Bloomington City Manager: “We are going to do it right” after technical problems end council meeting

Posted on March 24, 2020
Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Set to vote on an emergency ordinance Monday night, the Bloomington City Council meeting was canceled due to technical difficulties.

“Last night we had had a trial run with some of the elected (officials),” Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason told WJBC’s Scott Miller. “I think at the end of the day we provided too many options on how you can call into the meeting and then it played out. We always have a township meeting before the council meeting, the last council meeting of the month. I do think it was best, given the challenges and problems and the importance of what the township was talking about and what we were talking about at council to cancel it, and let’s get this fixed.”

The proposed emergency ordinance would give Gleason emergency purchasing powers, among other things. However, technical difficulties would not allow for the public to comment, which Gleason says was a vital component of the meeting.

“A component (of the agenda) was providing public comment. Also, there were a couple of public hearings that were problematic as well, so we are going to have a quick turnaround, have a special meeting for the township hopefully but definitely for the council this Thursday and Friday.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Renner extended another two days to allow restaurants to provide carry out and curbside pickup of alcohol.

“I think it would have been far worse if we would of just tried to proceed through it (technical difficulties) given some of the topics that we had to discuss,” Gleason added. “I think it was the best move. It might not quite be the answer that some of the people that had that feeling are looking for, but at the end of the day it is what it is we cut it off, we are going to regroup, and we are going to do it right.”

If the emergency ordinance is approved, it will last until April 30.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…