Town of Normal Town Council met June 5.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Koos called the Work Session of the Normal Town Council to Order at 5:35 p.m., Monday, June 5, 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, Karyn Smith, Andy Byars, and Kathleen Lorenz, also present were City Manager Pamela Reece, Corporation Counsel Brian Day, and Chief Deputy Clerk Tierra Shickel.
ABSENT: Town Clerk Angie Huonker.
Councilmember Scott Preston arrived at 5:38 p.m.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no Public Comment.
4. INOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY UPDATE:
City Manager Pamela Reece introduced Director of Innovation and Technology Vasu Gadhiraju to provide an update on the Smart Cities Initiative.
Director of Innovation and Technology Vasu Gadhiraju provided a comprehensive update on the Smart Cities initiative, highlighting the Town’s commitment to becoming a leader in technology and connectivity. Ms. Gadhiraju discussed the five stages of the Smart Cities journey, and emphasized the importance of close collaboration with each department to identify technology needs that would enhance operations. Ms. Gadhiraju shared information on the implementation of Laserfiche, the Open Data Portal, including the various data dashboards. Ms. Gadhiraju also discussed the increased efforts on education and training initiatives for Town staff.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz asked when the Council Action Dashboard would be available to the public. Director of Innovation and Technology Vasu Gadhiraju responded.
Councilmember Chemberly Harris asked whether the ongoing efforts to strengthen the Town’s infrastructure would effectively resolve the existing gaps in the under serviced areas. Director of Innovation and Technology Vasu Gadhiraju responded. Ms. Harris questioned if the Town is looking at implementing more cloud-based systems. Ms. Gadhiraju responded.
5. ADULT-USE CANNABIS DISCUSSION:
City Manager Pamela Reece introduced Building Commissioner Greg Troemel and Town Planner Mercy Davison to review the Adult-Use Recreational Cannabis Special-Use Ordinance and discuss potential modifications.
Town Planner Mercy Davison provided an overview of the cannabis timeline in Normal, the current provisions of Illinois law, and the current local ordinance pertaining to Adult Use cannabis. Ms. Davison presented a map of the permitted dispensary locations within the B-1 zoning district and provided an overview of cannabis regulations in other municipalities.
Councilmember Karyn Smith acknowledged the recent withdrawal of a special-use application and inquired about the timeline for the impact on both the recent applicant and future applicants due to any changes made to the current ordinance. Corporation Counsel Brian Day responded. Ms. Smith asked for clarification on whether applicants, once selected through the Illinois lottery process, have the choice to opt for either Bloomington or Normal. Town Planner Mercy Davison explained that applicants could select any location within the BLS district.
Councilmember Andy Byars requested clarification on the difference between Special use and permitted designations. Town Planner Mercy Davison responded.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz questioned the number of communities within the BLS district that had chosen to opt out of permitting dispensaries, along with the potential number of additional dispensaries that could be authorized in Normal. Town Planner Mercy Davison responded. Ms. Lorenz proposed changes to the current ordinance, voicing her preference for implementing a limit on the number of dispensaries permitted and enhancing the distance requirement between dispensaries.
Councilmember Scott Preston expressed agreement with Ms. Lorenz’s recommendation to enforce a limitation on the number of permitted dispensaries in Normal.
City Manager Pamela Reece expressed support for codifying the 1500-foot separation between dispensaries, as it would effectively limit the addition of more retailers.
6. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Koos called for a Motion to Adjourn the Work Session of the Normal Town Council.
MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of a Motion to Adjourn the Work Session of the Normal Town Council.
AYES: Lorenz, Byars, Smith, Harris, Preston, McCarthy, Koos
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Mayor Koos adjourned the Work Session of the Normal Town Council at 6:37 p.m., Monday, June 5, 2023.
https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4675
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