NORMAL – Opting not to run for a seventh term on Normal Town Council in favor of running for the post of Normal Township Supervisor, Cheryl Gaines knew her final Council meeting was coming. A giant vase filled with flowers sat at her spot on the Council dais when she arrived. A sheet cake wishing her good luck and punch were set on a table just outside Council Chambers.
Once the business of the evening’s meeting was completed, there were tributes from Council members she had both long served with and just gotten to know as a result of their holding first terms.
Her fellow Council members had praise for Gaines’ work during her time on the Council. Council Member Jeff Fritzen told Gaines the Council “has been strengthened on the issue of mental health†through her efforts. Gaines is President and Chief Executive Officer at Collaborative Solutions Institute, as well as a counselor there.
“It’s been a privilege to serve with you and take in your store of knowledge on mental health,†Fritzen said.
“What unifies us is our dedication to the community,†Mayor Chris Koos told Gaines. “You have had more passion for this community.â€
Council member R. C. McBride told Gaines, “I can never repay you for your mentorship and friendship.†Council Member Scott Preston said he was impressed by Gaines’ “ability to ask good questions and make good decisions that help the people of Normal.â€
Council Member Kevin McCarthy said Gaines’ need to ask “why?†on certain matters “has been part of how you’ve operated on this Council.†McCarthy added, “You took a stand to show us why we took votes.â€
“You would always bring me back to why we were pushing for certain policies or decisions,†Council Member Kathleen Lorenz told Gaines. “We’ve always continued to be great friends and great colleagues. That translates to having a deeper friendship.â€
“I thank everyone at this table,†Gaines said beginning her last speech as a Council member. “We’ve had a great run. I’ve had a great run. Our staff is exemplary.†She thanked the Town’s citizens for electing her.
As a parting gesture, Koos exited the Mayor’s chair early and asked Gaines, the Town’s Mayor Pro Tem, to adjourn the meeting one last time.
Chemberly Cummings is filling Gaines’ seat, having won in the election against challenger Ron Ulmer, and will be sworn in next month. Gaines opted not to run for another Council term, instead deciding to run a campaign to become Normal Township Supervisor in the April election. Sarah Grammer, a Democrat, narrowly edged out Republican Gaines in the election earlier this month. Monday’s session was Gaines’ last meeting as a Council member.
Water Rate Increase Leads To Split Vote: One omnibus agenda item, a proposed 2 percent increase in Town water bills was pulled by Lorenz and led to discussion and revealed a divide as to when such an increase should be put into effect – in May as Town Staff is recommending or a couple years from now, as was argued by Lorenz.
When the vote was taken, it was Koos who cast the decisive ballot, sending the measure to a 4-3 vote in favor of the increase which would push the fee for water from $6.19 per 1,000 gallons to $6.31 per 1,000 gallons. The monthly fee for upkeep of system maintenance would also go up from $5.65 to $5.75. The Town is not recommending any fee increases for fire line use. The Town estimates the increase will bring in an additional $160,000 for the Town water fund with an average household seeing an increase of 82 cents in their monthly tab, or an additional $9.84 tacked to their bill annually.
Lorenz and Council Members Preston and McCarthy cast opposing votes on the measure while Gaines, Fritzen, and McBride voted in favor of the measure. That left Koos to break the tie, siding with those favoring the increase.
“I wanted to have a discussion about the merits of increasing the water cost,†Lorenz said afterward. “But in the end, I voted no because if the need to raise the rate isn’t very pressing at this point, we could take the opportunity to keep the rates where they are.â€
Voting for the increase “comes down to what your policy preference is,†said Fritzen, who voted in favor of the price hike. “It was either increase it a little now, or look at a larger increase a year from now or two years from now. I’d rather get a small increase now than wait down the road and get a bigger increase later.â€
The rate the Town charges for sewer service will also go up 2 percent. As a result, residents will see that charge go up by $2.88.
Behavior Health Forum Set For May 18: McLean County Board Chairman John McIntyre and County Administrator Bill Wasson addressed Council members regarding an update on how the County is progressing to help people with mental health issues. They announced a public forum on the subject will be held on Thursday, May 18 at the Bloomington Center For The Performing Arts from 1p.m.-6:30p.m. The event will include panel discussions on varying topic and a keynote speaker. McIntyre said details will be released once finalized.
Construction For Town Offices At One Uptown Circle Approved: Council members, approved by a unanimous vote, a resolution which would waive the formal bidding process and authorize a contract to Core Construction Services of Illinois, Inc. for work which would begin the buildout of second floor office space on the second floor in the One Uptown Circle Project. When the work is completed, the space would be used to accommodate various departments operated by the Town.
Under the agreement, the developer, Chicago-based Uptown Circle Development is obligated to pay $413,400 toward the buildout project, while the Town will contribute $850,000 toward the buildout and spending for furnishings and equipment.
Road Improvement Project Bids Accepted: Council members voted unanimously to approve a resolution to accept bids and award a contract to Bloomington-based Stark Excavating, Inc. worth $2,290,406.66 for an extension of Greenbriar Drive and improvements from Hershey Rd. Also involved in the project are matters related to the water main and sanitary sewer in the area. The water main matters will cost the Town $141,456 through this contract, and the sewer matters cost is $100,251. That brings the total cost of the contract to $2,532,113.66.
In addition, Council members unanimously approved a resolution related to the Greenbriar Dr. extension project. The resolution authorized execution of an agreement with Bloomington-based Country Acres Land Corporation (CALC). Under the agreement, CALC is required to pay the Town $321,838.47 no later than 10 days before the construction project starts. The money repays the Town for the water main, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer.
Official Vote Result Declares Koos Wins 4th Term: The McLean County Clerk’s Office held a sample recount on Tuesday after which it was determined Koos had won the April 4 election by 11 votes over challenger Marc Tiritilli.
Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included
• Approval of minutes of regular meeting held April 3, 2017.
• Approval of Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of April 12, 2017.
• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and authorizing the purchase of bleachers for the athletic fields at Champion Fields from Charlotte, N. C.-based Cunningham Recreation vis U. S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance for an amount not to exceed $59,860.
• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and authorizing the purchase of shade structures for the athletic fields at Champion Fields from Cunningham Recreation via U. S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance for an amount not to exceed $111,029.40.
• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and authorizing the purchase of a Toro Groundsmaster Mower from Berkeley, Mo.-based MTI Distributing via the National Cooperative Contract Solutions Program of the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance (National IPA).
• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and authorizing the purchase of a Jacobsen HR9016 mower from Joliet-based Burris Equipment via the National Joint Purchasing Association (NJPA), Jacobsen Contract #070313-JCS.
• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and authorizing the purchase of several pieces of golf course maintenance equipment via the National Cooperative Contract Solutions program of the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance (National IPA) in the net amount of $54,979.21.
• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and authorizing a contract with Normal-based J. Spencer Construction, LLC in the amount of $49,385 for carpentry work associated with the 305 E. Pine St. Gift Shop renovation project.
• A resolution authorizing the award of a contract for the construction of an electronics recycling collection building to Bloomington-based Evergreen FS, Inc. in the amount of $56,800.
• A resolution to award the bid for the Shelbourne Drive and University Court water main improvement project to Stark Excavating, Inc. at a total cost of $638,492 plus the potential for a maximum $15,000 bonus for early completion.
• A resolution waiving the formal bid process and authorizing the City Manager to enter into construction and service agreements with CIRBN, LLC to construct, install, and replace the Town’s wireless network in Uptown Normal.
• A resolution to authorize the renewal of the Town’s participation in the Municipal Insurance Cooperative Agency (MICA) insurance program for plan year 2017-18 beginning on May 1, 2017 and approve a budget adjustment of $25,110.
• A resolution authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement between the Town of Normal, City of Bloomington, and County of McLean for the 2016 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant.
• A resolution supporting the railbanking of Norfolk Southern Railroad right-of-way from Mansfield, Ill. To Bloomington.
• A resolution approving waivers from the Uptown Design Review Code, Chapter 15, Division 17, for 112 E. Beaufort St. (Whimsy store sign).
• A resolution approving an amended final development plan for One Normal Plaza PUD (Baby Fold, 612-614 Oglesby).
• A resolution conditionally and partially approving the final plat of The Lodge On Willow II Subdivision by expedited process (northwest corner of School and Fell Sts.).
• An ordinance conditionally approving an easement vacation on a part of Lot 1 at The Lodge On Willow (214 W. Willow).
• An ordinance amending Section 7.21-1 of the Town Municipal Code – sewer rates.