McLean County Times

Town of Normal Town Council met Dec. 18.

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 7:02 p.m., Monday, December 18, 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 Harris, and Andy Byars, also present were City Manager Pamela Reece, Interim Assistant City Manager Brian Day, Interim Corporation Counsel Jason Querciagrossa, and Town Clerk Angie Huonker.

ABSENT: Councilmember Karyn Smith.

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 SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING OF DECEMBER 4, 2023. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 2023.

B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF DECEMBER 13, 2023

C. RESOLUTION TO AWARD THE BID FOR THE LINCOLN STREET WATERMAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO GEORGE GILDNER, INC. AT A TOTAL COST OF $868,692: Resolution No. 6198

D. RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTINUING SERVICE AGREEMENTS AND HOURLY RATES AND COSTS FOR INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

E. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE FEDERAL COMPLIANCE AUDIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2023: Resolution No. 6199

F. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11 OF THE BUILDING CODE SECTION 11.4-1(I), AND ADOPTING THE 2023 NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE WITH AMENDMENTS: Ordinance No. 5973

G. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH MCLEAN COUNTY FOR CENTRALIZED BOOKING: Resolution No. 6200

H. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PERSONNEL CODE TO PROVIDE PAID LEAVE TO CERTAIN PART-TIME AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES: Ordinance No. 5974

I. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY REAPPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH SECOND ADDITION (4408 E. RAAB): Resolution No. 6201

J. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO J. SPENCER CONSTRUCTION OF NORMAL, IL FOR THE “UPTOWN STATION SECURITY AND STAIR TOWER IMPROVEMENTS” PROJECT AND APPROVAL OF AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT:

Resolution No. 6202

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris the Council Approval of the Omnibus Vote Agenda.

AYES: Lorenz, Harris, Byars, Preston, McCarthy, Koos.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: Smith.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Chemberly Harris and Councilmember Kevin McCarthy excused themselves from voting on any bills that they incurred as Councilmembers.

Item D was removed from Omnibus Vote by Councilmember Lorenz.

Items A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, and J were approved by Omnibus Vote.

6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTINUING SERVICE AGREEMENTS AND HOURLY RATES AND COSTS FOR INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES: Resolution No. 6203

MOTION:

Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy the Council Approval of a Resolution Approving Continuing Service Agreements and Hourly Rates and Costs for Innovation and Technology Services.

AYES: Harris, Byars, Preston, McCarthy, Lorenz, Koos.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: Smith.

Motion declared carried.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz asked when these services would begin and what the budget implications of bringing in these vendors as needed would be. City Manager Pamela Reece explained this item is asking Council to approve a contract with a pool of vendors for the I & T department to use depending on the project. Ms. Reece stated that this will save staff time in the future from having to submit an RFP for each specific technological project as well as secure hourly rates in advance.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz questioned as to why the vendor Marketplace provided a monthly subscription rather than an hourly rate. Director of Innovation and Technology Vasudha Gadhiraju responded. Ms. Lorenz asked for further clarification regarding project delays and the criminal justice information system. Director of Innovation and Technology Vasudha Gadhiraju responded.

GENERAL ORDERS:

7. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK WITH THE ILLINOIS

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (IDOT) AND A MOTOR FUEL TAX (MFT) RESOLUTION FOR WEST COLLEGE AVENUE FROM RIVIAN MOTORWAY TO NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD (NSRR): Resolution No. 6204

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Joint Funding Agreement for Construction Work with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for West College Avenue from Rivian Motorway to Norfolk Southern Railroad (NSRR).

AYES: Byars, Preston, McCarthy, Lorenz, Harris, Koos.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: Smith.

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

8. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED FY2023-24 TO FY2028-29 COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PLAN (CIP)

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Motion to Accept the Proposed FY2023-24 to FY2028-29 Community Investment Plan (CIP).

AYES: Preston, McCarthy, Lorenz, Harris, Byars, Koos.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: Smith.

Motion declared carried.

City Manager Pamela Reece provided a brief overview of the item and introduced Finance Director Andrew Huhn, who presented the proposed Community Investment Plan (CIP).

Director of Finance Andrew Huhn reviewed the proposed Community Investment Plan, covering the plan’s purpose, the plan review and prioritization process, CIP funding sources, and CIP spending types. Mr. Huhn provided an overview of projects and spending by type, emphasizing that the majority of transportation funds will go towards street resurfacing.

Mr. Huhn also reviewed the CIP dashboard and highlighted some of its uses.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz posed questions regarding alley work. Director of Public Works and Engineering Ryan Otto explained that an analysis was conducted for the 14 alleyways in the Town that currently have a gravel surface. Mr. Otto stated that the general analysis is that the expense to repair and pave an alley with either asphalt or concrete is around $215,000 per alley.

Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz expressed her concerns regarding alley maintenance and proposed creating an intentional plan to fix the alleys, paving one to two alleys per year.

Mayor Koos expressed interest in figuring out the total cost of paving the existing gravel alleyways and how to prioritize the work. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy spoke in support of the Community Investment Plan and highlighted that other communities are utilizing the CIP dashboard as a model.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

There was no Public Comment.

10. CONCERNS:

Councilmember Kevin McCarthy highlighted that this was the year’s final meeting and wished everyone a Happy Holiday.

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

AYES: McCarthy, Lorenz, Harris, Byars, Preston, Koos.

NAYS: None.

ABSENT: Smith.

Motion declared carried.

Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 7:48 p.m., Monday, December 18, 2023.

https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4863