NORMAL – Normal Town Council members honored retiring City Manager Mark Peterson during what was his last Council meeting before his retirement after 30 years with the Town, the first 10 as Assistant City Manager under then City Manager David S. Anderson, and the last 20 as City Manager. His last day on the job is March 30. A reception for Peterson will be held at the Carol A. Reitan Conference Center of the Bloomington-Normal Marriott on Thursday, March 29.
Mayor Chris Koos led off the Council’s tributes telling Peterson, “Pam Reece will do a fantastic job as City Manager, but this is still a tough transition for me.” He said before he became a Council member, I worked with Mark on a number of projects as a volunteer, and then as an elected official and Mayor for 17 years, which in retrospect, has gone by in a snap.
“It has been easier for me to be mayor because of the quality of management that you displayed,” Koos told Peterson. “The professionalism and integrity that you’ve shown in your tenure as City Manager is exemplary.”
“It’s been a short time for me, but it’s been a pleasure,” said Council Member Chemberly Cummings, who was elected to her first term last April. “Mark has been willing to answer all my crazy questions. No matter the time of day, or whether they were down to the wire, you’re always there. It’s made my first year one of learning and fall right in place so that I can do what I need to do for the community.”
Having been on commissions and boards before running for a Council seat, Council Member Kathleen Lorenz told Peterson, “What I think I will always remember is how approachable you are.” Lorenz added she appreciated “how available you made yourself” to her when she had a concern. She added Peterson had “created such a positive culture through the talent you have hired.”
Council Member R. C. McBride said the word integrity had been used frequently when describing Peterson, “and there’s not a more appropriate word for you,” McBride told Peterson. McBride, a former radio reporter, said he appreciated the times Peterson made himself available to the media when a situation called for it.
Council Member Scott Preston gave Peterson credit for visionary skills, looking down the road at a project’s development. He said that skill involves being able to get the support and bring different parties together to work on the project, which Preston said he has seen Peterson do successfully.
“Mostly, I want to say thank you,” Council Member Kevin McCarthy told Peterson. He said Peterson was “masterful” in trying to help the Council develop of vision for the community.
“We’ve had something special,” Council Member Jeff Fritzen told Peterson about his tenure. He said those who developed and carried through the Uptown concept shared the risk involved. He also credited Peterson’s efforts at team building among Council and Town Staff. “Normal first is how I feel you’ve approached your job.” Fritzen explained to do that sometimes comes “at a personal cost” because of meetings and functions Peterson attended outside his normal working hours.
Peterson credited Town Staff for their work in how they go about their work which helps him to help the Council to have the information needed make their decisions. He was emotional when he said Town Staff “deserve credit for the success of the organization, not me. I’ve been blessed with such a supportive, competent, and dedicated work force.” He, at points, could not get the words out. “I want them to know how much I have appreciated their support and commitment to public service during my entire career.”
He credited his successor, Deputy City Manager Pam Reece, with being his “right arm,” and his executive assistant Sandy Fedden with being his “left arm” who has been with Peterson since he became City Manager.
“You all have my eternal gratitude, respect, and admiration,” he told his senior management team members. “I will miss you all more than I can put into words,” a statement that came from him with some emotion as he choked back tears.
Peterson not only had former Council members and former Mayor Paul Harmon in the audience for his last meeting, but his wife, Rebecca, and one of his two grown children.
Council Approves Site Plan For 2012 W. College: Council members unanimously approved both a site plan and resolution conditionally and partially approving the final plat of the first addition using expedited process to the MP-ONE Subdivision at 2012 W. College. It was done but not before Stan Nord, the current developer, in making his plea to Council members to approve the measures, accused Town Staff of not wanting to follow Town Code to get the job accomplished. He said Town Staff wanted to “add undevelopable acres” on the property to what he wanted to develop.
The property had been a mobile home park five decades ago and said Town Staff wouldn’t allow him to plant trees.
Nord said the land has had three owners in the past 10 years. He said he didn’t believe Normal was following Town Code to help him get the job accomplished. That visibly angered Peterson, who told Nord he was offended by his comments. “Our staff doesn’t pad fees,” Peterson said. “Our staff stands by the code. Peterson said he could have Town Corporation Counsel Brian Day and a municipal lawyer look at the code. But, Peterson said, “We’ve bent over backwards for this applicant. Lorenz said she wants the situation ironed out by legal counsel.
Land Town Exchanged With ISU Rezoned: Council members unanimously approved an ordinance rezoning property the Town swapped with Illinois State University related to the construction of the new Normal Fire Station #1 on University St. Therefore, the fire station, which opened in November, sits on what is now Town property as a result. As a result of the ordinance, which passed without discussion, land at 602-604 N. Adelaide St., Sudduth Rd. right of way between Kingsley and Main Streets, and 404 W. Locust St. are now zoned S-1 University. 505-507 Osage are now owned by the Town and have been rezoned S-2 Public Lands and Institutions.
In addition, the ordinance adds an S-3 Historic and Cultural District overlay zoning classification to 305 E. Pine.
Zoning Map To Be Published: Council members also unanimously passed an ordinance authorizing the publication of a zoning map.
Public Hearing Held: A public hearing was held prior to the start of the regular Council session pertaining to the proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2018-2019 annual action plan. Federal regulations require the Town publish an annual action plan for public comment and hold at least one public hearing concerning the plans content. No members of the public offered to speak at the hearing.
Annual Liquor License Renewals Approved: Council members, meeting in their capacity as Normal Local Liquor Commission unanimously approved liquor licenses for all establishments in the Town, an annual responsibility at a brief meeting held prior to the regular Council session. An omnibus vote was used to approve the establishments’ licenses.
The Town has 77 establishments licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, with 31 selling packaged liquor – Class A; 3 selling it by the drink – Class B; 10 selling beer and wine by the drink – Class C; 17 selling all liquor by the drink – Class D; 4 Hotels – Class E; 2 Brewpubs – Class M; 1 Stadium – Class N; 4 Limited hours licenses – Class O; 1 taproom – Class P; and 4 public college/university – Class Q. In addition, Commissioners renewed licenses of 25 establishments with secondary licenses which included 6 for annual catering – Class F; 9 for Outdoor Garden/Patio — Class H; and 10 for Annual tasting – Class I. The Town also issued permits for 12 entertainment licenses and 11 video gaming licenses. Commissioners also approved minutes from the Commission’s regular meeting of Jan. 16.
Appointments, Reappointments To Various Boards Approved: Hearing no objection, Council members made appointments and reappointments to various Boards and Commissions. Reappointed to the Building Board of Appeals each for a term that will expire March 31, 2022 were: Russ Arbuckle; Jeff Feid; Terry Sims; and Chris Turner. Reappointed to the Historic Preservation Commission each for a term that will expire March 31, 2022 were: Christopher Niebur and Bruce Warloe. Reappointed to the Uptown Design Review Commission each for a term that will expire March 31, 2022 were: David Burnison and Dennis French. Reappointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals each for a term that will expire March 31, 2022 were: Gary Blakney, Keith Palmgren, and Tony Penn. Reappointed to the Historic Preservation Commission each for a term that will expire March 31, 2022 were: Reappointed to the Town Planning Commission for a term that will expire March 31, 2022 was Rick Bosner. Reappointed to the Police Pension Board for a term that will exire March 31, 2022 was Robert Weldon.
Benjamin Ryburn was newly appointed to the Town’s Human Relations Commission, replacing Sandra Harmon. Ryburn’s term will expire March 31, 2022.
Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included:
• Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of March 5, 2018.
• Approval of Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of March 14, 2018
• A resolution to award the bid for the Grant Street and Normal Ave. water main replacement projects to Bloomington-based Stark Excavating, Inc. at a total cost of $897,602 plus up to a potential $15,000 bonus for early completion.
• A resolution to accept bids and award a contract to Morton-based Otto Baum Company, Inc. in the amount of $207,816.14 for the Irving Street improvement project from Fell Ave. to the Hester Street alley.
• A resolution accepting a quote in the amount of $34,291.92 from Eagan, MN-based Factory Motor Parts for purchase of golf cart batteries for Ironwood Golf Course.
• A resolution designating Pamela S. Reece as the Town of Normal authorized representative with respect to the Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) Program.
• A resolution authorizing execution of a conditional right of entry – Dan Kelley.