McLean County Times

Town of Normal Town Council met Nov. 20.

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 5:16 p.m., Monday, November 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, Karyn Smith, Andy Byars, 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.

Councilmember Scott Preston arrived at 5:37 p.m.

3. PUBLIC COMMENT:

There was no Public Comment.

4. UPTOWN PARKING STUDY PRESENTATION:

City Manager Pamela Reece gave a brief introduction to the Uptown Parking Study, emphasizing that the purpose of the discussion is to assess the Council’s reactions to the recommendations.

Assistant City Manager Eric Hanson provided a brief overview of the process involved in completing the Uptown Parking Study, noting that the study provides recommendations based on best practices.

Director of Finance Andrew Huhn presented an overview of the consultant’s recommendations from the Uptown Parking Study, concentrating on five categories: Applied Technical Improvements, Fees and Rate Changes, System Management Improvements, Amenity Improvements, and Access and Supply Allocation.

Mr. Huhn provided detailed insights into each category, discussing recommendations such as raising parking deck rates and implementing charges for street parking. This could entail installing credit-card payment enabled single-space meters or multi-space pay stations in on-street parking spaces and selected off-street parking lots to increase revenue. Mr. Huhn covered additional recommendations, including the implementation of dynamic pricing and the relocation of town fleet vehicles from Uptown Station deck to the Beaufort Street deck.

Mr. Huhn reviewed the current parking rates and operating expenses, noting that parking rates have remained unchanged since first established, while operational costs continue to increase.

City Manager Pamela Reece emphasized that in many communities, the most convenient parking is not free and stressed the importance of generating revenue to support the long term maintenance of parking decks.

Mayor Koos stated that the maintenance for parking decks is costly, emphasizing the need to look into sustainable and manageable solutions.

City Manager Pamela Reece provided additional clarification, expressing that town staff are seeking input from the Council regarding potential adjustments to parking rates. This includes decisions on retaining the first hour free parking in the deck, adding paid street parking, and determining whether to charge Amtrak riders fees to park at the College Avenue parking deck.

Councilmember Karyn Smith stated that she sees the rationale behind the rate increases and spoke in support of keeping the first hour free as well as not charging Amtrak riders.

Councilmember Scott Preston echoed Ms. Smith's remarks regarding maintaining the first hour free and expressed openness to the concept of adjusting rates beyond the first hour and introducing parking fees for Amtrak riders.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy voiced his support for raising parking deck rates and introducing fees for street parking to contribute to parking infrastructure funding. Mr. McCarthy suggested reducing the first hour free parking to 30 minutes and emphasized the importance of considering necessary accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Mayor Koos suggested that having insight from staff regarding the anticipated maintenance outlook for parking decks over the next 5-10 years could be valuable in the decision-making process.

Councilmember Chemberly Harris sought clarification on the process for determining dynamic pricing. Additionally, she expressed support for shortening the free first hour and implementing parking fees for Amtrak riders.

Mayor Koos noted that parking needs for Amtrak passengers varies, which is an important factor that should be taken into consideration.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz asked for clarification on what dynamic pricing is. Director of Finance Andrew Huhn responded. Ms. Lorenz questioned what assumptions were made in the parking study regarding the development of Trail East and West. Assistant City Manager Eric Hanson stated that the study is designed to be adaptable in its recommendations. Mr. Hanson added that the study revealed Uptown currently has sufficient parking to accommodate the demands of some of the busier uptown events.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz added that she would like a public open house where both consumers and businesses could participate in the process. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.

Mayor Koos stated that public input would be part of the process at a later stage.

Councilmember Andy Byars highlighted that the top priority is securing long-term funds for infrastructure maintenance.

Councilmember Scott Preston asked for clarification regarding the discussion on changing the time period for daily parking fees. Director of Finance Andrew Huhn responded.

Councilmember Karyn Smith expressed her opposition to charging parking fees for Amtrak riders. She believes that incentivizing people to pay more for overnight or long term parking might lead to increased usage of the Uptown Station deck rather than the College deck. Mayor Koos and Director of Finance Andrew Huhn responded.

City Manager Pamela Reece stated that one of the goals when implementing these changes is to minimize the risk of complaints and anything that could be administratively burdensome.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy emphasized the importance of communication changes to parking fee areas, ensuring the installation of clear signage, and providing a timeline for implementation.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz inquired about the next steps in the process. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.

5. EV CHARGING NETWORK PLAN PRESENTATION:

City Manager Pamela Reece introduced the Electric Vehicle Charging Network Plan, outlining staff’s proposals for establishing an electric vehicle charging network and seeking input on whether to initiate the process for obtaining grants.

Town Planner Mercy Davison provided an overview of the history of the Electric Vehicle (EV) program in the Town, discussed ongoing efforts in EV infrastructure development, and presented data on EVs in McLean County. Additionally, Ms. Davison highlighted existing charging station locations and proposed new EV charging station locations.

City Manager Pamela Reece outlined various options for the Council to consider, including whether the town should actively seek grant opportunities to expand charging stations or move forward more quickly and include the expenses into town budgets.

Mayor Koos stated that he would like staff to look at non-park areas for new charging stations and expressed support of leasing Electric Vehicles Charging Stations and implementing charges for drivers using the charging stations.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy echoed comments made by Mayor Koos and expressed support for exploring grant options.

Councilmember Scott Preston spoke in support of implementing a fee for drivers using the charging stations but expressed his concerns about insufficient information and data to justify an expansion of the EV program. City Manager Pamela Reece and Director of Facilities Mark Clinch responded.

Councilmember Karyn Smith expressed support for prioritizing the implementation of charging stations, charging usage fees, and leasing charging stations. Ms. Smith suggested that the charging stations be in more business-focused areas.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz echoed previous comments about placing charging stations in business-focused areas and emphasized the importance of the Town maintaining a leadership role in EV infrastructure.

Councilmember Chemberly Harris spoke in support of charging a usage fee and leasing charging stations and spoke on possible grant opportunities.

Councilmember Andy Byars reiterated earlier remarks and questioned the ability to collect data on who is utilizing the Town’s charging station, in terms of residents versus out-of-town individuals and identify the charging stations that are more frequently utilized.

City Manager Pamela Reece stated that the feedback from the Council assists town staff in formulating a plan and creating effective grant applications.

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 Harris, 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 7:05 p.m., Monday, November 20, 2023.

https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4838