Bloomington Council Meeting – Aug 24

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The City of Bloomington approved a contract with Teska Associates for the West Bloomington Quality of Life Road Map and made amendments to the Bloomington zoning code.

At the meeting, City Manager Jeff Jurgens announced a Data Center City/Town Panel Discussion on Wednesday at 5-8 p.m. at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. Community questions can be submitted electronically through Bloomington’s Data Center Information Hub.

“Wednesday, we will be working to compile all the questions. I think there are well over 100 submissions so far,” said Jurgens.

Director of Community Impact and Enhancement Cordaryl Patrick presented the West Bloomington Quality of Life Road Map requested by the Community Impact and
Enhancement Department to the City of Bloomington Council.

“The original plan was conducted over 15 years ago, in fact, it’s been closer to 20 years,” said Parick. “This is an opportunity to take a step back and reach out to the community to see if there are still challenges that exist or if there are new challenges in West Bloomington?”

The west side of Bloomington currently houses approximately 12,600 residents.

Patrick said he anticipates this project will take 10 months to fully implement. This project will cost a total of $99,700.

Ward 7 Council Member Mollie Ward provided support and feedback to the action.

“Every 20 years or so, any plan, any area of the community needs kind of a look at it and an opportunity to ask ‘Where are we?’ at this point and needs a refresh, so for that reason alone, I’m supportive of this,” said Ward. “One thing I will find essential before moving on to completely supporting this, once that whole 10 month process is done, is this has gotta have a component of monitoring and evaluation in a formal sense.”

Ward 8 Council Member Kent Lee shared his concern for confusion about the action.

Patrick said that the vote was to allow Teska Associates, a landscape architecture company, to move forward with a strategic plan

This action was approved unanimously.

Manager Alissa Pemberton presented an ordinance approving text amendments to
the city zoning code, including permissions in business districts, residential district bulk and site
standards, off-street parking and loading, accessory buildings and uses, and
general administrative corrections.

At the closing of the meeting, Finance Director Scott Rathbun presented the city’s monthly financial summary through July 31.

The Bloomington City Council meets at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.