City of Bloomington City Council met Nov. 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council convened in regular session virtually via Zoom conferencing with the City Manager, Tim Gleason, and City Clerk, Leslie Yocum, in-person in City Hall’s Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m., Monday, November 9, 2020. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tari Renner.
Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Tari Renner | Mayor | Present | |
| Jamie Mathy | Ward 1 | Remote | |
| Donna Boelen | Ward 2 | Remote | |
| Mboka Mwilambwe | Ward 3 | Remote | |
| Julie Emig | Ward 4 | Remote | |
| Joni Painter | Ward 5 | Remote | |
| Jennifer Jazmin Carrillo | Ward 6 | Remote | |
| Jeff Crabill | Ward 8 | Remote | |
| Kim Bray | Ward 9 | Remote |
A. Consideration and action to approve the Appointment of Mollie Ward to City Council for Ward 7, as requested by the Administration Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Appointment be approved.)
Mayor Renner reported that out of nine applicants, he was recommending Mollie Ward be appointed as Council Member of Ward 7.
Council Member Bray made a motion, seconded by Council Member Painter, to that the proposed Appointment be approved.
Mayor Renner directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Mwilambwe, Emig, Painter, Carrillo, Crabill, Bray
Motion carried.
B. Swearing-In
Leslie Yocum, City Clerk, swore in Mary "Mollie" Ward to the office of Council Member of Ward 7. Council Member Ward was accompanied by her husband, Greg Shaw.
COVID-19 Update by City Manager
Tim Gleason, City Manager, informed Council that while the COVID-19 positive cases were trending higher within the County and within the organization, City services continued to remain a priority. He reported that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Cares Act funds for businesses had been allotted and that the CDBG Cares Act funding for individual residence assistance continued to be processed. He noted that a request for additional CDBG Cares Act funding would appear before Council in the near future.
Recognition/Appointments
Mayor Renner introduced Mike Matijka, former Council Member, who addressed Council and discussed the recent loss of Barb Atkins, a former Deputy City Manager. Mr. Matijka praised Mrs. Atkins for her dedication to the City and provided background on Mrs. Atkins long service to the City. He explained that she had been instrumental in the Not in Our Town movement. He went on to discuss multiple other ways Mrs. Atkins had benefited the community and the City as an organization.
A. Recognition of Service
Mayor Renner recognized Scott Black for his service as a Council Member from 2013 to 2020 and held up a plaque that would be delivered to Mr. Black. He then read the plaque aloud.
B. Proclamation recognizing November 18, 2020 as GIS Day
Mayor Renner read the proclamation aloud. Kevin Kothe, Director of Public Works, accepted the proclamation and addressed Council. Mr. Kothe appreciated the recognition and explained how the Geographic Information System (“GIS”) had benefited citizens, the City, and other intergovernmental partners.
C. Recognition of Appointments to various Boards and Commissions
Leslie Yocum, City Clerk, recognized the appointments of Justin Boyd to the Bloomington Normal Convention and Visitor's Bureau Board, and Greg Koos to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Public Comment
Mayor Renner opened the meeting for public comment and the following individuals spoke live: (1) Surena Fish; (2) Scott Stimeling; (3) Allan Axelrod; (4) Trevin Gaffney; (5) Kyle Auer; (6) Leah Pinson; (7) Robert Garcia; (8) Kevin Lower; (9) Katie Hoy; (10) Matthew Toczko; (11) Jon Reed; (12) Meghan Moore; and (13) Becky Swan. Matthew Ethridge who was called on to speak live, had technical difficulties. The following individuals registered to speak live, but were not present in the meeting: (1) Krystle Able; (2) Meghan Moore; (3) Anthony Overton; and (4) Tom Garrett. The following individuals submitted emailed public comment: (1) Zach Carlson; (2) Kimberly Kiper; (3) Matthew Ethridge; (4) Mickael Griffin; (5) Mickaela Atkins; (6) Creighton Budris; (7) Jenny Crones; and (8) Art Rodriguez.
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 Carrillo, that the Consent Agenda, including all items listed below, be approved as presented with the exception of Item 9.E.
Mayor Renner directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Mwilambwe, Emig, Painter, Carrillo, Ward, Crabill, Bray
Motion carried.
Item 9.A. Consideration and action to approve the Minutes of the September 21, 2020 Committee of the Whole Meeting, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Minutes be approved.)
Item 9.B. Consideration and action to approve the Minutes of the September 28, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Minutes be approved.)
Item 9.C. Consideration and action to approve Bills and Payroll in the amount of $6,273,316.32, as requested by the Finance Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Bills and Payroll be approved.)
Item 9.D. Consideration and action on a Resolution Waiving the Formal Bidding Requirements and Approving a Contract with Republic Services for the Disposal of Non special Waste Materials, in the amount not to exceed $75,000, as requested by the Public Works Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Resolution and Contract be approved.)
Item 9.E. was removed from the Consent Agenda by Council Member Mwilambwe.
Item 9.F. Consideration and action on a Request from the City of Bloomington for a Class EAS (Entertainment, All Types of Alcohol, and Sunday Sales) Liquor License to operate at the location commonly referred to as Grossinger Motors Arena, located at 101 S. Madison St., as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Application be approved contingent upon compliance with all building, health, and safety codes.)
Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda
Item 9.E. Consideration and action on an Ordinance Approving a Zoning Map Amendment for Property Located North of E. Empire Street/Route 9 and East of Towanda Barnes Road, Approximately 14 Acres in the Harvest Pointe Subdivision, from B-1 General Commercial District to R-2 Mixed Residence District, as requested by the Economic & Community Development Department.
Council Member Mwilambwe had received questions from his constituents regarding the item and asked Katie Simpson, City Planner, to provide additional information.
Ms. Simpson provided a brief history of the item and explained the request. She provided details on the procedure to approve a subject property for development, noting that the item was required to be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission prior to Council consideration.
Council Member Mwilambwe asked for additional detail on issues raised during public comment at the Planning Commission. Ms. Simpson responded that the subject property had an existing annexation agreement, of which the developer was aware. She noted other issues recognized in public comment regarding ingress/egress and water detention, explaining that the developer was working to fulfill those requirements. She reiterated that the development would appear before Council again for final approval.
Council Member Mwilambwe made a motion, seconded by Council Member Boelen, to the proposed Ordinance be approved.
Mayor Renner directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following: AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Mwilambwe, Emig, Painter, Carrillo, Ward, Crabill, Bray Motion carried.
Regular Agenda
The following item was presented:
Item 10.A. Consideration and action to approve the 2020 Property Tax Levy Estimate for the City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Public Library, as requested by the Finance Department.
Mr. Gleason introduced the item and noted Council’s interest in retaining the 15% property tax rate that came from the City of Bloomington. He then asked Scott Rathbun, Finance Director, to address Council. Mr. Rathbun discussed the statutory requirements of adopting tax levies. He explained the purpose of a tax levy, how it works, and how an average citizen’s Equalized Assessed Value ("EAV") for property taxes was determined. He went on to discuss proposed and historical tax levies for the past five years, noting a positive incremental increase. He concluded by explaining what a tax levy paid for and how property taxes were allocated in the district.
Council Member Crabill referenced the term "general corporate" in the packet and asked for an explanation on the definition. Mr. Rathbun responded.
Council Member Boelen suggested Mr. Rathbun provide a list to the public that explained what expenses the property tax covered.
Council Member Carrillo made a motion, seconded by Council Member Crabill, that the proposed Property Tax Levy Estimate be approved.
Mayor Renner directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Mwilambwe, Emig, Painter, Carrillo, Ward, Crabill, Bray
Motion carried.
The following item was presented:
Item 10.B. Consideration and action on Council Member Carrillo's Agenda Initiative Proposal to make Indigenous Peoples' Day a City holiday, as requested by the Administration Department.
Council Member Carrillo provided a brief background on the Initiative and expressed the importance of the recognition. She did not support the celebration of Christopher Columbus, stating that he performed atrocities against indigenous people. She described some of the hardships indigenous people face and explained her reasoning behind her
proposal. She recommended that Council recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and erase any mention of Columbus Day from City Documents. She asked that her Initiative mimic the procedure and consideration taken with Council Member Mwilambwe’s Juneteenth Initiative. She discussed the same partnering with the Human Relations Commission, local celebrations, etc. and went on to talk about the need for the ordinance to be accompanied by a resolution to urge State and Federal representatives to support similar events and legislation.
Mayor Renner confirmed the direction of Council Member Carrillo.
Carrillo motioned, seconded by Crabill, to direct staff to create an ordinance similar to Juneteenth for Indigenous Peoples’ Day; and to create a resolution that would send a letter to state and federal representatives urging them to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Mayor Renner reminded Council that the motion, if approved, would direct staff to draft the items, but that they would appear before Council for final approval.
Council Member Boelen pointed out that the Initiative had been changed on the floor compared to the proposal in the packet, and asked for clarification. Jeff Jurgens, Corporate Counsel, clarified that the motion was not out of line. He also noted that the City did not currently celebrate Columbus Day. Council Member Boelen asked if the resolution required a separate Initiative. Mr. Jurgens responded that it did not. Council Member Boelen noted that both District 87 and Unit 5 school districts celebrated both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day on separate days of the year. She believed that if individuals were concerned about curriculum, that they should appeal to the school board to make a change that could be more beneficial.
Council Member Emig noted a conversation that she had with a local tribe representative who believed the City had already enacted an Indigenous Peoples’ Day based on an October 14, 2019 proclamation. She then read the proclamation aloud as well as testimony from Lester Randal, Kickapoo Tribal Chairman, from the meeting's public record. She supported an ordinance that mirrored the proclamation and the educational aspect of the proposed Initiative. She also commented on compromises that other communities and school boards had implemented.
Mayor Renner asked Mr. Jurgens to comment on the proclamation verses the proposed initiative. Mr. Jurgens responded, noting an ordinance held more weight as it was supported by the entire Council. Mayor Renner asked for clarification on the process if the item was approved. Mr. Jurgens responded that staff would draft an ordinance similar to Juneteenth and a resolution encouraging other governmental bodies to support similar legislation. Both items would then appear before Council for further discussion and formal action.
Council Member Bray stated that many constituents of Ward 9 did not support replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. She was in favor of recognizing both holidays on separate days of the year. She did not support the current motion and believed the resolution should be considered separate from the ordinance.
Council Member Crabill responded to comments made during public comment. He supported the Initiative and noted that the City did not celebrate Columbus Day and therefore, a holiday would not be replaced, but instead created. He recognized multiple ways local tribes had contributed to American society.
Council Member Mathy motioned, seconded by Council Member Boelen, to extend the time by 20 minutes.
Mayor Renner directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Boelen, Mwilambwe, Emig, Painter, Carrillo, Ward, Crabill, Bray
Motion carried.
Council Member Mathy commented on Council Member Emig's discussion with a local tribesman. He suggested reaching out to local tribes to gauge their position on the current Initiative and then discussed multiple ways where Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and Italian Heritage Day were celebrated in other communities. He supported implementing an Indigenous Peoples’ Day and an Italian Heritage Day without Christopher Columbus associated to either.
Council Member Ward asked for clarification on the term “replacement” in regards to Columbus Day, when the City did not actually recognize it. Council Member Carrillo responded. Council Member Ward pointed out the meaning of the chevron in the City's logo and believed the direction to staff should be to support City values.
Council Member Painter supported Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but also believed that it should not replace Columbus Day. She expressed interest in reaching out to local tribes to understand how they wish to be recognized.
Council Member Emig reported that State Representative Ramirez had submitted Indigenous Peoples’ Day legislation at the State level. She stressed the importance of education.
Council Member Carrillo reported that Lester Randal, the local tribesman who had been mentioned, supported similar legislation in his home state of Kansas. She reiterated support in celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Italian Heritage Day on separate days of the year.
Council Member Mwilambwe expressed support for a compromise and agreed with reaching out to local tribes to understand how they wanted to be recognized. He also suggested reaching out to historians or educators.
Council Member Boelen read a quote and then discussed Columbus and history. She supported celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Italian Heritage Day on separate days of the year. She again recommended reaching out to school boards to encourage implementing more education.
Council Member Carrillo clarified the definitions of “Indian” and “Indigenous”. Council Member Bray reiterated statements on replacement.
Mayor Renner asked the Clerk to reiterate the motion on the floor. Mrs. Yocum restated the motion. Mayor Renner stated that since the City did not recognize Columbus Day, the motion would not include “replacement”.
Council Members Mathy and Mwilambwe supported the ordinance and resolution returning as separate items.
Council Member Carrillo made a motion, seconded by Council Member Crabill, that staff be provided direction on and directed to draft an Ordinance recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day as well as a resolution that required a letter be sent to other governmental bodies to encourage support of similar legislation.
Mayor Renner directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Mathy, Mwilambwe, Emig, Painter, Carrillo, Ward, Crabill
NAYES: Boelen, Bray
Motion carried.
The following item was presented:
Item 10.C. Consideration and potential action regarding Ordinance 2020-18, An Ordinance Declaring a Local Emergency Due to the COVID-19 Virus & Enacting Various Emergency Measures, as requested by the Legal Department.
No modifications were recommended.
City Manager's Discussion
Mr. Gleason highlighted multiple upcoming events in Downtown and informed Council that the Library would present their proposed expansion plan at the next Committee of the Whole. He noted Fire Chief Brain Mohr's last day and thanked him for his service. He concluded by thanking veterans for their service.
Mayor's Discussion
Mayor Renner recognized the passing of Barb Atkins and acknowledged her accomplishments. He went on to thank Scott Black for his service as Council Member of Ward 7 and welcomed Mollie Ward as the new Ward 7 Council Member. He noted that Council Member Mwilambwe, Ward 3, recently announced he would not run for another term.
Council Member's Discussion
Council Member Mathy reminded the community of the free leaf collection.
Council Member Boelen welcomed Council Member Ward and reminded the community to continue to wash their hands and to get a flu shot.
Council Member Mwilambwe also welcomed Council Member Ward.
Council Member Emig also welcomed Council Member Ward and commented on her experiences with Barb Atkins. She reminded the public of a Veteran's Day celebration at the McLean County Museum and encouraged them to practice healthy habits.
Council Member Painter also welcomed Council Member Ward. She recognized the Public Works Department staff for their continued work in leaf collection and the Forestry Division of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department for resolving various issues with trees in Ward 5. She concluded by complimenting the Downtown plant pots.
Council Member Carrillo also welcomed Council Member Ward. She responded to the statements made in public comment in reference to her citizenship. She thanked those who came forward to speak at public comment.
Council Member Ward thanked Council for the warm welcome. She described Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, which was recognized at the synagogue by lighting up the building in remembrance of an act of violence in the 1930s. She encouraged Council and the community to stand in solidarity against messages of hate by leaving a light on through the night.
Council Member Crabill also welcomed Council Member Ward and thanked veterans for their service. He reminded the community of his upcoming town hall meeting and went on to discuss Community Development Block Grant funds, noting the City’s disbursement. He provided residents with locations of various COVID-19 resources. He then asked Mr. Gleason if bars and restaurants could receive additional aid. Mayor Renner stated that Council Member's Discussion did not provide for a question and answer time frame, but allowed a response. Mr. Gleason stated that staff were working on potential aid programs and suggestions.
Council Member Bray also welcomed Council Member Ward and thanked veterans for their service.
Executive Session - Cite Section
No Executive Session was held.
Adjournment
Council Member Ward made a motion, seconded by Council Member Boelen, that the meeting be adjourned.
Motion carried (viva voce).
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
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