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Steve Robinson Normal Council members voted 4-1 Monday night to pass a resolution authorizing approving an agreement with Normal-based consulting firm The Hile Group, Inc. for facilitation services relating to the Main Street Task Force. In 2007, Council members approved a redevelopment plan for Main Street. One recommendation made in the report was for Normal and Bloomington to adopt a Form-Based Code which the two communities would be able to adopt in an effort to establish standards of uniformity with relation to items such as development and signage along the Main Street corridor. By early last year, both communities began exploring how to put the form based code into practice. Residents and business owners, as well as the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, began raising questions. To find a facilitator, the Commission submitted a request for proposals, and selected The Hile Group. Under terms of the agreement they are charging a flat fee of $25,000. Responsibility for paying the fee would be split with Normal and Bloomington, each community contributing $4,500. The remaining members of The Main Street Commission – Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and the McLean County Chamber of Commerce — would each contribute $4,000 toward paying the tab. Council member Jason Chambers, an attorney, recused himself from discussion of the matter, and did not participate in the vote. Council member Adam Nielsen reminded Council members discussions concerning signage standards in the corridor have gone on for a couple of years with no agreement for numerous reasons. Concerning this matter, Nielsen said, “Somewhere on the path, I fell off the bandwagon. I couldn’t support (paying for) this.” He added he hoped alternatives could be found to the form based code. “If common ground on (the subject of) form based code can’t be found, then alternatives need to be sought,” said Council member Jeff Fritzen. Council member Sonja Reece said having committees that study community improvements are useful. She cited the committees who studied bike trails and proposed bike routes for the Town, as an example. But, Reece said, where committees contribute to studies, councils like Normal’s, and Bloomington City Council, are charged with making policy. She said there is no guarantee Normal Council will vote to approve anything brought to their agenda by the Main Street Commission. City Manager Mark Peterson said he wanted to make sure the Commission did not look as though its work was driven by Town staff. Mayor Chris Koos said Normal and Bloomington will each appoint three members to the task force. Those persons will be an at-large member, a person who owns a business within the corridor, a resident living within the corridor. The other three groups involved will appoint one member each, and the McLean County Chamber of Commerce will appoint three people to join the task force. Recommendations from the task force are expected by August. All recommendations will first go to the Main Street Commission, then have to be approved by both Normal Town Council and the Bloomington City Council. At its Feb. 15 meeting, Normal Council members will be asked to decide if it wishes to continue working with the guidelines that are in place. “How long can you spend studying something?,” Nielsen asked reporters rhetorically after the meeting. “How long can you create a cloud of uncertainty surrounding a major segment of your community? “There are people who own businesses and property (in that area),” Nielsen said. “Basically, we’re tying it all up by this delay. So, I think it is time to say something, and hopefully, speed this process along. Nielsen said he thinks Normal “(bit) off more than it can chew” by agreeing to approve the resolution. He said he believes Main St. could be improved by dividing it up into separate unique areas as has already been done with a Tax Increment Financing districts, using TIF as a means of promoting development along the street. Sales Tax Increase Approved: Council members unanimously approved a one-quarter percent increase in the Town’s sales tax, effective July 1. Local sales tax will jump from the current 7.5 percent to 7.75 percent. Council member Cheryl Gaines reminded Council members it has been nine years since the Town had a sales tax hike. “The important thing is, we’ve made cuts (in the Town budget) because we saw the writing on the wall (about the current recession),” Gaines said. Endicott Appointed To Human Relations Commission: Amy Endicott, 716 Normal Ave., has been appointed to the Human Relations Commission. Endicott will be completing the term of Laurie Bergner, who recently resigned from the Commission. Ms. Endicott’s term will expire in March 2013. Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included: A motion to support the Central Illinois Regional Broadband Network (CIRBN) Initiative. A resolution authorizing the filing of the Town’s 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan and 2010-2011 Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding. A resolution authorizing payment to Bloomington-based Clark Dietz, Inc. in the amount of $138,394.75 for additional work performed on the Uptown Normal Street and Streetscape Project. A resolution waiving the formal bidding process and authorizing the purchase of three newspaper dispensing devices for the Uptown area from Sho-Rack by Kaspar Wire Works, Inc. of Shiner, Texas, in an amount not to exceed $18,000. An ordinance amending the Town Purchasing Manual to require the payment of prevailing wage on all Public Works projects. An ordinance amending Section 4.9 of the Town Liquor Code, adding a mention of a $100 fee for license holders who wish to pay their annual license fees in two installments. An ordinance amending Section 7.21-1 of the Town Municipal Code – Sewer Rates. Effective April 1, 2011, the system maintenance fee charged to residents on a bi-monthly basis will increase from $1.50 to $2.50. An ordinance amending Section 17.10, Section 23.11-1, Section 25.16-3, and Section 25.16.5 of the Town Municipal Code for various fees and charges. An ordinance amending Section 25.9 of the Town Municipal Code to increase the Municipal Retailer and Service Occupation Tax.
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In The February 4 Printed Normalite:
Bill Linneman
Helen J. Leake's Master Gardeners Tips
The Spectator by Jim Bennett
Capitol Facts by Rich Miller
Normal Town Council Report
Capitol Commentary from Senator Bill Brady
Publisher Ed Pyne - Pyne Needles Chimperscage - by Alan Look
Mystery Photo, Legal Notices, Obituaries, Service Directory, School and Senior Information, and Classified advertisements Pick up a copy for these stories and more. by
Steve Robinson Unit 5 named ENERGY STAR Leader McLean County Unit District No. 5 is proud to be the first school district in Illinois to join the EPA’s list of ENERGY STAR Leaders, an elite group of organizations that have improved energy efficiency across all of the buildings in a portfolio. ENERGY STAR Leader status is awarded to an organization that has achieved an overall savings of 20 percent or more. To date, Unit 5’s savings top 30 percent, or more than $4.5 million. “Many district individuals have consciously changed habits to daily reduce district energy demand,” said Bruce Boswell, Unit 5 Energy Educator-Manager. “With an overall savings in the district’s 27 sites at over 30%, we hope to continue finding ways to save more energy need and expenses.” ENERGY STAR Leaders manage energy strategically across an entire portfolio of buildings using EPA’s standardized measurement tool for tracking building energy use. These select organizations are recognized by EPA for improving the energy performance of their portfolio by 10 percent or more. “From the beginning of the energy savings effort in Unit 5, during the summer of 2005, the emphasis has been on creating a team effort with employees, students, and Board members involved in energy savings,” Boswell said. “Thus, many people have worked to reduce our energy demand and expenses to both reduce environmental impact and money needed to meet energy need.” Unit 5 educates approximately 13,000 students in 20 schools with seven other support sites and more than 1,731,000 square-feet. Everyone in the district is encouraged to participate in increasing energy efficiency. The district has made a major commitment to increase energy efficiency through retrofitting and new construction. Some of the major retrofitting projects include installing geothermal capture systems in eight of the schools, installing more energy efficient windows, new insulated exterior walls and replacement of T-12 lighting with T-8 in many rooms. As our growing district continues construction on three new schools, each will have geothermal heating and air conditioning and have many other energy efficient features. Last year, Unit 5 had 14 sites obtain Energy Star recognition - Brigham, Eagle Road, Eugene Field, Fairview, Fox Creek, Glenn, Grove, Hoose, Hudson, Oakdale, Parkside Elementary, Prairieland, Towanda, and the Warehouse, which was the first warehouse in Illinois to be recognized with Energy Star recognition. ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings.
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Normal Community Ironmen, Normal Community West Wildcats, Ridgeview Mustangs, University High School Pioneers, Central Catholic Saints, Lexington Minutemen, ElPaso Gridley Titans, Illinois State University Redbird, Illinois Wesleyan Titan, State Farm Holiday Classic, McLean County Tournament, HOI Conference, Heart of Illinois
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- Dialogue Connecting the Community. Unit 5 Lunch Menus Elementary Schools Mon. Feb. 8 - Cheeseburger on bun, corn, rosy applesauce, cheddar goldfish crackers Tues. Feb. 9 - Chicken Nuggets, whipped potatoes & gravy, orange wedges, whole grain bread w/margarine Wed. Feb. 10 - Garlic Cheese Bread w/pizza sauce, California mixed vegetables, peaches, Trail Mix Thurs. Feb. 11 - Nachos w/cheese sauce, cherry tomatoes, green beans, pears, soft pretzel Fri. Feb. 12 - Grilled chicken sandwich, Tater Tots, apple wedges, Rice Krispie Treat Jr. High Schools Mon. Feb. 8 - Cheese Quesadilla w/chips & salsa, seasoned peas & carrots, pears Tues. Feb. 9 - Spicy Chicken Tenders, whipped potatoes & gravy, orange wedges, biscuit w/honey Wed. Feb. 10 - Super Sub Sandwich (Ham*Salami*Cheese) w/lettuce, tomato, onion & pickle, apple wedges, Sun Chips Thurs. Feb. 11 - Spicy OR Grilled chicken sandwich, corn, peaches, Rice Krispie Treat Fri. Feb. 12 - Cinnamon pancakes, sausage & egg Patties, potato shells, cherries w/topping, Bug Bites High Schools Mon. Feb. 8 - Cheeseburger on bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, french fries, rosy applesauce, cheddar goldfish crackers Tues. Feb. 9 - Chicken nuggets, whipped potatoes & gravy, orange wedges, whole grain bread w/margarine Wed. Feb. 10 - Garlic cheese bread w/pizza sauce, California mixed vegetables, peaches, Trail Mix Thurs. Feb. 11 - Nachos w/cheese sauce, cherry tomatoes, green beans, pears, soft pretzel Fri. Feb. 12 - Grilled OR Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Tater Tots, apple wedges, Rice Krispie Treat Menu subject to change. White or chocolate milk is offered with all meals. * May contain pork Student Lunches: $1.70 per day, $8.50 per week. Adult Lunches: $2.20 per day.Adult Lunches: $2.20 per day. No meeting this week ISU Founders Day is Thursday Feb. 18 Illinois State University will mark 153 years of academic excellence during its annual Founders Day observance on Thursday, Feb. 18. Founders Day events will celebrate Illinois State’s heritage and traditions and honor the accomplishments of faculty, staff and students. Events will begin at 10 a.m. with the Founders Day bell ringing ceremony in the Bone Student Center Prairie Room. The event will include the unveiling of a replica Old Main Bell created by Randy Reid, an instructor and bronze casting specialist in Illinois State’s School of Art. The creation of the replica bell was made possible by a gift from College of Business faculty members Carson and Iris Varner. Selected faculty, staff, students, alumni and others will ring the bell 153 times to mark the University’s years of existence. The entire campus community is invited to stop by and ring the original Old Main Bell on the Quad beginning at 11 a.m. Displays highlighting Illinois State’s history and academic mission will be part of the STATE Showcase in the Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Founders Day Convocation will take place at 2 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom. The traditional event will include the presentation of some of the University’s highest awards, including the Honorary Degree, University Professor, Distinguished Professor, Outstanding Teacher and Researcher and A/P and Civil Service Distinguished Service honors. Other awards will recognize excellence in teaching, research, service and commitment to diversity. A reception will follow the Convocation at 3:30 p.m. Illinois State alumnus Thomas R. Lamont ’69 will be the Honorary Degree recipient during the Convocation ceremony. Lamont is the assistant secretary for manpower and reserve affairs for the United States Department of the Army. Lamont has served as a colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard, Office of the Judge Advocate General. He retired in 2007, after 25 years of service. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State, where he majored in social science education, and a law degree from the University of Illinois’ College of Law. As a Springfield attorney, his focus has been government law and legislative affairs. He has served as executive director of the Office of State Attorney Appellate Prosecutor and director of civil litigation in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. Lamont was also the executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, a trustee of the State University Retirement System and a member of the United States Senate Judicial Nomination Commission. The Alumni Awards Dinner will be held that evening at 6 p.m. at the Alumni Center, 1101 N. Main in Normal. The cost for the dinner is $25 per person. For registration information contact Alumni Relations at (309) 438-2586.
Mr. Lincoln’s 201st Birthday February 13 at David Davis Mansion Who was Old Buck? Why was Abe Lincoln’s sense of humor so important? And what role did Lincoln’s hat play in promoting his political fortunes? Visitors will discover the answers to these and other intriguing questions when they celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 201st birthday at the David Davis Mansion on Saturday, February 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Children and their families are invited to celebrate the sixteenth President’s birthday at the home of his close friend and political ally, Judge David Davis. Through tall tales and amusing stories, visitors will learn about Abe’s life and the special relationship between Lincoln and Davis, two of Illinois’ most important citizens. Special tours will last one-half hour and will begin in the Barn/Visitor Center (where Lincoln’s horse was once stabled), on the north edge of the mansion grounds. At the end of each tour, the President’s birthday cake will be served. The David Davis Mansion State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, was built in 1872 for U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Davis and his wife, Sarah. It is open Wednesday through Sunday for free public tours, and is located at 1000 E. Monroe in Bloomington. For more information, call (309) 828-1084. |
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