McLean County Times

Town of Normal Town Council met July 21.

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 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 21, 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, Rory Roberge, Andy Byars, and Karyn Smith, also present were City Manager Pamela Reece, Assistant City Manager Jenny Keigher, Corporation Counsel Jason Querciagrossa, and Deputy Clerk Britni Williams.

ABSENT:

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Mayor Koos led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Susan Schafer, former McLean County Board Member, spoke against the proposed Amendment to the Shared Sales Tax Agreement with the City of Bloomington and McLean County to Pause Sales Tax during Pending Negotiations.

Corey Beirne, McLean County Board Member, spoke against the proposed Amendment to the Shared Sales Tax Agreement with the City of Bloomington and McLean County to Pause Sales Tax during Pending Negotiations.

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 JUNE 16, 2025

B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF JULY 16, 2025

C. RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND EXECUTING A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. FOR SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD MANAGEMENT SERVICES: Resolution No. 6393

D. RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A JOHN DEERE PROGATOR WITH THE SELECTSPRAY ATTACHMENT PACKAGE FROM ERB TURF EQUIPMENT, INC. VIA THE SOURCEWELL GROUNDS MAINTENANCE JOINT PURCHASING CONTRACT FOR $62,117.98: Resolution No. 6394

E. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO ROWE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE CONSTITUTION TRAIL REPAVING PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,800:

F. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BID AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO OTTO BAUM COMPANY, INC. FOR THE SCULPTURE PARK PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $218,367 AND ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT:

G. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES, TO RELEASE CERTAIN EXECUTIVE-SESSION MINUTES, AND TO RETAIN CONFIDENTIALITY FOR CERTAIN EXECUTIVE-SESSION MINUTES: Resolution No. 6395

H. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO ROWE CONSTRUCTION, A DIVISION OF UNITED CONTRACTORS MIDWEST, INC., FOR THE 2025 GENERAL STREET RESURFACING PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,356,897.49:

I. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MOTOR FUEL TAX (MFT) RESOLUTION, BID AWARD CONCURRENCE THROUGH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (IDOT), AND AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT FOR WEST COLLEGE AVENUE FROM NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD (NSRR) TO WHITE OAK ROAD: Resolution No. 6396

J. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL #2442 AND AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT: Resolution No. 6397

K. RESOLUTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO J SPENCER CONSTRUCTION, LLC FOR THE GALLERY LOBBY IMPROVEMENT AT THE ISU ART GALLERY IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,000: Resolution No. 6398

L. ORDINANCE ACCEPTING UTILITY EASEMENTS (100 N. RIVIAN MOTORWAY): Ordinance No. 6029

MOTION:

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

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

COUNCIL MINUTES - 3 - JULY 21, 2025

Items E and F were removed from Omnibus Vote by Lorenz and Item H was removed from Omnibus Voted by Smith.

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

6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO ROWE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE CONSTITUTION TRAIL REPAVING PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,800: Resolution No. 6399

MOTION:

Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Accept Bids and Award a Contract to Rowe Construction for the Constitution Trail Repaving Project in the Amount of $35,800.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Lorenz commented on the cost of repaving the Constitution Trail and questioned whether similar projects could be bid jointly with the City of Bloomington and McLean County. Reece responded.

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BID AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO OTTO BAUM COMPANY, INC. FOR THE SCULPTURE PARK PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $218,367 AND ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT: Resolution No. 6400

MOTION:

Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Accept Bids and Award a Contract to Otto Baum Company, Inc. for the Sculpture Park Project in the Amount of $218,367 and Associated Budget Adjustment.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Lorenz requested clarification on the scope of work to be completed in this phase of the project. Reece responded. She also voiced her concerns regarding the cost of the project. Reece responded.

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO ROWE CONSTRUCTION, A DIVISION OF UNITED CONTRACTORS MIDWEST, INC., FOR THE 2025 GENERAL STREET RESURFACING PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,356,897.49: Resolution No. 6401

MOTION:

Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Accept Bids and Award a Contract to Rowe Construction, a Division of United Contractors Midwest, Inc., for the 2025 General Street Resurfacing Project in the Amount of $3,356,897.49.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Smith asked about the cost per lane mile for the resurfacing project. Reece responded that the current contract estimates the cost at approximately $677,000 per lane mile. Smith asked if the selection of streets is based on the PASER study. Reece responded.

GENERAL ORDERS:

7. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY2024-25 OPERATING AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT BUDGET: Ordinance No. 6030

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Byars, the Council Approval of an Ordinance Amending the FY2024-25 Operating and Capital Investment Budget.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Koos stated that this item is part of the routine annual process and represents a standard component of budget reconciliation.

Reece explained that this is the time of year when staff asks the Council to review and approve all budget amendments from the previous fiscal year.

8. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE VINEYARDS SUBDIVISION SIXTH AMENDED PRELIMINARY PLAN: Resolution No. 6402

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of a Resolution Approving the Vineyards Subdivision Sixth Amended Preliminary Plan.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

9. RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT FOR THE VINEYARDS ELEVENTH ADDITION RESUBDIVISION OF LOT 374: Resolution No. 6403

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of a Resolution Conditionally Approving the Final Plat for the Vineyards Eleventh Addition Resubdivision of Lot 374.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

10. A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE SHARED SALES TAX AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON AND MCLEAN COUNTY TO PAUSE SALES TAX SHARING DURING PENDING NEGOTIATIONS: Resolution No. 6404

MOTION TO AMEND:

Councilmember Lorenz moved, seconded by Councilmember Roberge, the Council Approval of a Motion to amend the Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Shared Sales Tax Agreement to Pause Sales Tax Sharing to make the funding pause contingent upon the results of the audit.

AYES: Lorenz, Roberge.

NAYS: Byars, Smith, McCarthy, Preston, Koos.

Motion declared failed.

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Shared Sales Tax Agreement with the City of Bloomington and McLean County to Pause Sales Tax Sharing During Pending Negotiations.

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

NAYS: Roberge, Lorenz.

Motion declared carried.

Koos agreed to hold the discussion for Items 10 and 11 under Item 10.

Reece provided an overview of Items 10 and 11, outlining how the three parties can move forward with renegotiating the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). She explained that the proposed amendment establishes that, for a minimum period of 12 months, the Town and the City of Bloomington will temporarily suspend monthly sales tax disbursements to

the County. This pause will allow the County to draw down a portion of its fund balance. During this time, all three parties will engage in good faith negotiations to consider potential modifications to the 20-year IGA.

Lorenz reviewed the history of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and expressed her support for maintaining institutional consistency. She commented that the Town of Normal has not been kept informed of the County reporting and referenced a list of projects no longer funded through the shared sales tax revenue. Lorenz also disclosed that her employer, Home Sweet Home Ministries, has received a grant from these funds. She expressed her support for conducting an audit.

Smith requested clarification on the actions that will occur during the pause period and asked about which parties will be involved in the negotiations. Reece responded. Smith also asked whether the language of the agreement limits the ability to address issues such as unanticipated additional funding, and whether there is flexibility to expand or specify services that may currently be lacking. Reece responded. Smith also commented on the timing of this action and expressed her support for both renegotiating the IGA and conducting an audit.

McCarthy expressed his support for continued mental health funding and emphasized that the temporary pause in funding does not signify an end to that support. He voiced his support for both the pause and the associated audit.

Preston expressed his support for mental health funding, as well as for the funding pause to reassess the IGA and conduct the associated audit.

Byars expressed support for mental health funding, thanked community leaders for their foresight in 2016, and emphasized that mental health is a multi-governmental issue.

Roberge asked about the length of the proposed funding pause and the status of associated contributions. Reece responded. Roberge also asked about the intended use of funds that would have been allocated to the Mental Health Action Fund if the amendment is approved. Reece responded. Roberge expressed concern about the pause's potential impact on the County’s planned expenditures and noted uncertainties surrounding the financial details of projects supported by the fund. He stated his opposition to the funding pause but voiced support for the audit.

Reece stated that the County Administrator has reviewed the proposed funding pause.

Preston reiterated that the funding pause would not prevent the County’s ability to meet its financial obligations.

Lorenz asked if potential withheld funds would go towards general fund expenditures. Reece responded.

Lorenz asked whether the funds withheld during the pause would be redirected to general fund expenditures. Reece responded.

Lorenz emphasized the importance of the Town of Normal maintaining its commitment to the original purpose of the shared sales tax fund and expressed a preference for completing an audit within 90 days.

Reece advised caution in making amendments to the agreement, noting that the current language was proposed by the County administration, which has a clear understanding of its planned expenditures. She also noted that any amendments to the IGA require agreement from all three parties.

Smith questioned the assumption that an audit could be completed within 90 days and expressed support for a reevaluation of the IGA. She opposed placing limitations on the proposed language for either the audit or the funding pause, stating that the purpose of the pause is to bring all three parties to the table to collaboratively determine the necessary steps moving forward.

Byars reiterated that the Council’s vote represents only one of the three approvals required to renegotiate the IGA and emphasized that further negotiations among the parties are still forthcoming.

Reece indicated that there were no suspicions regarding fraudulent operations that warranted an audit.

Koos praised the long-standing partnership between Bloomington, Normal, and McLean County. He voiced his support for mental health funding, underlined the need for more data to aid informed decision-making, and agreed that an audit was necessary.

Lorenz made a motion to make the funding pause contingent upon the results of the audit, stating that she wants the audit findings to guide both the nature and duration of the pause.

Councilmembers discussed the proposed motion to amend, with several expressing opposition to it.

Roberge noted that the County Board has experienced significant leadership changes over the past eight months and expressed that the funding pause is premature.

11. A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE SHARED SALES TAX AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON AND MCLEAN COUNTY TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT: Resolution No. 6405

MOTION:

Councilmember Preston moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Shared Sales Tax Agreement with the City of Bloomington and McLean County to Provide for the Payment of an Independent Audit.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

12. MOTION TO APPROVE APPOINTMENT TO THE BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS:

MOTION:

Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of a Motion to Approve an Appointment to the Building Board of Appeals.

AYES: Smith, McCarthy, Preston, Lorenz, Byars, Roberge, Koos. NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

McCarthy read allowed the appointment of Mr. Rand Veerman to the Building Board of Appeals with a term expiring July 31, 2029.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

There was no Public Comment.

CONCERNS:

Smith highlighted that the company Adient will be establishing operations in Normal, bringing new employment opportunities.

McCarthy thanked everyone who helped organize the Make Music Normal event. 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 Smith, the Council Accept a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.

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

NAYS: None.

Motion declared carried.

Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 8:35 p.m., Monday, July 21, 2025.

https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5347