McLean County Times

Town of Normal Town Council met Oct. 6.

1. CALL TO ORDER:

Mayor Koos called the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council to Order at 7:02 p.m., Monday, October 6, 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, Andy Byars, Rory Roberge, 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: 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 15, 2025

B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2025

C. RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE EXECUTION OF A FACILITY USE AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON PARTNERS L.P. D/B/A JEFFERSON LINES FOR USE OF UPTOWN STATION AS A TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER: Resolution No. 6422

D. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SOLICIT BIDS THROUGH THE TOWN’S ENERGY CONSULTANT, STONE RIVER GROUP, LLC, FOR ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS FOR TOWN OWNED ACCOUNTS AND EXECUTE AN ENERGY SERVICE

AGREEMENT WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDERS: Resolution No. 6423

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E. RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH THE STRYKER CORPORATION FOR AMBULANCE COT AND LIFT MAINTENANCE

F. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A FOUR-YEAR WELL REHABILITATION, REPAIR AND DRILLING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CAHOY WELL AND PUMP SERVICES: Resolution No. 6424

G. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT WATER TREATMENT PLANT CHEMICAL BIDS FROM NOVEMBER 2025 THROUGH OCTOBER 2026: Resolution No. 6425

MOTION:

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

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

Motion declared carried.

Item E was removed from Omnibus Vote by Smith.

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

6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:

RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH THE STRYKER CORPORATION FOR AMBULANCE COT AND LIFT MAINTENANCE: Resolution No. 6426

MOTION:

Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Waive the Formal Bidding Process and Approve a Contract with the Stryker Corporation for Ambulance Cot and Lift Maintenance.

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

Motion declared carried.

Smith highlighted that the use of power cots and lifts reduces strain on personnel and asked about the cost of the agreement. Reece responded. Smith also questioned whether existing equipment is covered under the agreement. Reece responded.

GENERAL ORDERS:

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7. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF THE EMPLOYEE GROUP HEALTH, DENTAL, LIFE/AD&D, AND MEDICARE ADVANTAGE INSURANCE PROGRAM: Resolution No. 6427

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Renewal of the Employee Group Health, Dental, Life/AD&D, and Medicare Advantage Insurance Program.

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

Motion declared carried.

Reece introduced the item, noting that the Town is self-funded for its health insurance and introduced Assistant City Manager Jenny Keigher.

Keigher thanked the Horton Group and the Health Insurance Committee, and invited Horton Group representatives Mike Wojcik and Beth Ishmeal to present on the item.

Wojcik and Ishmeal provided information on the Town’s health plan performance.

Reece explained that staff is seeking Council approval for a small increase in the plan cost.

Smith asked about Medicare Advantage insurers. Wojcik and Ishmeal responded. Koos thanked the Horton Group representatives.

NEW BUSINESS:

8. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE UPTOWN NORTH TAX INCREMENT FINANCE DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PROJECT AREA: Ordinance No. 6037

MOTION:

Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of an Ordinance Establishing the Time and Place for a Public Hearing for the Uptown North Tax Increment Finance District Redevelopment Plan and Project Area.

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

Motion declared carried.

Lorenz asked about the parameters for discussion on the item. Koos responded.

9. RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS REQUIREMENTS AND EXECUTING AN AGREEMENT WITH AXON FOR THE PURCHASE OF

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AXON’S UNLIMITED PREMIUM PLAN + FLEET 3, INTERVIEW ROOM, AI ERA PLAN, AND RECORDS STANDARDS AND AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATE BUDGET ADJUSTMENT: Resolution No. 6428

MOTION:

Councilmember Preston moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of a Resolution Waiving the Formal Bidding Process Requirements and Executing an Agreement with Axon for the Purchase of Axon’s Unlimited Premium Plan + Fleet 3, Interview Room, AI ERA Plan, and Records Standards and Authorizing an Appropriate Budget Adjustment.

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

Motion declared carried.

Reece explained that the item pertains specifically to law enforcement and invited Chief of Police Steve Petrilli Jr. and Director of Innovation and Technology Vasudha Gadhiraju to introduce the item.

Petrilli outlined the benefits of the proposed Axon agreement, noting that integrating the department’s equipment will enhance operational efficiencies and provide upgrades in several areas, and reviewed the records management system.

Gadhiraju stated that the proposed system would allow unlimited evidence data storage and enhance cybersecurity.

Petrilli explained that the agreement is for a 10-year term.

Smith asked whether cost savings and efficiencies would be tracked and about the compatibility of existing digital records. Gadhiraju responded. Smith also asked about the advantage of using the same vendor as other police departments and how the software ensures records are acceptable in court proceedings. Petrilli responded. Smith asked additional questions regarding shared sales tax funds, and Koos responded.

Preston expressed his support for the proposed Axon agreement. Petrilli responded.

Lorenz expressed support for the proposed agreement and asked whether it would reduce the amount of time officers spend on computers. Petrilli and Gadhiraju responded. Lorenz also emphasized the need to track efficiencies of the new system.

10. PRESENTATION ON STATUS OF VISION 2050/SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Reece introduced Town Planner Mercy Davison to present the status of the Vision 2050/Sustainability Plan.

Davison provided a brief overview of the plan and its goals, highlighted the Sustainability Committee’s efforts, and reported on the progress of departmental progress toward achieving the plan’s objectives.

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McCarthy praised the Sustainability Committee’s efforts and the progress made on the plan.

Koos echoed Preston’s comments regarding the progress achieved.

Roberge thanked Davison for her presentation and highlighted that the water fountain recently replaced at Maxwell Park now includes a water bottle filler.

Smith commended the Town for establishing the Sustainability Committee and recommended implementing curbside composting.

Lorenz requested water bottles not be placed at council seats during the Council meetings and asked how often staff consults with the group that developed the plan. Davison responded.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Abdallah Alkodah, Illinois State University nursing student, spoke on discrimination he believes he experienced at the university.

Braden Fogerson spoke against an ordinance restricting the use of grills in apartment units.

CONCERNS:

Smith announced that the free Veterans Fair will be held on October 11th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Bloomington Public Library, providing an opportunity for veterans to learn about available resources.

15. 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 to Executive Session to discuss matters pertaining to personnel as allowed under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).

MOTION:

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

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 8:12 p.m., Monday, October 6, 2025.

https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5408