Town of Normal Town Council met Aug. 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., Monday, August 21, 2023.
2. ROLL CALL:
The Clerk called the roll with the following persons
PRESENT: Mayor Chris Koos and Councilmembers Kevin McCarthy, Scott Preston, Kathleen Lorenz, Chemberly Haris, Andy Byars and Karyn Smith, 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 AUGUST 7, 2023. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 7, 2023
B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF AUGUST 16, 2023
C. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT A PROPOSAL FROM GEORGE GILDNER INC. FOR REPLACEMENT OF FLOOR DRAINS AT THE WATER DISTRIBUTION BUILDING AT 700 E PINE ST AT A TOTAL COST OF $61,822 AND APPROVE AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT: Resolution No. 6151
D. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FARNSWORTH GROUP, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $129,803 FOR SUPPLEMENTAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR W. COLLEGE AVENUE FROM RIVIAN MOTORWAY TO WHITE OAK ROAD
E. RESOLUTION APPROVING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT CONCERNING TEMPORARY PARKING LOTS AT 612 KINGSLEY STREET AND AT 603 DALE STREET
MOTION: Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of the Omnibus Vote Agenda.
AYES: Lorenz, Harris, Byars, Smith, Preston, McCarthy, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Chemberly Harris excused herself from voting on any bills that she incurred as a Councilmember.
Items D was removed from Omnibus Vote by Councilmember Smith and Item E was removed from Omnibus Vote by Councilmember Lorenz.
Items A, B, and C were approved by Omnibus Vote.
6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FARNSWORTH GROUP, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $129,803 FOR SUPPLEMENTAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR W. COLLEGE AVENUE FROM RIVIAN MOTORWAY TO WHITE OAK ROAD: Resolution No. 6152
MOTION:
Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Engineering Services Agreement with Farnsworth Group, Inc. in the amount of $129,803 for Supplemental Design Services for W. College Avenue from Rivian Motorway to White Oak Road.
AYES: Harris, Byars, Smith, Preston, McCarthy, Lorenz, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Karyn Smith requested information on the budget modifications outlined in the agreement. City Manager Pamela Reece explained that the new funding would help in accommodating the growth of Rivian by adding additional turn lanes and traffic signals, while also ensuring compliance with the Illinois Department of Transportation regulations.
RESOLUTION APPROVING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT CONCERNING TEMPORARY PARKING LOTS AT 612 KINGSLEY STREET AND AT 603 DALE STREET: Resolution No. 6153
MOTION: Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of a Resolution Approving a Settlement Agreement Concerning Temporary Parking Lots at 612 Kingsley Street at 603 Dale Street.
AYES: Byars, Smith, Preston, McCarthy, Harris, Koos.
NAYS: Lorenz.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz asked about the details of the special use permit and its implications for the developers. Ms. Lorenz noted that the Zoning Board of Appeals had not approved an extension of the properties special use permit and questioned whether the settlement was necessary due to legal requirements. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz expressed her concerns regarding the settlement and believes this could set a precedence on granting exceptions to special use permits.
Councilmember Scott Preston asked if the Town currently has other temporary special use permits. City Manager Pamela Reece responded. Mr. Preston questioned whether approving this settlement would establish a precedent for other special use permit holders to seek settlements when they find themselves in non-compliance. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.
Corporation Counsel Brian Day explained that when a property owner is not in compliance, the typical procedure involves collaborating with them to identify a solution rather than immediately imposing fines.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy reiterated this settlement is part of the process and that this approach is aimed at helping both the ISU students and the developer.
Councilmember Chemberly Harris discussed the Town’s process when dealing with property maintenance issues. Corporation Counsel Brian Day responded.
Councilmember Karyn Smith discussed the steps the developer would need to take, including going before the Planning Commission, to include the Town’s requirements for paved surfaces. Ms. Smith stated that this settlement would allow the developer more than enough time to complete the steps necessary to bring the lots into code compliance.
City Manager Pamela Reece confirmed that the developer has until July 15, 2024, to bring the temporary lots into code compliance or return them to greenspace.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz stated that she does not agree with the settlement since the developer had 5 years to fix these issues.
Corporation Counsel Brian Day explained that this settlement includes a clear deadline that must be met without extensions to avoid potential fines.
GENERAL ORDERS:
7. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TOWN OF NORMAL ZONING CODE (SEC. 15.20 ADULT-USE CANNABIS FACILITIES): Ordinance No.5952
MOTION TO AMEND:
Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of a Motion to Amend the item so as to send it back to Planning Commission for the consideration to include a cap of four recreational cannabis facilities in the Town of Normal.
AYES: Preston, Lorenz.
NAYS: Smith, McCarthy, Harris, Byars, Koos
Motion declared failed.
MOTION:
Councilmember Harris moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of an Ordinance Amending the Town of Normal Zoning Code (Sec. 15.20 Adult-Use Cannabis Facilities).
AYES: Preston, McCarthy, Lorenz, Harris, Byars, Smith, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz expressed her concerns about the lack of a facility cap and believes that the policy adjustments don’t adequately reflect the range of resident concerns. Ms. Lorenz also noted that these facilities are assigned to the Town and not coming to the area by choice.
Councilmember Karyn Smith spoke against the motion made by Ms. Lorenz and highlighted that cannabis sales have made a positive contribution to the Town’s financial position.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy discussed the restrictions placed on cannabis facilities compared to obtaining a liquor license. Mr. McCarthy explained that a public work session took place that initiated these changes.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz stated that she believes a facility cap would better represent citizens’ interests and possibly make things easier for Town staff.
Councilmember Scott Preston expressed his support for having a facility cap.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
There was no New Business.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There was no Public Comment.
10. CONCERNS:
There were no Concerns.
11. MOTION TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
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 to Executive Session to discuss matters pertaining to pending litigation, personnel, and property acquisitions allowed under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11), 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5).
MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Accept a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council to Executive Session.
AYES: McCarthy, Lorenz, Harris, Byars, Smith, Preston, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council to Executive Session at 7:55 p.m., Monday, August 21, 2023.
https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4737
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