[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6288782,"mediaKeyId","2535709-6cc4b98cead277709b8484d0ae24489d","parentId",2535709,"title","Votes at a glance: council approves consent agenda (minus one item), Meadowbrook infrastructure work and board appointment","audioSeconds",490,"startMs",2600000,"endMs",3090000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535709-6cc4b98cead277709b8484d0ae24489d&start=2600&end=3090","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535709-6cc4b98cead277709b8484d0ae24489d/thumbnail_2600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6288782/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-consent-agenda-minus-one-item-Meadowbrook-infrastructure-work-and-board-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288782-775096112633fe28bdad6b45d8e2ec0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165165&Signature=UHZRd2vCyK0LEzrtzmmof6Pa0f8Ny0VIvAA1p6IFQMKRBPp5REmHDLtPvS71cEW0Em-xOdm8jRnbWxfU3M2aET9CKJ2Th3gzyB7efE04NkHgLe649bTBRYeymwGNHhnn1FskQXmO0HaLmapKtmotdJuW81JrLDfKzoE1SgZ8gsL-Is~WYtMoVD~iUVGiydzhbcCV9T7h5iIMETWCG~Do1ppB4KqblcqBp~IdVdjk4k~ilrQ57D5QuGb2i~vmmB2vwaTb5SWRG~EEs9Aqz7WjeNDy~mfqWpPZmP2MPedkvUADT0E~nziq5sH~~4G2XjXmCrDzxpuFtv6vpvpgkLpWIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bloomington, IL","date","2025-03-10T22:40:47Z","article","The Bloomington City Council took the following formal actions during the meeting.

Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda with the exception of item 7f. A council member requested item 7f be pulled for discussion; the consent agenda then passed with the remaining items on a recorded vote using the council’s electronic voting system. The council did not read a full roll‑call tally into the audio record for the consent motion.

Meadowbrook Subdivision infrastructure (pulled item 7f): Council member Kearns pulled the Meadowbrook water‑line replacement and street work item to highlight the neighborhood impact. Kearns moved to approve the item and Council member Crumpler seconded; the council voted to approve the project. Staff provided construction sequencing and noted the project consists of three contracts (water main, citywide sidewalk replacement and citywide paving) and that deeper burial depths were required in parts of Meadowbrook to avoid conflicts with sanitary laterals. The staff presentation said the project will require additional coordination between contractors and a fall pave‑out; staff also said they will update the project status on the city website.

Appointment to McLean County Behavioral Health Coordinating Council (item 8a): The council considered appointing Council member Sheila Motley to the McLean County Behavioral Health Coordinating Council. A motion to table the nomination failed for lack of a second; a subsequent motion to approve the appointment was made and seconded by Council member Lee. The council approved the appointment.

Other formal actions: The council authorized a waiver of formal bidding and a contract with Kemco Systems Inc. for a powered activated carbon system (reported separately in other coverage) and approved the proposed FY2026 budget presentation for public hearing (presentation only; adoption pending).

Notes: Where the meeting used the electronic voting clickers, the audio transcript indicates the vote passed and that “no nays” or “no need to announce” in several instances; the record did not include a full roll‑call tally for each action in the audio excerpt provided. If specific vote counts are required for official recordkeeping, the clerk’s minutes and the meeting packet should be referenced for final tallies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - 3/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved the consent agenda with the exception of one pulled item, authorized Meadowbrook Subdivision water‑line and street work, and approved a council appointment to the McLean County Behavioral Health Coordinating Council.","taxTitle","Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois","taxId",2828,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288788,"Renters urge Bloomington council to endorse bill letting communities vote on rent limits",326,2026000,2352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535709-6cc4b98cead277709b8484d0ae24489d&start=2026&end=2352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535709-6cc4b98cead277709b8484d0ae24489d/thumbnail_2026000.jpg","/articles/6288788/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Renters-urge-Bloomington-council-to-endorse-bill-letting-communities-vote-on-rent-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288788-950a1f0869079cef4d618fe19401ec97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165165&Signature=K~skvT0EALh~z09jYieYJD21CQhLV3SRNlr1m~JFGbJXkgZr9cqOzP7J9UrjuAvmtstzciH0DOnnXmR0VLBBkmpY6qijVs8EKAbRVR6upZyxihNlkBrnPi8BV9iHEkl2B6pW7a5bZVP8UM8Q-Q77SDDn-BuypOcrGMO8RVNTkRAtyUbKr~0AV4BeZEH88CndlidV8lUZXa0KGA1GfRilz1wlw5V6sXfu7LNILEig03seENnMyGRSjnT~6uZ~gIIt8OH1CRivLXNJh5TgBa37V-z61lC47neaOL840ImE~RRUg~uhHrRMP75INZ4qNPmJm1VaDdqPbOL4-hqX33pgCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three Bloomington residents told the City Council during public comment that they want local officials to support Illinois House Bill 3687, which would lift a statewide ban and allow municipalities to decide whether to set local rent‑limit policies.

Georgine Chiselle of Ward 2 said rent in Illinois has risen about 55% since 2019 and described statewide eviction statistics; Chiselle asked whether council members would champion and advocate for a city resolution backing HB 3687. “Will you champion, vote for, and advocate for a city council resolution backing HB 3687?” she asked.

Sonny Garcia, introduced as the McLean County organizer for the Lift the Ban campaign and a Ward 6 resident, repeated the statistics cited by Chiselle and urged elected officials and mayoral and council candidates in the room to take a public position supporting the bill. Garcia also described a personal housing example — his adult daughter moving back home because she could not afford rent — and said rent pressures are increasing multigenerational living.

Rebecca Mangels, who said she holds a master’s degree and multiple jobs, told the council that people who are well‑employed are nevertheless struggling to afford rent and urged councilors to “stand in solidarity with renters” and support HB 3687.

No council motion or formal agenda action on HB 3687 was recorded during the meeting; the speakers’ request was submitted as public comment. Several of the speakers also asked area candidates and elected officials present that evening to state their positions publicly.

Clarifying details: the bill number cited by speakers was HB 36 87 (HB 3687); speakers asked the council to adopt a resolution in support but the transcript records no council vote or staff direction on that specific request.","Three speakers during public comment urged Bloomington’s council to back Illinois House Bill 3687, which would lift the statewide ban on rent control and allow local referenda or ordinances on rent limits; speakers asked councilors and candidates to publicly support the measure.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288793,"City presents $137 million FY2026 proposed budget, highlights $81 million in capital projects",3085,4815000,7900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535709-6cc4b98cead277709b8484d0ae24489d&start=4815&end=7900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535709-6cc4b98cead277709b8484d0ae24489d/thumbnail_4815000.jpg","/articles/6288793/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/City-presents-137-million-FY2026-proposed-budget-highlights-81-million-in-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288793-a1a23050d8993e254c06cb672227c3d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165165&Signature=Ku5~Qb0y6bAmGiAzhzRkYqLojDlz54ea6taLyZKLZsawAZr5r6dEAwa1jIpbJpfwVg58FAuHVNU4KCUPBpYbDUuFhj08JAlR-lMuzv7fdenujMsbtI8OWHYutdKfuN-r6J20e-hJz6zLC-SMsJKkkHklmca3ANOaTpufJ~62f9ccfcN14~KT8IH0hGKsTNPSTH59ap3mQrfJmArYxrQyvK5eF6RIeRIAobb1rAbFHZn4Vv3qW2RWxioyTvGdcHaWO2cMnH8j9RetnOm11GZLha-6a-N~mZamkw5Byz3UNz6EGQjqYjcIdonx28XFDmC-MihvGDn6AtxascL5yeH51g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance director Scott Rathbun presented the Bloomington City Council with the city’s proposed FY2026 budget and a detailed review of $81.1 million in capital projects that account for roughly 25% of the proposed citywide budget.

Rathbun said the city must present its proposed budget by March 15 and described key changes since the February briefing: the addition of a $3.95 million “front and center” project increased citywide capital totals and altered the general‑fund transfer to the capital improvement fund. He told council that roughly $9.6 million — nearly 12% of the capital total — is expected from external sources such as grants and partner contributions.

Directors outlined major project categories: engineering described grant‑funded trail and sidewalk work, Constitution Trail extensions and DECO/ITEP projects; public works and water described Fox Creek Road and Hamilton Road phases; parks outlined Sunnyside Park sustainability and the Highland Park cart shed and clubhouse replacement; the water department presented multi‑year GIS and leak‑detection pilots and the planned PAC system purchase discussed separately.

Interim engineering director Jim Karch emphasized recent grant successes and a new infrastructure dashboard the city has launched to show project status and funding. He also said sidewalk complaint backlogs (about 489 at the time of the meeting) will be addressed in the FY2026 sidewalk contract.

Council members asked about grant funding variability, sidewalk and concrete repair priorities, the difference between grant‑funded increases and local taxpayer impact, and timing for stormwater and sanitary sewer projects. Karch said FEMA has indicated Bloomington is a strong candidate for a proposed 75% hazard‑mitigation grant that would cover phases 5 and 6 of the East Street (Baker Ash) detention basin modifications; council member questions noted that if awarded, the grant would materially accelerate flood‑mitigation work.

Rathbun said detailed project sheets and two budget books are available on the finance page and that the council will hold a public hearing at month’s end with final adoption targeted for April 14. He asked council to hold questions until the end of the presentation; councilors then raised several technical and timing points that directors said they would return with more detail on in upcoming Council meetings.

Why it matters: the capital projects include several multi‑year transportation and stormwater efforts that affect neighborhoods, flood risk and future development patterns. The budget presentation sets the public schedule for hearings and adoption and frames anticipated grant dependency for several large projects.","Finance Director Scott Rathbun presented the city’s FY2026 proposed budget and $81.1 million in capital projects, including roadwork, trail extensions, park improvements and stormwater projects; council asked questions about grants, timing and program details ahead of a public hearing and final adoption in April.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288797,"Bloomington council authorizes powered‑activated carbon system after extended discussion of taste and odor problems",1432,3298000,4730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535709-6cc4b98cead277709b8484d0ae24489d&start=3298&end=4730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535709-6cc4b98cead277709b8484d0ae24489d/thumbnail_3298000.jpg","/articles/6288797/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Bloomington-council-authorizes-poweredactivated-carbon-system-after-extended-discussion-of-taste-and-odor-problems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288797-4856a85d6ac80b3ba53715619887399b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165165&Signature=oEwkxfFxVMiI3u1ZC3bVXaHbwaiQMjj42IPNmJhseAZ5kLbBouSw49hRImvIXUXplYk407EfYpadHZKPr98AFu8rZUeon1UTugBEttf16cPSD5exiOvP3sQ9iwlo5mIz~Vg-21GeZv-916h-DFkL2eV2xxc~yLOAzIKddyNcIqVDRNdXh9kl228WvCq7Ds5ANSKRMPcdn7vS~6vyBCaNesrgW0fR1WELMPJ1fapgLWEphvZQOHEdPOeC2dokoaYHNrPiHPTC7~naRgSk1A~~Y5RD1eEJaemFxCdaptspWRL7pR1uMdPH~IXg27FDLciV6cxXhK65joCJPl4W1Gt2Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bloomington City Council voted to waive formal bidding and authorize a contract with Kemco Systems Inc. for a permanent powered‑activated carbon system to treat taste-and-odor compounds in the city’s drinking water.

City water director Ed Andrews told the council the treatment purchase is intended to address unusually high readings of 2 common taste-and-odor compounds — MIB and geosmin — recorded this season. Andrews said the city recorded a new MIB reading of about 300 nanograms per liter at Lake Bloomington and about 550 nanograms per liter at Lake Evergreen and has been drawing primarily from Evergreen since Jan. 31.

“Safe water has always been our main objective,” Andrews said, describing work the department has done to add temporary PAC feed, increase the number of filters operating and pursue a permanent system with a 12‑plus month manufacturing lead time. He told council staff expect the permanent unit to ship in March with training and setup in early April and that the temporary manual system requires near‑constant bag feed at current treatment rates.

Finance director Scott Rathbun and water staff described short-term and longer-term steps. The city has begun on‑site temporary PAC use, purchased additional bulk carbon, and is pursuing laboratory contracts to shorten sample turnaround so operators can pace PAC dosing more accurately. Staff said current laboratory turnaround and weekly sample timing have limited the department’s ability to adjust dosing quickly.

Council members pressed staff on supply reliability, operating cost and timelines. Council member Mosley asked whether other cities would be competing for the same equipment; Andrews said utilities that already operate PAC have established supply lines and the city had procured a bulk contract bid for May 1 to secure feedstock. Council member Lee asked about equipment lifespan; Andrews said mechanical components are expected to be in service “easily 10 to 20 years” and the silo should be long‑lived. Council member Hendricks moved to approve the contract authorization; Council member Ward seconded the motion. The item passed on the council’s roll‑call voting system; the council did not read a roll‑call tally into the record.

Why it matters: the PAC system is designed to reduce algae‑byproduct concentrations that cause a persistent objectionable taste and odor; water staff also plan upstream lake‑management actions and a coordinated monitoring program with university and federal partners to address recurring algae blooms rather than only treating water at the plant.

Clarifying details: the contract amount is for an amount not to exceed $755,132; staff reported an estimated near‑term carbon “burn rate” of roughly $15,000–$20,000 per week while the bloom remains severe; temporary manual PAC use is being phased out once the permanent system is online; the city has applied for related permits and is coordinating with IEPA for lake sampling and with vendors for equipment procurement.

Staff said they will publish updated sampling data and project timelines on the city website and that a citizen taste committee may be formed after the permanent system is installed to set target thresholds and evaluate the utility’s baseline.","After months of taste-and-odor complaints linked to high MIB and geosmin readings in city lakes, the Bloomington City Council voted to waive formal bidding and authorize a contract with Kemco Systems Inc. for a permanent powered‑activated carbon (PAC) treatment system to reduce algae-related compounds in the drinking-water supply.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: council approves consent agenda (minus one item), Meadowbrook infrastructure work and board appointment

Renters urge Bloomington council to endorse bill letting communities vote on rent limits

City presents $137 million FY2026 proposed budget, highlights $81 million in capital projects

Bloomington council authorizes powered‑activated carbon system after extended discussion of taste and odor problems