preserve historic buildings and keep them maintained for the future.
Councilmember Karyn Smith noted that the cessation of grants occurred during the 2008 financial crisis and that with an increase in residents and revenue, the Town now has an opportunity to provide an incentive to property owners to maintain structures with distinct characteristics.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked if there is a similar program offered to businesses not located in Uptown. Town Planner Mercy Davison responded.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy noted that a number of TIF’s outside of Uptown have helped benefit property owners invest and rehabilitate their properties.
COUNCIL MINUTES - 4 - MARCH 20, 2023
GENERAL ORDERS:
7. ORDINANCE ELIMINATING THE VEHICLE USE TAX WITHIN NORMAL AND APPROVAL OF THE APPLICABLE BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS: Ordinance No. 5938
MOTION:
Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval the Ordinance Eliminating the Vehicle Use Tax Within Normal and Approval of the Applicable Budget Adjustments.
AYES: Harris, Preston, McCarthy, Lorenz, Nord, Smith, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Karyn Smith thanked the Finance Department for their research into whether the budget could support the elimination of vehicle use tax, as well as fellow Councilmembers for their vote of approval. Ms. Smith stated that the vehicle use tax is more of a burden to collect and that this is an opportunity to eliminate a tax that is not a major source of revenue but can provide some relief to residents.
Councilmember Scott Preston stated that ability to eliminate a tax exemplifies the Town’s good leadership and strong financial position, as eliminating taxes is not common in local government.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy expressed his support and appreciation to staff for their efforts to eliminate vehicle use tax.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz asked how Bloomington was communicated with and whether this would cause any complications since they will continue to collect the vehicle use tax for their residents. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.
Councilmember Stan Nord questioned whether any businesses had requested that this tax be repealed. City Manager Pamela Reece responded. Mr. Nord stated that he believes that eliminating this tax benefits only those with money, not those who are truly in need.
Councilmembers argued against Mr. Nord’s comments, which implied that eliminating the tax would only benefit those who could afford to buy vehicles.
13. NEW BUSINESS:
There was no New Business.
14. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Ron Ulmer, Normal resident, expressed his concerns regarding the Town’s position in determining elected verse appointed positions.
Mayor Koos asked Corporation Counsel Brian Day to address the legal issues brought up by Mr. Ulmer. Mr. Day responded.
Vickie Rowe, Normal resident, voiced concerns about allegations of electioneering on Unit 5 school grounds.
Mary Carlisle, Normal resident, voiced concerns over sewer system funding and system failures.
Chad Berck, Normal resident, voiced concerns over State Representative Sharon Chung’s proposed amendment.
Kathy Siracuse, Normal resident, expressed her concerns and disapproval of Town operations.
Karl Sila, Normal resident, voiced his concerns over Town spending on various projects and other items.
15. CONCERNS:
Councilmember Karyn Smith highlighted the upcoming Feast of Ramadan and encouraged residents to be mindful and gracious to those honoring their religious beliefs.
Councilmember Stan Nord spoke to the concerns raised over the Unit 5 electioneering and State Representative Sharon Chung’s proposed amendment.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy responded to comments made by Mr. Nord and clarified that the Illinois General Assembly is an elected body, and the Town of Normal Council has no role in their legislation.
Corporation Counsel Brian Day clarified issues regarding the State’s proposed amendment, indicating the legislation simply codifies what a judge has already determined.
16. 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 Harris the Council Accept a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.
AYES: Preston, McCarthy, Lorenz, Smith, Harris, Koos.
NAYS: Nord.
Motion declared carried.
COUNCIL MINUTES - 6 - MARCH 20, 2023
Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 8:07 p.m., Monday, March 20, 2023.
https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4635
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