The Mayor of Normal says the City Manager met almost all of his goals last year. And the ones Mark Peterson did not achieve had to do with government mandates getting in the way. Speaking on GLT's Sound Ideas, Mayor Chris Koos said Peterson is at the top of his game.
"Mark is a very adept and talented management executive. He's very good at what he does and going through the Uptown process has only made it better. He understands complex redevelopment agreements and he understands the finances of these projects," said Koos.
The Council approved a three and a half percent pay increase with a one year contract. The consumer price index over the last twelve months was about 1.7 percent. The new contract also requires Peterson to work only for the town through 2019.
During the interview, Koos also talked about the Town's plan to spend $1.4 million on an engineering study to examine a pedestrian crossing between the Children's Discovery Museum and Uptown Station, to cross the railway tracks. When asked what he would say to those who spoke out against the study that could result in an underpass beneath the tracks, Koos mentioned a couple of points.
"I think some of the tone was that we're broke, which we're not. And some of the tone was that we don't needed it. Well, that's a personal opinion. There were a lot of people who came to public meetings who think we do need it," said Koos
The council has spoken in favor of an underpass. But, Mayor Koos points out the preliminary study on the project will come back with a recommendation that is not necessarily tied to an underpass. He said that will have an impact on the final decision.
Each week the mayors from Bloomington and Normal are heard on Sound Ideas, following their Monday evening council meetings. Next week City of Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner is the guest.
