Town of Normal Town Council met Feb. 2.
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, February 2, 2026.
2. ROLL CALL:
The Clerk called the roll with the following persons
PRESENT: Mayor Chris Koos and Councilmembers Kevin McCarthy, Scott Preston, Karyn Smith, Rory Roberge, Andy Byars, and Kathleen Lorenz, 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:
Mickie Stapleton expressed concerns regarding the closure of Fire Station #2, asked about fire department revenue and sewer funding, and opposed the underpass project.
Jerry Klinkner, Normal resident, spoke in opposition to the underpass project and in support of funding for a fourth fire 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 WORK SESSION OF JANUARY 20, 2026; APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING OF JANUARY 20, 2026; APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 20, 2026
B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF JANUARY 28, 2026
C. ORDINANCE RESERVING PRIVATE ACTIVITY BOND VOLUME CAP 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.
Item C was removed from Omnibus Vote by Smith.
Items A and B were approved by Omnibus Vote.
6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:
ORDINANCE RESERVING PRIVATE ACTIVITY BOND VOLUME CAP: Ordinance No. 6053
MOTION:
Councilmember Smith moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council Approval of an Ordinance Reserving Private Activity Bond Volume Cap.
AYES: Lorenz, Byars, Roberge, Smith, McCarthy, Preston, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Smith requested clarification on the program and how mortgage credits are used. Reece responded.
GENERAL ORDERS:
7. RESOLUTION APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF MCLEAN, THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON, AND THE TOWN OF NORMAL REGARDING THE TERMS AND SCOPE OF AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY FUND: Resolution No. 6450
MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Byars, the Council Approval of a Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding Between the County of McLean, the City of Bloomington, and the Town of Normal Regarding the Terms and Scope of an Independent Audit of the Mental Health and Public Safety Fund.
AYES: Byars, Roberge, Smith, McCarthy, Preston, Lorenz, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
8. MOTION TO INITIATE A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT PERTAINING TO VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE ZONING CODE:
MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Smith, the Council Approval of a Motion to Initiate a Zoning Text Amendment Pertaining to Various Sections of the Zoning Code.
AYES: Roberge, Smith, McCarthy, Preston, Lorenz, Byars, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
9. PRESENTATION OF DATA ANALYSIS BY INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY STAFF:
Reece introduced the item, noting it as an opportunity to share how data and information are being used and applied to fire operations and introduced Fire Chief Mick Humer, Assistant City Manager Jenny Keigher, Administrative Analyst Jacob Smith, and Director of Innovation and Technology Vasudha Gadhiraju to present.
Gadhiraju explained that the presentation focused on evaluating whether relocating Fire Station #2 impacted four- to six-minute response zones in its former service areas, outlined the analysis tools used, and introduced GIS Coordinator Sara Rogers. Rogers reviewed the ArcGIS Online and Network Analyst models, and Humer discussed factors affecting response times. Gadhiraju noted that, based on the Network Analyst model, response times to neighborhoods previously served by Fire Station #2 remain within the four- to six-minute range.
Mr. Smith reviewed the 2024 dataset, made up of comparative analysis from the CAD and ImageTrend systems, and discussed call volume and fleet availability. Keigher concluded that the data does not indicate the current need for an additional station and affirmed that the Town has sufficient capacity to respond to calls and fulfill its mutual aid obligations.
Ms. Smith questioned why 2024 was selected for the analysis and asked about model predictions. Mr. Smith and Gadhiraju responded. She also asked about call types and call volume. Humer responded. Additional questions regarding service fees, HIPAA compliance during data collection, and the use of reserve vehicles were addressed by Humer and Corporation Counsel Brian Day.
Byars asked about the process used to compare actual response times with the model’s predicted data. Rogers and Gadhiraju responded. He also asked how long the four- to six minute response time has been used as the standard and how it compares to other municipalities. Humer and Reece responded.
Lorenz inquired about unit speed assumptions and the traffic patterns used in the model. Gadhiraju and Rogers responded. She also asked about incident propensity related to Rivian and Rivian’s internal response procedures. Humer responded. She expressed concern that the analysis may overlook incidents that occur more frequently in certain areas.
Mr. Smith provided a summary of the incidents analyzed.
Ms. Smith asked additional questions regarding police AED responses, the age of Fire Station #2, and amenities at the new fire station, and noted the data is not intended to forecast call volume. Gadhiraju responded.
Lorenz referenced the Normal Fire Department’s goal of achieving response times under six minutes, as outlined in the Vision 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and addressed the fire department relocation plan included in the document. Humer and Reece responded.
Preston asked for clarification on how call response times are measured, specifically distinguishing between total response time and travel time. Humer and Reece responded. He also requested data on comparable municipalities.
Roberge noted that response times appear to have increased over the past ten years.
McCarthy noted that the differences between the Fire Union analysis and the Town’s analysis are due to differing standards and reviewed the Town’s data analysis methodology. Gadhiraju responded.
Preston asked how a one-minute difference in response time affects patient outcomes. Humer responded.
Reece stated that the Town will continue reviewing the data and exploring technological improvements to enhance services.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There was no Public Comment.
10. CONCERNS:
Smith announced two upcoming community events: a Four Chaplains memorial service at the Evergreen Cemetery Mausoleum in Bloomington, and a League of Women Voters presentation on the local impact of federal funding cuts, to be held at the Heartland Community Center.
11. 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: Smith, McCarthy, Preston, Lorenz, Byars, Roberge, Koos. NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 8:42 p.m., Monday, February 2, 2026.
https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5516
