NORMAL – At their regularly-scheduled meeting Monday night in Council Chambers on the fourth floor of Uptown Station, Normal Town Council members unanimously addressed two matters concerning different streets.

First, Council members unanimously approved a resolution which conditionally approved a final plat for a commercial subdivision on Pine St., specifically located at 751 Pine St. Processing land for subdividing land is for orderly growth and establishing boundaries, public right-of-ways, and the like. A Town resident sought approval for a proposed preliminary plan for a subdivision which would support the property owner’s plan for building a self-storage facility east of his current office. In addition, the new facility would also provide Normal with new public easements for future sidewalk and sanitary sewer.

The report provided to Council members by Mercy Davison, Normal’s Director of Planning and Zoning, also indicated the property owner would like to subdivide the existing lot into two lots so that he may develop the east portion as self-storage.

Next, Council members unanimously approved a related resolution concerning the Pine St. property in which Council members unanimously approved a final plat for the Pine Street commercial subdivision at 751 Pine St. There would be two lots on the final plat of land, one which would be of 1.0 acres in size and one lot which would be 2.2 acres in size which the owner would use to place a storage facility in the future.

Council Unanimously Approves Rezoning Town Property: Property located at 404 Normal Ave. has been owned and used by Illinois State University as an Illinois State parking lot for several decades. The property is just under a third acre in size and contains 44 parking spaces.

The University recently sold the property to a private developer, which makes its current S-1 University District zoning inappropriate. The new owner is seeks to rezone that area to R-3A Medium Density Multifamily and has no immediate plans to redevelop the property. He did indicate he will continue to use the site for parking. Town Council members voted unanimously to approve the measure.

Unanimously Approved Appointments To Boards, Committees, Commissions: Council members unanimously approved individuals for appointment or reappointment to various boards, committees, and commissions which are part of and serve various functions for the Town.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:

• Approval of minutes of the public hearing of Match 3, 2025.

• Approval of minutes of the regular Council meeting of March 3, 2025.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of March 12, 2024.

• A resolution to award the bid for the Delaine Dr. and Hale St. water main improvement project to Stark Excavating, Inc. at a total cost of $928,600.

• A 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.

• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process to accept quotes and authorizing the purchase of five 2025 Ford F350 trucks from Bob Ridings Fleet Sales in the amount of $278,005.

• A 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.

• A resolution authorizing execution of an agreement wit Mr. Craig Onsrud for the operation of the Ironwood Golf Course Pro Shop and private golf lessons.

• A resolution authorizing execution of an amended intergovernmental agreement for Route 66 Bikeway development and maintenance.

• A resolution conditionally approving the Grove St. subdivision final plat by expedited process (205 N. Grove St.).

• A resolution authorizing 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.

• An ordinance approving a settlement agreement with CMN-RUS, Inc. (Metronet) for early termination of its cable television franchise.

NORMAL – There were no general orders or new business items for Normal Town Council members to address at Monday night’s regularly-scheduled Council meeting, but Council Member Karyn Smith asked City Manager Pam Reece to clarify an item concerning improvements to be made at the intersection of College Ave. and Landmark Dr.

Smith said the packet had an item concerning improvements at that intersection as drivers going westbound from College Ave. coming off of Veterans Parkway would have an additional traffic lane. Smith said she emailed Reece asking if there would be a requirement to widen College Ave. Smith asked Reece to share with Council members her response to Smith’s inquiry.

Reece replied that Normal has the right-of-way to make the necessary improvements so that there will be a dual left turn lane if people are traveling west bound from Veterans Parkway onto Mall Dr.

Smith followed Reece’s explanation asking Reece if there would be two lanes going straight on that street. Reece explained there would still be two west-bound lanes on that street. Reece added the target date for the road project’s completion is still set for Oct. 31.

In addition to answering Smith’s question, the project will widen College Ave. east of Landmark Lane permitting for construction of an additional second left turn lane allowing westbound vehicles to move south onto Mall Drive. Landmark Drive changes to Mall Drive on the south side of College Ave.

The bi-monthly regular Council session was held in Council Chambers on Uptown Station’s fourth floor.

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

• Approval of minutes of the Council’s regular meeting held of Feb. 3, 2025.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Feb. 12, 2025.

• A resolution to waive the formal bidding process for purchase of a 2025 Ford F-250 through the Suburban Purchasing Collective at a total cost of $54,475.

• A resolution to accept bids and authorize a two-year contract with Guillford Services Inc. to provide portable toilets and hand-washing units in the amount of $68,770.

• A resolution to waive the formal bidding process and authorize the execution of a five-year contract with PepsiCo Beverage Sales, LLC as exclusive beverage provider at certain Town of Normal facilities.

• An execution waiving the formal bidding process and accepting a proposal from Pearl Technologies LLC for audio-visual equipment upgrades for Conference Room 409 for the total amount of $37,860.28, including a prorated managed services cost of $6,175.

• A resolution authorizing a contract with Luci Creative Design for design detail for the Children’s Discovery Museum’s second floor as part of the Established Exhibits Master Plan in an amount not to exceed $162,630.

• A resolution authorizing execution of a local public agency agreement amendment #1 with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the Gregory Street trail extension from Adelaide St. to Parkside Rd.

• A resolution to accept bids and award a contract to Rowe Construction, a Division of United Contractors Midwest, Inc. for intersection improvements at College Ave. and Landmark Dr. in the amount of $2,734,528.55.

• A resolution to appropriate $1,500,000 of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for the resurfacing of various streets for the 2025 MFT Street Surfacing Project and authorize the Director of Public Works & Engineering to sign the IDOT General Maintenance Form.

• An ordinance authorizing the execution of an amended mutual aid agreement and bylaws with the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN).

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).

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.

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.