City of Bloomington Committee of the Whole Met March 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
This meeting was conducted under Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-07 §6, which was reissued and extended by Executive Order 2021-05. The Order, implemented in response to COVID-19, suspended in-person attendance under the Open Meeting Act, 5 ILCS 120.
The City Council convened in regular session virtually via Zoom conferencing with Mayor Tari Renner, City Manager Tim Gleason, and City Clerk Leslie Yocum, in-person in City Hall’s Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m.. 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 | Absent | |
| Mollie Ward | Ward 7 | Remote | |
| Jeff Crabill | Ward 8 | Remote | |
| Kim Bray | Ward 9 | Remote |
City Manager Gleason expressed appreciation on behalf of Camille Rodriguez, McLean County Administrator, for use of the Arena as a vaccination site. He then provided vaccination statistics.
Public Comment
Mayor Renner opened the meeting for public comment. No public comment was received.
Consent Agenda
No items were considered.
Presentation, Discussion, and Direction on Future Agenda Topics
The following item was presented:
Item 6.A. Presentation and discussion of the Current Design of the O’Neil Park Pool Project, as requested by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department.
City Manager Gleason introduced the item and expressed excitement for next steps in remodeling O'Neil Park Pool. He then asked Jay Tetzloff, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts (“PRCA”) Department, to address Council.
Mr. Tetzloff highlighted large improvements at Wittenburg Woods Park, Sweeney Park, and Evergreen Park. He then provided an update on the preparations for reopening, upcoming events, and the COVID-19 vaccination site at the current Grossinger Motors Arena. He discussed the upcoming Debrazza's Monkey and South American exhibits at Miller Park Zoo, noting the Zoo would receive a new logo along with updated Zoo re-branding. He moved on to provide a quick history and background on the O'Neil Park Pool project and highlighted community engagement efforts. He then introduced Andrew Caputo, Project Manager with Williams Architects and Aquatics, and asked him to address Council.
Mr. Caputo highlighted various contractors that had assisted in the creation of the plan and then discussed the phases and timelines of the project schedule, noting the grand opening scheduled for Memorial Day 2022. He presented the Master Plan and expanded on the master plan in detail: (1) pool (including lap pool, activity pool, lazy river, plunge pool, tower and water slides, pool play feature, and ground spray features); (2) bathhouse; (3) filter buildings; (4) community room; (5) parking lot; (6) skate park; (7) athletic fields; (8) stormwater detention for project; and (9) splash pad.
Mr. Tetzloff weighed in on the plan, stating that the presentation presented was the staff-preferred plan.
City Manager Gleason explained that the project was a culmination of three years of planning and effort and reported that the original proposed total cost of the project was $10.5 million. He discussed how the project had increased to $11.7 million to include a buffer, which had the potential to be reduced if construction was tightly managed. He expressed that while the park would be a destination for those outside of the City, it was designed for the community to enjoy. He reported that the project would be little to no cost to the community and expressed the importance of such a project on the westside.
Mr. Tetzloff discussed the importance of the project pointing out that Holiday Pool, another public pool in the City, was the same age as O’Neil pool and that it was only a matter of time before it, too, would fail. He noted the potential economic development impact the new pool project would have on the neighborhood and City.
Mayor Renner expressed the importance of amenities in underdeveloped areas and his support in the project.
Council Member Painter expressed concern with ensuring the pool would be accessible to all. She made several suggestions such as reduced pool passes, and making sure all could afford to use the new facility. Mayor Renner supported her suggestions.
Mr. Tetzloff discussed PRCA scholarships currently available for pool passes funded by donations, and encouraged the community to donate and apply for the scholarships.
Council Member Bray asked if the athletic fields would be refurbished. Mr. Tetzloff explained that staff planned to restore equipment at current athletic fields over purchasing new. Council Member Bray expressed concerns with installing diving boards. Mr. Tetzloff stated that the previous pool had diving boards. Mr. Caputo stated that diving boards tended to not be included due to costs with excavation and that no pool could be designed to be injury proof. Council Member Bray preferred to fund additional pool amenities and activities verses family suites in the bathhouse. Mr. Caputo stated that men’s and women’s locker rooms were required by building code and that the two proposed family suites had been positively received in past projects, but that they were optional.
Council Member Emig expressed appreciation for all the community input efforts and attention to inclusion features. She noted that gender-neutral bathrooms should be included and further supported inclusion of local native plants. Mr. Tetzloff pointed out that family suites would address gender-neutral accessibilities. Council Member Emig echoed Council Member Painter’s comments on affordability.
Council Member Crabill asked for additional details on cost breakdown to ascertain where costs could be reduced. City Manager Gleason responded that a breakdown menu could be provided to Council.
Council Member Crabill brought up the idea of charging non-residents a higher pool entry fee and asked staff and Council to also consider separate access to the splash pad from the enclosed pool to allow free access to certain features. City Manager Gleason reminded Council that many changes were available to be adjusted and that they would determine if loss of revenue for the splash pad outweighed the service.
Council Member Crabill asked for additional details on the athletic fields and skatepark timelines. Mr. Tetzloff explained that the current skate park would be displaced due to the expanded parking lot and, since it was an amenity that was well utilized, staff planned to have it included in the initial construction. He stated that the basketball courts would be removed temporarily due to the required water retention area but, that staff planned to relocate the courts to a different area of the park in the future.
Council Member Mwilambwe highlighted the project being unique and expressed appreciation for the development being on the West side. He echoed comments on reduced rate pool passes and encouraged fundraising for the pool pass scholarship fund. He suggested that staff look into other ways to generate revenue for the program and encouraged the implementation of energy cost-saving features. Mr. Caputo explained the energy cost savings plans discussed throughout the design phase such as solar panels. Council Member Mwilambwe supported the recommendations. City Manager Gleason stated that staff would continue to seek alternative grant funding sources.
Council Member Mathy asked for additional information on the inclusion park with Sheridan School. Mr. Tetzloff explained the park had been installed and was located just to the east of the planned development. Council Member Mathy expressed appreciation on the inclusion of diving boards. He also strongly supported the inclusion of solar panels and, if solar panels could not be purchased upfront, to prepare for them for future add-ons to power the entire park. He supported the inclusion of pollinator gardens and native plants over grass to reduce maintenance costs and didn’t support the addition of batting cages as he did not believe there was enough demand for them.
Council Member Boelen expressed appreciation for the inclusion features and the family suites. She discussed various costs associated with park maintenance and believed the footprint of the greenspace should be increased and was concerned with the amount of parking lot. She noted that State Farm and the City of Decatur had similar parks and disagreed with comments made about increased economic development opportunities.
Mayor Renner summarized the statements made by Council.
Council Member Mathy asked for staff to prepare park options for Council to consider and how the changes would affect bond financing.
Council Member Boelen asked about the longevity of the pool and the bond term length. Mr. Caputo responded that an aquatic park typically had a 30-year life expectancy without a major renovation. City Manager Gleason stated that Council had multiple options of bond term length and that he would provide a menu of possible reductions with varying bond terms.
City Manager's Report
City Manager Gleason discussed multiple events in the Downtown area and at Miller Park. He then welcomed multiple new staff hires and provided an update on Fire Chief recruitment update. He then discussed $1.45 million in grant funds awarded to Bloomington from the State, as well as the next steps the City needed to take to apply the funding to infrastructure projects.
Executive Session
No Executive Session was held.
Adjournment
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Mwilambwe, that the meeting be adjourned.
Motion carried (viva voce).
The meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
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