Jenna Kearns, Ward 1 Council Member | City of Bloomington
Jenna Kearns, Ward 1 Council Member | City of Bloomington
City of Bloomington City Council met Oct. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council convened in regular session at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts at 6:00 P.M. 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 | Absent |
| Sheila Montney | Council Member, Ward 3 | Present |
| John Danenberger | Council Member, Ward 4 | Present |
| 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 |
Public Comment
Mayor Mwilambwe read a public comment statement of procedure. Ryan Whitehouse and Gary Lambert spoke in person.
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 Crumpler made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hendricks, to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of Item 7.L.
Item 7.A. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the September 11, 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 the Minutes of the September 25, 2023, Regular City Council Meeting, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Minutes be approved.)
Item 7.C. Consideration and Action to Approve Bills and Payroll in the Amount of $8,700,357.28, as requested by the Finance Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Bills and Payroll be approved.)
Item 7.D. Consideration and Action to Approve Appointments to Boards & Commissions, as requested by the Administration Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Appointments be approved.)
Item 7.E. Consideration and Action to Approve the Purchase of two GameTime Playgrounds from Playcore Wisconsin Inc C/O Cunningham Recreation, in the Amount of $151,121, as requested by the Parks & Recreation Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Purchase be approved.)
Item 7.F. Consideration and Action on the Purchase of 42 Zoll AED 3 units/cases, as well as 42 Hemostatic Bleed Control Kits, in the Amount of $81,572.68, as requested by the Human Resources Department. (Recommended Motion: The Purchase be approved.)
Item 7.G. Consideration and Action on the Approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Bloomington and the City of Lexington for the use of the City of Bloomington Police Shooting Range, as requested by the Police Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Agreement be approved.)
Item 7.H. Consideration and Action to Approve an Agreement with CDM Smith Inc., for the Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan in Accordance with the State and Federal Requirements, in the Amount of $198,840, as requested by the Water Department, N/A. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Agreement be approved.)
Item 7.I. Consideration and Action on an Ordinance Approving the First Amendment to the Real Estate Contract with the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal dated September 4, 2019, as requested by the Legal Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Ordinance be approved.)
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 – 090
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE REAL ESTATE CONTRACT WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
Item 7.J. Consideration and Action on an Ordinance Approving a Second Amendment to the Economic Incentive Agreement By and Between the City of Bloomington, Illinois, and Forgetful Friends, LLC, as requested by the Economic & Community Development Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Ordinance be approved.)
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 – 091
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO ECONOMIC INCENTIVE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS, AND FORGETFUL FRIENDS, LLC
Item 7.K. Consideration and Action on an Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to Approve Agreements, Contracts, Land Acquisition, and Related Documents Associated with Budgeted Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Infrastructure Improvement Projects, as requested by the Department of Operations & Engineering Services. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Ordinance be approved.)
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 – 092
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS, LAND ACQUISITION, AND RELATED DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH BUDGETED WATER, SEWER, AND STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Item 7.L. was pulled from the Consent Agenda by Council Member Montney.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Kearns, Montney, Danenberger, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee, Crumpler Motion carried.
Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda
Item 7.L. Consideration and Action on an Ordinance Amending Bloomington City Code Chapter 1 Section 31 Regarding Credit Card Payments, as requested by the Finance Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Ordinance be approved.)
Council Member Montney shared that she pulled the Item for discussion to gain an understanding of the 2.5% fee. She expressed concern that the City's labor costs for automated processing of payments versus the manual payments had not been considered.
Tim Gleason, City Manager, clarified that information regarding costs had been shared in a City Manager update and that passing the fee off was a trend seen by many municipalities. Mr. Gleason then introduced Scott Rathbun, Finance Director.
Mr. Rathbun clarified that the Item would still allow alternatives for paying fee free. He explained that one staff member completes all processing, and that with the fee added, the City would save around $300,000. He agreed it made sense to not have an additional fee for residential utilities and explained the presented Item related to Local Tax only. He reiterated that businesses could submit online checks or direct debits with no convenience fee.
Council Member Montney and Mr. Rathbun continued to discuss fees, and opportunities for making payments with no added convenience fees.
Council Member Ward made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hendricks, to approve the Item as presented.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Kearns, Montney, Danenberger, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee, Crumpler Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 – 093
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING BLOOMINGTON CITY CODE CHAPTER 1 REGARDING CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS
Regular Agenda
The following item was presented:
Item 8.A. Consideration and Action on (1) an Ordinance Amending the Budget Ordinance for the Fiscal Year ending April 30, 2024 in the Amount of $997,500; and (2) Consideration and Action to Approve an Agreement with Clark Dietz, Inc., for Professional Engineering Services Related to the Locust Colton Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Elimination and Water Main Replacement Project, Phase 8 and Phase 9, in the Amount Not to Exceed $1,997,500, as requested by the Department of Operations & Engineering Services.
Jeff Jurgens, Deputy City Manager, introduced Kevin Kothe, Department of Operations & Engineering Services (DOES) Director.
Mr. Kothe summarized the Item and the process of the presented sewer system. He spoke about the benefits of the project and stated that the Item represented the last two phases of the project. He presented an overview of the timeline and projected costs.
Mayor Mwilambwe thanked Mr. Kothe and commented to completing the project. City Manager Gleason emphasized the importance of the project and noted it was a priority of Council’s to consolidate phases and complete the project sooner. He noted that the project would be a cost savings to the community.
Council Member Ward and Mr. Kothe discussed combined sewer overflows and what was mandated about them. They then talked about impacts to the westside and how the presented project would help relieve future overflows.
Council Member Ward made a motion, seconded by Council Member Crumpler, to approve the Item as presented.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Kearns, Montney, Danenberger, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee, Crumpler Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 – 094
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BUDGET ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING APRIL 30, 2024
The following item was presented:
Item 8.B. Consideration and Action on 1) an Ordinance Authorizing the City of Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois, to Borrow Funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program, in the Amount of $7.4 Million; 2) an Ordinance Authorizing the City of Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois, to Borrow Funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program, in the Amount of $10.8 Million; 3) a Resolution Authorizing a Representative to Sign Loan Documents for the Public Water Supply Loan Program, for the Locust Colton Combined Sewer Separation Project; and 4) a Resolution Authorizing a Representative to Sign Loan Documents for the Water Pollution Control Loan Program, for the Locust Colton Combined Sewer Separation Project, as requested by the Department of Operations & Engineering Services, the Water Department.
No additional discussion was had.
Council Member Ward made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hendricks, to approve the Item as presented.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Kearns, Montney, Danenberger, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee, Crumpler Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 – 095
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON, MCLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, TO BORROW FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $7.4 MILLION, FOR THE LOCUST COLTON COMBINED SEWER SEPARATION PROJECT
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 – 096
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON, MCLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, TO BORROW FUNDS FROM THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL LOAN PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $10.8 MILLION, FOR THE LOCUST COLTON COMBINED SEWER SEPARATION PROJECT
RESOLUTION NO. 2023 - 026
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A REPRESENTATIVE TO SIGN LOAN DOCUMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN PROGRAM, FOR THE LOCUST COLTON COMBINED SEWER SEPARATION PROJECT
RESOLUTION NO. 2023 – 027
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A REPRESENTATIVE TO SIGN LOAN DOCUMENTS FOR THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL LOAN PROGRAM, FOR THE LOCUST COLTON COMBINED SEWER SEPARATION PROJECT
The following item was presented:
Item 8.C. Consideration and Action on an Ordinance Authorizing a Construction Agreement with George Gildner, Inc., for Phase I of the Fiscal Year 2024 Sidewalk, Curb, and Gutter Replacement Program (Bid #2024-15), in the Amount of $2,383,347.05, as requested by the Department of Operations & Engineering Services.
Kevin Kothe, DOES Director, noted the presentation would also be for Item 8.D. and presented the Item.
Council Member Crumpler thanked staff for being open and explaining to the public the differences in resurfacing materials. He noted there were many positive experiences.
Council Member Montney and Mr. Kothe discussed how many miles would be covered in each phase, pavement preservation, And Council Member Montney requested seeing cost-per-mile calculations. They then discussed why the project would be completed in two phases, and went on to also discuss sidewalk pricing.
Council Member Ward made a motion, seconded by Council Member Montney, to approve the Item as presented.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Kearns, Montney, Danenberger, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee, Crumpler Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 – 097
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT WITH GEORGE GILDNER, INC., FOR PHASE I OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 SIDEWALK, CURB, AND GUTTER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM (BID #2024-15), IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,383,347.05
The following item was presented:
Item 8.D. Consideration and Action on an Ordinance Authorizing a Construction Agreement with Rowe Construction - A Division of United Contractors Midwest, for Phase I of the Fiscal Year 2024 General Resurfacing Program (Bid #2024-14), in the Amount of $4,039,820.24, as requested by the Department of Operations & Engineering Services.
No discussion was had.
Council Member Hendricks made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ward, to approve the Item as presented.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Kearns, Montney, Danenberger, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee, Crumpler Motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 - 098
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT WITH ROWE CONSTRUCTION – A DIVISION OF UNITED CONTRACTORS MIDWEST, FOR PHASE I OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 GENERAL RESURFACING PROGRAM (BID #2024-14), IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,039,820.24
City Manager's Discussion
City Manager Gleason discussed multiple upcoming events Downtown and thanked former Council Member Scott Black for reminding staff to be considerate of possible food allergies during the trick-or-treating events. Mr. Gleason then discussed the Downtown for Everyone Streetscape Project and gave details about the open house. He introduced Billy Tyus, Deputy City Manager, to speak on behalf of the Downtown for Everyone project.
Mr. Tyus explained the project and noted that once input had been collected, it would be brought to Council for consideration. He noted many opportunities for the community to provide input.
Mr. Gleason then discussed several upcoming events at the Bloomington Arena and gave updates regarding bulk pick-up. He shared that the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting would be held back in the Government Center Boardroom.
Mayor's Discussion
Mayor Mwilambwe encouraged the City to attend the Downtown for Everyone Open House and to give input.
Council Member's Discussion
Council Member Ward expressed excitement about the appointment of several members to the Special Commission for Safe Communities. She spoke about an upcoming presentation called the "State of Hate" by the Anti-Defamation League, which would focus on FBI Hate Crime Statistics and Anti-Semitism and how the community could respond to them.
Council Member Crumpler recognized the Parks & Recreation Department on their efforts to provide ADA-compliant parks in the City.
Executive Session
No Executive Session was held.
Adjournment
Council Member Hendricks made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ward, to adjourn the meeting.
Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll:
AYES: Kearns, Montney, Danenberger, Becker, Hendricks, Ward, Lee, Crumpler Motion carried (viva voce).
The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/government/city-council/meetings-agendas
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