Bloomington meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Bloomington council agenda lists homelessness emergency ordinance, three infrastructure purchases

Bloomington's City Council agenda for Oct. 13 listed an ordinance declaring an emergency related to homelessness to increase indoor shelter capacity, along with three infrastructure purchases and a special use permit for vehicle repair and service at 2401 Maloney Drive. Agendas for that meeting and other recent sessions have been posted, but minutes have not yet been published, so what each body decided is not yet part of the public record. The items below are what was scheduled for consideration.

City Council: homelessness declaration and purchases

The Oct. 13 agenda listed the homelessness emergency ordinance alongside:

• Purchase of traffic signal emergency vehicle preemption equipment for $498,425.
• An agreement with William Masters, Inc. for Sugar Creek Pump Station upgrades up to $650,000.
• Purchase and installation of Tipton Park playground equipment up to $267,435.07.
• A Special Use Permit for vehicle repair and service at 2401 Maloney Drive.

The pump station and playground figures are listed as ceilings ("up to"), not as final payments.

Liquor Commission: Fall Fest and three license requests

The Liquor Commission scheduled public hearings to determine whether three applications meet requirements: a special event permit for "Fall Fest" on October 17, 2026, in the 500 and 600 Blocks of Downtown Bloomington; a classification change for RV Petroleum, LLC at 1331 N. Linden St. from Class PB to Class GPAS; and a Class RAS license application for Pop Up Hot Chicken Blono, LLC at 409 N. Hershey Rd.

Human Relations Commission: Harlow case findings

The commission was set to decide whether to adopt, modify, or reject the hearing officer's findings and proposed fines in Harlow v. First Strike Termite & Pest Control Inc. The agenda also listed updates on the commission retreat, discussion of issues affecting the immigrant community, and the status of the 2027 MLK Luncheon.

Historic Preservation Commission: two Funk Grant requests

The commission was scheduled to review Certificates of Appropriateness for wood window repair or replacement at 1007 E. Jefferson St. and for landscaping maintenance at 33 Sunset Road. Two Funk Grant requests of $7,500.00 each were listed for those projects; the landscaping request noted a proposed award between $5,160 and $7,335.

Planning Commission: data center zoning rules

The Planning Commission scheduled a public hearing on Z-07-26, proposed text amendments to the City of Bloomington Zoning Code covering business and manufacturing districts, performance standards, and provisions specific to data center development.

Also on recent agendas

The Cultural Commission's only action item on Oct. 8 was approval of minutes from its Sept. 10 meeting; the rest of the agenda was presentation-only discussion of 2026 shows at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts and Grossinger Motors Arena. The Foreign Fire Insurance Board was set to hold its 2027 election, consider a gym/weight equipment request from Chris McFarland and a Chaplin Stuart Blade request from Matt Musson, and review the Quarterly Treasurer's Report. The Citizens' Beautification Committee was scheduled to vote on a date for the Beautification Awards presentation at a City Council meeting and on a Holiday Decoration Event proposal for submission to the City Clerks Office.

Coming up

• **Oct. 19 — Committee of the Whole:** developer presentations for 801 N. Main Street; amendments to City Code Chapter 10 (Building Code) and Chapter 15 (Electrical Code) to adopt 2021 International and 2023 National codes; continued discussion on regulating vape vending machines.
• **Oct. 21 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** public hearing on V-04-26, a request for 2603 Ridge Road to allow a 13-foot solar energy system height instead of the 4-foot limit. The agenda states the board is recommended to deny the request.
• **Oct. 23 — Fire Pension Board:** final audit report from Baker Tilly, investment recommendations from Wall Capital and Raymond James, engagement letters with Striegel Knobloch & Co., LLC (SKCO), retirement applications for Chad Cusac, Mark Langellier and Lance Benedict, and surviving spouse benefits for Colleen Stokes and Connie Jackson.
• **Cancellations:** the Transportation Commission meeting of Oct. 20 is cancelled, with the next regular meeting Nov. 17. The Technology Commission meeting of Oct. 27 is cancelled, with the next meeting Nov. 24 at 4:00 P.M. The Public Safety & Community Relations Board regular session of Oct. 28 at 3:30 p.m. is cancelled; the next regularly scheduled meeting is the same date at 6:00 p.m.

Bloomington City Council to weigh homelessness emergency ordinance and three infrastructure contracts

No decisions were recorded in Bloomington over the past two weeks. The Planning Commission cancelled its Oct. 1 regular session, and minutes for the Oct. 8 Cultural Commission and Human Relations Commission meetings have not been published. The next round of decisions begins Tuesday, Oct. 13, when the City Council takes up an ordinance declaring an emergency related to homelessness and three infrastructure purchases.

City Council, Oct. 13

The council will discuss declaring an emergency related to homelessness in order to increase indoor shelter capacity. The agenda also lists:

• Purchase of traffic signal emergency vehicle preemption equipment for $498,425
• An agreement with William Masters, Inc. for Sugar Creek Pump Station upgrades up to $650,000
• Purchase and installation of Tipton Park playground equipment up to $267,435.07
• A Special Use Permit for vehicle repair and service at 2401 Maloney Drive

The dollar figures are the amounts listed on the agenda. The pump station and playground items are stated as ceilings of "up to" those amounts, not final payments.

Liquor Commission, Oct. 13

The commission will hold public hearings to determine whether three liquor license applications meet requirements:

• A special event permit for "Fall Fest" on October 17, 2026, in the 500 and 600 Blocks of Downtown Bloomington
• A license classification change for RV Petroleum, LLC at 1331 N. Linden St. from Class PB to Class GPAS
• A Class RAS liquor license application for Pop Up Hot Chicken Blono, LLC at 409 N. Hershey Rd.

Human Relations Commission, Oct. 8

The commission was scheduled to decide whether to adopt, modify, or reject the hearing officer's findings and proposed fines in the case of Harlow v. First Strike Termite & Pest Control Inc. The agenda also listed an update on the commission retreat, a discussion on updates affecting the immigrant community, and an update on the status of the 2027 MLK Luncheon. Minutes have not been published, so no outcome is available.

Cultural Commission, Oct. 8

The only action item was approval of the minutes from the September 10, 2026 regular meeting. The rest of the agenda was presentation-only: upcoming 2026 shows at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts and Grossinger Motors Arena, and 2026 Cultural Commission events. No votes were scheduled on those presentations. Minutes have not been published.

Planning Commission

The Oct. 1 regular session was cancelled. The notice does not state an agenda or a reason for the cancellation. A special session is set for Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at 4:00 P.M. at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts, 600 N. East St. That session includes a public hearing on Z-07-26, proposed text amendments to the City of Bloomington Zoning Code covering business and manufacturing districts, performance standards, and provisions for data center development. The next regular session is set for Nov. 4, 2026, at 4:00 P.M.

Also on the calendar

• **Foreign Fire Insurance Board, Oct. 14:** conduct the 2027 Foreign Fire Election; consider a gym/weight equipment request from Chris McFarland and a request from Matt Musson for a Chaplin Stuart Blade; review the Quarterly Treasurer's Report.
• **Historic Preservation Commission, Oct. 15:** Certificates of Appropriateness for wood window repair or replacement at 1007 E. Jefferson St. and for landscaping maintenance at 33 Sunset Road. Funk Grant requests of $7,500.00 are listed for each property, with the landscaping award proposed between $5,160 and $7,335.
• **Citizen's Beautification Committee, Oct. 15:** vote on a date for the Beautification Awards presentation at a City Council meeting; approval of a Holiday Decoration Event proposal for submission to the City Clerks Office; discussion of future committee officers; and a Parks and Recreation Department presentation.

Coming up

• **Oct. 13:** City Council and Liquor Commission.
• **Oct. 14:** Foreign Fire Insurance Board.
• **Oct. 15:** Historic Preservation Commission and Citizen's Beautification Committee.
• **Oct. 16, 4:00 P.M.:** Planning Commission special session at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts, 600 N. East St., on data center zoning amendments.
• **Oct. 27:** Technology Commission meeting cancelled; the next regular meeting is set for Nov. 24, 2026, at 4:00 P.M.

Township Board approves payments; City Council to weigh affordable housing pact

The Bloomington Township Board of Trustees approved routine financial items at its July 27 meeting, including the May meeting minutes and a June payment request. The board certified the May 2026 Statement of Funds for General Town Administration, General Assistance, and Cemetery Funds, and approved the June 22, 2026, General Town Fund Request for Payment. No other items were on the regular agenda.

City Council agenda

The City Council's July 27 agenda included a memorandum of understanding with Habitat for Humanity of McLean County to create new affordable housing. The council also was set to consider approval of bills and payroll totaling $14,742,898.80, a preliminary plan for the Maple Square subdivision at 1029 Maple Hill Road, an agreement with Anderson Electric, Inc. for power service at 120 North Center Street for $176,300, and an agreement with McLean County Asphalt, Co. for Lake Bloomington road resurfacing for $193,114.35. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published.

Other recent meetings

The Technology Commission meeting scheduled for July 28 was canceled.

The Building Board of Appeals' August 4 agenda included discussion of property maintenance code appeals and planned updates to building codes, including the 2021 International Code Council Family of Codes and the 2023 National Electric Code. The board also considered approval of minutes from its June 2 session. No decisions were reported.

The Planning Commission's August 6 agenda included a public hearing on proposed Zoning Code text amendments regarding Business District use permissions, Residential District bulk and site standards, off-street parking and loading, and accessory buildings and uses. The commission will determine if the changes are in the public interest before recommending them to the City Council.

Coming up

The Cultural Commission will meet August 13 to discuss upcoming shows at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts and Grossinger Motors Arena, as well as past and future commission events. The only action item is approval of minutes from June 12.

The Human Relations Commission will meet August 13 to decide whether a formal hearing is warranted for a complaint filed by Laquita Hicks against RCS Management. The commission will also vote on a requested $3,000 sponsorship for the 2026 Cultural Fest and elect a chairman and vice chairman. An update on discrimination complaints is also scheduled.

Bloomington Fire Pension Board approves $328,000 Treasury purchase; City Council weighs $14.7M payroll

The Bloomington Fire Pension Board approved the purchase of a six-month US Treasury for $328,000 during its July 24 meeting, marking the most significant financial decision among recent local government actions. The board voted 4-0 to make the purchase and separately voted 4-0 to surrender the ANLIC #3040 annuity.

Fire Pension Board

In addition to the Treasury purchase and annuity surrender, the board accepted the Treasurer's Report as presented (4-0). Members also accepted Quarterly Performance Reports for Dec. 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026, via viva voce vote, and approved minutes from the Feb. 13, 2026, meeting using the same method.

Township Board of Trustees

The City of Bloomington Township Board of Trustees met July 27 and approved the May 26, 2026, Regular Session meeting minutes. The board certified the May 2026 Statement of Funds for the General Town Administration, General Assistance, and Cemetery Funds. Trustees also approved the June 22, 2026, General Town Fund Request for Payment. No items were discussed on the regular agenda.

City Council

The City Council met July 27 to consider several financial and development items, though minutes have not yet been published to confirm final decisions. The agenda included a memorandum of understanding with Habitat for Humanity of McLean County to create new affordable housing. Council members were set to vote on bills and payroll totaling $14,742,898.80. Other items on the agenda were the preliminary plan for the Maple Square subdivision at 1029 Maple Hill Road, an agreement with Anderson Electric, Inc. for power service at 120 North Center Street for $176,300, and an agreement with McLean County Asphalt, Co. for Lake Bloomington road resurfacing for $193,114.35.

Committee of the Whole

On July 20, the Committee of the Whole heard a presentation on the Behavioral Health Initiative followed by council discussion. The committee also received a presentation on regulating vape vending machines, with no motion expected. The meeting included a public comment period and routine consent agenda items.

Other Boards and Commissions

The Building Board of Appeals held a special session July 21 to discuss adopting the 2021 International Code Council codes and the 2023 National Electric Code, along with a presentation on property maintenance code appeals. The Public Safety & Community Relations Board met July 22 to receive a presentation from the Bloomington Police Department regarding complaint updates and a Taser report. On July 23, the Commission for Safe Communities received presentations on gun violence in the Bloomington-Normal area and updated McLean County year-to-date suicide statistics. Commissioner Lust shared research on promoting gun safety, suicide prevention, and school programming funding. The Technology Commission meeting scheduled for July 28 was canceled.

Coming up

• **Aug. 4:** Building Board of Appeals will review property maintenance code appeals and continue discussion on adopting the 2021 International Code Council Family of Codes and 2023 National Electric Code.
• **Aug. 6:** Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to review and act on proposed Zoning Code text amendments (Z-05-26) covering Business District use permissions, Residential District bulk and site standards, off-street parking and loading, and accessory buildings and uses.
• **Aug. 13:** Human Relations Commission will determine if a formal hearing is warranted for Hicks v. RCS Management, consider a $3,000 sponsorship request for the 2026 Cultural Fest, and elect a new chairman and vice chairman.

Bloomington boards and councils weigh water contract, liquor licenses, and zoning variances in busy two-week stretch

Over the past two weeks, Bloomington's boards and commissions convened on topics ranging from a multi-million-dollar water system engineering agreement to liquor license ownership changes and a disability pension hearing. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, the items below reflect what was placed on each agenda for consideration — not confirmed outcomes.

City Council — July 13

The City Council agenda included the largest dollar items of the period. Members were scheduled to act on a resolution approving a $5,216,280 bid waiver with Donohue & Associates for water systemwide improvement engineering. The consent agenda also listed a $2,182,950 construction contract with Stark Excavating for the South Main Booster Station, an $845,611 agreement for the Fiscal Year 2027 Concrete Subdivisions Program, and a $145,000 real estate purchase at 719 South Clayton Street for a sewer project. A public hearing was set on the Program Year 2025 CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report. The regular agenda included an update on housing rehabilitation and a $200,000 budget amendment for the Home Repair and Accessibility Program.

Liquor Commission — July 14

The Liquor Commission scheduled public hearings on three license matters: an ownership change for Yankee Doodle at 1407 Morrissey Dr. (Class TAS license), an ownership change for Maguires at 220 N. Center St. (Class TAS license), and a new Class RAS license application for House of Yolk Breakfast Restaurant at 2115 W. Market St. The agenda also listed a citation against Bloom Bawarchi 2.0 at 503 N. Prospect Rd. for selling alcohol to a person under 21.

Fire Pension Board — July 14

The Fire Pension Board was set to hold a hearing on the City of Bloomington's motion to intervene in Tyson Shultz's duty disability application, with a final determination on the motion expected.

Zoning Board of Appeals — July 15

The Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled public hearings on two variance requests. V-01-26, filed by Gregg Bauer, sought reductions in required front yard, lot width, and lot area to build a two-family dwelling at 1115 W. Oakland Ave. in the R-2 district. V-02-26, filed by William Brady, sought to allow an accessory garage/carport encroachment into a secondary front yard (a 9-foot setback versus the required 15.5 feet) and a fully opaque fence in a required secondary front yard at 1202 E. Jefferson St.

Human Relations Commission — July 9

The Human Relations Commission was to determine whether a formal evidentiary hearing is warranted for a complaint filed by Laquita Hicks against RCS Management. The agenda also included a proposed $3,000 sponsorship for the 2026 Cultural Fest, an update on discrimination complaints, and a discussion on updates affecting the immigrant community.

Historic Preservation Commission — July 16

The commission considered Certificates of Appropriateness and Funk Grants for three properties: roof repair on the carriage house at 410 E. Walnut St. (grant up to $2,157), front porch repair at 809 N. McLean St. (grant up to $7,250), and exterior painting at 903 E. Jefferson St. (grant up to $4,500).

Other boards

The Foreign Fire Insurance Board met July 8 to review a quarterly treasurer's report and spending requests including an airway simulator for up to $2,500 and a $27.09 reimbursement to E. Davison for grill parts. The Citizens' Beautification Committee met July 16 to select beautification award winners and hear a presentation on holiday decoration events.

Coming up

• **Committee of the Whole — July 20:** Presentation and discussion on the Behavioral Health Initiative, plus a presentation on regulating vape vending machines. No motion expected on the vape item. Public comment limited to 30 minutes, with speakers capped at 3 minutes.
• **Building Board of Appeals — July 21:** Special session on adopting 2021 International Code Council codes and the 2023 National Electric Code, plus a presentation on property maintenance code appeals. Meeting at Government Center Boardroom, 4th Floor, Room #400.
• **Public Safety & Community Relations Board — July 22:** Bloomington Police Department presentation on complaint updates and a Taser report, with resolved complaints distributed for review.