NORMAL – At Monday’s regularly-scheduled Normal Town Council meeting, Council members unanimously approved the Town to have an annual budget for fiscal year 2024-25 of $223 million. The Town’s recently passed budget has a 7 percent increase from last year’s budget and shows the Town has seen a rise in what it has collected in tax revenue in the past year. The budget includes a $5 million surplus.
In a draft released before the meeting, the Town budget is shown to include: An extra $3 million for contributions by the Town in contributions to pension funds of Normal Police and Normal Fire Departments; $2 million earmarked for Town economic development; An extra $11.3 million for transportation items which would include street resurfacing. Town staff positions were also included in what money is to be spent on with this budget.
In addition, a cost of living adjustment of nearly 3.5 percent has been added to Town Staff salaries within the budget.
In comments made about the budget, Council members spoke positively about what they saw. “We’re making headway,†Council Member Kathleen Lorenz said. Explaining what she has seen the Town do about its spending practices, she said the Town was presenting “a healthy budget,†adding, “I’d really like the Town Staff’s recommendation about that money going to pensions†and $5 million more of the surplus going to pensions and $2 million going toward capital and economic development.â€
Council Member Kevin McCarthy added Normal finds itself in a very strong financial state as a result of “years of good conservative budgeting and long-range planning.†That happened, McCarthy explained because Town Council working closely with Town Staff to bring priorities to Council’s attention. In turn, McCarthy said, Town Staff has sorted out “that realizes those priorities.â€
Council Member Andy Byars said the budget showed the Town “is paying down debt, investing in our infrastructure, we’re ensuring increased funding for Town pensions.†He added the decreasing debt also will help citizens with property tax payments when they come due. “I appreciate everything everyone’s done to get there.â€
Council Approves Water, Sewer Rate Increases: Council members unanimously approved a 2 percent increase for water and sewer rates. The monthly water fee per 1,000 gallons consumed will increase from $6.83 to $6.97. The Town fee for sewers per 1,000 gallons consumed will rise from $3.07 to $3.13. Also on that day, Town residents will have an increase in their sewer system maintenance, by 12 cents, from $6.23 to $6.35.
As a result of the increases, the Town will receive more funds totaling roughly an estimated $210,000 for the water fund, and an additional $98,000 for the sewer fund.
City Manager Pam Reece reminded Council members that when such increases for water and sewer take place, “those revenues go directly back into those enterprise funds.â€
Council Approves Prohibiting Loitering on Certain Medians: Without discussion, Council members unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting prohibits loitering by pedestrians in all medians which aren’t designed for pedestrian occupancy located at intersections with traffic lights. This prohibition also extends along the median to 100 feet back from the intersection. The new law also prohibits loitering in medians found at the intersections of Greenbriar Dr. and Fort Jesse Rd., and Greenbriar Dr. and Shepard Rd. Those two intersections don’t have street signals at intersections which can be difficult to navigate when the streets are busy, according to the report given to Council members.
The ordinance on prohibition on loitering pertain to pedestrians who are lawfully crossing the street, and provides exceptions for emergencies, certain roadwork, and special events that have closed down a street.
Initial Move To Prohibit New Smoke Shops Earns Council Vote: By a 5-2 vote, Council members approved a zoning amendment to Town laws which would prohibit future smoke shops from being established in Uptown Normal’s business district. Council members Byars and Scott Preston voted against the measure. Mayor Chris Koos joined by Council Members Kevin McCarthy, Karyn Smith, Chemberly Harris, and Kathleen Lorenz voted in favor of the measure.
Byars began the conversation with City Manager Pam Reece his understanding was that the proposed ordinance would ban any future smoke shops in the Town of Normal. That process would begin with a Normal Planning Commission meeting, Reece confirmed. She added NPC would be where the process would begin ending in an NPC recommendation to Council members.
Byars said he was concerned about an outright ban by the Town of such shops explaining he has had conversations about the businesses’ “esthetic appeal.†Byars added what he hasn’t heard when smoke shops were brought to his attention were “the specific concerns about commerce or transactions that were happening.†He added he wanted more information before voting on something he saw “as an outright ban†on such a type of business. He added the subject “deserved more of a conversation.â€
Reece confirmed for Council Member Chemberly Cummings the zoning amendment process begins at NPC. NPC, Reece added, makes recommendations and modifications and sends the proposed Town ordinance or law back to Town Council for a vote. She added Town staff believes “this is the right time to consider this particular use in our central business district.â€
Council Member Kevin McCarthy said he was in favor of sending this item onto NPC and after that group votes, Council members would get it back where they “can have a more robust conversation.â€
Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:
• Approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of Feb. 19, 2024.
• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Feb. 28, 2024.
• A resolution to award the bid for water main and service line materials to Water Products Company, Bloomington, IL
• A resolution to authorize a contract with Luci Creative for design concept plans for the Children’s Discovery Museum’s second floor as part of the established Exhibits Master Plan in an amount not to exceed $182,500.
• An ordinance reserving volume cap in connection with private activity bond issued and related matters.
• A resolution to accept bids and award a contract to J.G. Stewart Contractors, Inc. for the 2024 miscellaneous sidewalk improvements – 50/50 Sidewalk & ADA Ramps. Project in the Amount of $885,975.
• A resolution approving a development agreement with GOB Realty, LLC for the relocation of a sanitary sewer.
• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and authorizing a contract with J.G. Stewart Contractors, Inc. for the relocation of a sanitary sewer on Landmark Dr.
• A resolution reapproving the final plat of the third addition to Trails on Sunset Lake.