McLean County Times

Town of Normal Town Council met Oct. 7.

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, October 7, 2024.

2. ROLL CALL:

The Clerk called the roll with the following persons

PRESENT: Mayor Chris Koos and Councilmembers Kevin McCarthy, Scott Preston, Kathleen Lorenz, Andy Byars, Chemberly Harris, and Karyn Smith, also present were City Manager Pamela Reece, Assistant City Manager Brian Day, Corporation Counsel Jason Querciagrossa, and Deputy Clerk Britni Williams.

ABSENT: Town Clerk Angie Huonker

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 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF OCTOBER 2, 2024

C. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT WATER TREATMENT PLANT CHEMICAL BIDS FROM NOVEMBER 2024 THROUGH OCTOBER 2025: Resolution No. 6296

D. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AUTHORIZE A CONTRACT WITH STARK EXCAVATING, INC. FOR THE CONSTITUTION TRAIL DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $110,900.50

E. RESOLUTION TO PURCHASE RIGHT OF WAY FOR SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF FORT JESSE ROAD AND GREENBRIAR DRIVE: Resolution No. 6297

F. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT OF THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER (PAMELA S. REECE): Resolution No. 6298

G. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO CHAMPAIGN SIGNAL AND LIGHTING COMPANY, A DIVISION OF CHAMPAIGN ASPHALT COMPANY, LLC FOR THE RAAB ROAD FIBER OPTIC & TRAFFIC SIGNAL INTERCONNECT PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $992,554.50

H. RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND ACCEPTING A QUOTE AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A 1- YEAR CONTRACT WITH FLOCK SAFETY FOR $68,600 TO PURCHASE AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READER CAMERAS, FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS AND THE FLOCK OPERATING SYSTEM WITH FUNDS AWARDED THROUGH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME (ORC) GRANT: Resolution No. 6299

I. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF THE EMPLOYEE GROUP HEALTH, DENTAL, LIFE/AD&D, AND MEDICARE ADVANTAGE INSURANCE PROGRAM: Resolution No. 6300

J. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. TO RELOCATE TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNDERPASS PROJECT AT UPTOWN STATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $833,016.62

K. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P., C/O COGENT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC TO RELOCATE TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNDERPASS PROJECT AT UPTOWN STATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,048,388.56

MOTION:

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

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Items D and G were removed from the Omnibus Vote by Smith and Items J and K were removed from the Omnibus Vote by Lorenz.

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

6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

COUNCIL MINUTES - 3 - OCTOBER 7, 2024

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AUTHORIZE A CONTRACT WITH STARK EXCAVATING, INC. FOR THE CONSTITUTION TRAIL DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $110,900.50: Resolution No. 6301

MOTION:

Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Accept Bids and Authorize a Contract with Stark Excavating, Inc. for the Constitution Trail Drainage Improvements Project in the Amount of $110,900.50.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Smith requested clarification on what to expect from the project and asked the City Manager to provide additional detail. Reece responded.

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO CHAMPAIGN SIGNAL AND LIGHTING COMPANY, A DIVISION OF CHAMPAIGN ASPHALT COMPANY, LLC FOR THE RAAB ROAD FIBER OPTIC & TRAFFIC SIGNAL INTERCONNECT PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $992,554.50: Resolution No. 6302

MOTION:

Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Accept Bids and Award a Contract to Champaign Signal and Lighting Company, A Division of Champaign Asphalt Company, LLC for the Raab Road Fiber Optic & Traffic Signal Interconnect Project in the Amount of $992,554.50.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Smith requested clarification on the traffic signal interconnect with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Reece responded.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. TO RELOCATE TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNDERPASS PROJECT AT UPTOWN STATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $833,016.62: Resolution No. 6303

MOTION:

Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Lumen Technologies, Inc. to Relocate Telecommunication Facilities for the Construction of the Underpass Project at Uptown Station in the Amount of $833,016.62.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Lorenz asked whether this project was included in the total budgeted amount for the Underpass project. Reece confirmed the budget included funds for the relocation of utilities. Lorenz asked about the timeline of the Underpass project and its impact on traffic. Director of Public Works & Engineering Ryan Otto responded.

Koos asked about the potential overlap in contractor timelines. Otto responded.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P., C/O COGENT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC TO RELOCATE TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNDERPASS PROJECT AT UPTOWN STATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,048,388.56: Resolution No. 6304

MOTION:

Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Sprint Communications Company L.P., C/O Cogent Communications, LLC to Relocate Telecommunication Facilities for the Construction of the Underpass Project at Uptown Station in the Amount of $1,048,388.56.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Lorenz stated she has no further comment.

GENERAL ORDERS:

7. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE ANNEXATION AGREEMENT PERTAINING TO 36+/- ACRES AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF TOWANDA AVENUE AND BEECH STREET (CARDEN SPRINGS PUD): Resolution No. 6305

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Resolution Amending the Annexation Agreement Pertaining to 36+/- Acres at the Northwest Corner of Towanda Avenue and Beech Street (Carden Springs PUD).

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Reece provided an overview of the proposed amended annexation agreement and identified the performance requirements for the developer.

Smith asked about the purpose of the certificate of occupancy. Reece responded.

Preston highlighted the community’s need for additional housing units and asked whether staff has explored alternative strategies to initiate housing developments. Reece responded.

McCarthy praised the performance requirements outlined in the amendment and requested their continued use.

Lorenz expressed her support for this development and advocated for a more proactive approach in offering assistance to developers to address the housing crisis. Lorenz questioned if there would be some relief for lower-priced rental housing. Reece responded.

Day stated that this plan was based on their market rate performance. Lorenz asked for their market rates. Reece responded.

McCarthy stated that he believes that increasing the total number of available units in the area will cause the market to respond and rent costs to decrease.

Koos stated that low-income projects follow a different process.

Lorenz stated that she wanted the Town to be proactive in attracting developers for housing at all income levels. Koos responded.

NEW BUSINESS:

There was no New Business.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Jean Olsen, 709 N. School Street, spoke on issues that have arisen at a short-term rental in her neighborhood.

Tom Collins, 709 N. School Street, voiced his concerns over a short-term rental in his neighborhood.

Reenie Bradley, Normal resident, spoke on issues related to the sporting events at One Normal Plaza and the gun firing that occurred over the weekend.

8. CONCERNS:

Harris responded to the comments regarding the recent shooting incidents.

McCarthy responded to the comments regarding the recent shooting incidents. McCarthy wished Byars luck in the Chicago Marathon.

Lorenz spoke on the homeless encampment in the Bloomington-Normal community. Smith announced that construction at Fairview skate park is set to begin.

Koos addressed the recent shooting incidents and announced that a work session focused on gun violence and short-term rental regulations will take place on October 21.

9. 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: Lorenz, Harris, Byars, Smith, Preston, McCarthy, Koos.

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 8:16 p.m., Monday, October 7, 2024.

https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5096