By: Diane Benjamin
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Agenda: https://bloomingtonil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4119/files/agenda/15011
Regular Agenda – 2 items:
1)
Consideration and Action on a Resolution Approving a Contract with Teska Associates, Inc., for the West Bloomington Quality of Life Road Map (RFP #2027-03), in the Amount of $99,700, as requested by the Community Impact & Enhancement Department.
This agreement with Teska looks to provide a LOT of transparency: https://bloomingtonil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4119/files/attachment/10798
They will actually comply with all Freedom of Information requests. $10,000 of the $99,700 will be paid with CDBG federal funds.
Remember when the water park was sold as an economic driver for the west side? I haven’t heard much about it this summer. How was attendance?
2)
Zoning changes: https://bloomingtonil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4119/files/report/6456
When zoning changes use terms like “best practices” and “right zoning” alarm bells go off for me. “Best” and “right” should be what is best for Bloomington and has nothing to do with what staff learned at some conference or on line. What works elsewhere has zero to do with what works here.
The Planning Commission approved the changes.
The rest of the agenda looks pretty unimpressive.
Excellent analysis in 2)…the whole tax funded conference and brainwashing events produce sales. We see it in It and systems and training all the time. It’s a huge risk for taxoiayers when decisions are made and terminology is thrown around- ending in contracts.
Agree.