City officials said they've seen drivers park in front of the building and run into the Uptown Station to pay a parking fine or ordinance violantion. Drivers are encouraged to use the Uptown Station parking garage, which is free for the first hour. (Stephanie Pawlowski/WJBC)

By Stephanie Pawlowski

NORMAL - Normal is creating an ordinance to stop the people who park in front of the Uptown Station to run inside and do errands.

City Manager Mark Peterson said there's a designated area outside the station for quick pick up and drop off of passengers, a lot like the airport, but drivers shouldn't be parking there and getting out of the car to go into the building.

"I sit and look out my window and you'd be amazed at the number of people who stop right in the middle of the street, open their doors, open thier trunk and traffic is backed up," Peterson said.

If the council adopts the ordinance, violaters could be ticketed. The cost could be between $10 and $50.

Peterson said when the station was built, they thought there might be an issue.

"I think we need the enforcement tool to ensure compliance," Peterson said.

Basset training

The town council Monday night will also consider requiring restaurants and bars to make employees take Basset training. It's a training for those who serve alcohol, with an emphasis on watching for over consumption.

The Bloomington Normal Community Campus Committee is asking the council to consider it. Peterson said it arms employees with tools and techniques so they don't violate the law by allowing people to have consumed too much.

"Our hope is that indirectly it reduces the number of people that drink and drive and engage in other inappropriate behavior if they've consumed too much alcohol," Peterson said.

There is a drawback. The cost is $25 per person for online training and up to $100 for in person training.

Other items on the agenda include a presentation on the study and submittal of a "Sole Source Water Supply" designation for the Mahomet Aquifer and a redevelopment agreement for the Radisson Hotel in north Normal that's under construction.

Stephanie Pawlowski can be reached at Stephanie.Pawlowski@Cumulus.com.