By: Diane Benjamin
The meeting was scripted with pre-determined results, there was very little discussion on anything.
The Public Hearing started with a presentation of how the Federal Grant money (CDBG) will be spent. No one commented, it wouldn’t have changed the vote anyway. People were urged to take the survey to determine how next year’s funds will be used: https://form.jotform.com/90654486550160
Finance Director Rathbun gave his monthly report. Home Rule Sales Tax Revenue is below budget for February, March and April. He blamed internet sales. Jamie Mathy commented the reason might be people are receiving smaller tax refunds because they paid in less all year. I know people who have driven to Champaign to their mall, I was there a couple of weeks ago. Besides the mall, there are thriving strip malls all over the area. Dick’s Sporting Goods has lost a lot of business since they decided to go anti-2nd Amendment. The Bloomington Mall has little reason to shop there. People have less money in their pocket because of tax and fee increases, and don’t forget highly paid former State Farm employees are living on less. Internet sales will only increase since shopping now has limited options in town. Have the chickens come home to roost? Hear his comments at 1:30.
He didn’t mention the Utilities Tax is also off. They used to use this tax as a sign of people leaving. The Hotel/Motel tax revenue if also off. See PDF page 2 http://www.cityblm.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=21662
Numerous items took place before the meeting business started, the most touching (tear jerking) was this:
Watch his family receive the proclamation at 17:50. See the proclamation on PDF page 14 http://www.cityblm.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=21652
Tari Renner did a Joe Biden impersonation at 20:44. (I hope he knew Josh’s mom) A part of Airport Road is being dedicated on Friday in Josh’s honor. See Mboka Mwilambwe’s comments following Tari.
I realize most of the readers NEVER watch video I link. This one is worth your time, grab a Kleenex first.
Public comment didn’t start until 40 minutes after 6:00
The first speaker was Scott Stimeling, he speaks at every meeting about the roads and condition of the sidewalks. He was fired up more than usual.
David Kobus spoke next about the Union Contract. Yes Local 699 members are getting salary increases. The City has no control over the 3% annual pension increases. The Democrats in Springfield refuse to fix that one. He did point out the City needs to cut spending instead of constantly raising taxes and fees.
A City employee who is retiring spoke next. She thanked the City. A lady representing Local 699 spoke next about how different negotiations were without a Chicago lawyer involved.
The final speaker talked about the conditions of the sidewalks making it almost impossible for handicapped people to navigate the town. Her comments are at 50:00.
Lesson on government:
Citizens expect their tax money to be spent on essential services like roads and sidewalks. Instead, Bloomington promotes entertainment venues that lose your money. Yes, last night they approved the VenuWorks agreement to only lose $350,000. The BCPA and now the Creativity Center will suck up more tax money.
Meanwhile, May 1st the Motor Fuel tax will go up to provide more money for streets and sidewalks.
Your Quality of Life in Bloomington will continue to decline because most people don’t bother to be informed and then vote their values. The people wanting this nonsense do vote.
Hit play for public comment, I’m going to refrain from commenting on Tari’s spring matching suit and pants. that’s him pictured below.
Lol, is that Renner’s pink flamingo imitation? Fool. That will clash with his red snap together glasses.
I think he has blue ones now, or maybe multiple colors.
Rainbow glasses?
I will comment for you Diane….. OMG! Is a sex change in the works for the Mayor? FYI: I have nothing against gay people but I do think transgenders are mentally ill.
So what happens when VenuWorks goes over their $350K cap? Do we get to see the Coliseum and the BPCA shut down for the year?
The City and VenuWorks will split the loss after that.
I know I recently made a purchase online that I would have preferred to make locally, but I refuse to buy from Dicks.
Thank you again Diane for being the primary source of true journalism in McLean County.
Wonder if Renner and the economics majors on the Council will study the net population inmigration vs. outmigration on a personal income basis. Population headcount is a limiting statistic. It seems the last State Farm move brought an increase of claims jobs to BN with an outward relo of tech, management, and other high-skill (thus higher paying) jobs outside of BN and Illinois. This clearly impacts disposable income levels. Add to that, are already overly-saturated restaurant economy. Yikes! Worse still, this current work population track that we’re on will have lasting effects, as high-skill and talented labor will find few opportunities in BN and move out/on.
Yes and State Farm’s current need for $16 an hour claims reps is going to quickly outstrip the local supply of available people. Who will relocate to BN for $16 an hour claims jobs? Almost no one…. State Farm will very soon not be able to fill these positions. Their only choice will be to move these jobs to larger markets with bigger populations. And the result for BN will not be pretty, but let’s not talk about it…. it’s a secret…. everything is fine…. take the family out to the government funded hot dog stand and forget about it.
There seemed to be a few times where the mayors hands were shaking. Good to see.
Alderman Mwilambwe’s comments were heartfelt and truly kind. I appreciate his presence on Council.
Do you know why Sage and Schmitt did not want to accept the plaques from the mayor? The city manager stepped in!
I think both really despise Renner. I see he did another Biden with Buragas and Hauman.
Sage and Schmidt played the Renner game for years until one day (every once in a great while) they dared to venture out of the box at which time Renner found new suckers to run against them. It’s either the little man’s way or the hi way.