The Normal Town Council on Monday approved a year's extension and a raise of nearly 5% for City Manager Pam Reece.
The action adds $11,000 to her current salary of $226,000, effective April 1, 2025. It also increases the contribution to her retirement savings account — from $2,750 per year to $3,000 per year.
The contract extends Reece's employment by one year; it now runs through March 31, 2028.
The figures come out of performance reviews by the council during two executive sessions in October. Reece has been city manager since 2018. Before that, she served as deputy city manager since 2010. She started with the Town of Normal in 1991.
The vote was not unanimous.
Council member Kathleen Lorenz voted “no.” She said raises for city employees were around 3%, based on cost of living increases, while employees represented by collective bargaining received around 4% a year.
"I just believe that 4.8 is excessive for the CEO of an organization to have such a greater amount than the rest of the organization," she said.
Council members Karen Smith and Scott Preston were not present.
Fire Station 2
The council also heard from two residents who suggested the council reconsider moving Fire Station 2 from College Avenue to the new facility under construction at the northeast corner of Shepard and Hershey roads.
Trevor Gearhart, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, spoke not as a pastor, but as someone saved by the quick response of firefighters when he had a heart attack while driving on College Avenue on Oct. 11.
He said help from Fire Station 2 arrived in just over two minutes, adding that survival rates decrease 10% for each minute treatment is delayed.
“If not for the skill and the quick actions of the rescuers from station 2, I wouldn’t be sitting here in front of you today," he said. "It’s not an exaggeration to say that I really am genuinely a walking miracle."
Eric Hall, a resident who lives a few blocks from the fire station, referenced that incident, adding simply moving the firehouse would have meant a response time of 4-5 minutes.
“This firehouse has provided something that won't show up on a map or a study — peace of mind. Knowing that in an emergency trained professionals are seconds — not miles — away has mattered to every family here," he said.
Hall asked that the town share data behind the choice of location, letting residents see details side by side with a firefighters union study that suggests the department add the Shepard avenue station while keeping the College Avenue station open.
In other business, the council:
- Set a new public hearing date of Jan. 20 ahead of the regular council meeting for the Uptown North Tax Increment Finance District Redevelopment Plan and Project Area. The change in date will allow time to make technical amendments to the legal descriptions;
- Awarded a $168,800 contract to J Spencer Construction, Normal, for flooring work at the Children’s Discovery Museum;
- Authorized the purchase of two 2026 Chevrolet Equinox electronic vehicles from Sam Leman Chevrolet for $62,795. The money comes from a $100,000 grant from Ameren Illinois; and
- Granted a special use permit to install roof-mounted solar panels at 1209 S. Fell Ave.
