McLean County Times

Town of Normal City Council met March 3.

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, March 3, 2025

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, Andy Byars, and Karyn Smith, also present were City Manager Pamela Reece, Assistant City Manager Jenny Keigher, Corporation Counsel Jason Querciagrossa, and Chief Deputy Clerk Tierra Shickel.

ABSENT: Town Clerk Angie Huonker

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Mayor Koos led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Hannah Johnson, spoke in support of a resolution to accept the donation of land, a building, and organizational assets from the Illinois Art Station.

Seth Wheeler, spoke in support of a resolution to accept the donation of land, a building, and organizational assets from the Illinois Art Station.

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 FEBRUARY 17, 2025

B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025

C. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO J.G. STEWART CONTRACTORS, INC. FOR THE 2025 MISCELLANEOUS SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS – 50/50 SIDEWALK & ADA RAMPS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $738,237.50.

D. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH HOERR CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR THE 2024 SANITARY SEWER LINING CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,460,711

E. RESOLUTION TO AWARD THE BID FOR WATER MAIN AND SERVICE LINE MATERIALS TO FERGUSON WATERWORKS, DEKALB, IL:

Resolution No. 6351

F. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY FOR THE TOWN’S ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL COMMERCIAL RETAIL CUSTOMERS

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 C, D, and F were removed from the Omnibus Vote by Smith.

Items A, B and E were approved by Omnibus Vote.

6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO J.G. STEWART CONTRACTORS, INC. FOR THE 2025 MISCELLANEOUS SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS – 50/50 SIDEWALK & ADA RAMPS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $738,237.50: Resolution No. 6352

MOTION:

Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Accept the Bids and Award a Contract to J.G. Stewart Contractors, Inc. for the 2025 Miscellaneous Sidewalk Improvements – 50/50 Sidewalk & ADA Ramps Project in the Amount of $738,237.50.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Smith questioned where residents can locate information on specific projects within the Open Data Portal on the Town of Normal's website. Reece responded.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH HOERR CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR THE 2024 SANITARY SEWER LINING CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,460,711: Resolution No. 6353

MOTION:

Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Contract with Hoerr Construction, Inc. for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Lining Contract in the Amount of $1,460,711.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Smith requested clarification on the percentage of sewer mains completed. Reece confirmed that 8% of the sewer mains have been completed.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY FOR THE TOWN’S ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL COMMERCIAL RETAIL CUSTOMERS: Resolution No. 6354

MOTION:

Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Contract for the Supply of Electricity for the Town’s Electric Aggregation Program for Residential and Small Commercial Retail Customers.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Smith asked if homeowners with solar panels are eligible to participate in the Town’s Electric Aggregation Program. Reece responded.

GENERAL ORDERS:

7. ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE OPERATING AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF NORMAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26: Ordinance No. 6016

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of an Ordinance Adopting the Operating and Capital Investment Budget for the Town of Normal for Fiscal Year 2025-26.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Reece thanked the leadership team and the finance department for their hard work on the proposed FY 2025-2026 budget. Reece noted the concerns over revenue streams and emphasized that the proposed budget meets all of the general fund financial targets.

Smith questioned how the proposed budget was revised to address the challenges of decreased revenue and increased expenditures. Reece responded and invited Director of Finance Andrew Huhn to comment.

Huhn explained that the projected decrease in revenue was primarily offset by a reduction in transfers to the vehicle and equipment reserve fund. Smith questioned whether the modifications to the budget apply to the five-year forecast or just the upcoming fiscal year. Huhn responded.

Byars emphasized the importance of economic development.

Lorenz asked questions regarding economic development funding cuts, the budgeted amount for the underpass project, pension funding payments, and the sustainability plan. Huhn and Reece responded.

Preston reiterated the importance of economic development and emphasized the $1 million additional payment to the police and fire pension program.

Harris spoke in support of the proposed budget and commended its conservative approach.

McCarthy highlighted that the Town's long-standing conservative budgeting practices are reflected in the current budget. He also stated that the economic development funding cuts were made from surplus, non-allocated funds.

Koos thanked Town staff for their work on the proposed budget and expressed his support for it.

NEW BUSINESS:

10. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENTS WITH THE ILLINOIS ART STATION AND THE ILLINOIS ART STATION FOUNDATION TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF ILLINOIS ART STATION LAND, BUILDING, AND ORGANIZATIONAL ASSETS: Resolution No. 6355

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing Execution of Agreements with the Illinois Art Station and the Illinois Art Station Foundation to Accept the Donation of Illinois Art Station Land, Building, and Organizational Assets.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Reece introduced Assistant City Manager Jenny Keigher to provide a brief presentation on the item.

Keigher presented an overview of the item, stating that the Illinois Art Station Board and Foundation approached the Town with a proposal to donate its land, building, and organization. She highlighted that the Illinois Art Station’s focus on visual art education for children and families aligns with the Cultural Arts Department’s initiatives and the Town’s Comprehensive and Strategic Plans. Keigher also outlined the proposed agreement requirements and noted that staff have reviewed the organization's financial records.

Council members expressed strong support for the donation of the Illinois Art Station, recognizing its significant contributions to the arts community and its role in community engagement. They praised the potential investment in the Cultural Arts Department and requested clarification on the reported value of the assets, which was confirmed to be $2.4 million.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Nate Anderson shared a recent experience with Town of Normal emergency responders and discussed the importance of policies.

12. CONCERNS:

Smith highlighted that Daniel Johnson, a resident of Normal, will be competing in the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

13. 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 to Executive Session at 7:53 p.m., Monday, March 3, 2025.

https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5238