By Steve Robinson | February 3, 2025 - 10:08 pm
Posted in Category: Normal Town Council, The Normalite

NORMAL – At Monday night’s regular Normal Town Council session in Council Chambers on Uptown Station’s fourth floor, Council members received an update concerning the status of the Town’s 2023 Strategic Plan. Jacob Smith, Town Administrative Analyst, spelled out for Council members the Plan progress.

Smith began his presentation refreshing Council members’ concerning how the process began starting with the Town working with Northern Illinois University’s Center For Governmental Center in 2022 where Council members, Town Staff, and stakeholders helped establish priorities and goals for the Strategic Plan. The Plan became finalized in 2023.

Smith reminded Council members overarching specific goals including Effectiveness, and Community engagement and development. From those core goals, a set of goals under each category were developed for the Town to work from. Among the long-term goals the Town wants to keep watch on would include items like pension fund strategies.

Council members were shown the Town had high, medium, and low priorities which needed to be addressed to achieve certain goals. Under high priority were items such as including Uptown development and implementation of improvements such as completing Fire Station #2; completing the Town having completion of Constitution Trail to extend east and west; and exploring strategies to reach fully funded goals for Town employee pensions.

Longer term priorities the Town has in mind include undertaking zoning review for housing regulations. A low priority the Town is looking at is exploring a possible “one percent” plan which would help designate places for displaying public art.

There are also the possibility of items classified as long term routine goals such as undertaking a zoning review for housing regulations and possibilities.

There are long range goals the Town could be looking into, as well, Smith said. There were a number of such items for this category including, as a high priority, implementing infrastructure solutions for north Normal which would address taking care of roads, sewers, and water in that part of town.

Smith indicated “2025 looks to be an exciting year for a number of projects” for the Town. Among the items he mentioned were: The completion of Normal Fire Station #2, a review of the Town’s fee structure, and an Economic Development Plan.

“I’m very excited to continue to bring updates on this plan,” Smith said.

City Manager Pam Reece asked Smith to go back to a slide which showed, of a total of 28 projects in the works by the Town, at what stage were those projects at. The graphic shown indicated two of 28 have been completed; 15 projects are in progress, seven are ongoing, and four have not been started as yet.

About the projects and the stages they are at, Reece told Council members, “we are going forward and continue to progress, I think.” Reece said Council members had before them on their dais, a current summary of the Strategic Plan which showed the top three goals for each category.

When Council members got their turn to question Smith, Council Member Karyn Smith asked the Town Administrative Analyst what period of time was the Town Strategic Plan addressing. Jacob Smith told the Council member the goals that were looked at stretched looking at Normal as far out as the year 2032.

The computer tool being used by Town staff can be accessed by a number of departments with a specific Town department serving as a lead on an item but allowing other departments to insert or edit as needed, Reece clarified this in an example for Smith by saying, for instance, that zoning will have a lead in handling such related items with assistance as needed by Town legal staff.

Reece said the Town strategic plan includes a number of items directed the Town and identified as goals to move forward on various items including things like a study in investment in infrastructure.

Council Member Kathleen Lorenz asked Administrator Smith if Council will be able to see what progress is being made “in a meaningful way.” Administrator Smith said the program has “attainable data points” which will allow the Town to measure its progress. Reece said the Town will work to condense the progress being made so that Council members can follow along with the progress.

Council Member Kevin McCarthy offered his congratulations on the project. Council Member Chemberly Harris addressed Administrator Smith saying the dashboard concept to using the tool “is home grown which is a difficult thing to manage especially when you’re talking about managing projects.” Harris added it was important for the general public to be able to see it.” She did say she “loves where the project is going.”

Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included:

• Approval of the minutes of the work session of Jan. 21, 2025.

• Approval of minutes of the Council’s regular meeting held of Jan. 21, 2025.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Jan. 21, 2025.

• A resolution authorizing an agreement with Rivian Automotive for the extension of public infrastructure within the NN2 WH subdivision.

• A resolution authorizing a reimbursement agreement with Rivian Automotive for installation of a sanitary sewer main along West College Ave.

• A resolution conditionally approving the final plat for the NN2 WH subdivision (west of Rivian Motorway).

By Steve Robinson | January 22, 2025 - 12:27 pm
Posted in Category: The Normalite, Unit 5

NORMAL – In her comments from the District during the monthly District School Board meeting on Jan. 22, Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle informed those in attendance, after hearing “good news” was that the District “has so many amazing staff doing amazing things every single day, so thank you.” Dr. Weikle said she hoped District families had an enjoyable winter break. She said District custodial and maintenance teams addressed several important projects including replacing aging ovens at four schools including two which dated back to the 1950s. She added a walk-in cooler had its parts replaced at one of the schools, and repaired a water line and sewer line at other facilities. She said buildings in the District “received a thorough cleaning” for a fresh start to the new school semester.

Dr. Weikle also discussed an update to the District’s Strategic Plan. She said that plan is “a roadmap to guide the District’s efforts in achieving our mission educating each student to achieve personal excellence.” She further explained she will take Board meeting time to highlight different aspects of the District’s strategic plan. To start that process, Dr. Weikle took a little time to review the core mission of the District.

The meeting was held in the auditorium of Normal Community West High School Jan. 22.

She began by explaining of the District that, “Our mission is educating each student to achieve personal excellence.” She explained doing so “signifies a commitment nurturing the unique potential in every student in our District.” She added she had an opportunity in the past week to speak to students at Normal Community High School and Normal Community West High School in recent weeks. The students she spoke to were taking an Introduction to Education class at their schools.

She said students who take the an Introduction to Education class are “able to explore the diverse roles within the school system, gain valuable first-hand experience by observing classrooms across the District which helps those students determine their career paths within education. That exposure also helps those students decide what role they want in education and the age group they would want to involve themselves with.

Dr. Weikle said by exposing those students to that field, the students would be able to make informed decisions about their future. Doing it this way, Dr. Weikle added, saves the student valuable time and resources once they get to college. She added that once those students complete college that once they start their professional careers, they would consider coming to work for Unit 5.

Dr. Weikle thanked District administrators, teachers, and counselors for their efforts for the District’s Introduction to Education program has become an approved pathway for employing interested students from Illinois State Board of Education. Close to 20 students involved in the program were asked by Dr. Weikle to stand and be recognized for their participation. They received a round of applause from audience members. Dr. Weikle added that after those students complete their college educations, Unit 5 will “at least give you an interview, and it is my sincere hope that we will be able to offer you contracts for all of you.”

“What would January be without talking about winter weather?” Dr. Weikle said, adding how the District determines whether or not to have in-person or remote instructional e-learning day, or declare a snow day. She said the District preference is to have students in class under such weather conditions “whenever possible.” She added the District checks with the National Weather Service office in Lincoln for accurate forecast updates, as well as check with local emergency management agencies to check forecasts and road conditions. The District also checks with Town and County officials. Dr. Weikle said the District takes this approach because the District covers 214 sq. miles. As a result of that much territory to cover, she explained, “conditions in one part can be very different that would be in another part.”

District “Good News”: Dayna Brown, Unit 5 Director of Communications and Community Relations, and Erin O’Grady, Brigham Elementary School Principal, informed Board members the school was seeking to change its mascot from Bobcats to Bees. The school is home to close to 400 early learning students ages 3 to 5 after serving the District as an elementary school. O’Grady reminded Board members the school nickname was the Bombers but was changed by the school following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

O’Grady, explained to Board members that a committee was established to try to find a new mascot for the school. Students, family members, and school staff voted on a list of potential new mascot names which, when final voting was tallied saw Bees emerge as the winning new mascot for the school. O’Grady said the winning mascot was announced in December and the school celebrated the change in December with a dance party.

Calendar Year 2025-26 Gets First Glance: Board members got a first glance at a proposed 2025-26 school year calendar from District Assistant Superintendent Michelle Lamboley. She informed Board members the District Calendar Committee, comprised of District staff who teach in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, counselors, and administrators, has met twice, once each in October and November. She explained in putting the calendar together, the committee responsible for it listen to District Staff, parents, and School Board while also keeping in mind specific dates like mandated attendance days, required instructional hours, the number of Institute Days the District can have, and School Improvement Days. Such calendar constraints, Lamboley said, does limit how many substantial changes the committee can make on the calendar.

She added dates like dates for Illinois State Fair came into play so as to not create issues for families, or staff.

By Steve Robinson | January 21, 2025 - 10:55 pm
Posted in Category: Normal Town Council, The Normalite

NORMAL – There were neither any new or general business items on Normal Town Council’s agenda at its Jan. 21 session held the day following the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday on Jan. 20, but Town Council members received an annual outlook centering on the Town’s financial health given by Town Finance Director Andrew Huhn. The work session took place prior to the normally scheduled Council meeting. At the regularly scheduled meeting which followed, there were no new business discussed or general orders requiring passage or discussion.

City Manager Pam Reece began the nearly 90 minute session telling Council members the Town had “a really good financial plan that we feel really good about.” Reece went on to thank the entire Town leadership team for their efforts, as well. She added the Town department heads “put a lot of time into their budget estimation, for not only the current year, but proposed 2025-26.” She said her team went a step further and looked ahead to what the Town could expect to spend for four years after that.

She added “some thoughtfulness for what we will need in the years to come” were also part of the document presented to Council members. From there, Town Finance Director Andrew Huhn presented Council members

Huhn said the Town total budget has 17 individual separate funds totaling $211 million with the largest part of the Town budget belonging to the Town General Fund of $96,066,308. Only two other funds after that have eight-digit dollar amounts associated with them – the Town Underpass Fund at $19,318,135 and Town Water Department at $17,264,092.

The other funds the Town oversees include Water, Sewer, Police and Fire, Roadway Fund, Town Employee Health & Dental, Normal Public Library, Debt Service Funds, Storm Water Management, Vehicle/Equipment Fund, Debt Service Reserve, and Motor Fuel Tax Fund.

Huhn said the Town had estimated an estimated increase of 2.8 percent in what Normal would take in from State and Local sales tax. But Huhn said the Town expects to an estimated drop of 2.4 percent in what will be coming in for the coming year, explaining the drop in what might come in could be as much as a 3 percent drop.

He said the Town did get an increase from last year’s property tax levy, in part the result of the Town trying “to get caught up with our police and fire pensions,” Huhn explained. He added the Town anticipates an increase in the amount of sales tax money the Town will take in for the coming year.

Huhn added Normal has “seen significant growth in sales tax” money coming in over the past three years, and income tax dollars “have stayed pretty strong. A chart Huhn showed Council members showed the Town anticipating increases in incoming State sales tax dollars over the next three years with the largest percentage anticipated in the coming fiscal year with an increase of 4.3 percent above what Normal took in during the previous fiscal year.

Huhn’s projections showed Town State Income Tax dollars could rise another 1.5 percent in fiscal year 2025-26 and another 2 percent in fiscal year 2026-27.

Revenue from utility tax dollars, Huhn said, continues to drop with the Town seeing a decrease in incoming cash by $187,000.

Concerning Town expenditures, Huhn said half of the general fund money spent by the Town will be payroll dollars totaling $48 million. The next highest expense the Town will pay out will be over $16 million in contract payments followed by $14 million in transfers and $10.7 million in contracted services.

In terms of Normal’s debts, Huhn told Council members receives its income from general fund, Uptown Tax Incremental Funding, or TIF, water and sewer payments by residents, and Federal subsidy. He added the Town Water Fund is in a good position with operating reserve dollars at 30 percent. He explained the Town prefers to have a reserve in that fund of 20 percent on hand.

Huhn said the Town Health Insurance fund remains strong at $3.4 million and anticipated to stay strong and grow over the next five years. The only fund which will be looked at carefully currently is for contingency dollars in the Town General Fund.

After thanking Huhn for his report, Mayor Chris Koos thanked Huhn for the report adding, “I’m feeling pretty good about it” and added it’s a “watchful budget” referring to what the Council can keep a lookout for in the future.

Among areas that drew a question from Council Member Karyn Smith was whether Normal Parks and Recreation was looking to upgrade pavement or playground equipment for youngsters with physical disabilities. Reece said when playground equipment gets replaced, Town employees also check out the conditions of the ground around that equipment.

Council Member Kevin McCarthy confirmed with Huhn that the Town was expecting tighter budgets and anticipating using contingency funds to brace for those costs.

Koos asked Huhn to clarify a point regarding that credit agencies take into account the Town being evaluated. Huhn said the credit rating agencies “have tried to expand their ideas to who is around you in terms of your economic wealth,” Huhn explained. Huhn said the Town is seen by the credit agencies as being “financially strong and in a good position, but not without problems,” mentioning the Town having monitored its pension funding in past years.

In response to Council Member Chemberly Cummings’ question, Huhn said his department did a “very stringent review and did some cuts operationally. She asked if the Town has “a sustainable level of staff.” Reece assisted Huhn by answering that “Yes, I feel we are in a good staffing situation right now.” She added the Town has benefitted from “taking advantage of strong hiring pools for police and fire and our public safety departments.” Reece added there are “no holes in our staffing.”

Council Member Andy Byars asked Huhn about a potential in the Town revenue dropping specifically in sales tax. Huhn explained his counterparts in other communities have seen drops in sales tax and peoples’ spending “across the State, and probably, across the nation given inflation.”

Council Member Kathleen Lorenz asked Huhn about the mental health action plan the Town had discussed earlier when McLean County Board members brought it up at a Town Council session nearly three years ago. Huhn said the Town has earmarked $2.1 million for the upcoming budget year. Council Member Scott Preston reminded Huhn that when it came to Town Police and Fire Pensions, “There’s never enough funding ‘til we get to 100 percent.”

Koos closed the discussion by thanking Huhn and his staff “for bring us another solid budget that is mindful of the challenges that are going ahead for the community, and at the same time, getting the work done that needs to get responsibly done in the community.”

Liquor Commission Approves Application: Prior to the regular Council session, Council members, serving in their capacity as Normal Local Liquor Commission members, unanimously approved a liquor license application for one year for 35 Years, LLC West Raab doing business as Marie’s Place, 115 Susan Drive, Unit D. The business will have a Class O – Limited Hours Liquor license. Prior to approving the license, Liquor Commission members also approved the minutes of a special meeting held on Dec. 2.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:

• Approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of Jan. 6, 2025

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Jan. 15, 2025.

• A resolution authorizing an agreement between the City of Bloomington, Town of Normal, County of McLean, Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District (BNWRD), and the Ecology Action Center for Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection.

• A resolution conditionally reapproving the final plat for the Akanksha subdivision (111 N. Grove Street).

• A resolution to approve a purchase agreement for a new laser projection system for the Normal Theater with Strong Technical Services in an amount of $92,339.69.

By Steve Robinson | December 21, 2024 - 10:30 pm
Posted in Category: The Normalite, Unit 5

NORMAL – April 1 may be April Fools Day but it will have far more significance for Town of Normal residents because they will be going to the polls to decide whether to approve a proposed 1 percent sales tax which would be used to raise money for items such as school facilities, school resource officers, and mental health programming. The vote for the tax levy was unanimously approved by Board members during their meeting Dec. 18 in the auditorium at Normal Community West High School.

Although it passed this time around, a similar measure to increase area sales tax failed a decade ago, and at that time, voters countywide rejected a similar sales tax proposal.

School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle, in addressing the additionally needed money, said increasing District funding with the 1 percent tax increase will increase revenue for school facilities and other items. The items in question include security, equipment, and other District expenses. Those who attended the meeting were also informed the money generated by the increase would benefit District schools for security, technology, and infrastructure.

Last year, Unit 5 voters managed to approve a property tax referendum to help support the District’s education fund. Provided there is no change in the value of a property, property owners would see a change in their tax bill. For example, a person owning a $225,000 home would pay about $53 less to the District, provided there is no change in their property value.

In addition to approving the sales tax measure going on the ballot, Board members also unanimously approved Unit 5 approved a $163 million levy, a 9.2 percent increase from the current levy. On the other hand, a number of homeowners will pay more due to higher values due increased home values, in part, to the community housing shortage.

Kingsley Jr. High’s “Good News”: Kingsley Jr. High School’s Principal, Elisa Palmer, reported to Board members KJHS’ 7th Grade Girls’ Basketball team has won a championship in Class 7-4A for the second straight year. She credited “dedication and leadership of the team coaches, Steve Wood, Roger Nalewajka, and Robert Harris for the effort they and the team put in to make that championship possible.

District “Good News”: Claye Vogelsang, a Unit 5 employee, was recognized to receive a RISE award, a national award which recognizes extraordinary classified school employees for their contributions to their school communities. Vogelsang, a family support coordinator for the District, helps connect students and families with resources they need to thrive within the District, according to Dayna Brown, director of community relations and communications for the District who introduced him. She said drawing on his own experiences, “Claye goes the extra mile to remove barriers to students’ success. His job has had him do things like creating ‘grab and go breakfasts’ to insuring a student facing housing insecurity to graduate, his hands-on approach has transformed lives.”

Vogelsang told Board members, “It’s an honor to accept this nomination on behalf of Unit 5,” he told Board members. “However, I consider this nomination a District-wide nomination because without Dr. Weikle and the Board members support for the last two years, there wouldn’t be a position.” He also thanked Dayna Brown, District Director of Communications and Community Relations for her work because he said he felt without that sort of support, his position wouldn’t exist.

By Steve Robinson | December 16, 2024 - 10:47 pm
Posted in Category: Normal Town Council, The Normalite

NORMAL – Normal Town Council members approved an ordinance authorizing the 2024 property tax levy but the approval it received by Council members at their meeting in Council Chambers on the fourth floor of Uptown Station was not unanimous.

There was very little discussion concerning the tax levy at this meeting because Council members discussed it in some detail at their Dec. 2 meeting. Without discussion this time at Monday’s meeting, Mayor Chris Koos and Council Members Kevin McCarthy, Chemberly Harris, and Karyn Smith voted to approve the measure. Council Members Kathleen Lorenz, Scott Preston, and Andy Byars voted against the measure.

The 2024 property tax levy is estimated at $14.9 million, an increase of roughly 4.9 percent, or $700,000 higher than 2023’s levy for Normal residents.

“I objected to the Property Tax increase because I am concerned about where taxpayers are at in terms of burdens,” Lorenz explained after the meeting. “We know people are not spending as much in stores,” she explaining the Town’s sales tax revenue is going down. “It doesn’t seem right to me to add to that burden by increasing the tax burden on their property.” Collectively, the burden for taxpayers is $700,000 added to the Town budget.

“I believe we could accomplish what we need to accomplish in terms of our obligations for pensions and the Normal Library without that $700,000, and that would keep the property tax amount the same and not increase the percentage homeowners are having to pay on their property.”

At a per household level, Lorenz explained, a person with a $165,000 house would see their property tax increase by an additional $4. Lorenz said no average house totals $165,000 in value. She said her calculations say an average house’s value is roughly $287,000.

“The increase of the property tax is the increase,” Lorenz said. She added she was standing on the principle at a time “when people are very much struggling to handle cost of living and just making ends meet. She said her vote related to the fact she felt Council “need to be mindful of the burden residents are facing in terms of cost of living as well as taxes.” She added being able to lighten Town residents’ load was something Council members should do.

Council Unanimously Approves Bond Abatement Totaling Over $5 Million: Council members unanimously approved abating $5,041,488 in property taxes for the following bonds: 2009 (A) bonds issued on July 2009 (Build America Bonds); 2 013 bonds issued on November 2013 to refund 2005 bonds; 2014 bonds issued on December 2014; 2016 (A) bonds issued on March 2016 to refund 2006 bonds; 2016 (B) bonds issued on March 2016; 2017 (A) bonds issued on March 2017 to refund 2007 bonds; 2017 (B) bonds issued on March 2017 to refund 2007 bonds; 2018 bonds issued on March 2018 to refund 2008 bonds; and 2021 bonds issued on March 2021 to refund the 2010 (A) bonds.

State law requires all counties including McLean County to levy property taxes for the payment of these bonds. Municipalities is permitted to abate the tax if sufficient funds are available to make the required principal and interest payments. Rather than levy a tax for the payment of these obligations, the Town has budgeted sufficient sums from other sources in the General, Water, and Sewer Funds to service this debt.

Final Development Plan Approved For Former Logan’s Roadhouse: Logan’s Roadhouse Restaurants eventually closed 261 restaurants, in part, because business had dropped due to the Coronavirus which impacted the nation beginning in 2020. At Monday’s session, Council members unanimously approved an amended final development plan for the former restaurant location at 313 S Veteran’s Parkway.

The building would have a number of features which would appeal to any developer interested in the property including drive-through capability from the south side of the building then driving along the eastern side of the building to place orders, picking up orders on the north side, existing landscaping, 110 parking spaces and available bicycle parking, signage, and lighting.

Heartland Church Property Rezoned: Council members unanimously approved rezoning property of Heartland Church, 1811 N. Linden Ave., to S-2 Public Lands and Institutions from R-1A Single-Family Residential. Church officials sought the rezoning so that the church could have installation of ground-mounted solar panels in order to offset current ongoing operational expenses. In addition to the rezoning, church officials also sought to have a zoning map amendment requesting classifying the property under S-2 Public Lands and Institutions and have a site plan which would include a special use permit allowing the church to include solar panels.

After rezoning the property to S-2 Public Lands and Institutions, Council members unanimously approved a resolution approving a site plan including a special use permit for ground mounted solar panels at church. If the church gets permission to install ground-mounted solar panels, it would be able to offset its long-term operational expenses and continue investing in the property in other ways.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included:

• Approval of minutes of the regular Council meeting of Dec. 2, 2024.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Dec. 11, 2024.

• A resolution authorizing execution of an Intergovernmental agreement with McLean County for centralized booking services.

• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and approving a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for tasers and associated training and equipment in the total amount of $412,944.47 to be billed over five years.

• A resolution to approve a memorandum of understanding with Heartland Community College to grant a license to occupy and use of Miracle League Field for Town of Normal.