City of Bloomington City Council met Nov. 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council convened in regular session in-person in the Government Center Chambers at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe.
Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Mboka Mwilambwe | Mayor | Present | |
| Jamie Mathy | Council Member, Ward 1 | Present | |
| Donna Boelen | Council Member, Ward 2 | Present | |
| Sheila Montney | Council Member, Ward 3 | Present | |
| Julie Emig | Council Member, Ward 4 | Present | |
| Nick Becker | Council Member, Ward 5 | Present | |
| De Urban | Council Member, Ward | Present | |
| Mollie Ward | Council Member, Ward 7 | Present | |
| Jeff Crabill | Council Member, Ward 8 | Present | |
| Tom Crumpler | Council Member, Ward 9 | Present |
A. Proclamation recognizing National American Indian Heritage Month, November 2021.
Mayor Mwilambwe presented the Proclamation and Laura Baue, Representative for the Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, accepted the Proclamation.
B. Proclamation recognizing National Runaway Prevention Month, November 2021.
Mayor Mwilambwe presented the Proclamation and Neal Iden, Director of Project Oz, accepted the Proclamation.
C. Recognition of Fire Department Mission Lifeline EMS Recognition Award.
Travis Wilson, the McLean County EMS System Manager, presented the 2021 Mission Lifeline "Silver Plus" Recognition awarded by the American Heart Association to Bloomington Fire Department for their emphasis on patient care. Cory Matheny, Deputy Chief of EMS, thanked Council for the award and recognized the Bloomington Firefighter Paramedics present at the meeting.
Public Comment
Mayor Mwilambwe read a statement of procedure for public comment and the following spoke in-person: (1) Levi Champion; (2) Zach Carlson; (3) Luisa Gomez; (4) Angel Gomez; (5) Jenee Clark; (6) Gary Lambert; (7) Marry Carlisle; (8) Scott Stimeling; (9) Marc Girdler; (10) Matthew Toczko; (11) Surena Fish; and (12) Tim Tilton. Jacqueline Beyer and Jordyn Gomez-Bonner provided remote public comment. The following individuals emailed public comment: (1) Rachel Lapp Whitt; (2) David Wasson; (3) Bonnie Billington; (4) Nichol Gwin; (5) Audrey Paulson; (6) Kathy Heitman; (7) Cheri Williams; (8) David and Sharon Campbell; (9) Karin Miller; (10) Janet Tornow; (11) Rob Beyer; (12) Amanda Brown; (13) Amy Lane; (14) Ace Overton; (15) Sarah Greenburg; (16) Carl Powell; (17) Josephus Sayer; (18) Kelly Cummings; and (19) Cathy Ethington.
Consent Agenda
Items listed on the Consent Agenda are approved with one motion; Items pulled by Council from the Consent Agenda for discussion are listed and voted on separately.
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Crabill, that the Consent Agenda, including all items listed below, be approved as presented.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Montney, Emig, Becker, Urban, Ward, Crabill, Crumpler Motion carried.
Item 7.A. Consideration and action to approve Bills and Payroll in the amount of $8,559,859.17, as requested by the Finance Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Bills and Payroll be approved.)
Item 7.B. Consideration and action to approve the Purchase of one 2021 E-One All Aluminum 1500 gpm Pumper/Fire Engine at the cost of $766,000 from Banner Fire Equipment, through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) joint purchasing group, Contract number FS12-19, exp. 5/31/2022, as requested by the Fire Department.
(Recommended Motion: The proposed Purchase be approved.)
Item 7.C. was removed from the Consent Agenda by Council Member Ward. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
The following item was removed from the Consent Agenda by Council Member Ward:
Item 7.C. Consideration and action on an Ordinance Approving the Final Plat of the Eighth Addition to Medical Hills Subdivision, as requested by the Public Works Department.
Council Member Ward recused herself at 6:48 p.m. due to a conflict of interest.
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Mathy, that the proposed Ordinance be approved.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Montney, Emig, Becker, Urban, Crabill, Crumpler
RECUSED: Ward
Motion carried.
Council Member Ward returned to the meeting at 6:49 p.m.
Regular Agenda
The following item was presented:
Item 8.A. Consideration and action to ratify the Unit 21 Contract, as requested by the Human Resources Department and the Police Department.
City Manager Tim Gleason introduced the item and explained that contract negotiations had continued throughout the past few years. He noted that the contract had been ratified by Union 21 membership and then provided multiple highlights of the contract, which including bilingual pay for officers that can read or write a second language and continued prohibition of cannabis use for officers.
No Council discussion was had.
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Becker, that the proposed Contract be ratified.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Montney, Emig, Becker, Urban, Ward, Crabill, Crumpler Motion carried.
The following item was presented:
Item 8.B. Consideration and action on a Joint Resolution Between the Bloomington Public Library and the City of Bloomington Relating to the Funding of the Library Expansion Project, as requested by the Finance Department.
City Manager Gleason provided a brief overview of the item. He then explained that the resolution had no financial impact to the City, but that it supported the funding component.
Council Member Ward made a motion, seconded by Council Member Mathy, that the proposed Resolution be approved.
Council Member Crumpler discussed various input of his constituents. He expressed support of the item and explained several benefits and opportunities of the project. He noted the availability of low interest rates and recommended the use of local unions for the project.
Council Member Crabill expressed his support in the project and highlighted benefits of the expansion. He discussed outreach to his constituents and believed that by connecting impoverished areas with education tools, that the playing field was leveled.
Council Member Montney was not supportive of the library expansion. She noted that while she supported the library, the expansion was not financially responsible. She did not believe the proposed upgrades were in line with the purpose of libraries. She expressed interest in focusing funds on streets and sewer infrastructure.
Council Member Ward stated that knowledge was power and expressed how access to information developed critical thinking skills. She further expressed her support in the item.
Council Member Mathy expressed his support of the item. He compared the Creativity Center remodel to the proposed library expansion. He discussed limitations within the community as it related to street infrastructure and believed that both projects could be completed concurrently.
Council Member Becker agreed with Council Member Mathy that libraries were essential. He disagreed that road infrastructure and the library expansion could be completed concurrently. He did not support the expansion.
Council Member Emig made a motion, seconded by Council Member Crumpler, to extend Councill discussion by 10 minutes.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Montney, Emig, Becker, Urban, Ward, Crabill, Crumpler Motion carried.
Council Member Emig reiterated the importance of public libraries and access for the public. She asked if there would ever be a right time when road infrastructure did not need continuous repair. She then expressed support in the expansion.
Council Member Montney believed that the current library met the needs of the community. She recommended that Council and staff reconsider the City’s spending. She reiterated that she did not support the item.
Council Member Boelen noted the continued controversy over the library expansion. She reminded the public that the City and the library were separate taxing bodies. She recommended fundraising from private sources.
Council Member Urban explained her efforts in outreach to the community and noted that the majority of Ward 6 constituents were in favor of the expansion.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Emig, Urban, Ward, Crabill, Crumpler
NAYS: Montney, Becker
Motion carried.
City Manager's Discussion
City Manager Gleason highlighted multiple upcoming Downtown events, as well as Downtown Bloomington's new website. He recognized Catherine Dunlap and Samantha Malot of the Economic & Community Development Department for receiving the Lieutenant Governor's recognition for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization. He explained that Bloomington received multiple economic vitality and promotion awards, including two awards for the curbside farmer’s market and one for outdoor dining. City Manager Gleason provided an update on OSHA vaccination requirements for Firefighter Paramedic staff. He ended by recognizing Veterans Day coming later in the week and thanked those in the community who served.
Mayor's Discussion
Mayor Mwilambwe also thanked community Veterans and discussed his involvement in the most recent march for Jalani Day. He commended the Bloomington Police Department for their continued work on the case.
Council Member's Discussion
Council Member Becker asked that the community to be respectful of others' opinions when providing public comment. He discouraged degrading comments and stated that they undermine the process.
Council Member Crabill recognized November as Diabetes month. He described multiple types of diabetes and encouraged community members to be mindful of symptoms. He concluded by providing resources for individuals concerned with or impacted by diabetes.
Council Member Boelen also recognized November as Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.
Council Member Emig thanked Deputy City Manager Tyus and staff for their recent assistance with a constituent's water bill.
Executive Session
No Executive Session was held.
Adjournment
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Emig, that the meeting be adjourned.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Montney, Emig, Becker, Urban, Ward, Crabill, Crumpler Motion carried (viva voce).
http://bloomingtonil.iqm2.com/Citizens/Board/1000-City-Council
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