City of Bloomington Committee of the Whole Met April 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
This meeting was conducted under Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-09 §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, the 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 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 | |
| Mollie Ward | Ward 7 | Remote | |
| Jeff Crabill | Ward 8 | Remote | |
| Kim Bray | Ward 9 | Remote |
Mayor Renner opened the meeting for public comment and the following individuals provided in-person public comment: (1) Allan Axelrod; (2) Matthew Toczko; (3) Trevin Gaffney; (4) Scott Stimeling; (5) Kelley Theisen; (6) Kimberly Theisen; (7) Zach Carlson; and (8) Tate Skinner. No emailed public comments were received.
3. COVID-19 Update by City Manager
City Manager Tim Gleason informed Council that the vaccination clinic at the Arena continued to offer vaccinations to the public. He reported that 33,000 individuals within McLean County have been vaccinated with an additional 5,000 doses scheduled to be distributed to the residents of the community. He then expressed appreciation to the Downtown Business Owners, students, and the Bloomington Police Department ("BPD") for their actions in response to the pub crawl over the weekend. He explained that the City was made aware of a large pub crawl that was headed to Downtown and instead of issuing COVID compliance violations to business owners, BPD officers handed out face masks to non-mask wearing students who participated in the pub crawl so they could participate safely.
Mayor Renner asked City Manager Gleason to work with McLean County Health Department to make the vaccination registration more user friendly.
5. Consent Agenda
No Items were presented for the Consent Agenda.
6. Presentation, Discussion, and Direction on Future Agenda Topics
A. Presentation and discussion of Connect Transit's FY2022 Budget Overview, as requested by the Administration Department.
Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus explained that he served as the City's representative on the Connect Transit Board since October 2020. He stated that Connect Transit had prepared their budget for presentation as requested by Council. He introduced Ryan Whitehouse, Connect Transit Board of Trustees Chairman, who then addressed Council.
Mr. Whitehouse stated that Connect Transit (“Connect”) was able to continuously offer safe transportation throughout COVID-19. He then made a presentation where he discussed Connect’s $15 million Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2022 and provided a breakdown of the budgeted revenue sources. Sources included the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) in the amount of $9,664,200, federal funding in the amount of $2,711,300, operating revenues in the amount of $1,242,500, the City of Bloomington contribution of $840,000 and the Town of Normal contribution of $542,000. He reminded Council that Connect was not a taxing body. He then listed the operating expenses, highlighting and elaborating on key expenses such as labor costs. He went on to explain that Bloomington contributed a total of $1,451,681 with $611,681 for capital contributions, which were used to provide upgrades and shelters, and $840,000 contribution to the operating budget, which helped maintain the bus fleet. Mr. Whitehouse then compared Connect’s revenues and expenses between FY 2020, FY 2021, and FY 2022. He then discussed updates on the multiple capital projects which included the $18 million Downtown Bloomington Transfer Center, the addition of 100 upgraded bus stops for the Better Bus Stops Campaign, and the delivery of four electric buses in FY 2022.
Council Member Boelen thanked Mr. Whitehouse for the executive summary provided with the budget report and asked for additional detail on the 29% increase from federal support. Mr. Whitehouse responded that the increase related to a funding formula for grants. Mark Peterson, Connect Transit Interim General Manager, elaborated that the increase had a direct correlation to the CARES Act funding and that Connect used the funding to cover revenue shortfalls during COVID-19.
Council Member Boelen confirmed with Mr. Whitehouse and Mr. Peterson that the increased amount of City contributions directly related to the increased amount of federal funding. Both responded affirmatively.
Council Member Boelen asked for additional details on the solar panels and charging stations for the electronic buses. Mr. Whitehouse confirmed that the solar panels were fully funded by federal grants. Mr. Peterson stated that a small portion of local funding contributed. He explained the solar panels would power Connect’s administrative building and that Connect had an agreement with Cornbelt Energy for a competitive rate on electricity to power the bus charging stations.
Council Member Crabill asked if there was an anticipated reduction in fuel and repair costs with the addition of electric buses. Mr. Whitehouse responded affirmatively. Mr. Peterson compared the maintenance costs of the new electric buses verses the older vehicles of the fleet. He noted that over time, maintenance costs would decrease.
Council Member Crabill asked how bus stops were selected for the Better Bus Stop Campaign as it related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) upgrades. Mr. Whitehouse explained that staff considered routes with increased rider traffic and drivers’ knowledge of bus stops with increased need of ADA to select the bus stops with the highest need. Mr. Whitehouse noted that Connect would be 100% ADA compliant by 2024. Mr. Peterson noted that Connect worked closely with City staff to coordinate ADA upgrades with City ADA sidewalk upgrades.
Council Member Emig expressed appreciation on the effort to gain community feedback on the Downtown Transfer Center. She asked what opportunities the Council and community could anticipate to weigh in on the facility development stage. Mr. Whitehouse provided an update on the status of the project development. He stated that Connect would ensure the operation needs of Connect would be met but that they would reach out to Council and the community for additional feedback.
Mr. Whitehouse thanked Council for their advocacy for Connect and thanked Mayor Renner and Council Members Painter and Bray for their service.
B. Presentation and discussion of the Solid Waste Program, as requested by the Public Works Department and the Administration Department.
City Manager Gleason noted that this would be the 4th presentation and that Kevin Kothe, Public Works Director, would discuss changes and that he had already approved some changes to the Citizen Convenience Center (“CCC”). He explained that Mr. Kothe would discuss staff recommendations that would require Code changes and that an action item would appear before Council in May. He explained that the changes made in 2018 were re evaluated and it was determined that the changes cost the City approximately $1.3 million.
Mr. Kothe provided a brief background on the projected budget deficit of $1.3 million/year for the next five years. He discussed multiple recommended changes for the CCC that would expand services, implement fees for significant use, and procedures to reduce or eliminate non-user abuse. He discussed potential annual savings and additional potential revenues from non-user uses. Then he discussed a few ways to increase efficiencies with the curbside bulk pick up program which included the elimination of the seasonal pick ups, replacing them with weekly pick-ups during regularly scheduled trash removal or monthly. He discussed seasonal pick-up costs and compared the costs to the regularly scheduled trash removal. He went on to discuss the potential to impose a minimal fee for curbside bulk and brush pick-up. Mr. Kothe discussed various recommendations for the Curbside Leaf Collection and the multiple benefits to residents and staff with the recommended changes and the potential annual savings. Mr. Kothe touched on the benefits and annual savings of a billing audit, and with alley and median maintenance. He concluded his presentation with recommended changes and potential savings of the snow and ice removal program and the supplement of funding from the General Fund.
Council Member Mathy stated that a resident reported that the Town of Normal does not permit bulk trash pick-up of apartment buildings and rental buildings unless it is an owner-occupied duplex, as they consider that a business expense. He asked if staff considered what the financial impact was to the City from apartment buildings. Mr. Kothe responded that staff had not but could review the data if directed by Council.
Council Member Mathy commented that other communities in which he resided in the past mandated that leaves be placed on curbs in bio-degradable bags. He explained that he regularly cleared off the sewer grates near his house to prevent flooding.
Council Member Boelen asked for clarification on the identification required as proof of residency. Mr. Kothe responded that a driver’s license or utility bill could be used.
Council Member Boelen then asked for additional detail on how crews were reallocated as it related to the brush burner. Mr. Kothe provided an example that explained when a streets and sewers crew was pulled off street repair to assist with bulk pick-up, that crew was then paid out of the solid waste fund to cover the additional work.
Mayor Renner cautioned Council and staff against having multiple discussions with no action.
Council Member Emig echoed Council Member Mathy’s statements on bagging leaves. She then asked for clarification on the recommended changes for CCC and the charges associated with them. Mr. Kothe responded that each household would be permitted two free trips to the CCC, after which the household would be charged the same fee as if they scheduled a curbside bulk waste pick-up.
Council Initiatives
i. Discussion regarding a Council Initiative submitted by Council Member Crabill to create a Resolution finding that utility shut-offs still constitute a pandemic safety risk and calling on the Illinois Governor to enact a moratorium on utility disconnections under his emergency powers, 20 ILCS 3305/7 (12), as requested by the City Council.
Council Member Crabill provided a brief history of the item. He stated that utility shut-offs constituted a pandemic safety risk and the proposed Resolution would call on the Illinois Governor to enact a moratorium on utility disconnections under his emergency powers. He stated that the proposed Resolution would provide that shut-offs would not resume until after the Senate considered HB-2877, the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program Act, a bill that had already approved by the House of Representatives, which would provide assistance directly to landlords. He noted that the City of Urbana recently passed a similar Resolution. He asked if the Initiative could be placed on next Monday’s Council meeting agenda.
Mayor Renner discussed the Council’s options for action.
All Council Members supported the option to have the Initiative placed on a future City Council agenda.
City Manager's Report
City Manager Gleason reminded the community of the upcoming free bulk waste pick up dates and where to locate the pick-up schedule on the City's website.
Executive
No Executive Session was had.
Adjournment
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Emig, that the meeting be adjourned.
Motion carried (viva voce).
The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
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