NORMAL – Following a one-hour public hearing and discussion among Normal Town Council members, the Council unanimously voted to reject annexing a 2.8 acre plot of land at the corner of Raab Rd. and Linden St. for a proposed video store.

Family Video Movie Club, Inc., which operates Family Video stores, had wanted to build a franchise on the property. Family Video has a store in Bloomington.

But at a public hearing prior to the start of the Council meeting, 16 people out of an audience of roughly 50, spoke to the Council, the majority in opposition to bringing the video chain to that tract of land.

Jean Marie Taylor, 303 Covey Ct., argued to Council members that having one strip mall – the Constitution Centre – in the vicinity of her home was enough. She said she was concerned about a future increased traffic in the area around the proposed Family Video location should it be built.

“Family Video rents porn and I don’t want that in this neighborhood,” said Normal resident Derek Shirk.

Karen McLees, 400 Wildberry, told Council members the neighborhood needed a “residential family-friendly business, not one that’s open late 365 days a year.”

Family Video stores’ closing hours differ on location. Some close at midnight while others close at 11p.m., said Dave Nall, regional vice president for Family Video, who also addressed Council members after the public hearing.

Normal resident Doug Fansler told Council members he supported Family Video’s annexing the property because he thought the video store would draw other businesses into the neighborhood, and thus offer more employment opportunities in the community.

Following the hearing, Council members and Nall discussed the annexation, starting with concerns over the franchise’s selling of adult videos.

Council member Jeff Fritzen told Nall he was concerned about the nature of materials sold in the store’s adult section. Nall countered, saying Normal residents have already “accepted adult material (brought into homes) through the local cable television provider.”

“I’m more than happy to remove (such material),” Nall said. “We’re not considered an adult (video store).”

In December, Normal Planning Commission made a recommendation to the council to deny a proposal from Family Video. A stand-alone building housing Family Video, as well as another commercial building, possibly in the form of a strip mall on the property, were part of that proposal.

Council member Adam Neilsen asked Nall why Family Video stores don’t normally locate in strip malls, instead of their current stand-alone buildings. Nall said locating their stores in strip malls doesn’t work for the franchise because of “a lack of control of parking, and visibility.” Nall added locating in strip centers would be a costly move for his stores.

Fritzen said if the property is not annexed, it would remain the property of the county.

Site Plan For Papa John’s Location Approved: Council members unanimously approved a resolution conditionally and partially approving a site plan for 602 and 604 S. Kingsley and 607 Dale.

Currently, a Papa John’s pizza franchise sits on the corner, but developer Colburn-Hull LLC, owners of four lots at the southeast corner of Kingsley and Dale Streets, is looking to demolish the three buildings at those addresses, and build a four story mixed use building. The top three floors would have apartments, while the ground floor would be zoned for commercial use.

The developer told the Normal Planning Commission earlier this month he needs to build the new structure before he can demolish the current Papa John’s restaurant site, which sits on the corner of Dale and Kingsley, to avoid losing his franchise license from the pizza chain. The restaurant not being in operation for more than 60 days would cause him to lose his franchise.

Liquor Commission Meets Briefly: Prior to the start of the hearing concerning the land annexation hearing concerning the proposed Family Video site, Normal Liquor Commission members met briefly to approve minutes they held on Oct. 19, Dec. 7, and 21, all 2009.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included:

• Approval of the minutes of the Council’s regular meeting of Jan. 4, 2010.

• Approval of Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of .Jan. 11, 2010.

• A motion to waive the formal bidding process and approve a quote from Waukegan, Ill.-based Pristine Water Solutions for a chlorine dioxide generator at a cost of $16,040.

• A motion referring to Normal Planning Commission for study and report on various amendements to the Town Zoning Code – Sec. 15.9 (Planning Unit Development Regulations) and Sec. 15.14 (Community Design Standards).

• A resolution authorizing execution of an agreement with Mr. Craig Onsrud for the operation of the Ironwood Pro Shop and private golf lessons.

• A resolution authorizing execution of a five-year contract with Valpariaso, Ind.-based M. E. Simpson Co. for large meter testing services.

• A resolution authorizing the execution of a three-year contract with Kingsbury, Ind.-based Melrose Pyrotechnics for the annual Fourth of July display.

• A resolution authorizing the release of Executive Session minutes from meetings held June 1, Nov. 2, and Dec. 7, all 2009.

• A resolution requesting temporary closure of State Right-Of-Way for annual community events.

• An ordinance amending “An Ordinance Describing and Designating an Area Located Partially Within the City of Bloomington, Town of Normal and Unincorporated McLean County as an Enterprise Zone.”

NORMAL – Normal’s Unit 5 School Board members heard three “Good News” reports at the Board’s Jan. 13 meeting. First, Jeanette Nuckolls, principal of Normal Community High School, reported two students were recognized for having been selected to serve as members of the Illinois High School Association’s Advisory Board.

Kaley Necessary, a senior at NCHS, and Cameron Baker, an NCHS sophomore, were recently named to IHSA Advisory Board, which is in its second year.

The Student Advisory Committee is a group of students representing all high school students throughout the state, who participate in diverse interscholastic activities and athletics. One of SAC’s goals is to promote the ideas of sportsmanship and integrity represented by IHSA. SAC primary focus is to provide leadership and communication between participants, school administrators, and fans of IHSA events.

Necessary was instrumental in planning the IHSA Summer Leadership Conference, a state-wide youth conference, held last year. Necessary is the daughter of Brian and Molly Necessary.

Baker has just been named to the Student Advisory Committee. He is the son of Keith Baker and Meta Mickens-Baker.

NCHS Play To Be Showcased At Festival: The Illinois High School Theatre Festival was invited the cast and crew of a play performed by NCHS to perform at an annual convention exclusively geared toward high school students and their teachers, Nuckolls reported.

Illinois Theatre Association (ITA), in conjunction with Illinois State University and the University of Illinois, bring 4,000 theatre students and educators together for three days of workshops, performances, and social events.

On Jan. 8, NCHS theatre students performed “The Dining Room” in Illinois State University’s Westhoff Theatre at the Festival. The honor came about as a result of three judges from ITA having attended a November performance of the play at NCHS and making a recommendation to Festival organizers.

The play was directed by NCHS teacher Kevin Vernon. Sean Kerr, who works in the school’s media services department, served as technical director for the play.

Constitutional Rights Group Honors Normal West Teacher: Mrs. Tracy Freeman, a social studies teacher at Normal Community West High School, has been honored by the Illinois Constitutional Rights Foundation. The Foundation recently awarded Freeman their Barbara O’Donnell Law-Related Education High School Teacher of the Year Award.

The award recognizes an Illinois teacher who has demonstrated consistent excellence in the teaching of the law and of the Constitution. Freeman’s Social Studies colleagues at Normal West nominated her for the award. Freeman and her husband, Matt, are the parents of two daughters.

NORMAL – Normal’s Unit 5 School Board oversees a district that has 15 elementary schools, three junior highs, and two high schools. At the Board’s regular meeting on Jan. 13 at District headquarters, Board members voted 6-1 to allow District Superintendent Gary Niehaus to enter into negotiations so that the District could buy 15.6 acres of land in southeast Normal.

The land purchased would have entrances to the school at G. E. Rd. and Towanda Barnes Rd., and become the site of a future elementary school for the District. Niehaus said the school would be constructed sometime after 2015. With two new elementary school set to open next fall, the elementary school proposed for the southeast Normal property would be the District’s 18th elementary school.

Niehaus said interest money accrued as part of the District’s $96.7 million referendum to build two new elementary schools and one new junior high school would help finance building the new school, which would be build sometime after 2015.

Niehaus said this land was being considered because of the population of students who live on the Town’s east side. He said the District was also looking at expanding the size of Towanda Elementary School.

Locating a school at the Towanda Barnes-G. E. Rd. location “is the best site to us at this time,” Niehaus said. Neil Fielen, representing Normal-based contractors, The Farnsworth Group, told Board members there is already infrastructure in place at the proposed location.

The decision to purchase the land came after a spirited discussion among Board members.

“I can’t support such a purchase because it would take a referendum to build a school and I can’t see asking taxpayers for more money,” Pritchett told Board members.

Board member John Puzauskas countered, saying, “I see (the need for the land purchase) not as an expense, but as an investment. This is a risk management approach.”

Board member Scott Lay reminded Board members that construction of two other Unit 5 schools, Prairieland Elementary and Northpoint Elementary, were possible because the construction of those schools were financed using interest money from prior school referendums.

“By doing this now, we avoid going through the rush of looking for property that suits our needs,” said Board member Jay Reece.

New Principal Sought: Prairieland Elementary School will have a new principal when the 2010-11 school year opens. Niehaus announced the resignation of Prairieland’s current principal, Tim Arnold, effective at the end of the school year. Arnold is taking a new job as superintendent of Elwood Consolidated School District #203, in Elwood, Ill., south of Joliet.

Construction Update: Board members heard from Richard Ach from Chicago-based Turner Construction regarding progress of the district’s current construction projects.

Ach reported that work done on the multi-purpose room at Sugar Creek Elementary School has been completed, as has the work being done to the school’s gym. Among the items needing to be done on the school’s second story are door installation, and terrazzo installation.

At the site of the new Cedar Ridge Elementary School, set to open this fall, masonry work in the gymnasium wing of the school has been completed; painting has begun in the gym and the kitchen; and drywall work has begun in the administrative office area, among other improvements. Ach said this project has incurred a total of 53 weather-related delay days, of which 25 days have been made up for as a result of an accelerated construction schedule.

At the site of the new Benjamin Elementary School, interior masonry work has begun in the school’s gymnasium wing; the placement of metal studs in the school’s administration area has begun. Ach said interior masonry work in the school’s classroom wing has begun. He said work crews have incurred 61 weather delay days on this project, and that with an accelerated construction schedule, crews have been able to make up for 23 of those days.

At the site of the new George L. Evans Junior High School, Ach reported that wet weather continues to hamper construction. Ach reported that in the school’s north classroom wing, installation of facebrick has been suspended; second floor structural steel and deck installation has been completed; roof bearing masonry installation in the school’s south classroom wing has been completed; completion of the gymnasium roof has begun; and that work on the remaining masonry walls in the kitchen area has begun. Ach said work on this site has been suspended until spring.

He said that work crews have incurred 69 weather delay days on this site, and that with an accelerated construction schedule, crews gave been able to make up for 19 of those days.

In a construction-related matter, Board members unanimously approved a bid submitted by Bloomington-based Stark Construction for street-widening project.

The street is being widened on both sides at the school site to allow for a center turn lane to be added. The center turn lane is needed to accommodate additional traffic which will result from expansion taking place at Sugar Creek Elementary.

Illinois Department of Transportation estimated the project would cost Unit 5 over $486,500 to complete the widening project. Stark Construction submitted a winning bid to do the job of $447,499.

“Beyond The Books” Speaker Announced: Board member Gail Ann Briggs announced that sportswriter Rick Reilly, who has worked for both Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine, will be the keynote speaker for the Beyond The Books Foundation Luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, March 11 at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Uptown Normal.

Enrollment Update: The student population of the District’s 15 elementary schools, three junior high schools, and two high schools barely budged, according to a report to Board member from Nate Cunningham, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. Unit 5 had 12,957 students in class when it took its same day comparison figures for the month of December, using Dec. 18 as its barometer versus figures from the same day in 2008. That population total is up by 266 students, or 2.1 percent, compared to December 2008, when the total population was 12,691 students.

While the elementary levels each saw their populations increase by 3 percent, two of Normal’s three junior highs actually saw a decrease in their populations. Chiddix Junior High lost 49 students, showing a population on Dec. 18, 2009 of 856 students compared to 905 students on the same day the year before.

Kingsley Junior High’s population dropped by 33 students over the same day in 2008, recording 1,029 students in class last Dec. 18. Only Parkside Junior High’s population went up in the same day figures, registering 923 students in class versus 899 on the same day in 2008.

High school populations, as the District had anticipated, increased in the same day figures, by 3.18 percent, with Normal Community High showing a total population of 1,879 students on Dec. 18, compared to 1,809 students in December 2008. Normal Community West High’s population stood at 1,722 students on Dec. 18. That was an increase of 41 students from the 1,681 students the school reported in December 2008.

Cunningham said the District is anticipating seeing more movement among its student populations in January.

NORMAL – Stanford Olympia High could count the number of turnovers on one hand after their Corn Belt Conference matchup at Normal University High.

Olympia head coach Gerry Thornton saw those few turnovers as the key to his Spartans’ 55-44 Corn Belt Conference victory over the Pioneers here Tuesday night.

Olympia (13-3, 3-1 Corn Belt)jumped out to a 10-3 lead early on the strength of a trio of threes by junior forward Mike Hallstein pushed Olympia in front, 13-3 with 4:12 left in the quarter, and acted as a cushion when U-High went on an 8-0 run late in the period on two free throws each from Mitch Styczynski and Bryn Agnew, and a bucket by Elem McKinley, giving Olympia a 13-11 lead going into the second quarter.

Olympia went on an 8-0 dash to start the second quarter, aided by another trey from Hallstein, and two free throws from Clint Stroud and one more from Stuart Nafziger, helping give Olympia a 26-23 lead at halftime. A trey each from U-High’s Connor Brown and Kyle Morris midway through the second quarter helped keep the Pioneers close going into the third quarter.

U-High (5-10, 4-1 Corn Belt) did push Olympia back in the third quarter on the strength of threes by sophomore guard Tommy Schiller and Brown, assisted by two baskets late in the quarter by Mitch Styczynski, cutting the Spartans’ lead to 40-38 going into the fourth quarter.

Hallstein led Olympia with a game-high 24 points. He was followed in double-figures by Spencer Pratt’s 20. U-High’s Bryn Pratt was the only Pioneers player in double figures, having scored 10.

U-High came close twice in the fourth quarter, the second time coming within two, 44-42, after a Pioneers basket from Bryn Agnew with 6:30 left. But U-High two shooting fouls would put Hallstein at the free throw line, where he would sink all four shots, putting Olympia up 48-42, and toward certain victory.

“(U-High) is very physical and very aggressive (and) very quick. I thought in the fourth quarter, we showed pretty good poise,” said Olympia head coach Gerry Thornton.

U-High head coach Bob Fitzgerald credited the Spartans with “doing a better job of handling the ball. I thought we lost our legs a little bit. I thought we hurried ourselves on the defensive end, and I thought that made a difference in the basketball game in the fourth quarter.”

NORMAL – Normal Town Council members unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a supplemental agreement with Indianapolis-based RATIO Architects for additional design services related to the Town’s proposed multi-modal transportation center project.

The redesign would primarily take place on the first floor of the transportation center. The amount to be spent on the redesign is not to exceed $61,000, and would require an associated budget adjustment by the Town.

Assistant City Manager Pam Reece said Amtrak specified the passenger carrier’s modification requests were centered on the center’s staging, ticketing, and waiting areas.

The redesign of the transportation center’s first floor was precipitated by a request from Amtrak that the center’s first floor needed to be better designed to accommodate transit and rail patrons. The changes Amtrak is proposing would require structural, mechanical, and interior design modifications not previously introduced in the plan for the transportation center, according to Town Staff.

Town staff reports that RATIO Architects has submitted a proposal to perform the additional work relating to the changes.

Reece said that RATIO Architects had their documentation for this project “95 percent completed” to present to contractors for bids when Amtrak submitted its request for the modifications.

“Amtrak has replied saying their design standards for their stations have changed, and is in the process of being changed, and so they wanted some modifications to their first floor design,” Reece said.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included:

• Approval of the Minutes of the Public Hearing of December 21, 2009 Pertaining to the Proposed Annexation Family Video Development.

• Approval of the minutes of the Council’s regular meeting of Dec. 21, 2009.

• Approval of Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of .Dec. 30, 2009

• A Resolution Appointing Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act Officer.

• A resolution ratifying execution of an Assignment and Assumption of Lease – BroMenn.