Bloomington City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Story
Council advances three major city projects with community input
Bloomington Forward Projects Status Updates
Recognition of City Communications Staff Awards
Launch of New Instagram Reel Series 'Paw-spectives'
Votes (4)
Ranked Choice Voting Ballot Language Discussion
Dissent: null
Moved by null · Seconded by null
The City Council engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the precise wording for a ballot question concerning the continued use of Ranked Choice Voting. The objective was to ensure the language was clear, easy to understand, and accurately reflected the intent of the resident petition. City staff and Council members offered various suggestions to achieve this balance.
Community Health and Wellness Center Status Update
Dissent: null
Moved by null · Seconded by null
The Council received an update on the Community Health and Wellness Center, which included information on sustainability efforts, a summary of amenities, and preliminary designs for the facility and parking. A key discussion point was cost recovery, focusing on balancing broad community access with generating sufficient revenue through user fees and memberships to cover a substantial portion of facility costs.
Bloomington Ice Garden Modernization Project Update
Dissent: null
Moved by null · Seconded by null
The Council was updated on the Bloomington Ice Garden modernization project. A bid package for refrigeration equipment and new dasher boards was approved in April. Staff held discussions with Bloomington Public Schools regarding high school locker room designs and are exploring parking lot redesigns for enhanced safety. The project's sustainability focus was determined to be solar energy and electrical equipment, with specific plans for a solar array on the roof over Rink Three. Construction on refrigeration equipment is set to begin this fall, with full construction slated for mid-March 2025.
Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project Update
Dissent: null
Moved by null · Seconded by null
A status update was provided for the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project. Site assessments of existing conditions, including a topographic survey, natural area assessment, wetland delineations, and bridge and creek assessments, have begun and are anticipated to conclude this fall. Upcoming community engagement events include a nature and ecology creek walk on July 30 and a large event at Moir Park on August 7. Focus group discussions regarding accessibility and connectivity will commence by early August. The plan is to present project concepts for community and Council review in October, with a recommendation on overall project concept elements, specifically related to trail use, in December.
Notable Quotes (3)
OUR DISCUSSION ON MONDAY EVENING WAS ABOUT THE SPECIFIC WORDING OF THAT BALLOT QUESTION. CITY STAFF PROPOSED A COUPLE OF IDEAS AND THE COUNCIL OFFERED SOME SUGGESTIONS AS WELL, ALL WITH THE IDEA OF MAKING SURE THE BALLOT QUESTION IS STRAIGHTFORWARD AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENSURING THAT THE LANGUAGE ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE INTENT OF THE RESIDENTS WHO PRESENTED THE PETITION.
WE ALSO HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT COST RECOVERY – TRYING TO FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN ENSURING THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER AND ENSURING THAT ENOUGH REVENUE IS GENERATED THROUGH USER FEES AND MEMBERSHIPS SO THAT A GOOD PORTION OF FACILITY COSTS ARE COVERED.
AFTER LOOKING AT A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE OPTIONS, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS WILL BE ON SOLAR ENERGY AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. THE ROOF OVER RINK THREE CAN HANDLE A SOLAR ARRAY AND STAFF IS LOOKING AT SOLAR COMPATIBILITY ON THE REST OF THE FACILITY.
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
The foundational document of the city, subject to changes regarding Ranked Choice Voting.
Official website providing more information on the three major city projects.
An award-winning communication product from the City of Bloomington.
An award-winning communication product from the City of Bloomington.
An award-winning promotional video by the City of Bloomington.
An award-winning informational video by the City of Bloomington.
Public information efforts for the Bloomington Forward projects, recognized with an award.
A publication by the City of Bloomington recognized with an award.
A video series by the City of Bloomington recognized with an award.
A video series by the City of Bloomington recognized with an award.
A video series by the City of Bloomington recognized with an award.
New Instagram reel series launched by the City of Bloomington highlighting pets.