By Steve Robinson | March 18, 2024 - 10:55 pm
Posted in Category: Normal Town Council, The Normalite

NORMAL – At their regularly scheduled meeting Monday night in Council Chambers at Normal City Hall, Council members unanimously approved rezoning a 25 acre lot at the southeast corner on Healing Stone Ct. in Normal from General Business to Medium Density Multifamily. The report from Town staff to Council members indicated the developer of the land initially labeled the land for General Business purposes at the time. Now, however, the contract purchaser of the last lot on Healing Stone Ct. sought to change the zoning to General Business. Currently, four of five of the lots on Healing Stone Ct. are zoned as Medium Density Multifamily.

The purchaser of the last remaining lot there wanted to change the zoning from Business zoning to Medium Density Multifamily. The change in zoning would help to re-zone an apartment complex in that part of town. Normal Planning Commission held a public hearing on the matter March 7 where only the developer testified. NPC members voted unanimously to change the zoning.

Council Unanimously Authorizes Publishing Zoning Map: Without discussion, Council members unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the Town to have a zoning map published. The Town does this believing having an up-to-date map published is important for, among its uses, “regulating land uses, protecting property values, supporting economic development and furthering goals” set forth in Normal’s Comprehensive Plan, according to a report to Council members prepared by Town Planner Mercy Davison.

Among the updated PUDs in the zoning map are: Carden Springs PUD, at the northwest corner of Beech St. and Shelbourne Dr.; Infiniti Pointe Subdivision, at the northwest corner of Parkside Dr. and W. Hovey Ave.; and The Archer PUD at the northeast corner of Raab Rd. and the Constitution Trail. Also included now in the zoning map are: Weldon Springs, located north and west of the Wintergreen Subdivision; Grace Church, located at 1311 W. Hovey Ave., and multiple properties owned by Illinois State University.

The zoning map also includes rezoning of property due south of 1282 Healing Stone Ct. A hearing conducted by Normal Planning Commission was held about the property March 7, and the zoning for this map was approved during the Council session.

Liquor Commission Levies Fines, Renews Licenses: Council members, serving in their capacity as members of Normal Liquor Commission, voted unanimously to renew annual licenses for 81 businesses in 11 categories which hold licenses to sell liquor. Categories range from packaged liquor to businesses which sell by the drink, such as bars and restaurants. Businesses in four other categories such as annual catering, outdoor or patio, annual tasting, totaling 27 businesses, also had their liquor licenses renewed for another year by an unanimous vote taken by Liquor Commissioners.

Also on the Normal Liquor Commission agenda was a report of fines being levied on four separate establishments for selling liquor to a person under age 21. The four were: Fiala Brothers Beer LLC doing business as Fiala Brothers Brewery And Beer Hall, 127 E. Beaufort St.; Highland Park CVS doing business as CVS Pharmacy, 100 S. Fell Ave.; 707 Liquors & Mart #3, 108 N. Linden St.; and Chronister Oil Co. doing business as Qik N EZ Convenience Store, 108 N. Linden St.

All four offenses were first-time offenses occurring on Jan. 30. Each business paid the Town a $250 fine.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:

• Approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of March 4, 2024.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of March 13, 2024.

• A resolution to authorize a contract with American Ramp Co. for design and construction of a skate park at Fairview Park in an amount not to exceed $440,000.

• A resolution authorizing a contract extension with Cardinal Infrastructure, LLC for professional services related to Federal advocacy and funding.

• A resolution to waive the formal bidding process and accept a quote from Martin Equipment for the purchase of a 2024 John Deere 410P backhoe loader through Sourcewell Joint Purchasing totaling $114,500.

• A resolution authorizing the purchase of a Falcon 4-ton transporter hot box for asphalt patching from CMW Equipment in the amount of $50,342 through the SourceWell Joint Purchasing Cooperative.

• A resolution to accept bids and award a contract to Rowe Construction, a division of United Contractors Midwest, Inc. for intersection improvements at Fort Jesse Rd. and Landmark Dr. and Fort Jesse Rd. and Greenbriar Dr. in the amount of $2,150,445.93 and an associated budget adjustment.

• A resolution conditionally approving the final plat for Weldon Reserve subdivision second addition.

• A resolution to appropriate $1 million of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for the resurfacing of various streets for the 2024 MFT street resurfacing project and authorize the Director of Public Works & Engineering to sign the IDOT General Maintenance Form.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

By Steve Robinson | February 19, 2024 - 10:25 pm
Posted in Category: Normal Town Council, The Normalite

NORMAL – At Monday’s regularly-scheduled Normal Town Council meeting, Council members received a presentation from John Burkhart, director of Normal Water Department, concerning replacements in lead service lining and changes in regulations made by Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Burkhart added the Town will take care of replacing all of the lines on the Town’s side of the water service at no cost to the customer.

With roughly 50 lead lines in the system, Burkhart said, the Town has financial means to just proceed with replacing those lines. He said the Town’s replacing all of the lead lines will cost the Town roughly $400,000. He added that a couple projects his department had been working on came in under budget and those saved dollars would be used to help replace lead water lines next year. Burkhart said the Town Water Department has set a goal to replace all lead lines by next spring.

Burkhart said the State has made changes concerning rules concerning lead and copper related to water in Illinois. He said effective Oct. 1, EPA wants to know about water connected to every utility and home in Normal. To date, Burkhart told Council members, the Town has accounted for18,172 water service line connections to homes accounted for. All the lines in question are single family homes, Burkhart told Council members, adding no apartment houses are of concern in the matter.

Of those, he explained, seven of them are lead connections belonging to the Town. About 69 lines are unknown by the Town, he added.

Burkhart said getting those numbers tallied by the end of the year will help the Town have exact figures to provide IEPA. He reminded that back in 2021, Council approved for financial aid for residents who, at that time, still had lead on their water distribution system.

Burkhart added the goal of having those lines replaced by next spring is “a more realistic goal.”

Once that project was completed, Burkhart said, the water department would turn its attention to galvanized water lines. He estimated replacing galvanized lines will cost Normal roughly $550,000. He said for the Town to replace roughly 100 water lines which are either galvanized or made of lead will cost the Town around $1 million.

Burkhart explained lead has been known to create health hazards for people, and therefore, Federal EPA has mandated all lead water lines be replaced. Getting those lines replaced, he explained, falls solely on the local water utility. The Town is down to 10 lines to replace and has been replacing lead lines, at least 100 per year, the last few years.

Burkhart said the last of those lead lines are the hardest to replace.

“It’s been really slow going,” he told Council members. City Manager Pam Reece said should Council members approve the Town’s plan to pay for replacing the lead water lines, Burkhart’s next step would be to submit the Town plan to EPA.

Liquor Commission Issues Fine, Approves License: Prior to the regular Council session, Council members, meeting in their capacity as members of Normal Local Liquor Commission approved a liquor license to one establishment and fined one establishment for selling liquor to a minor. Liquor Commissioners unanimously approved a Class D license – all liquor on premises to FJC Hospitality, doing business as Fort Jesse Café, 1531 Ft. Jesse Rd., Suite 1. Receiving the license is still contingent on owners paying license fees and any inspections from Normal Fire Department Inspections Division, McLean County Health Dept. and Normal Building Inspections Department.

Normal Local Liquor Commission unanimously approved imposing a $250 fine to Hacienda Leon II, 1 Uptown Circle, for furnishing alcohol to a person under age 21 on Jan. 19. A stipulation, guilty plea, and settlement of a $250 fine was given to the establishment for a first offense, and the fine has already been paid.

Appointments To Zoning Board Of Appeals, Uptown Review Commission Announced: Mayor Chris Koos announced one appointment to the Normal Zoning Board of Appeals and appointed three citizens to the Uptown Design Commission. Joshua Moyer, a Normal resident with 30 years of construction experience, has been appointed to the Town’s Zoning Board Of Appeals. Moyer is currently employed as a project superintendent at Catalyst Construction. Moyer has volunteered time to numerous committees and events in the Twin Cities including the committee organizing the Zoo Stampede and also as a coach for Bloomington-Normal Basketball Association.

Moyer is filling a seat on the Zoning Board vacated by Randy Schaab having served 25 years on ZBA. Moyers’ term will expire March 31, 2025.

Three Appointments Announced To Uptown Design Review Commission: Koos also announced names of three people who will serve on the Town’s Uptown Design Review Commission. Koos appointed Jack Fahler, Marsha Fogarty, and Stephen Monaco to serve on Normal’s Uptown Design Review Commission.

Fahler is senior property manager at the Shoppes At College Hills. Prior to this, Fahler held numerous roles in property management throughout central Illinois and the greater midwestern U. S.

Normal resident Marsha Fogarty is an alumnus of Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelor’s degree in architecture. Upon graduating from the Institute, Fogarty worked at State Farm Insurance for 25 years specializing in design, construction, and engineering services. Now retired, Fogarty serves on the David Davis Foundation Board and the David Davis Mansion Garden Event Commission.

Stephen Monaco is a managing principal of Monaco and Company, and also a board member with CoreNet, a global organization which deals with real estate. He has had experience as a homeowners’ association president when he resided in the suburbs of Chicago. He holds an undergraduate degree in architecture from University of Illinois, as well as Master’s degrees in both architecture and business administration. Monaco is being recommended to fill the vacancy at the Uptown Design Review Commission seat of Dennis French. French’s term on the Commission expires March 31.

The terms Fahler, Fogarty, and Monaco will each spend on their committees expire March 31, 2027.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:

• Approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of Feb. 5, 2024.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Feb. 14, 2024.

• A resolution filing of the Town’s amended Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Citizen Participation Plan.

• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and accepting quotes totaling $99,416.02 from Dell for the purchase of computer equipment.

• A resolution approving continuing service agreements and hourly rate and direct costs for professional engineering and architectural services 2024-2027 for various Town departments.

• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and approving the acquisition of furniture from Widmer Interiors in the amount of $42,903.95 through the Omnia Joint Purchasing Program and associated budget adjustment.

• A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and accepting quotes authorizing a contract with Bloomington-based Stark Excavating, Inc. for a sanitary sewer service installation at 111 Merle Lane in the amount of 440,600 and an associated budget adjustment.

By Steve Robinson | February 6, 2024 - 9:38 am
Posted in Category: Normal Town Council, The Normalite

NORMAL – Normal’s proposed budget for the years 2024-2029 was the subject of Normal’s Town Council meeting Monday in Council Chambers during a two-hour session prior to the regularly scheduled Council meeting Monday night. In looking toward the Town’s 2024 budget plan, Council members, were at first, shown by Normal Finance Director Andrew Huhn how Normal navigated through the years of the pandemic before turning forward to show what is anticipated in upcoming years.

And since the pandemic had ended, Huhn reported, the Town’s financial outlook has looked positive, highlighted by quick increases in incoming dollars including seeing a 41 percent increase in revenue the Town has taken in. That increase was up by 13 percent from last year and by 22 percent from what the Town took in during 2022.

Huhn said anticipating the Town’s local sales tax would go up by now was correct, increasing from 3.5 percent to 8.75 percent. The dollars earned by local sales tax sales tax helps support the Town’s General Fund operations.

In the coming years, Huhn explained, Normal will see an increase in the dollars contributed by the Town to its pension system for Town police and firefighters. The figure he gave being considered for those funds totals $3 million – an increase above what had been put into those funds before. He added road work in Town will also get a boost totaling $1 million.

Financing concerning Town water and sewer will see increases, each going up by two percent in the coming year, Huhn added.

Two Council members, Kevin McCarthy and Kathleen Lorenz, had feedback for Huhn during the nearly two hour session. McCarthy commended the proposed increases crediting for staving off larger future increases by the Town. Lorenz initially concern about the rate hikes but added the price jump will help the Town prevent chemical issues from becoming a problem to the Town water program.

There were no public comments, items of new business, or items related to general orders on the agenda of the Town’s regularly scheduled Council meeting which followed the budget discussion. During the regular Council session, one of the items on the omnibus agenda approved included a resolution authorizing executing a joint funding agreement between the Town and Illinois Department of Transportation and a Motor Fuel Tax resolution to aid in paying for an extension of the Gregory St. Trail from Adelaide St. to Parkside Rd.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:

• Approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of Jan. 16, 2024.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Jan. 31, 2024.

• A resolution approving executive session minutes of Aug. 21, 2023 and to release executive session minutes from June 21, 2021 and Aug. 21, 2023.

• A resolution authorizing frame rail replacement and corrosion repairs to a 2006 Pierce ladder truck.

• A resolution authorizing execution of a joint funding agreement for construction work with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and a Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) resolution for the Gregory St. trail extension from Adelaide St. to Parkside Rd.

• A resolution authorizing execution of a Local Public Agency Amendment #1 with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for design services for West College Ave. from Rivian Motorway to White Oak Rd.

• A resolution approving an agreement between the Public Safety Training Foundation (PSTF) and the Town of Normal, Illinois for the use of the integrating communications, assessment, and tactics (ICAT) Training Foundation’s facility.

• A resolution to award a bid for the Manchester, McKinley, McCormick, and Alexander Court watermain improvement project to Stark Excavating, Inc. at a total cost of $963,600.

NORMAL – Following an unanimous Normal Town Council vote Tuesday night in Council Chambers in Uptown Station, Normal City Manager Pam Reece will begin attending meetings relating to the Tri-County River Valley Development Authority (TRVDA).

TRVDA, as its website explained, issues bonds, both taxable and tax-exempt, to businesses so the businesses can build, develop and obtain properties. TRVDA’s website also indicates up to $250 million can be issued for such projects.

TRVDA is one of 10 regional development authorities statewide which were created by State law to act as a special unit of government. The primary function of such a unit is to provide for low-cost tax-exempt bond financing for specific types of projects such as small manufacturing, senior housing, and non-profit entities like hospitals, private universities, local government infrastructure, educational facilities, and other projects with special purposes.

TRVDA is headed by Executive Director Warren Ribley, and Reece would become its 10th member. The Authority’s other members include: Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich; Ty Livingston, Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of East Peoria; and Bill Atkins, a Tazewell County Board member. There are also three Board members were appointed by the governor.

One Omnibus Item To Be Discussed By Full Council: Council Member Kathleen Lorenz pulled an omnibus item and asked that it be returned to a Council session when all members are present. The item she asked this for is a resolution to approve executive session minutes from Aug. 21, 2023, and to release executive session minutes from June 21, 2021 and from Aug. 21, 2023. She did not specify to Council members why she wanted this discussed before the full Council.

Even though Mayor Chris Koos and Council Member Andy Byars were not present at the Normal Town Council session held Tuesday following the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday, there was a quorum present for the voting on items on the Council agenda for Tuesday’s meeting in Council Chambers at Uptown Station.

The resolution in question would approve Town Council executive session minutes from a session held Aug. 21, 2023, and to release executive session minutes from June 21, 2021, and from the meeting held last August.

Lorenz made a formal motion to carry over the motion until the full Council is present. Her motion passed unanimously.

Liquor Commission Approves Gaming License For Normal Business: Prior to the Council session, Council members, acting in their capacity as Normal Local Liquor Commission members, unanimously approved a gaming license for five gaming machines to Payaa Two LLC, doing business as Pizza Payaa Uptown, 107 E. Beaufort St., Suite C, Normal. Liquor Commission members also unanimously approved minutes of a special meeting Commission members held Dec.4.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:

• Approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of Dec. 18, 3023.

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

• A resolution conditionally approving the final plat for the Gullquist subdivision, a resubdivison within the Johnson Subdivision (108-112 Merle Lane) by expedited process.

• A resolution to waive the formal bidding process and authorizing execution of a three-year towing contract extension with Joe’s Towing & Recovery.

• A resolution to accept the proposal and award a contract to Fenton, Mo.-based Brotcke Well and Pump for drilling test wells at four locations within the Town of Normal and approve a budget adjustment of $75,000.

• A resolution to award the bid for Linden Street watermain improvement project to George Gildner, Inc. at a total cost of $435,904.

• An ordinance amending Dec. 8.1-9 (Public Ways) of the Code of Ordinances regarding on-street café seating in Uptown Normal.