Bloomington City Manager Jeff Jurgens said the Town of Normal's proposed regulation of pop-up party problems could help the city, too.
"We will closely monitor what the town is going to do. I think there could be some benefit in whatever they figure out, the city also [is] looking at, so we would have similar provisions in both communities," Jurgens said on WGLT's Sound Ideas.
The town has held off implementing new fines, audio bans, and other penalties for additional study after strong push back from people who say they are concerned about infringement on civil liberties by the proposed "zero tolerance" ordinance.
Two years ago, Bloomington increased fines in response to pop-up parties for people "in control of premises where people are engaging in destructive behavior."
"We have threatened to fine people," said Jurgens. "I know when we start to hear that a premises might be used for a party like this, I know we have pointed this provision out. I do think it has helped to be a deterrent."
Fines in Bloomington can go as high as $1,000, but start lower.
Bison attendance
Jurgens said he's pleased with the start of the Bloomington Bison hockey season at the downtown arena. Opening game attendance last weekend was more than 4,000. The second Bison game had 1,600 people in attendance. Jurgens said the trail off doesn't bother him.
"Most teams in the ECHL league start seeing higher attendance once it gets to December. The Sunday games, especially this time of year, are competing with football and with what was an 80-degree day. It's not surprising the attendance dropped off," said Jurgens, adding he's confident attendance will meet the city goal of 2,000 to 2,300 people per game.
"We really believe at that threshold, we start to make some money on food and beverage sales, which we get 70% of under our agreement. We want to see people going into the building and buying food and beverage to help us close the gap on operations in that building," said Jurgens.
The quality of the hockey was high during the opening two games, he said.
The Bison just won their first game of the season Thursday on the road, defeating the Iowa Heartlanders by a score of 4-2.
