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Bloomington city manager eager for council visioning session

Tim Gleason speaking at a Bloomington City Council meeting.
Emily Bollinger
/
WGLT file
Tim Gleason

Bloomington will soon have quicker access to legal marijuana after the city council this week approved a zoning provision clearing the way for the new cannabis sales outlet near Walmart on the city's west side. Estimated potential revenue from a second marijuana sales outlet could be $300,000 a year.

City Manager Tim Gleason said during a WGLT interview he's not sure what will constitute market saturation, or how to use that revenue when it does materialize.

"It's in that larger bucket I would call revenue for investment in the community," said Gleason, adding he's looking forward to September and a council work session on potential new projects and additions to the community.

"I think we're beyond the catch-up part on infrastructure, or at least have addressed that. But then actually do more. Honestly, it's a very exciting time for the community to be able to even consider the possibilities," he said.

PSCRB

On another topic, Gleason doesn't think the Public Safety and Community Relations Board (PSCRB) has lost momentum after its initial round of work. The head of that board, Ashley Farmer, recently said the panel and the city need to tell the story of the body in a better way.

Gleason said the board is doing a good job vetting complaints against the police department.

"I think it is the perfect bridge to be able to tell the rest of the story. The resident complains and then the police department side of it. And then having this third party take all of it and digest it and come up with recommendations, I think it works perfectly," said Gleason.

He said he thinks the panel has credibility in the community and stakeholders are aware of it and know how it functions.

"I think it is a well-known entity to seek out if there are issues within the department.

Gleason said he wants to meet with Farmer and talk about how she thinks the city should better tell the board's story, adding he will try to determine if it is a marketing issue, a need for re-branding, or something else.

WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
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