McLean County Times

City of Bloomington City Council met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council convened in regular session in the Government Center Boardroom 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	Present
Sheila Montney	Council Member, Ward 3	Absent
John Danenberger	Council Member, Ward 4	Present
Nick Becker	Council Member, Ward 5	Present
Cody Hendricks	Council Member, Ward 6	Absent
Mollie Ward	Council Member, Ward 7	Present
Kent Lee	Council Member, Ward 8	Present
Tom Crumpler	Council Member, Ward 9	Present

Recognition/Appointments 

Item 5.A. Recognition of Board & Commission Appointments, as requested by the Administration Department. 

Mayor Mwilambwe recognized the following: Tim Brock and Orman Jones, Bloomington Housing Authority; Ashlee Sang, Library Board of Trustees; and John Poling and Matt Steinkoenig, Zoning Board of Appeals.

Public Comment 

Mayor Mwilambwe read a public comment statement of procedure. Peggy Keylin, Alex Girard, Kathryn Gossard, and Noah Tang emailed public comment. Marty Seigel, Dawn Dannenbring and Mike Kerber 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 Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Becker, to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of Item 8.H. 

Item 8.A. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the October 14, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Minutes be approved.) 

Item 8.B. Consideration and Action on Approving Bills and Payroll in the Amount of $8,626,170.19, as requested by the Finance Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Bills and Payroll be approved.) 

Item 8.C. Consideration and Action on a Resolution Approving the John M. Scott Health Care Trust Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Trust Report, as requested by the Economic & Community Development Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Resolution be approved.) 

RESOLUTION NO. 2024 – 069 

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE JOHN M. SCOTT HEALTH CARE TRUST FISCAL YEAR 2024 ANNUAL TRUST REPORT 

Item 8.D. Consideration and Action on a Supplemental Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code, for Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds to be used for the purchase of Right Of-Way and Easements for the Fox Creek Road & Bridge Project, in the Amount Not to Exceed  $85,169, as requested by the Department of Operations & Engineering Services. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Supplemental Resolution be approved.) 

RESOLUTION NO. 2024 – 070 076 

A SUPPLEMENTAL RESOLUTION FOR IMPROVEMENT UNDER THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE, FOR MOTOR FUEL TAX (MFT) FUNDS TO BE USED FOR THE PURCHASE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY AND EASEMENTS FOR THE FOX CREEK ROAD & BRIDGE PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $85,169 

Item 8.E. Consideration and Action on (1) a Supplemental Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code, in the Amount Not to Exceed $109,933; (2) a Resolution Approving the Preliminary/Construction Engineering Services Agreement Supplement for Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds, with Alfred Benesch & Company, in the Amount Not to Exceed $109,933, as requested by the Department of Operations & Engineering Services. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Resolutions be approved.) 

RESOLUTION NO. 2024 – 071 

A SUPPLEMENTAL RESOLUTION FOR IMPROVEMENT UNDER THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE, IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $109,933 

RESOLUTION NO. 2024 – 072 

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY/CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT FOR MOTOR FUEL TAX (MFT) FUNDS, WITH ALFRED BENESCH & COMPANY, IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $109,933 

Item 8.F. Consideration and Action on a Resolution to Approve a Contract with Century Industries for the Replacement of a Mobile Stage, in the Amount of $138,108, as requested by the Parks & Recreation Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Resolution be approved.) 

RESOLUTION NO. 2024 – 073 

A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH CENTURY INDUSTRIES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A MOBILE STAGE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $138,108 

Item 8.G. Consideration and Action on a Resolution Approving a Purchase Order with Dell, Inc., for the Microsoft Enterprise Software Annual Renewal for Software Maintenance and Support Covering the City's Microsoft Licensing, in the Amount of $317,870.80, as requested by the Information Technology Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Resolution be approved.) 

RESOLUTION NO. 2024 – 074 

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PURCHASE ORDER WITH DELL, INC., FOR THE MICROSOFT ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE ANNUAL RENEWAL FOR SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT COVERING THE CITY'S MICROSOFT LICENSING, IN THE AMOUNT OF $317,870.80 

Item 8.H. was pulled from the Consent Agenda by Council Member Kearns. 

Item 8.I. Consideration and Action on an Application from Kobe Revolving Sushi Bar, LLC, located at 1500 E. Empire St., Suite A1, Requesting Approval of the Creation of a Class RBS (Restaurant, Beer & Wine Only, and Sunday Sales) Liquor License, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Application be approved.) 

Item 8.J. Consideration and Action on an Application from Rice N Spice Indian Grill, Inc., located at 110 W. Washington St., 1st Floor, Requesting Approval of 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 Application be approved.) 

Item 8.K. Consideration and Action on an Application from Jay Sadhimaa Two, LLC, d/b/a Bloomington Shell, located at 2401 E. Oakland Ave., Requesting Approval of a Change in Classification from a Class GPBS (Gas Station Grocery Convenience Store, Beer & Wine Only, and Sunday Sales) Liquor License to a Class GPAS (Gas Station Grocery Convenience Store, All Types of Alcohol, and Sunday Sales) Liquor License, as requested by the City Clerk Department. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Application be approved.) 

Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll: 

AYES: Boelen, Kearns, Danenberger, Becker, Ward, Lee, Crumpler

Motion carried. 

Items Pulled from the Consent Agenda 

The following Item was pulled from the Consent Agenda by Council Member Kearns: 

Item 8.H. Consideration and Action on an Ordinance Amending the Bloomington City Code Chapter 28, Section 194 to Clarify the Definition of “Loud and Raucous Noise” and the  General Prohibition of Such Loud and Raucous Noise Emanating from Public and Private Locations, as requested by the Legal Department and the Administration Department. 

Council Member Kearns explained that she pulled the Item to further discuss the reasoning for the Item and past responses to recent community events, such as pop-up parties and Town of Normal ordinance changes. City Manager Jurgens explained that the ordinance was not related to the pop-up parties but was in response to complaints from Downtown businesses and residents. He stated the ordinance expanded the current noise ordinance to include private property as well as public property.

Corporation Counsel Chris Spanos explained the ordinance amendment clarified language surrounding noise over 70 decibels on public or private property that does not have a permit.

Council Member Ward asked about the exceptions for outdoor concerts and gatherings with permits. City Manager Jurgens stated that outdoor events are scheduled at reasonable times to accommodate the public and reiterated that the ordinance expanded the definition to include public property.

Council Member Kearns made a motion, seconded by Council Member Danenberger, to approve the Item as presented. 

Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll: 

AYES: Boelen, Kearns, Danenberger, Becker, Ward, Lee, Crumpler

Motion carried. 

ORDINANCE NO. 2024 – 083 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BLOOMINGTON CITY CODE CHAPTER 28, SECTION 194 TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF “LOUD AND RAUCOUS NOISE” AND THE GENERAL PROHIBITION OF SUCH LOUD AND RAUCOUS NOISE EMANATING FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LOCATIONS 

Regular Agenda 

The following Item was presented: 

Item 9.A. Consideration and Action on an Ordinance Amending the Bloomington City Code Updating Chapter 2, Section 2-345 to Eliminate the Economic & Community Development Department and Create the Development Services Department, and Adding Section 2.345.2 Creating the Department of Community Impact and Enhancement, as requested by the Administration Department. 

City Manager Jurgens expressed his excitement for the changes, briefly noted the positive impact on community economic development, and thanked Sr. Deputy City Manager (Sr. DCM) Tyus for his work leading the reorganization. Sr. DCM Tyus echoed excitement for the changes. He stated the goal was to restructure by creating two departments to allow intentional attention to economic development and neighborhood vitality. He explained the Department of Community Impact and Enhancement would focus on improving existing housing stock, grants, and neighborhood and Downtown improvements (CI&E). He then explained the Development Services Department (DSD) would focus on all things related to building and economic development, such as planning, zoning, permitting, inspections, building safety, and plan review. He shared that DSD would provide a one-stop location for developers and builders, an in-house advocate for builders, and a focus on customer service. He concluded by noting the structure and leadership of both departments.

Council Member Ward congratulated staff and expressed her support.

Council Member Ward made a motion, seconded by Council Member Becker, to approve the Item as presented. 

Council Member Boelen expressed her support and suggested updates to the website to provide concise definitions and processes to be more accessible and easily understood. Sr. DCM Tyus noted the branding campaign that would simplify the process and provide information to builders/developers.

Council Member Kearns asked for clarification on outreach to community members and smaller builders. Sr. DCM Tyus explained the importance of housing rehabilitation and discussed the conversations surrounding outreach efforts that would be made throughout the community.

Mayor Mwilambwe and Sr. DCM Tyus discussed how the changes would not change the boards, commissions, and zoning but would improvements of the processes and enable more community input.

Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll: 

AYES: Boelen, Kearns, Danenberger, Becker, Ward, Lee, Crumpler

Motion carried. 

ORDINANCE NO. 2024 – 084 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BLOOMINGTON CITY CODE UPDATING CHAPTER 2, SECTION 2-345 TO ELIMINATE THE ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND CREATE THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND ADDING SECTION 2.345.2 CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY IMPACT AND ENHANCEMENT 

The following Item was presented: 

Item 9.B. Consideration and Action on a Resolution of the City of Bloomington in Support of State Action to Protect the Mahomet Aquifer, as requested by City Council. 

Council Member Danenberger thanked the Mayor, City Manager Jurgens, and staff for their assistance with the Item. He shared that other municipalities passed similar resolutions, explaining that the resolution aimed to protect residents’ drinking water, property values, land rights, and tax from harmful projects. He described the environmental impact of CO2 pumped underground and the importance of protecting the Mahomet Aquifer.

Council Member Danenberger made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ward, to approve the Item as presented. 

Council Member Boelen shared her support of the resolution and shared that developers should be incentivized to plant trees in efforts to sequester CO2.

Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll: 

AYES: Boelen, Kearns, Danenberger, Becker, Ward, Lee, Crumpler

Motion carried. 

RESOLUTION NO. 2024 – 075 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON IN SUPPORT OF STATE ACTION TO PROTECT THE MAHOMET AQUIFER 

Council Member Danenberger expressed his appreciation to Ward 4 residents for their work towards the resolution.

City Manager's Discussion 

City Manager Jeff Jurgens highlighted the 2024 State of the Water Industry Report stated watershed and source water protection as the top concern of the sector and expressed gratitude to Ed Andrews, Water Director, and staff for their work. He shared updates regarding the customer service improvements at the Grossinger Motors Arena. He highlighted the weekend events including the Bloomington Bison game, Postmodern Jukebox event, and Loverboy concert. He provided an update on leaf collection efforts and noted where residents could find resources and updates. He then discussed the Bloomington Community Police Academy.

Mayor's Discussion 

Mayor Mwilambwe thanked Police Chief Jamal Simington and staff for hosting the Bloomington Community Police Academy. He expressed his thoughts on the ceremony held for Veterans Day at VFW Post 454 and his appreciation to all veterans.

Council Member's Discussion 

Council Members Becker and Kearns shared their thoughts and experiences from the Bloomington Community Police Academy.

Council Member Boelen shared her appreciation for the history and perspective shared during the Police Academy. She thanked the Department of Operations & Engineering Services for Item 8.D.

Council Member Crumpler provided updates on the search efforts to find a new CEO for the Bloomington Normal Convention Bureau Board.

Council Member Ward congratulated Coach Norm Eash, football coach at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU), for being the longest-serving football coach in IWU history.

Executive Session 

No Executive Session was held.

Adjournment 

Council Member Boelen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Danenberger, to adjourn the meeting. 

Mayor Mwilambwe directed the Clerk to call roll: 

AYES: Boelen, Kearns, Danenberger, Becker, Ward, Lee, Crumpler

Motion carried (viva voce). 

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 P.M.

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