NORMAL – Normal Town Council’s regularly-scheduled meeting Monday in Council Chambers on the fourth floor of Uptown Station lasted nine minutes and had no general orders or new business to address.

When Mayor Chris Koos asked Council members whether they had comments or concerns, Council Member Karyn Smith informed those attending the meeting that the Special Opportunities Available in Recreation program (SOAR) summer catalog is now available and residents will be receiving it in their mail soon. She said she wanted residents to know that registration for SOAR programs opens on May 1. SOAR is a program which helps people ages 8 and older who have intellectual disabilities. SOAR is co-sponsored by Normal Park & Recreation Department and Bloomington Park & Recreation Department.

Resident Complains About Lead Pipe Concern: Normal resident Ron Ulmer touched on a couple items when he spoke during the meeting’s “public comment” period. First, Ulmer thanked Council members for helping make sure the Town cleared a section of 1100 North Linden St. of pieces of raised sidewalk. Ulmer said the raised sidewalk in that area caused his wife to fall and break her leg last July. He said the raised section of sidewalk had been repaired this spring.

He then spoke about lead pipe use, adding “Of course, Illinois is number 1, 2, or 3 in tax incidents if you look at all the studies done on which States pay the highest tax – we’re always in 1, 2, or 3.” He added such circumstances come “from all levels of government, from local governments to the State Legislature to our friends who run the City of Chicago.”

He said when he first moved to his home in the Linden Ave. area, he had to drive around “at least five construction sites where the water department had to tear up the street to replace leaks in the (water) main.” Ulmer added he had inquired of the Town why a new water main wasn’t scheduled for the area. He said he was told there were residents in houses in the area wanting to retain their lead service.

He complained that rather than the Town working with him concerning his complaint, he said the Town worked on the street, but he added, from his perspective that every time the Town wants to do something, he said, the Town solution was “to raise taxes.”

“I know there may be a rule,” Ulmer said. “I know there may be policies but you people know how to get around them when it’s in the best interest of what you want.

“Can you imagine how much money was wasted tearing up the street there and they couldn’t abandon the old main?” Ulmer asked.

Ulmer concluded by saying, “How come it’s always raise taxes, raise water rates, but don’t use any common sense?”

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:

• Approval of minutes of the regular Council meeting of April 1, 2024.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of April 10, 2024.

• A resolution authorizing the execution of a collective bargaining agreement with the Police Benevolent and Protective Association Unit 22 and approving an associated budget adjustment.

• A resolution to waive the formal bid process and accept the quotes from Walker Process Equipment totaling $184,650 and Automatic Systems Co. totaling $11,968 for equipment to rehabilitate Clarifier #2.

• A resolution to accept bids and award a contract to All Weather Courts for Ironwood Park tennis and pickleball court resurfacing project in the amount of $60,874.

• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and approving the acquisition of furniture from Widmer Interiors in the amount of $53,243.51.

• A resolution to waive the formal bidding process and accept a quote totaling $74,839.23 from Minuteman for the purchase of security cameras, genetec licenses, installation, and integration services; and $100,650 from Cell Electric for conduit installation and wiring for security cameras in all three Uptown parking decks for a combined project cost of $175,489.23.

• An ordinance amending the purchasing policy manual concerning the purchase of software and cloud-based services.

BLOOMINGTON – In addition to students being honored at the 25th annual Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Scholarship Banquet April 6 at Bloomington Country Club, four local residents, including Normal’s Mayor, were presented with the organization’s 2024 Outstanding Adult Sons of the American Revolution Citizenship Awards.

The four presented the honor were: Sandra Bidner, member of the Leticia Green Stevenson Daughters of the American Revolution Society; Jo Ellen Gordon, second vice president of the local chapter of the Leticia Green Stevenson Daughters of the American Revolution Society; Adam Hickman, senior vice president and senior asset liability director at PNC Bank; and Normal Mayor Chris Koos.

Each honoree received a coin with the name of the local organization which includes its charter date of Oct. 21, 1975 on the front and the emblem of the Sons of the American Revolution on the back. The award the quartet will receive is named for Leticia Green Stevenson Daughters of the American Revolution Society. Leticia Green Stevenson was the wife of Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson I who served as the United States’ 23rd vice president from 1893 to 1897 under President Grover Cleveland.

Sandra Bidner: Sandra Bidner has worked as a Home Extension Advisor for DeWitt County. Shortly after college, she worked assisting with Hearing and Vision Testing for McLean County Health Dept. for schools, and as a Cuisinart Demonstrator. In addition, she maintained all the financial records as an essential partner for the farm she and her husband, Gordon operate, Prairie Crest Farms. The couple also operate two additional businesses known as Vista Management Services, Inc. and Seed Service Associates, LLC. Sandi and her husband, Gordon, are parents to three sons and grandparents to seven children.

Adam Hickman: Adam Hickman grew up in Bloomington-Normal, graduating from Normal Community West High School in 2002 as a Co-Valedictorian. As a high school senior, Adam was the Normal West’s General Joseph Bartholomew Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding Citizenship Award winner and a scholarship recipient. In 2006, Adam earned a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction in Actuarial Science from the University of Illinois. He is a member of the American Society of Actuaries and currently is a Senior Vice President at PNC Bank.

Jo Ellen Gordon: A Bloomington native, Jo Ellen Gordon attended Illinois State University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Language in 1979. She later pursued an Associate degree of Applied Science in Digital Media from Heartland Community College and completed her degree in 2013. Following in the footsteps of her mother and great-aunt, Jo began her DAR journey in 1994 and completed the National Genealogy Education Programs and Leadership Training Courses. She has served on a number of committees as a result. She served as the Letitia Green Stevenson DAR Chapter Registrar and now serves as the group’s 2nd Vice Regent. Jo will complete 30 years of service to the DAR and our community this year.

Chris Koos: Chris Koos has served as the Mayor for the Town of Normal since 2003 with his current term set to expire in 2025. He was first elected to the Normal Town Council in April 2001, and has the longest running term of any mayor in Normal’s history.

In addition to serving as Normal’s Mayor, he serves as a member of the Advisory Board of Transportation for America; as vice chair for Passenger Rail with the US Conference of Mayors; and vice president for the Illinois Municipal League, and was nominated to the Board of Directors for Amtrak. During his time as the chief elected official for the Town of Normal, Koos has overseen the re-development of the Town’s central business district, including a multimodal transportation center and City Hall, the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, the Hyatt Place Hotel, the Children’s Discovery Museum and other major multi-use construction. Koos served as Chairman of the Town of Normal Historic Preservation Commission for ten years. During the restoration of the historic Normal Theater, he served as Chair of the Restoration Advisory Committee and on the Normal Theater Advisory Board.

BLOOMINGTON – In addressing students being honored at the 25th annual Gen. Joseph Bartholomew Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Scholarship Banquet April 4, held at Bloomington Country Club, a previous Good Citizenship Scholarship recipient and keynote speaker Adam Hickman, became the first previous honoree to receive the scholarship to be asked to address current honorees.

A total of 20 students from high schools in Bloomington-Normal and McLean County were recognized at the event. The students heard a keynote address from a man who knew a little something about how hard they had studied and gotten in order to receive the honors they were receiving. Hickman received an American Revolution Good Citizenship Scholarship at a similar function in 2002.

He explained that because he shared the experience of being where the students were at the banquet, “there’s no other place that I’d rather be than where you are today.” He said he could relate with the students “awaiting nervously for the presentations” of the scholarship prizes they were about to receive. He said his first thought he had after receiving the award back then was that he could walk into “any classroom with other students from around the world” and know he belonged.

He said he understood the feelings the current winners had because he, too, like them, knew what it took to excel in every facet of life.” He reminded the students about the fact they sacrificed to be present to receive their scholarships. He said some of those sacrifices students made including attending some social events.

“The time and energy that you put into your student careers paid off,” Hickman said. Recalling what he gave up in order to earn his scholarship 22 years ago, Hickman, who is now an actuarial with PNC Bank, explained, “I felt validated and that might seem pretty obvious. I realized this validation of the Outstanding Citizenship Award was about being recognized for achieving accomplishments while doing the right thing.”

The achievements Hickman said the students will garner from this experience would come in the form of “being honest, respectful, passionate, trustworthy, right. You will eventually become leaders, teammates, volunteers, mentors, tutors, and much more.”

He explained the students have had “a lot of help to get where we are,” and then listed the cast of people who helped to make where the students currently are possible. He reminded that cast included “a teacher, parents, a coach, guardians, brother, sister.” He explained, “We all achieve success with the support of those who have our best interest at heart.” Hickman demonstrated his own appreciation to his parents, Marty and Nancy, for the support they showed him.

Hickman told students success “doesn’t happen in a vacuum.” He then encouraged the students to take time to thank the people around them who have been supportive and encouraging of them, including “families that have motivated you to do your best, your coaches that have taught you leadership through athletics and sportsmanship, band and theatre directors who taught you accountability, and creativity “

He continued the list of mentors students should thank included “your teachers who have prepared you for higher education.” He reminded the students that their teachers “have the most important and difficult jobs in all America. They rarely get the thanks they deserve.”

Hickman also suggested the students learn to appreciate the recognition they were receiving at the luncheon. He said the students should consider the support they have received which has gotten them to where they find themselves positioned now.

He explained he has gotten far in his career by asking others, in effect, “how can I help you?” rather than “how can you help me?” He also reminded students success “is not a zero sum game.” Understanding other people, Hickman explained, will help the students to understand how they can bring value to their lives.

Hickman said part of receiving the award had as much to do with “doing the right thing.” He added asking others “’how can I help you?’ has gotten me so far in life” He then asked the students to think about all the support they have received and to consider how far that support has gotten them thus far.

NORMAL – There were plenty of positives to hear about in the update Connect Transit General Manager David Braun provided Normal Town Council members, at the Council’s regularly-scheduled meeting in Council Chambers on the fourth floor of Uptown Station on April 1. Among those positives was a mobility service which aids seriously disabled people unable to drive.

Braun began by explaining how and what the transit system has been doing for the community in the past year as well as what the transit system has in store for the coming year. Braun started by explaining the services Connect Transit offers the community.

The first is the large buses seen on Twin City streets seven days a week. The next service is Connect Mobility for use of people with disabilities which do not have capability to get to a bus but can call and arrange a pick-up for transportation, and Connect Flex, which is an on-demand, corner-to-corner service. Passengers can schedule rides on Connect Flex using Connect Transit’s smartphone app based on passenger demand within certain defined zones. The Connect Flex program primarily serves residents living in the southwest portion of Bloomington-Normal.

Braun said Connect Transit has seen a 10 percent growth in ridership in the past year, and currently this year, that ridership increase is at seven percent. He explained Illinois State University’s sessions tend to set when ridership goes either up or down, with the down times being when ISU is not in session, such as breaks in December and January, or spring break in March.

Connect Transit has 16 different bus routes with Redbird Express servicing Illinois State University students, being the most used followed by routes with bus colors Red, Green, and Lime being the next most used. ISU contributes funding to help Connect Transit to allow that service to continue operating that service, Braun explained.

Braun added the system’s Connect Mobility service, available for persons who have been approved, provide bus service in the same area and at the same days and times as Connect Transit’s fixed route buses. That service began in 2014.

Connect Mobility is also available to companions of qualified riders, personal care attendants. Braun said the Connect Mobility program saw a jump of 20 percent in the number of persons needing the service from the prior year. He added that, again this year, Connect Transit is seeing that 20 percent increase in its ridership.

Braun said Connect Mobility’s ridership has grown at a faster rate than it did prior to when the area was gripped by COVID. Among the reasons for that, Braun said, was because Connect Transit expanded the area serviced by Connect Mobility. That meant a larger area and more constituents, Braun told Council members.

Braun added the increase in number of Connect Mobility riders means an increase in the number of hours that program needs to operate. “Our staff has done a tremendous job trying to maximize the number of people per van while still having good on-time performance,” Braun told Council members. “Our on-time performance is at 92 percent which is very good in this business.”

Braun added he expects such ridership numbers to continue and increase because “the number of people with disabilities since the year 2000 has increased over 20 percent, and the number of seniors with disabilities has increased over 80 percent.” He added that as the population ages, that will mean an increase in needing Connect Mobility’s services.

Braun said Connect Transit’s newest convenience, Connect Flex, which uses vans carrying five passengers, and seen “tremendous gains” since it started serving residents living in southwest Bloomington, an area that Braun had no public transportation service “for many years.”

Braun reminded Connect Transit Board meeting are held 11 times a year and include public comment sections. He added the transit system is active in the community in events such as providing cooling buses during extreme heat days and warming buses during extreme cold weather days, Stuff The Bus campaign for food donations near Thanksgiving, job fairs, and ISU sponsorships.

Responding to a question from Council Member Karyn Smith, Braun said Connect Transit has 12 electric buses and that, although the transit system has seen positive gains recently, the manufacturer of electric buses has recently declared bankruptcy. Braun said Connect has experienced “challenges getting parts, so of the 12, two of them are running.”

Braun said the Connect Mobility service averages roughly 2.7 rides an hour.

He added Connect Transit has a good track record at acquiring grants to date totaling $50 million. He said that money helps Connect Transit purchase capital to help keep the company running.

Council Member Scott Preston told Braun he “was glad to see numbers ticking upward both in ridership and productivity.” Braun explained Connect Transit is cutting back on some of its peak hours’ services in mid-to-late mornings and evenings because of having fewer available vehicles.

Council Member Smith asked about shelter locations and was told by Braun that, sometimes, property owners don’t want a bus shelter placed on their property. He didn’t give specific reasons property owners give him for their declining to put shelters on their property.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Julie Hile, vice chair for the transit system, Mandava Rao, Transit Board Trustee; and Tim McCue, secretary to the Transit Board.

NORMAL – Normal Town Council’s regularly-scheduled meeting Monday in Council Chambers on the fourth floor of Uptown Station began with Mayor Chris Koos remembering how former Mayor Kent Karraker helped to shape and put into motion changes the community sees today.

Koos started the meeting by taking a few moments to recall former Normal Mayor Karraker who died March 24 in Stuart, Fla. at age 87. Koos recalled how Karraker was first elected to Normal Town Council in 1983 and was elected to his first mayoral term a decade later serving until 2003.

A native of DuQuoin, Karraker moved to Normal in 1962. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois where he studied radio-television journalism. Karraker was first elected to the Town Council in 1983, ran unopposed for mayor a decade later and won re-election with wide margins in 1997 and 2001. Because of health concerns, Karraker resigned as mayor in February 2003, while he still had two years left in his term. At that time, Karraker explained he wanted to spend more time with family.

Koos was a Town Council member in his first term when Karraker was mayor. ”He was, really, an incredible man,” Koos said. “He was a mentor to me in my early years on the Council, and he was a pragmatic man, a fiscal conservative but he really saw an opportunity for Normal to shine and he was really at the starting point making some of the hard decisions on the redevelopment of Uptown and some of the early things that happened in Uptown are a result of Kent’s leadership.”

Koos credited Karraker with helping get the Children’s Discovery Museum coming to Uptown. Koos said CDM was the first realization Town leaders had that Normal “was in good financial shape and we could bond that really make the projects determine and to find Uptown come to fruition.” Koos added he would like to talk with Council members to find a way to memorialize Karraker. Koos followed up his comments by asking for a few moments of silence to remember Karraker.

Council Approves Legal $5.4 Million Settlement Between Town, Alan Beaman: Council members unanimously approved a tentative settlement of $5.4 million with Alan Beaman concerning the case of Beaman v. Freesmeyer et al. In the case, the Town found itself defending itself against a claim of malicious prosecution related to a criminal case from 30 years ago. Beaman spent time in prison after being convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lockmiller, but was released 13 years later. Beaman later sued the Town and former Normal Police detectives in 2014.

Beaman’s lawyers contended NPD failed in the case by not considering other possible suspects. In 2008, the Illinois Supreme Court agreed calling evidence against Beaman tenuous, citing the State withholding evidence which favored Beaman. Beaman was released from prison with the charges dismissed. Beaman later was awarded a certificate of innocence from the State and a pardon from Gov. Pat Quinn in 2015.

Reappointments To Various Town Commissions Announced: Before the Council session concluded, Mayor Koos announced four reappointments to various Town commissions. The reappointments and respective commissions were: Nancy Armstrong reappointed to the Town Historic Preservation Commission; Janessa Williams reappointed to the Town’s Human Relations Commission; R. C. McBride reappointed to Normal Planning Commission; and David Burnison reappointed to the Uptown Design Review Commission. Terms for Armstrong, Williams, and McBride on their respective commissions all expire March 31, 2028. Burnison’s term expires March 31, 2027.

Connect Transit Gives Presentation: Council members also received a presentation from Connect Transit General Manager David Braun. The Normalite will have a more detailed story about Braun’s presentation in next week’s edition.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:

• Approval of minutes of the public hearing of March 4, 2024.

• Approval of minutes of the regular Council meeting of March 18, 2024.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of March 27, 2024.

• A motion authorizing the execution of a side letter between the Town of Normal and Local #2442 of the International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO, and approving an associated budget adjustment.

• A resolution adopting a Notice of Appointment of authorized agent for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

• A resolution authorizing the filing of the Town of Normal’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan for the program year 2024-2025.

• A resolution accepting bids and authorizing the purchase of four 2024 Ford pickup trucks from Bob Ridings Fleet Sales in the amount of $210,597.

• A resolution to accept bids and award a contract to Bloomington-based Rowe Construction, a division of United Contractors Midwest, Inc. for the Gregory St. resurfacing (Cottage Ave. to Adelaide St.) project in the amount of $698,295.66.

• A resolution authorizing bid award concurrence through Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the Gregory St. trail extension from Adelaide St. to Parkside Rd.

• A resolution authorizing bid award concurrence through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for West College Avenue from Rivian Motorway to Norfolk Southern Railroad (NSRR) and an associated budget adjustment.

• A resolution to accept bids and award a contract to Bloomington-based Stark Excavating, Inc. for Ironwood Park drainage project in the amount of $66,500.