City of Bloomington City Council met Aug. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council convened in regular session in the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts Auditorium at 6:00 P.M., Monday, August 14, 2023. Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance ending with a moment of silent prayer/reflection.
Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Title | Status |
| Mboka Mwilambwe | Mayor | Present |
| Jenna Kearns | Council Member, Ward 1 | Present |
| Donna Boelen | Council Member, Ward 2 | Present |
| Sheila Montney | Council Member, Ward 3 | Present |
| John Danenberger | Council Member, Ward 4 | Absent |
| Nick Becker | Council Member, Ward 5 | Present |
| Cody Hendricks | Council Member, Ward 6 | Present |
| Mollie Ward | Council Member, Ward 7 | Present |
| Kent Lee | Council Member, Ward 8 | Present |
| Tom Crumpler | Council Member, Ward 9 | Present |
No Recognitions or Appointments were presented.
Public Comment
Mayor Mwilambwe read a public comment procedure statement. Emailed public comment was received from Evan Milsteadt and Matthew Toczko. De Urban and Karl Kunkel spoke in-person. Zach Carlson registered for in-person public comment, but was not present.
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 Ward, to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of 7.D.
Item 7.A. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the July 10, 2023, 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 $12,982,036.58, 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.)
Mayor Mwilambwe pulled Item 7.D. from the Consent Agenda.
Item 7.E. Consideration and Action to Approve the Purchase of Turf Tank Pro GPS Paint Robot, GPS Package, and Customer Care Plan from Turf Tank, in the Amount of $59,075, as requested by the Parks & Recreation Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Purchase be approved.)
Item 7.F. Consideration to Approve an Administrative Services Agreement Extension with MissionSquare Retirement (formerly ICMA-RC), as requested by the Human Resources Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Administrative Services Agreement Extension be approved.)
Item 7.G. Consideration and Action on a Services Agreement with Medical Priority Consultants, Inc., d/b/a Priority Dispatch Corporation, in the Amount of $ 123,465, as requested by the Police Department, and the Fire Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Services Agreement be approved.)
Item 7.H. Consideration and Action to Approve a Resolution Authorizing Waiving the Formal Bidding Requirements and Approving an Agreement with McLean County Asphalt Company, Inc., for Chip Seal Pavement Resurfacing, in the Amount of $ 141,466.73, as requested by the Public Works Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Resolution be approved.)
RESOLUTION N0. 2023 – 2023
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING REQUIREMENTS AND APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH MCLEAN COUNTY ASPHALT, INC., FOR CHIP SEAL PAVEMENT RESURFACING, IN THE AMOUNT OF $141,466.73
Item 7.I. Consideration and Action on an Application from TA Operating, LLC, d/b/a Travel Centers of America #092, located at 505 Truckers Lane, Requesting Approval of a 100% Ownership Change Due to a Change in the Licensed Parent Company of a Class GBPS (Convenience Store, Beer & Wine Only, Package, and Sunday Sales) Liquor License, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Change in Licensed Parent Company be approved.)
Item 7.J. Consideration and Action on an Application from The Vault on Washington, LLC, to be located at 110 W. Washington St., Requesting the Creation of a Class TAS (Tavern, All Types of Alcohol, and Sunday Sales) Liquor License, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed License be approved.)
Item 7.K. Consideration and Action on an Application from Vera & Buck Floral Studio, LLC, d/b/a Vera & Buck, located at 115 E. Monroe St., Requesting the Creation of a Class TBP (Tavern, Beer & Wine Only, and Package Sales) Liquor License, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed License be approved.)
Item 7.L. Consideration and Action on an Application from Revery Bloomington, LLC, d/b/a Revery, to be located at 704 McGregor St., Requesting the Creation of a Class RAS (Restaurant, All Types of Alcohol, and Sunday Sales) Liquor License, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed License be approved.)
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Kearns, Boelen, Montney, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee, Crumpler
Motion carried.
Items Pulled from Consent Agenda
Item 7.D. Consideration and Action to Approve the Purchase of a BearCat Rescue Vehicle for the Police Department from Lenco Industries, Inc., in the Amount of $249,229, as requested by the Police Department.
Council Member Ward thanked Police Chief, Jamal Simington, for his thorough correspondence to her requests prior to the meeting and asked if he’d share publicly too.
City Manager, Tim Gleason, commended the Bloomington Police Department ("BPD") for their approach to requests for a resource tool that would greatly benefit the community. He noted BPD was thoughtful in its requests for resources and didn’t just request every tool.
Chief Simington stressed his commitment to community safety. He then read a list of questions he’d recently answered for Council.
Council Member Ward clarified with Chief Simington the vehicle was armored, not armed, and no weapons would be attached to the vehicle with the exception of the battering ram. She stressed the Item was not a tank. She acknowledged the community's perception of the vehicle and encouraged continued open communication with the community. She expressed appreciation for BPD and that they carefully considered requests.
Chief Simington addressed the differences between military and local police departments and the strict usages of the vehicle should it be approved.
Council Member Hendricks and Chief Simington discussed conversations Chief Simington had had with local organizations about the purchase.
Council Member Kearns asked about equipment currently in use that didn't meet the needs of BPD prompting the request. Chief Simington shared that BPD had applied to receive a used, discounted BearCat vehicle, but was not selected. He stated that BPD’s SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team currently used vehicles that weren't 4-wheel drive or armored and could be easily penetrated potentially putting staff in danger. He noted currently SWAT team, emergency services team, and negotiations team vehicles could not safely enter hot zones.
Council Member Crumpler asked if there would be any additional training needed to operate the vehicle. Chief Simington stated that specific BPD staff would receive training from the manufacturer and would then train other designated BPD staff. Council Member Crumpler shared his Ward constituents typically supported BPD's efforts, but would appreciate additional time to speak with them.
Council Member Boelen confirmed with Chief Simington that the BearCat would protect first responders in hot zones.
Council Member Lee stated that the price seemed reasonable and asked for additional information on the vehicle. Chief Simington confirmed the vehicle would be new, would cost $12,000 annually for its 20-year life, and that it would not need a specialty mechanic to work on it. Chief Simington noted it would also come with a manufacturer's warranty.
Mayor Mwilambwe and Chief Simington discussed the manufacturer's warranty.
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Montney, to approve the Item as presented.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Boelen, Montney, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee
NAYES: Kearns, Crumpler
Motion carried.
Regular Agenda
No items were considered.
City Manager's Discussion
City Manager Gleason discussed multiple upcoming Downtown events.
Mayor's Discussion
Mayor Mwilambwe recognized the Downtown Farmer's Market and commended City staff for efforts to expand it. He noted a recent ribbon-cutting event he attended and ended by thanking Chief Simington and BPD for their continued efforts to keep the community safe.
Council Member's Discussion
Council Member Hendricks discussed multiple Downtown events and expressed excitement for continued expansion Downtown.
Council Member Kearns echoed positive sentiments for Downtown.
Executive Session
A. Claim Settlement - Section 2(c)(12) of 5 ILCS 120
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hendricks, to enter Executive Session per Section 2(c)(12) of 5 ILCS 120 to discuss a Claim Settlement.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Kearns, Boelen, Montney, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee, Crumpler
Motion carried.
Council left for Executive Session at 6:38 P.M.
Adjournment
Council returned to Open Session at 6:59 P.M.
Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ward, to return to open session and adjourn the meeting.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Kearns, Boelen, Montney, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee, Crumpler
Motion carried (viva voce).
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
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