NORMAL – Normal Town Council members unanimously approved an ordinance which will prohibit nuisance gatherings and will also regulate property at Town Parks. The new ordinance, passed at Monday’s regular Town Council session, will enhance the Town’s capability to improve safety at the Town’s 18 parks.
Among the changes those who frequent Normal Parks will experience will be a change in the hours. As a result of Council action, the hours Normal’s Parks will close will be shortened from 11p.m. to 9p.m. Recent events at Normal parks, including a youth football game disrupted by a shooting, and other gatherings which have caused problems for residents prompted Normal Parks and Recreation officials to change hours of operation for the parks.
Among the changes for Normal’s parks as a result of recent disruptive behavior are fines for if 10 or more people gather and if those persons gathered commit criminal or disruptive activity.
One of the goals of the ordinance is helping to deter persons involved in large, raucous events which might have negative impact on the Town. The newly approved ordinance will also provide financial consequences to those who violate the ordinance.
A series of loud, unruly gatherings at Town parks prompted Council members to consider passing such an ordinance. One of the rowdier events prompting the ordinance happened at Fairview Park Sept. 29 where a party attended by more than 1,000 people were in attendance and the gathering moved across Business Interstate 51 and began blocking the street and shutting down a number of private businesses. During this party, one person was shot to death and another was injured by gunfire. The street was blocked and a number of private businesses having to shut down.
Last month, Council members unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting nuisance gatherings and regulating gatherings on Town park property. The ordinance will increase the Town’s ability to provide safety to residents, guests, and businesses who use Town parks.
Before hearing from citizens who signed up to address Council members, City Manager Pam Reece told Council members, “This is a proposed law that addresses a significant quantity of the items that we’ve heard, specifically, the number of people gathering, amplified sound, and other matters.” Reece added she has talked with public commenters who spoke at the last Council meeting in November, with officials at Illinois State University, neighboring residents who had concerns, and the Town hosted a meeting at an elementary school to hear residents’ concerns, ACLU officials, and League of Women Voters officials.
Reece told Council members, “We’ve heard from a number of stakeholders who had concerns.” She added the draft of the ordinance presented to Council members “is a very reasonable sound ordinance that we can feel confident in to try to address and minimize the risk of pop-up parties in 2025.”
Carla Bailey Smith, representing American Civil Liberties Union, told Council members the new ordinance “continues to miss the mark in the view of the ACLU, especially given the events that the ordinance is intended to address.” Smith said the new version of the ordinance “continues to address a small number of incidents.” Smith added there are already laws on the Town books which Town ordinances already address.
Normal resident Joseph Bloom expressed concern about what impact the ordinance would have on homeless people in the community. Bloom told Council members her concern was how the new ordinance would impact homeless citizens in Normal. Bloom added there is still room in the ordinance to be misinterpreted and taken advantage of, and added main concerns included possession of a controlled substance and destruction of property.” Bloom added people who were homeless would need to isolate themselves from each other.
Another speaker, Caitlin Bonds, told Council members, the ordinance “redundant and expensive.” She further explained the fine of between $1,000 for each party attendee up to $5,000 for each party attendee were for offenses already on the books.
Town Council asked Town Staff to draw up an ordinance and at that meeting, a number of residents and business owners expressed opinions about the ordinance. As a result of public concern, the ordinance was tabled until the Council’s Dec. 2 meeting. At Monday’s Council session, Normal Council members unanimously approved the ordinance.
Council Member Scott Preston commended Town Staff for what he called “a workable solution that has come before us” to handle the problem. Council Member Kevin McCarthy told the 30-some audience members who attended the session waiting on the Council decision, “You’ve had a positive impact. Everybody came here with the spirit of helping” He added he appreciated the clarity provided by those who addressed Council members.
“Smart City” Initiatives: Council members also had a presentation given to them by Vasudha P. Gadhiraju, Normal’s Director of Innovation and Technology. Gadhiraju began by explaining Normal, as a city, is looking into becoming what is referred to as a “Smart City.” “Smart Cities,” according to Normal’s Comprehensive Plan for the year 2040, “embrace innovation to change the way government operates and delivers services.”
Gadhiraju explained to Council members Normal has been working on becoming a “Smart City” since there were discussions about it in 2020. She added there were a number of steps the Town has had to take. Step one, back in 2019, was establishing an ad hoc group to research becoming a “Smart City.” The Town advanced to Step two, examining possibilities in 2023, and now finds itself to be at step three, which examines maturity of data the Town has and currently, Gadhiraju explained, Normal takes a big picture approach about how the Town utilizes technology.
Council Member Chemberly Harris told Gadhiraju she looks forward to when the Town “becomes better stewards with our data, and better use it to service our residents….” Council Member Kathleen Lorenz said using the Town app on smartphones to be registered in the Town parking system requires entering a large amount of information. Lorenz asked Gadhiraju if the amount of information asked for were being addressed. Gadhiraju told Lorenz the Town Technology Department that issue was being addressed by the vendor who handles that system in an attempt to make registration for its use simpler.
Liquor Commission Approves Gaming License: Normal Council members, serving as members of Normal Local Liquor Commission, unanimously approved a video gaming application for the 2024-25 year for Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc., doing business as Love’s Travel Stop #867, 2007 N. Main St., Normal.
Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included:
• Approval of minutes of the regular Council meeting of Nov. 18, 2024.
• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Nov. 27, 2024.
• A motion to approve the Year 2025 Town meeting calendar.
• A resolution authorizing execution of an intergovernmental agreement for the police shooting range facility with the City of Bloomington.
• A resolution authorizing execution of an amendment to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant agreement with Mid Central Community Action, Inc.
• A resolution to waive the formal bidding process and accept quotes totaling $122,956.05 from CDW for the purchase of Dell Computers.
• A resolution execution of a conditional right of entry license – Dan Kelley.