The Bloomington City Council voted Monday on several issues tied to the nearly $14 million O’Neil Park and Pool project, including changing the skatepark designer.
As discussed earlier this month during the council's committee of the whole meeting, the city's initial plan to open the new west side O'Neil Pool and updated park by Memorial Day won't happen.
On Monday, as expected, the council amended its general contractor agreement with P.J. Hoerr, pushing the completion date for the project to Aug. 31.
City staff attribute the various delays to a number of factors, including labor shortages, supply issues, and the weather.
The council also OK’d a $265,000 contract with Missouri-based American Ramp Company to oversee the installation of a skatepark at O'Neil.
Specializing in skateparks, American Ramp replaces Spohn Ranch of California after that deal with the city fell through. This new contract is $5,000 higher than Spohn’s. Regarding the O'Neil project, the council also:
- OK’d an estimated $50,000 contract with P.J. Hoerr to handle startup operations for building concession services. The council waived the formal bidding process.
- Rejected a $435,750 proposal from Bloomington-based F&W Lawncare and Landscaping to update the greenspace at the park. The city planned to use a private grant to pay for landscaping. City staff say they'll work on finding a more cost-effective approach than the F&W proposal, the sole bid. Williams Associates Architects is working with the city to downscale the landscaping piece.
City plans to spend $10M on streets upkeep
Public Works engineer Craig Shonkwiler led a presentation Monday about upcoming plans for preserving streets and sidewalks in the community. He also described current projects.
Looking ahead to fiscal 2025, Bloomington plans to allocate about $10 million to streets. About 40% of that is dedicated to resurfacing, and another 20% to the sidewalk repair program.
The remaining FY25 street budget sets aside about $1.7 million for street preservation processes; $1 million for concrete subdivision streets; $1 million to account for inflation, and $300,000 for emergency repairs, said Shonkwiler.
Besides resurfacing streets, the city also has a less-expensive method to add life to streets, he said. That's a preservation process that coats the streets every 5-7 years.
The city administrator said recommendations for moving forward include switching to an automated system for collecting pavement condition data, and using Department of Transportation software to assess deteriorating pavement.
The city also needs to address ways to preserve concrete streets in Old Farm Lakes and the Golden Eagle subdivisions, said Shonkwiler.
The half-hour presentation, including a report on current street conditions, is available online at the city’s site dedicated for information about road work.
Former CII East project pushes completion date
O'Neil Park and Pool isn't the only Bloomington construction project facing delays.
The redevelopment of the former downtown CII East Building, now known as Northwest Mutual Building, also is behind schedule.
On Monday, the council OK’d extending the completion deadline to December. The council also amended the related tax rebate agreement among the developer, 102 South East LLC, the city, and District 87.
When finished, the $4 million project at East and Front streets will be mixed-use. The ground floor is office space, while above will be a dozen leased apartments, and four-short term rental units.
Bloomington developers Andy Kaufmann and Robbie Osenga, who manage 102 South East LLC, also have a separate $18.5 million proposal before council.
The much larger project would include construction of a five-story apartment building and townhomes on East Washington Street. On Monday, the council postponed a vote on that project until its June 12 meeting.
Almost $500,000 outsourced for engineering services
The city’s challenges filling engineering staff positions has led to the council to approve an agreement with Rockford-based Fehr Graham for on-call engineering services, usually handled through the city’s public works department.
The council agreed to spend up to $475,692 for the services in the upcoming year.
Fehr Graham was chosen among four firms. Under the agreement, the firm will provide technical, project management, and review services for a variety of projects.
Spanos is new attorney for city
Deputy City Manager Jeff Jurgens told the council on Monday that Bloomington has hired Chris Spanos to be the corporate counsel for the city.
Since being named the second deputy city manager earlier this spring, Jurgens has been handling both posts. Spanos replaces him. Currently, Spanos is the first assistant state’s attorney with the McLean County state’s attorney’s office. He’s expected to start his new city position in mid-June.
Jurgens called Spanos an experienced trial lawyer, who is looking forward to his new position with Bloomington.
Both Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason and Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus were home Monday with COVID, Jurgens told the council.
Tyus did lead a presentation remotely for part of Monday's meeting.
In other business, the council:
- Rejected three bids to demolish vacant property in the 800 block of Jackson Street. The buildings were lost in a Dec. 10 fire. The city is pausing the process due to legal developments.
- Approved an agreement with Ferguson Enterprises, not to exceed $117,000, for software tied to the newly purchased Neptune water meters.
- OK’d Bloomington Municipal Credit Union’s site plan and special-use permit for a new structure to house the credit union, and add a drive-thru at 602 S. Gridley St.
- Approved spending up to $100,000 for the upcoming year, with the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, for Miller Park Zoo vet services.
- Approved several appointments and reappointments to the following commissions: David Lewis, Anna Patino, and William Peradotti to planning; Cindy Termuende to cultural; Paul Scharnett and John Elterich to historic preservation; Uma Kailasam to human relations; and Lauren Pruter and Elicssha Sanders to transportation. Also, Brenda Guest was appointed to the Japan Sister Cities Committee, and Jerry Kelleher, to the zoning board.
