McLean County Times

Town of Normal Town Council met March 17.

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 17, 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 Brian Day, Corporation Counsel Jason Querciagrossa, and Town Clerk Angie Huonker.

ABSENT: None.

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Mayor Koos led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Ron Ulmer, Normal resident, expressed appreciation for retired Building Commissioner Greg Troemel. He asked about potential trail development outside city limits in relation to Agenda Item H and expressed concern about the cost of the Children’s Discovery Museum exhibit.

5. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

Mayor Koos stated that Item K would be removed from the Consent Agenda and replaced as Item 10 under New Business, while the current Item 10 would be renumbered as Item 11. The change ensures zoning approval occurs before approval of the zoning map.

Mayor Koos read aloud the items to be considered by the Omnibus Vote Agenda.

A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING OF MARCH 3, 2025. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 3, 2025

B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF MARCH 12, 2025

C. RESOLUTION TO AWARD THE BID FOR THE DELAINE DRIVE AND HALE STREET WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO STARK EXCAVATING, INC. AT A TOTAL COST OF $928,600: Resolution No. 6356

D. RESOLUTION TO AWARD THE BID FOR A TRUCK MOUNTED HYDRAULIC VALVE OPERATOR TO KOENIG BODY AND EQUIPMENT AT A TOTAL COST OF $53,113 AND APPROVE AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT: Resolution No. 6357

E. RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS TO ACCEPT QUOTES AND TO AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF FIVE 2025 FORD F350 TRUCKS FROM BOB RIDINGS FLEET SALES IN THE AMOUNT OF $278,005: Resolution No. 6358

F. RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A DUMP BED FOR A FORD F350 TRUCK FROM KOENIG BODY AND EQUIPMENT, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $42,564: Resolution No. 6359

G. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH MR. CRAIG ONSURD FOR THE OPERATION OF THE IRONWOOD GOLF COURSE PRO SHOP AND PRIVATE GOLF LESSONS: Resolution No. 6360

H. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR ROUTE 66 BIKEWAY DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE

I. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING THE GROVE STREET SUBDIVISION FINAL PLAT BY EXPEDITED PROCESS (205 N. GROVE STREET): Resolution No. 6361

J. RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A CONTRACT WITH RAVENSWOOD STUDIO, INC. FOR EXHIBIT FABRICATION FOR THE CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY MUSEUM’S SECOND FLOOR AS PART OF THE ESTABLISHED EXHIBITS MASTER PLAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,776,775

K. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PUBLICATION OF A ZONING MAP

L. ORDINANCE APPROVING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH CMN RUS, INC. (METRONET) FOR THE EARLY TERMINATION OF ITS CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE: Ordinance No. 6017

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.

Harris excused herself from voting on any bills that she incurred as Councilmember. Items H and J were removed from the Omnibus Vote by Smith.

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

6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR ROUTE 66 BIKEWAY DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE: Resolution No. 6362

MOTION:

Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Amended Intergovernmental Agreement for Route 66 Bikeway Development and Maintenance.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Smith requested clarification regarding the Intergovernmental Agreement. Reece responded.

Lorenz requested clarification on the details of the expansion and whether the projects are within the Town’s corporate limits. Reece responded.

RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A CONTRACT WITH RAVENSWOOD STUDIO, INC. FOR EXHIBIT FABRICATION FOR THE CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY MUSEUM’S SECOND FLOOR AS PART OF THE ESTABLISHED EXHIBITS MASTER PLAN IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,776,775: Resolution No. 6363

MOTION:

Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Authorize a Contract with Ravenswood Studio, Inc. for Exhibit Fabrication for the Children’s Discovery Museum’s Second Floor as Part of the Established Exhibits Master Plan in an Amount Not to Exceed $2,776,775.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Smith requested clarification of the Town’s reimbursement from the Children’s Discovery Museum Foundation. Reece responded.

GENERAL ORDERS:

7. RESOLUTION APPROVING A PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION PLAN FOR THE PINE STREET COMMERCIAL SUBDIVISION (751 PINE STREET): Resolution No. 6364

MOTION:

Councilmember Preston moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Resolution Approving a Preliminary Subdivision Plan for the Pine Street Commercial Subdivision (751 Pine Street).

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

8. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A FINAL PLAT FOR THE PINE STREET COMMERCIAL SUBDIVISION (751 PINE STREET): Resolution No. 636

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Resolution Conditionally Approving a Final Plat for the Pine Street Commercial Subdivision (751 Pine Street).

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

9. ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY IN THE TOWN OF NORMAL (404 NORMAL AVENUE): Ordinance No. 6018

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of an Ordinance Rezoning Property in the Town of Normal (404 Normal Avenue).

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

10. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PUBLICATION OF A ZONING MAP: Ordinance No. 6019

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of an Ordinance Authorizing the Publication of a Zoning Map.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

11. MOTION TO APPROVE REAPPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Motion to Approve Reappointments to Various Boards, Commissions, and Committees.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

McCarthy read allowed the reappointments of (1) Mr. Mandava Rao to the B-N Transit Authority/Connect Transit Board with a term expiring June 30, 2029. (2) Ms. Melissa Libert to the Convention and Visitors Bureau with a term expiring May 5, 2028. (3) Ms. Beth Whisman to the Convention and Visitors Bureau with a term expiring December 31, 2028. (4) Mr. Bradd Ropp to the Planning Commission with a term expiring March 31, 2029. (5) Mr. Keith Palmgren to the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term expiring March 31, 2029. (6) Mr. Joshua Moyer to the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term expiring March 31, 2029.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Jaymes Moldovan, Normal resident requested the council consider passing a resolution in support of HB 3687 and expressed concern about the cost of rent in Bloomington Normal.

Andrew Franson, Normal resident, requested the council consider passing a resolution in support of HB 3687 and expressed concern about the cost of rent in Bloomington Normal.

Rebekah Mangels, Normal resident, requested the council consider passing a resolution in support of HB 3687 and expressed concern about the cost of rent in Bloomington Normal.

Sonny Garcia, Bloomington resident, requested the council consider passing a resolution in support of HB 3687 and expressed concern about the cost of rent in Bloomington Normal.

12. CONCERNS:

Smith announced that the Harmon Arts Grant Program is now accepting applications, with a deadline of April 25th.

Lorenz highlighted a special screening of the movie "No Address," scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th, at 6 p.m. at the Heartland Community College Astroth Community Education Center.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 7:26 p.m., Monday, March 17, 2025.

https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5254