City of Bloomington City Council met April 11.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council convened in regular session 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 | |
| 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 | Absent | |
| De Urban | Council Member, Ward 6 | Present | |
| Mollie Ward | Council Member, Ward 7 | Present | |
| Jeff Crabill | Council Member, Ward 8 | Present | |
| Tom Crumpler | Council Member, Ward 9 | Present |
Leslie Yocum, City Clerk, reported that no one had registered to speak and no emailed public comment had been received. Mrs. Yocum then discussed public comment procedures regarding registration times with Council Members Ward and Crabill.
Council Member Ward made a motion, seconded by Council Member Crabill, to set aside public comment registration rules to allow individuals present at the meeting to provide public comment.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Boelen, Montney, Emig, Urban, Ward, Crabill, Crumpler
Motion carried.
Mayor Mwilambwe read a statement of procedure for public comment and Sudhir Pai came forward to speak.
Recognition/Appointments
Mayor Mwilambwe stated that since the individuals for Item 6.B. were present at the meeting and the individuals for Item 6.A. had not yet arrived, he would swap the items as listed on the agenda to allow 6.A. attendees more time to arrive.
The following item was presented:
Item 6.B. Proclamation for America's Gold Star Families
Mayor Mwilambwe presented the Proclamation for America's Gold Star Families.
Jerome and Frances Maddox, Gold Star Parents who serve on the Gold Star Advisory Council, came forward to accept the Proclamation. Their son, Sergeant Anthony R. Maddox, served in the United States Army 2011-213 Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Maddox died from an incident that occurred in Andar, Afghanistan.
City Manager, Tim Gleason, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Maddox for their patience as the City worked in conjunction with Normal to create the Gold Star Flag Program.
Mrs. Maddox expressed her appreciation for the recognition, and spoke fondly of her fallen son, Sergeant Anthony R. Maddox. She and her husband were very grateful for Bloomington and Normal’s participation in the Program and were honored to be able to publicly recognize fallen military heroes through the Program.
Mayor Mwilambwe expressed his sympathy to the Maddox’s for the loss of their son. The following item was presented:
Item 6.A. Proclamation for Willie Brown
Mayor Mwilambwe presented the Proclamation for Willie Brown, which recognized his achievements in charitable community projects in Bloomington’s Westside.
Judge Carla Barnes and Michael J. Brown, son of Willie Brown, accepted the Proclamation. Mr. Brown first recognized Mr. and Mrs. Maddox’s loss and sacrifice. He, too, expressed appreciation for the Gold Star Families Program. He then thanked Council for their recognition of Willie Brown and requested that Council continue to invest in the Westside of Bloomington in honor of his father.
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.
Item 7.A. Consideration and action to approve the Minutes of the March 14, 2022, Regular City Council Meeting, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Minutes be approved.)
Item 7.B. Consideration and action to approve Bills and Payroll in the amount of $5,705,812.60, as requested by the Finance Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Bills and Payroll be approved.)
Item 7.C. Consideration and action to approve Appointments to Boards & Commissions, as requested by the Administration Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Appointments be approved.)
Item 7.D. Consideration and action on a Resolution Authorizing a Change Order in the Amount of $7,924.56 for the Purchase of a John Deere Tractor 5115M Utilizing the Sourcewell Joint Purchasing Contract (#110719-JDC, exp, 12/30/2023 & #070821-TGR, exp. 8.9/2025) Between the City of Bloomington and Martin Sullivan Inc. and the Tiger Corporation, as requested by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Resolution be approved.)
Item 7.E. Consideration and action on an Ordinance Authorizing a Construction Contract between the City of Bloomington and Dukes Root Control, for the FY22 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Sewer Inspection Program (Bid #2022-23), in the Amount of $393,247, as requested by the Public Works Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Ordinance be approved.)
Item 7.F. Consideration and action on an Ordinance Approving the Final Plat of MVAH Partners Subdivision 1st Addition, subject to the petitioner paying the required tap-on fees, as requested by the Public Works Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Ordinance be approved, subject to the petitioner paying the required tap-on fees.)
Item 7.G. Consideration and action on a Request from Tony's Tacos Downtown, Inc., d/b/a Tony’s Tacos, relocated to 2303 E. Washington St., requesting a Class RAS (Restaurant, All Type of Alcohol, Sunday Sales) Liquor License, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed License be approved.)
Item 7.H. Consideration and action on the Request from Miller Park Zoological Society, whose event will be held at the Miller Park Zoo, located at 1020 S. Morris Ave., on June 10 and 11, 2022, for a Class LB (Limited Service of Beer and Wine Only) Liquor License, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed License be approved.)
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Boelen, Montney, Emig, Urban, Ward, Crabill, Crumpler
Motion carried.
Regular Agenda
The following item was presented:
Item 8.A. Consideration and action on the Adoption of the FY2023 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance, as requested by the Finance Department.
City Manager Gleason stated that the budget was the accumulation of continued work since fall of 2021. He stated that while the City had discussed the budget frequently, he took pride in the transparency provided.
Scott Rathbun, Finance Department Director, addressed Council. He presented final totals and key highlights of the Fiscal Year 2023 (“FY23”) budget comparing figures to Fiscal Year 2022’s balances. He then reviewed how the budget had grown over the past seven years less the capital projects and reported the annual growth rate was 2.5%. He reminded Council that capital project funds had varied based on whether projects were completed during each fiscal year or spread across multiple years. Mr. Rathbun went on to discuss major tax and general fund revenues, highlighting key figures, and discussing impacts to various figures. He discussed general fund expenses, highlighted significant differences, and reviewed Citywide revenues and expenses, highlighting key changes compared to the previous year’s budget. He reported on capital project budgets and talked about approval procedure surrounding McLean County Museum in relation to Council Member Emig’s conflict of interest. He ended by discussing resources available to assist in understanding and reviewing the budget, as well as thanking Finance Department staff and Council for their assistance in the budget process.
Council Member Emig made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ward, that the proposed Adoption of the FY2023 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance be approved.
Council Member Urban thanked Mr. Rathbun and City staff for their budget preparation.
Council Member Montney echoed appreciation. She and Mr. Rathbun discussed a previous waste removal fee trend and how the 3% increase had paid for removal and disposal equipment. She stated that her constituents’ main concern was the increase of property taxes and that a significant portion of the budget was funded by Council’s decision to increase property taxes; therefore, she would vote against the budget as presented. She noted areas of funding improvement needed for City streets.
Council Member Crabill echoed appreciation and stated that the budget proved that the City valued public safety and infrastructure. He listed multiple capital and infrastructure projects that reflected those values. He discussed opportunities for improvements to assist residents and increase community involvement.
Council Member Crumpler agreed with the statements made by Council Members Urban and Crabill. He also echoed appreciation of staff. He discussed his review of the budget book and expressed gratitude for the budget education provided by staff to the newly elected officials.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Boelen, Emig, Urban, Ward, Crabill, Crumpler
NAYS: Montney
Motion carried.
The following item was presented:
Item 8.B. Consideration and action on an Ordinance Amending the Budget Ordinance for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2023, related to the McLean County Museum of History, as requested by the Finance Department.
Council Member Emig recused herself at 6:52 p.m. due to a conflict of interest.
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Montney, that the proposed FY2023 Budget Amendment be approved.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Boelen, Montney, Urban, Ward, Crabill, Crumpler
RECUSED: Emig
Motion carried.
Council Member returned at 6:53 p.m.
The following item was presented:
Item 8.C. Consideration and action to appoint a Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Bloomington, as requested by the Administration Department.
Mayor Mwilambwe recommended Council Member Boelen be appointed as Mayor Pro Tem and recognized her long-time involvement in City business prior to her election to Council.
Council Member Crabill made a motion, seconded by Council Member Montney, to move to appoint Council Member Donna Boelen to serve, until a new appointment is made by the City Council, as the Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Bloomington at those times when the Mayor is unable to perform his official duties due to an absence from the City or other incapacity.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call the roll, which resulted in the following:
AYES: Boelen, Montney, Emig, Urban, Ward, Crabill, Crumpler
Motion carried.
Council Member Boelen expressed appreciation for their unanimous support.
City Manager's Discussion
City Manager Gleason discussed upcoming downtown events and welcomed new City staff members. He recognized National Public Safety Telecommunicator Appreciation Week and expressed appreciation to the City's team. He noted their recent national recognition and discussed how they planned to continue to improve.
Mayor's Discussion
Mayor Mwilambwe expressed his condolences for the recent passing of Reverend Bridgette Black, who had served on the City’s Public Safety and Community Relations Board since its inception in 2017. He recognized her for numerous awards she had received for her involvement in the community.
Council Member's Discussion
Council Member Ward additionally expressed her condolences for Rev. Black. She noted another individual in the community had fallen victim to gun violence in the past week.
Council Member Crabill discussed an event that he and Council Member Ward had attended on the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"). He thanked staff for their willingness to gain additional insight on ADA compliance issues from individuals with disabilities. He also recognized a new affordable housing development.
Council Member Crumpler reported on an event he had attended that was hosted by the Girl Scouts of Illinois. He was impressed by multiple programs they had created to benefit the community.
Council Member Montney stressed the importance of reducing property taxes and encouraging staff and Council to continue to seek ways to reduce costs.
Council Member Boelen provided an update on Behavior Health Coordinating Council's Action Plan and reported that they planned to address housing needs within the next two years. She suggested a discussion on the impacts of taxes on residents before budget discussions for Fiscal Year 2024 began.
Executive Session
No Executive Session was held.
Adjournment
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Montney, that the meeting be adjourned.
Motion carried (viva voce).
The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
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