The Bloomington City Council meets remotely, Monday, May 10, 2021.
Bloomington plans to reopen all city facilities June 1 or 2 as part of the state’s bridge to Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan, City Manager Tim Gleason told the city council on Monday.
Gov. JB Pritzker announced last week the month-long “bridge” will begin Friday. The transition aims to return Illinois to normal operations and capacities by June 11.
In other pandemic-related news, Gleason told the council the first half of Bloomington’s $14 million due from the latest federal COVID-relief package arrives this week, and the state will begin a rental assistance grant program next week. The council voted unanimously to eliminate late payment penalties for water bills through Phase 4.
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.