UPDATE 9/2/10
Organizing some notes, here are some things I jotted down from these meetings yesterday:
MCLEAN COUNTY BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE
From the Health Department comments: “Schools and districts operate under limited permits, including raw foods. . . have to abide by all the guidelines. Leroy and others have been operating outside of those guidelines all along. . . using the wrong permits. . . . special events have to be not more than twice a year. . . “
When I caught up with HD Director, Walt Howe, he indicated things are being worked out so that Leroy schools will be able to have their football cook-outs at each game. I guess my thought is this could have been worked out before the controversy began, if can be worked out now.
Interesting words used by McLean County Recorder Lee Newcom when asking the Finance Committee for funds for software that were apparently in the Recorder’s funds but have been moved over the years to the General Fund to pay for a salary in the Supervisor of Assessor’s office. Now Recorder Newcom needs these funds which have been spent down to zero. His phrase regarding the moving of these funds. . . “slight of hand.” Ouch. I think I heard some gnashing of teeth, not sure.
MCLEAN COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
$79,000 IDOT grant approved for bike-path study which later was stated as “feasibility study”
“Study traffic flow on Main Street and will require more than the $79,000″
“Will require a consultant”
“It’s a Transportation plan. . . regarding transportation.”
“Bicycle lanes on Main Street. . . . no commitment. . . “
“Would a walk-way be considered at Dairy Queen. . . yes. . . “
“This study will work off the already approved Main Street Corridor Plan. . . “
I’ m so confused and still concerned about the traffic flow “negotiations” regarding the Main Street Corridor.
ANOTHER TOPIC AT RPC MEETING-School District Budgets hurting
Jay Reece: Unit 5 Board Member-Building decline is having a HUGE impact on school districts, “significant building declines in McLean County” District 87 RPC representative, Joseph Butcher, agreed
“State Farm assessment on their properties is being negotiated and a settlement is expected soon.”
Both school reps, Unit 5 and District 87, indicated their schools have increased in population; and this is in part because of the economy. Parents who had their children in Parochial schools, private schools, are cutting their household budgets, and sending the kids to the less expensive public schools.
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I had dueling meetings today; McLean County Board Finance Committee Meeting where the Health Department officials talked about the recent “talk” around the county of the controversial shutting down of LeRoy schools’ football “cookout” events.
From the conversation, I take it the County has taken a lot of calls about this issue and thus the presence of the Health Department officials today.
I had no idea Finance Committee meetings could be so interesting.
There was another whole interesting discussion between Recorder Lee Newcom and the Finance Committee regarding funds from his office used for General Fund (Payroll?), and Newcom needs that money for software for his office and now there’s not enough money in his account for what he needs for his office because these funds have been moved to the General Fund to pay for a salary in the Supervisor of Assessors office, whew! Well, let’s see if the Pantagraph WJBC reporter there today provides more details.
I dashed out of that meeting to get to the Regional Planning Commission (RCP) meeting going on at the same time and during that meeting, facilitated by RPC Director Paul Russell, with the actual meeting led by RCP Chairman ISU’s IWU’s Carl Teichman; where they were discussing the MAIN STREET BIKE PATH STUDY.
They passed unanimously, approval to move on an IDOT grant study on bike paths , utilizing a $79,000 IDOT grant, but the total feasibility study, “will cost more” than $79.000.
I don’t know how much, or where that money will come from, though when I asked, Mr. Russell felt additional monies would come from IDOT. They have extra money? Lucky them.
A consultant will be hired (another consultant?) to study (another study?) the Main Street Corridor Plan, bike paths, “and more” including traffic round-abouts. . . and, oh my head is spinning. More tomorrow. Mr. Russell indicated to me that this all involved “transportation”. I don’t know what that means. I’m very confused trying to follow five “plans”.
I may have missed something during the Regional Planning Commission meeting, so if anyone has further information, please feel free to comment. I know you’re out there. (smile)
I guess there have been discussions with IDOT all along regarding traffic patterns and the Main Street Corridor; I just haven’t asked the right questions.
I have asked: Has the City of Bloomington been talking with IDOT, answer from City leaders; ”no”.
I have asked: Has the Town of Normal been in talks with IDOT regarding Main Street traffic change of patterns, answer from more than one council person, “no”.
Has Regional Planning Commission been talking with IDOT regarding traffic patterns on Main Street? Apparently, “yes”; as they have a $79,000 grant for the bike path study down Main Street “and more.” RP Commissioners passed unanimously to proceed with the study, no questions asked about future funding; how much and who’s paying. It was a “bike study”. When I asked Mr. Russell for more details, he was more than accommodating and always the professional; and indicated the study was “for more than bike path study, and involved the consultant’s input about the “feasibility” in conjunction with the Main Street Corridor Plan.”
I don’t know exactly what all this means. But, I’ll find out.