Town Council - Regular Meeting

Call to order a meeting for the Normal Town Council for Monday, April 6, 2026. Please call the role. Mayor Cous here. Mr. Preston here. Mrs. Lauren here. Mr. Buyers here. Mr. Robers here. Ms. Smith here. Mr. McCarthy.

We'll begin with the pledge of allegiance. We have uh three public commenters tonight. Um, we'll u start with Kim Nobles. I think many of you have been here before that know the rules. Uh, please state your name for the record and you have three minutes.

Thank you. My name is Kent King Nobles. I am a proud citizen of the town of Normal, one of the pastors at First United Methodist Church and Morning Star United Methodist Church. I'm here with Barb Stewart. I'm here to speak in support of the proposed code of ethics that you'll be considering tonight. Barb Stewart is a member of my faith community and I've been one of the people drafted by Barb to uh to work on this code of ethics project this last year. So, thank you for the opportunity to speak and I also want to not miss the opportunity to thank you for your service. Um I say that sincerely. I know that all of you work hard. you have a lot of things that you could be doing with the time that you give to serving us. So, so thank you. In our faith traditions, leadership is a high calling and those who lead are expected to rise to a high level of accountability. As a faith leader in this community, I expect to be held to that same standard. As leaders of our town, you know that we as citizens expect a high ethical standard from you as well. Perhaps this matters now more than ever. Our country is deeply divided. Trust in our public institutions is at a low. So none of us believe that a passing a code of ethics will reverse all of that. But it's a good step and we need more good steps. By passing this code today, you're saying clearly that the citizens rep you represent expect you to be honest, to lead with integrity, to treat others with respect, to place the common good above self-interest. By passing this code, you're also saying that you hold yourself to that same high standard and that you expect future leaders coming after you to do the same. Let me say just a quick word about what this code will not do. Um, we spent time discussing enforce

enforcement mechanisms including possible disciplinary procedures and we chose not to include them. This code is not meant to be used as a political weapon. It's meant to sh serve as a shared commitment, a guide to for how you choose to lead together. Ethics codes do not create in create integrity, but they do make integrity visible and they make it expected. My hope is simple. That you will adopt this ethics code tonight and that it will serve as a steady reminder of the kind of leadership our community needs and deserves. Thank you. Our next speaker is Barb Stewart. These are my reading glasses. This time I was prepared. I'm going to thank you first of all for having us here both times and considering this issue. It is not a comfortable one especially at times but it is time now to vote for the ethics code. Every vote you ever cast as a member of the normal council becomes part of your record as a human being. Your votes affect our human is existence

too. But tonight's vote, although it seems unconnected to normal's direct needs, tonight's vote is of unusual importance. because of its effect on how much we trust government. And how much we trust government will gradually influence the collective character and the strength of our town and eventually our nation. Being able to affect the future is both a great privilege and a great responsibility. To actually affect the future, we need leaders we trust at all levels of government, nation, state, county, town, board, and even family. Although we have always had leaders who were honorable and trustworthy, we have never had enough of them, not nearly enough. And this weakness has gradually eaten away at the ethical character of our self-governing democracy, working to weaken, perhaps destroy it. So then, if ethics codes are so vital to self-ruule, why isn't there an ethics code in our declaration or our constitution? We don't know. Perhaps no one had invented an ethics code back then. It certainly didn't occur to them. Or perhaps because the influence of ethics is so subtle, it's almost hidden, the need for it was just not noticed. Or perhaps it was because both founders Washington and Adams were such unusually

honorable men there didn't seem a need for an ethics code kind of thing. So tonight's vote is in essence a vote to strengthen the future of our self-ruled democracy. a vote to supply here in normal the needed guidance of an ethics code. For me, this opportunity to speak for ethical American government is a great honor. I'm very lucky. Your opportunity cast a yes vote for ethical government is a much greater honor and a really real privilege. You are especially lucky.

Thank you.

And our final speaker tonight is Molly Monson. Hi, my name is Molly Mson. I'm a longtime um resident of Normal, Illinois. I met Barb Stewart when I was a um kindergarter at Glenn School and I befriended her daughter and we've remained best friends um to date. And I um have always known Barb to be passionately concerned about ethics in politics. So this is nothing new and um I'm grateful to be able to be here to support her and um the proposal that is before you. Our founding fathers established our highest ideal in forming our democratic republic that the government derives its power from the people not from any other authority. We willingly enter into a social contract with our leaders, giving up certain freedoms for the mutual benefit, safety, and cohesion of our society. Implicitly or explicitly, we all agree on moral and ethical norms so that we can live in a harmonious society, one served by ethical leaders, not one ruled by kings or by God. This social contract provides us freedom to live our lives in a mutually beneficial structure where consent is given to govern the governed. A code of ethics establishes in writing the promises of the leaders to hold up their end of that social contract to act honorably and morally on behalf of those who they serve. This code of conduct will signify a pledge by you and future elected leaders

which will bring trust and prestige to all of your offices and to this council. It will show citizens that they have leaders who understand the moral and ethical responsibility of servant leadership and it will bring great respect to our institutions. I urge you to vote yes to codify this code of ethics for the normal town council. Thank you very much. We move to the omnibus agenda items that will be taken with a single vote unless a council member would like to pull an item for discussion.

Yes. Item C is in Charlie and E is in Edward. move approval. Second item to I'm sorry. I have an item to pull. Uh D is in Delta.

Approval for approval and second. Thank you. Items considered on omnivous tonight are approval of the minutes of the public hearing of March 16, 2026 and approval of the minutes of the regular council meeting of March 16, 2026. A report to receive and file town of normal expenditures for payment as of April 1st, 2026. Uh an ordinance amending chapter 25 of the town code having to do with remote participation. Please call the role. Mr. Preston. Hi, Mrs. Loren. Hi, Mr. Buyers. Hi, Mr. Roers. Hi, Ms. Smith. I, Mayor Cous, I.

Those items are approved. Item C is a resolution to accept bids and award a contract to JG Stewart Contractors uh for the 2026 miscellaneous sidewalk improvements, 50/50 sidewalk and ADA ramps project in the amount of 773,54263. Move for approval. Second. M. Smith.

I I pulled this from the um omnibus agenda because I wanted to highlight some of the work done under these contracts. Um the neighborhood I live in and my dog walking route was fortunate enough to be on the cycle to have some sidewalks repaired last year and it's been a huge improvement. And so I I was asking Miss Ree um provide some background on just how many uh feet of sidewalk we've repaired in the ADA ramps and also um how ordinary citizens might um contact the town if if they see some need in particular they'd like to address.

Sure. Um I can talk about how much sidewalk repair work was completed last year in our 2025 contract. I believe it was over 44,000 square feet of sidewalk which equated to just over around approximately two miles of sidewalk was repaired with last year's contract. So, um we're very proud of continuing this on an annual basis. Um and then if anyone has a sidewalk concern that they would like us to consider for this program for possible replacement, certainly can call our our main line of city hall. They could call or email public works directly or on our website there is a form to report a concern or a problem and they can fill out that form online and it will come right to city hall.

Thank you. Please call the role. Mrs. Loren I. Mr. Buyers I. Mr. Robers. I. Miss Smith I. Mr. Preston I. Mayor Cous. I. That resolution is approved. Item D is a resolution authorizing a contract extension with Cardinal Infrastructure LLC for the professional services related to federal advocacy and funding. So move please. Thank you. Second.

Thank you. Um so we've had this same outfit for a number of years. I believe it was referenced in the document. Um, I'm not u suggesting we we don't keep them or keep something like them um to help advocate for us in in Washington DC, but um I did notice the 10% increase and was I I know that we have not had an increase in a while, but if they gave any background as to why that amount and maybe secondary to that question is um do they guarantee how much time they spend on our affairs? per month or yeah I guess per month right um I'm going to ask Mr. to come forward. I'm just not sure about the second part of your question in terms of a guarantee of how much time they direct to our issues and and guiding us. Um, in terms of the 10% increase that is sizable in terms of percentage wise um the last increase we had I believe was two years ago and prior to that been seven years without an increase. So two years ago it was a we had a 10% increase as well. So, it does fit within um our budget for this, but I don't know if they gave any particular reason for the cause other than just general cost of business increases.

Yeah, thank you, Miss Reese. I believe it's more just general cost of business increases that we've seen throughout um everything we purchase has gone up. Um in terms of the amount of time, the contract itself doesn't specify the amount of time spent. However, they are on call. um when we need them, they answer the phone. Um they it depends on the time of the year obviously when Congress is in session. Um they spend more time um and when we have particular projects that are um coming up for either grants um they assist us with gathering letters of support from legislators and lots of other activities that are spelled out in the the letter.

So how much time do you think we get out of them per month? I don't know. I don't know. It is it's substantial at certain times of the year and at various periods. Um we have multiple email communications a week going over issues. They are assisting all the time with preparing our grant applications in various matters. So each week it varies each week but I we have at least once a week but generally multiple times a week communications

and um so two 10% increases in the last five years. So this 10% and then two years ago 10%. I don't recall what the last one was but if that's accurate um yes that's correct. Um How much of their time will continue to be spent on matters concerning the underpass?

As the underpass um question um continues to be worked out uh with various agencies, Union Pacific Railroad um right now um they're not spending a lot of time on it. Um that's been a matter between basically town staff and the project team and Union Pacific. Okay. Okay. Thank you. on this item. Please call the RO. Mr. Buyers, I. Mr. Rober, I. Mrs. Smith, I. Mr. Preston, I. Mrs. Loren, I. Mayor Cous, I.

That resolution is approved. Item E is a resolution waving the formal bidding process and authorizing the purchase of a modular vehicle barrier system from Advanced Security Technologies in the amount of $194,288. Move for approval. Second.

Um, this uh I pulled this item because the town is making a decision to go from using our own big public works vehicles to block traffic to prevent a repeat of the unfortunate incident that occurred at Highland Park July 4th parade in our own state. Um, and they information was provided as to why that was not necessarily the best solution to this. Um, but I did have a question about um the life of these uh barriers and and the storage because when they're spread out, they look like they take a lot of space. And um I was pleased to hear that they have a 50 plus year life expectancy um and that they can cover 10 lanes of traffic. So it's anticipated that the the amount that we're purchasing would be able to block off the same number of streets that we usually block off at our uptown festivals.

Yes. police departments um coordinated this particular acquisition to cover 10 lanes of traffic, which is I think typical for our our typical events. If our events grow and we need more um we have a greater footprint, then we we may be in a position to use our other fleet vehicles to block lanes like we've done in the past. But for now, we believe this quantity of barricades is sufficient. Um they will be stored and trailered so that they're from a storage location which will be at the public works facility on Warner Street and transported to wherever the event venue is. Typically, it's here in Uptown and um they have some advantage over the vehicles. I think it was mentioned that it's possible to have like a gate opening if you do want to allow some pedestrian access through that. Is that one of the features of this alternate barrier.

I'm certainly not u up on the specifics. I'll ask Chief Pet to come forward. He's he has all the details. He's been looking at this for a while and came to this conclusion. There were other um types I think of barricades that could be considered, but police department landed on this.

Yes. So, to answer your question, these units, uh there's 72 individual units that can be strung together. They can also be staggered. So, it's not like you have to have a full lane of traffic. We can stagger things. that actually gets us a little bit more than what we're calling 10 lanes, but if you just spread them out in a straight line, it would be about 10 lanes. So, that's where that's coming from. Um, the footprint, like Miss Ree said, is for we kind of use the uptown events that we do as kind of that footprint for how we could harden that area with the vehicle barricades and prevent some of the issues that you referred to. What was the question that you had right before? Does it allow for the opportunity to to open a space for pedestrians to come in?

Yes. So the gates with them being individual units, they're very easy to disconnect and create pedestrian walkthroughs, walkways, and that can be that can be manipulated throughout the process once they're deployed. So if if at at a time when an event is ending and you want to encourage the the crowd to disperse through a a variety of exits, it could be possible to to allow that egress um with as part of these barricades. Absolutely. We can we can make that egress wherever we want within the structures. Thank you. Yeah, thank you. So, without being too graphic, I mean, what would this prevent?

What would it prevent? What we hope it prevents is if we were in a situation that either we had somebody um you know that was intentionally trying to take a vehicle through a crowd of people and or somebody that maybe had a medical um while while driving had a medical incident they lost control of a vehicle. What we're hoping to do with these is to strategically put these out in a way that it would prevent that. that if somebody did lose control of a vehicle or intentionally was looking to drive a vehicle through a crowd, these would be um in a position hopefully to obstruct that and stop that. Okay. Well, I appreciate you investing in the department and our technology and keeping us safe. So, thank you,

Mr. Rober. Hi, Chief. Thank you for your consideration with this. uh first off uh like to see the this kind of uh thing going looking forward with public safety and seeing learning from the past and and uh move forward with thoughtfully uh with these uh with regard to this the um there are uh packaging we provided with this uh there are a lot of pictures of vehicles uh unsuccessfully trying to traverse over these um I'm just curious uh if uh without digging too deep into it the type of vehicle that would the um the largest type that would be obstructed by these as they're they've been tested if you're aware of that.

Yeah, they've been tested on what I would consider a a semisized vehicle uh traveling at high rates of speed 50 to 60 miles an hour and was able to effectively obstruct that. Thank you. Further call Mr. Roers. I Miss Smith I Mr. Preston I Mrs. Loren. Hi, Mr. Buyers. Hi, Mayor Cous.

Hi. That resolution is approved. We have four items on general orders tonight and um I'm going to ask that we uh table these items until our next meeting. There is some technical language that needs to be adjusted in in in the documents in this. So, we're asking to uh table this All four items. All four items. Yeah. And if I can chime in real quick, uh the the the TIFF Act does require that they be introduced. So I think just in terms of like a belt and suspenders approach, it would be best if you read all four items into the record for today.

Happy to do that. So the items we're talking about are uh an ordinance approving an amendment to the town of Normal Uptown Renewal Tax Increment Redevelopment Project area. An ordinance approving the tax increment redevelopment plan and project for the Uptown North TIF. An ordinance designating the Uptown Normal TIF redevelopment project area and an ordinance adopting tax increment financing for the Uptown Normal TIF redevelopment project area. Do you require a an actual vote to table? We're going to a motion to approve tableabling those four. Um so moved. Second,

please call the RO. Miss Smith, I. Mr. Preston, I. Mrs. Loren, I. Mr. Buyers. Hi. Mr. Roers. Hi. Mayor Cous. Hi. Those items are tabled. We have two items of new business. The first is resolution adopting a code of ethics as proposed by the ethics committee of Bl. So moved. Second.

Discussion on this item. Um, thank you. And, um, I want to give some background on this this ethics code. You've heard from several individuals that have been involved in the process to develop these ethics code. I have to to um give the greatest credit to Miss Stewart who organized the Bloomington Normal Code of Ethics Committee and called upon several members from governing bodies of our local municipalities and leaders, some from the faith community, some from the the community at large. And she she was behind the county developing a code of ethics and it took them seven years before they passed it. Um, I I found my colleagues much more cooperative than she found her colleagues on the county board because um it wasn't too long ago that that Miss Stewart came to the council to speak about this and I had been in discussions with my fellow council members and after Miss Stewart had mailed each of us the oldfashioned way u print a typed up case of the exit of the ED ethics code itself. And for the record, I just want to read, bear with me, there's only seven items. All members of the council shall handle civic affairs with a deep sense of responsibility, upholding the spirit as well as the letter of the law and the constitution. faithfully perform all duties as council members by studying municipal issues and by attending all sessions of the council and assigned committees unless prevented

from so doing by a compelling reason. Avoid participation in any personal action which would result in a conflict of interest with municipal responsibility. Refrain from obtaining improper personal benefit with regard to public funds, equipment, property, or the services of employees. Respect the confidentiality of privileged information. Refrain from accepting gifts, favors, or promises of future benefit, which could tend to impair independence of judgment or action as a council member. and treat all colleagues, associates, constituents, employees, and other public officials with respect. And the council shall self-regulate adherence to the code. So that last part is in there to avoid what was a concern that this would be drafted as some type of punitive tool for political purposes. And we are all on our honor to abide by them personally and respect our constituents, our community, and our fellow elected officials in the as we carry out our our duties. And and I am so pleased to be um successful in having this be a part of our agenda tonight. and I strongly endorse this and I'm I've spoken to everyone um who has told me that they too are approve it but I will defer to anyone who wants to add additional comments. Thank you

Preston.

Thanks. I will uh echo some positive sentiments um shared by uh Miss Smith and first of all say thank you to um Miss Stewart who is here uh for the second time um in the last couple months and uh thank you for not only spearheading this issue overall uh for several decades um and across several bodies of government, but specifically thank you for bringing this to us and continuing to push this issue and um hopefully Hopefully your town uh makes you a little bit more proud uh tonight, assuming that uh the vote goes how I anticipate it will. Um I agree with the sentiments that were shared in public comment that you know in today's world um there's a lot of division. Uh there's it's a it's an interesting time to be involved in government at any level. Um and certainly our action here tonight will not solve the larger issue, but it is one small tangible thing that we can do. Um that hopefully builds just a little bit more trust, a little bit more transparency. U we are the people's government and doing the people's work here and uh ethics code like has brought to us tonight, I think is a real positive thing for us. And um finally, I would uh give a shout out to um Karen Smith for really spearheading this um from a council standpoint after uh Miss Stewart came to our prior meeting. Um it was no more than two minutes maybe after that meeting adjourned that I know Karen was making a rounds to the rest of us to see if we could get this on the agenda and so glad it's here with us tonight and I fully support it. Thanks. Yeah, I think my remarks. Um, well, before you start your clock, I'd like to have a Jeff Fritzen moment.

I'm not sure what you're asking.

Okay. Uh, former council member Fritzen, I think, sat in one of these chairs for the most part during his tenure and from time to time would speak from the heart and very passionately and very vulnerably sometimes about things that really struck a chord with him. And that's that's what I would like to do tonight if I may, Mr. Mayor. So, I'll start my clock as well. I don't think I'll go much more than a few minutes. Um, he used to go 10 or 11. You'd have to bring him in for a landing. Um, okay. So, yes, thank you, Miss Stewart. Thank you, uh, Pastor Kent, our all of our speakers tonight. Um, I will be supporting this at the end of the day. I will be supporting this, but I think in uh, in addition to the comment that Pastor Kent made at the beginning and what my council colleague here, Mr. Preston, just said, I I want to speak to a few things that are important to get out here in the public. Um, I gave this code a lot of thought and perhaps from a faith-based perspective, it being last week, a very religious week for me and my faith practice and celebration of Holy Week and the Pascal mystery. And I I really really discerned quite a bit on this and what it is we are trying to do here in terms of this proposed code. So, as I said, I will support it. Um the principles here of responsibility, integrity, respect all do matter. But I also want to be very clear and honest and frank about what it's it is and what it's not. This is aspirational. It is not enforcable. There is no accountability mechanism by design, no remedy for non-compliance. But as any parent knows, rules without consequences are just suggestions.

The suggestions, even ones that are strongly encouraged, you might call them expectations, can certainly be helpful, as this document will be. But we wouldn't we should not I believe overstate what it will accomplish in terms of the goal of building public trust unfortunately because real integrity I believe doesn't come from signing a code and framing it and putting it on a wall. It comes from a deeper, more spiritual level, for me at least. Grounded in personal accountability, humility, and service. Those are probably some of the words you heard last week of the Vatican. I would guess, Mr. Mayor. And so, I want to point out a couple places where I struggle. I struggle with this code because while it is a good start, it falls short in addressing some of the key shenanigans that happen in this sphere of public service and politics. For instance, how do we reconcile a code like this with what we sometimes see during elections when some of the very same people that sit at this table or will sit at this table someday going through an election succumb to their lesser angels and reduce their opponents to grainy nefarious looking black and white images on a postcard? or characters that look like a cartoon falsely claiming certain affiliations on social media and then dismiss it when asked as that's just politics. Get over it. Quite frankly, and I'm probably even more conflicted on whether the public even cares about this frame document, but would rather see us address how we

behave and govern as a body of electeds. Are we truly transparent? Are we having real substantial conversations? Is our decision-making truly visible to the public or are we skirting it through a series of planned non-corum meetings? I'm not talking about the 80 or 90% of the decisions. I'm talking probably about that 10% of high-profile real public safety, public interest issues. We know what they are. I won't list them here. I believe and residents tell me we are falling short on some of those big rock issues when it comes to the way we govern and behave as a body. So, this is a start and thank you for that. I will support this code. It's a reflection of shared values. But we shouldn't confuse this moral signaling with moral action because individually and collectively only one of those builds the public trust that you desire. Thank you.

Further discussion. Please call the role. Mr. Preston I. Mrs. Friends, I Mr. Buyers I Mr. Roers I Miss Smith I Mayor Cous I resolution is approved. Uh we have a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss pending or probable litigation and land acquisition. So moved. Second. Call the Mr. Preston. I. Mrs. Loren. I. Mr. Buyers. I. Mr. Robers. I. Miss Smith. I, Mayor Cous. I We are adjourned to executive session.

Do we not have a moment for public or council concerns? You're right. We We didn't do that. So, yes. I might be the only one that has one. I don't know. Does anyone else Miss Smith?

The SOAR program booklet for the summer months is out. The registration is late this month. um the last Thursday in April, I'll get to find out how techsavvy I am because my husband usually does the registration online and he's not in town. So, my daughter might not get all the stuff she usually does. But, uh I encourage you if you have family members or know of families with children or adults of special needs, this is wonderful programs tailored to their needs. Yep. I would just uh like to give a uh shout out and congratulations to uh Beth Wisman and her entire team over at the CDM. Uh I had the opportunity um a couple times in the last week to attend uh some grand openings of the second floor of the Children's Discovery Museum with the uh new exhibit from Farm to a Healthy Me. And uh the second of those two opportunities was right before this council meeting tonight. Um and uh my two uh toddlers came with as well and uh they approve. So if they approve, I approve and um the space looks great and I think we'll uh survey a lot of uh lot of children um for decades to come hopefully. So congrats on that opening up with the CDM.

Thank you. Um, it has been 67 days since the new East Side Fire Station opened. And, um, on the 30th day of its opening, um, I sent Miss Reese an email. I think that was on February 28th, um, asking for a 30, 60, 90day response time data, um, to see how the performance is going. Since we're 67 days, twothirds of the way through, I just wanted to get an update on whether or not that's been in the works and will we be seeing something here within the next 30 days.

Otherwise, if there's nothing to respond. All right. Very good. Thank you. And we are journ to executive session.