The Central Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is urging Bloomington city leaders to "slow down" an evaluation of a proposed agreement between BPD and Atlanta-based Flock Safety.
Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason said he thinks the city council will ultimately support the new cameras. But Public Safety and Community Relations Board (PSCRB) members will have an opportunity to weigh in before a final vote. The PSCRB’s next meeting is Feb. 3.
Bloomington City Council met remotely Feb. 22, 2021.
The Bloomington City Council on Monday agreed to refinance some of its general obligation bonds, a move that’s expected to save about $560,000 in interest payments.
“We’ve done this before,” said City Manager Tim Gleason. “This is a relatively small bond refinance. But you’re going to be shocked at the amount of money we’re going to save.
Also at the virtual meeting, the council agreed to delay a decision on a Welcoming Cities ordinance draft to add clarification to the process, and heard reports on the John M. Scott Health Trust and on the upcoming budget.
Bloomington City Council meets remotely Jan. 11, 2021.
The Bloomington City Council on Monday overwhelmingly voted to join the Welcoming Network, a nonprofit group that prides itself on creating inclusive environments for immigrants through community engagement, job training and other initiatives.
The 7-0 vote, in favor of the membership in the Welcoming America Initiative, means Bloomington can actively promote “breaking barriers between the immigrant community and the rest of the population,” said Ward 2 council member Donna Boelen, who drafted the proposal.
Council members Jenn Carrillo, of Ward 6, and Jeff Crabill, of Ward 8, who have opposed joining Welcoming America saying it fails to protect the city’s immigrants from an overbearing federal system, were absent from Monday night’s meeting.