City of Bloomington City Council met Sept. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Tari Renner and he directed the City Clerk to call the roll:
Public Comment
Mayor Renner opened the meeting to receive public comment, however, no one came forward to address comments.
Presentation, Discussion, and Direction on Future Agenda Topics
The following was presented:
Item 4.1. Presentation of the VenuWorks Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report, as requested by the City Clerk Department.
Tim Gleason, City Manager, commented on the Arena's progress and asked Lynn Cannon, Executive Director for Grossinger Motors Arena, to come forward.
Ms. Cannon made a presentation to Council. She discussed the Arena's Annual Report in great detail. Her primary points of discussion were finances, improvements made, and the upcoming calendar.
Council as a whole thanked Ms. Cannon for her work at the Arena.
Council Member Mathy spoke to Ms. Cannon about events his customers at his store have been excited about and mentioned that his sister will be driving from 90-miles away to attend the upcoming Luke Combs show.
Council Member Crabill questioned Ms. Cannon's previous statement made to Council last time she was before them regarding the average/expected loss for the Arena being $500,000 per year in comparison to where the Arena is today. She provided insight in her previous discussion and emphasized that VenuWorks is focused on continuing to better. A discussion regarding events pursued.
Council Member Mwilambwe asked how the loss of the tenant sports teams will impact the Arena's budget. Ms. Cannon stated that they are in search of new tenants and are currently working with several potential interested groups. She expressed excitement for Illinois State University's (ISU) hockey team getting more involved at the Arena and hoped to be able to help ISU grow its hockey attendance.
Council Member Emig asked Lynn to discuss the economic impact of the Arena on the surrounding area. Ms. Cannon provided additional information.
Council Member Boelen discussed financial aspects she'd like to focus on in future budgets and goals.
Council Member Mathy pointed out that the economic impact reported in the annual report was more than $13 million dollars.
Council Member Bray asked a few clarifying questions regarding out-of-town visitors. She pointed out that the Arena's loss, if shared across every person in the City, results in a less than $4 per resident fee, which she emphasized is a small cost to be paid for having access to a resource such as the Arena.
Council Member Crabill asked how long was left on the payoff of the building. Mr. Gleason stated that roughly 20 years remains on the bond and $20 million dollars remaining.
The following was presented:
Item 4.2. Presentation and discussion of the Lake Bloomington Parks Maintenance fire that occurred on March 10, 2019, as requested by the Public Works Department.
Mr. Gleason introduced the item and welcomed Jim Karch, Public Works Director, to come forward and address Council.
Mr. Karch walked through a map of the Lake Bloomington area where he highlighted current buildings, the maintenance building that was lost, and proposed buildings.
Council Member Boelen asked a couple of questions regarding insurance reimbursements and consultant. Mr. Karch responded accordingly.
Council Member Crabill asked a couple of questions regarding the need for consultants and final financial asks of Council. Mr. Karch stated that building design is generally always done by a consultant to ensure the expertise needed is used.
Mr. Gleason discussed rough numbers of the cost associated to the building concept proposed.
Council Member Black thanked Mr. Gleason and Mr. Karch for all their work. He addressed the need for a consultant and expressed a strong belief that the City should be investing in resources that support providing quality water.
Council Member Mathy asked how long it has been since any major work has been done to the water treatment plant. Bob Yehl, Assistant Public Works Director, came forward to address Council. He stated that the last large improvements were made in 1986.
The following was presented:
Item 4.3. Presentation and discussion on the Cannabis Legislation and Illinois Municipal League's Proposed Cannabis Materials, as requested by the Administration Department.
Mr. Gleason made a presentation on proposed Cannabis Legislation provided by the Illinois Municipal League (IML) and other organizations. He stated that the topic of cannabis is big and pointed out the importance of Council, staff, and citizens following it closely. He walked through next steps for the City and asked a few questions of Council.
Council Member Carrillo spoke about a meeting she had earlier in the day with Illinois Senator, Jason Barickman. She mentioned that a trailer bill will be coming in the fall and discussed onsite consumption in detail, pointing out the importance of addressing zoning.
Mr. Gleason discussed plans for the City moving forward to discuss cannabis further.
Council Member Mathy thanked Mr. Gleason for his presentation and emphasized the need to make the materials presented available to the public. He then talked about the Cannabis Task Force.
Council Member Boelen discussed her viewpoints on the timeline laid out.
Council Member Carrillo responded to Council Member Boelen.
Council Member Crabill asked a few follow-up questions regarding the application process.
Council Member Black pointed out the ambiguity of the legislation. He addressed the idea of additional meetings with State representatives and Council. He pointed out a few matters that need to be addressed as timely as possible and complimented the transparency process the City has taken. He asked that achievable goals be mapped out and made available to Council and the public.
Mayor Renner stated that he is prepared to bring the appointments for the Cannabis Task Force forward at the September 23, 2019 Council meeting.
Council Member Carrillo pointed out the importance of gauging the temperature of Council and whether any Council Members will be for prohibition.
Council Member Bray agreed with Council Members Carrillo and Boelen, in that Council should make a decision as to whether the City will opt in or out. She stressed the need to make that determination prior to having staff and resources committed.
Mayor Renner pointed out that no matter Council's decision, that recreational cannabis use will be legal in the City come January 1, 2019, and that Council's actions will only determine whether the City allows cannabis businesses.
Council Member Mathy thanked Council Member Bray for her comments and stressed how important it is for the Cannabis Task Force to be created so that their input can be taken into consideration. He was in favor of having appointments to the Task force come forward on September 23, 2019.
Council Member Boelen emphasized the need for detailed and methodical procedures. She was in favor of appointments on September 23, 2019 as well.
Council Member Emig too was in favor of Council deciding whether to allow cannabis businesses in the City sooner than later.
Council Member Carrillo was in favor of Task Force appointments on the 23rd. She also discussed the need for Council to remember that the decision to allow cannabis businesses will include a variety of different businesses in the cannabis industry outside of distilleries.
Mr. Gleason discussed a plan going forward.
City Manager's Report
Mr. Gleason thanked Leslie Yocum, City Clerk, and her staff for their performance and professionalism in handling recent video gaming license. He stated that it went well with only three people present at open of business. He discussed a few upcoming agenda items and pointed out a Joint Special Meeting being held with McLean County and the Town of Normal on September 30, 2019 at Illinois State University's Alumni Center.
Adjournment
Mayor Renner asked for a motion to adjourn.
Council Member Painter made a motion, seconded by Council Member Mwilambwe, to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried unanimously (viva voce).
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
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