MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORMAL TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, NORMAL CITY HALL, FOURTH FLOOR UPTOWN STATION, 11 UPTOWN CIRCLE, NORMAL, MCLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2017. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Chris Koos called the regular meeting of the Normal Town Council to order at 7:08 p.m., Monday, November 6, 2017. 2. ROLL CALL: The Clerk called the roll with the following persons physically PRESENT: Mayor Chris Koos and Councilmembers Jeff Fritzen, Chemberly Cummings, Kathleen Lorenz, Scott Preston, R.C. McBride, and Kevin McCarthy. Also present were City Manager Mark Peterson, Deputy City Manager Pamela Reece, Corporation Counsel Brian Day, and Town Clerk Angie Huonker. ABSENT: None. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Koos led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Craig Stimpert, 5 Crestwood Court, Normal, Illinois, addressed the Council with concerns regarding the 2017 Property Tax Levy. Mr. Ron Ulmer, 1114 N. Linden Street, Normal, Illinois, addressed the Council with concerns regarding the 2017 Property Tax Levy. Mr. Dave Shields, 701 Broadway, Normal, Illinois, addressed the Council in support of staff responsiveness as it pertains to the 2017 Property Tax Levy. Mr. Bob Broad, 306 W. Virginia Avenue, Normal, Illinois, addressed the Council in support of their fiscal responsibility as it pertains to the 2017 Property Tax Levy. Ms. Julie Hile, 306 W. Virginia Avenue, Normal, Illinois, addressed the Council in support of the 2017 Property Tax Levy as both a resident and local small business owner. 5. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA: Mayor Koos read aloud the items to be considered by the Omnibus Vote Agenda. A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 2017: B. APPROVAL OF TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 2017:
COUNCIL MINUTES -2- NOVEMBER 6, 2017 C. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO HALVERSON CONSTRUCTION CO. INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $113,045.74 FOR TIMBER PILE REPAIRS ON THE BELT DRIVE BRIDGE: Resolution No. 5504: D. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE BIDS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO BODINE ELECTRIC OF DECATUR IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,277.73 FOR COMMUNICATION AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADES ON COLLEGE AVENUE AND MULBERRY STREET FROM OAK STREET TO MAIN STREET: Resolution No. 5505: E. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A SUBLEASE WITH AMTRAK FOR PLATFORMS AT UPTOWN STATION: Resolution No. 5506: Councilmember Jeff Fritzen excused himself from voting on any expenses pertaining to BOPI. Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston the Council Approve the Omnibus Vote Agenda. AYES: Fritzen, McBride, Cummings, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Koos. Items A, B, C, D, and E were approved by the Omnibus Vote. 6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA: There were no items removed from the Omnibus Vote Agenda. GENERAL ORDERS: 7. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF THE REMAINING $15,000 REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR 208 PARKINSON: Councilmember Fritzen moved, seconded by Councilmember McBride, the Council Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Release of the Remaining $15,000 Redevelopment Funds for 208 Parkinson. AYES: McBride, Cummings, Fritzen. NAYS: Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Koos. Motion declared failed. Town Planner, Mercy Davison gave a brief presentation on the previously approved development plan and the changes made to the Feeney Oil property at 208 Parkinson.
COUNCIL MINUTES -3- NOVEMBER 6, 2017 Councilmember Kevin McCarthy questioned the significant difference in scope of the approved project plan and the completed project. Mr. McCarthy further stated he felt the grant funding released should be reduced. Councilmember Jeff Fritzen asked about structural issues that may have impacted the changes to the canopy. Mrs. Davison responded. Mayor Chris Koos stated his understanding of the change in scope due to the retention basin, but is concerned with the change regarding the canopy. Councilmember Chemberly Cummings asked for clarification on the initial approval of grant funding, and the partial payout of funds. Mrs. Davison responded. City Manager, Mark Peterson clarified what the partial payout covered and where the change of scope became inconsistent with the originally approved project, raising concerns for Town staff. Councilmember Scott Preston asked for clarification on the difference in façade changes versus what was originally approved. Mrs. Davison responded. Councilmember R.C. McBride expressed his concerns on the scope changes, but stated that given staff satisfaction, he feels there isn t enough reason to withhold the final grant payout. Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz asked for clarification on the early project drawings completion timeline. Mrs. Davison responded. City Manager Mark Peterson stated that modifications of this level are usually disclosed by the property owner before a project begins. Mr. Peterson indicated that staff would have worked to resolve the issues before the project began, if they had been notified, to ensure the project met the approval of the original plan. 8. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PREPARATION OF THE 2017 PROPERTY TAX LEVY ORDINANCE: Councilmember Preston moved, seconded by Councilmember McBride, the Council Accept a Motion to Authorize the Preparation of the 2017 Property Tax Levy Ordinance. AYES: Cummings, Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Fritzen, McBride, Koos. Mayor Chris Koos stated this is a situation that no one is happy about doing, however the Town has an obligation to operate in a responsible manner. Councilmember Jeff Fritzen stated although the Town has multiple revenue sources, property tax revenue is the most reliable. Mr. Fritzen indicated it makes the most sense to use that reliable source of revenue to pay for its obligations. Mr. Fritzen further stated that the Town presents a balanced budget and meets its obligations, year to year weathering challenges it s faced with. Mr. Fritzen went on to state that quality of service and having well trained, top notch first responders is important.
COUNCIL MINUTES -4- NOVEMBER 6, 2017 CONCERNS: Councilmember R.C. McBride thanked the public commenters for being engaged, passionate, and respectful during their comment period. Mr. McBride went on to state that it s worth pointing out that if we don t fund the pensions now, that money doesn t get put to work and the deficit gets bigger. Mr. McBride indicated he is not willing for that to happen. Councilmember Chemberly Cummings stated that upon review of the Illinois Pension Code, the Town is obligated to ensure payment into the pension funds. Mrs. Cummings further stated tax increases aren t easy, but to be compliant and to show thanks for the services received by first responders she is willing to support the increase. Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz questioned whether there is alternative revenue for pension funding. City Manager Mark Peterson indicated the Council established a goal to fund pensions at 100% by the year 2040, and the State statute requires 90% funding. Mr. Peterson stated money could be taken from other funds, but due to the stability of property tax revenue it is common among municipalities to fund pensions this way. Councilmember Kevin McCarthy thanked those commenters willing to share their opinions and thanked Finance Director Andrew Huhn and staff for presenting quality information to Council. Mr. McCarthy stated it is important to understand that first responders are not to blame for this funding issue, that this issue stems from decades of policy problems and decisions made in history. Mr. McCarthy further stated we have a legal and ethical obligation to fund pensions. City Manager Mark Peterson acknowledged Assistant to the City Manager Ben McCready and other Town staff on the successful completion of the All About Normal program. Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated he recently accepted an award on behalf of Mayor Koos from LifeCil. Mr. McCarthy also called attention to Inspections Director Greg Troemel and Assistant Director Scot Williams for their tremendous support in LifeCil s mission, helping to provide equal access for all citizens of Normal. ADJOURNMENT: 9. MOTION TO ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Koos called for a Motion to Adjourn. Councilmember McBride moved, seconded by Councilmember McCarthy, the Council accept a Motion to Adjourn. AYES: Lorenz, Preston, McCarthy, Fritzen, McBride, Cummings, Koos.
COUNCIL MINUTES -5- NOVEMBER 6, 2017 Mayor Chris Koos adjourned the regular meeting of the Normal Town Council at 8:14 p.m., Monday, November 6, 2017.